Awesome documentaries, classic TV shows, and a vast content library that could put any streaming service to shame- the BBC iPlayer is a service every movie/TV buff should have. Unfortunately, the service is only available in the UK. The good news is that with a VPN setup, you can easily access the entire BBC iPlayer content library without a hiccup. Our experts are suggesting downloading ExpressVPN for this purpose as the fastest and reliable service. You can also choose from our list of top-rated apps including Nord VPN, PureVPN and Surf Shark VPN. Each app comes with a free trial. Subscription prices start at $1.99/month.
The Best VPN for BBC iPlayer
#1. ExpressVPN - No activity logs VPN, all-access pass to global content. 30-day money-back guarantee. 3 Months Special Deal (save up to 49%)
#2. NordVPN - The Most Stable VPN. Protects all your devices, private DNS on every server. Best value deal: save 59% (2 year-Deal)
#3. PureVPN - AES-256 encryption, 6500+ servers in 140+ Countries, 7-day VPN trial. Browsers Extensions available. 31 Days Money-Back Guarantee
#4. Surfshark - Deal of the Day: 59$ for 24 months. Tested on Windows PC - Android - macOS. Split tunneling, Free Trial available
#5. CyberGhost - Ultra Fast Servers, up to 7 devices, no Logs Policy, Special streaming servers, 45-day money back (Incorporated in USA)
If you prefer high-class British news and British TV series (like Sherlock) it means that you are a great fan of BBC. This TV channel gained a lot of admirers because of its content (news, Planet Earth, famous TV series). Currently, almost all BBC content is available online via BBC iPlayer.
If you want to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad you will be disappointed as it is broadcasted only in the UK. Even if you are UK citizen and just travel abroad BBC iPlayer will be unavailable for you. Of course, you can use VPN services to watch BBC iPlayer from any point of the world.
Our Top Product Picks
- Industry-leading 24/7 technical support
- Live servers for BBC iPlayer and 1BBC iPlayerBBC iPlayer
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Prices begin at just $6.67 per month
- A vast number of IP-addresses
- Industry-leading encryption
- Prompt technical support
- Prices begin as low as $3.71 per month (long-term plans)
- Up to 256-bit encryption
- Breaks Chinese firewall
- IPS Leak protection
- Internet kill switch
- HackLock protection
- MultiHop mode with an extra layer of encryption
- BlindSearch for private and ad-free
- Camouflage Mode
- Country: Romania
- Founded: 2011
- Connections: 5
- Refund policy: 30 days
1. ExpressVPN
Price Range: $6.67 - $12.95. Special offer: $99.95 for 15 months
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Money-Back: 30-day free trial |
Devices: up to 5 |
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Devices: Apple TV, Fire TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Routers |
Platforms: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Linux |
Another great solution - ExpressVPN and BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN is known for its ability to bypass even the most difficult blocking censorship protocols, and some of their servers are optimized to help you watch your favorite streaming video. Try ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer for 30days, and if a feature doesn’t suit you, get your money back with their guarantee (although there are only a few alternatives as powerful).
Try ExpressVPN now and get our special offer!
2. NordVPN
Price Range: $3.49 - $11.95. Special offer: 2-year deal with 68% off
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Money-Back: 30-day free trial |
Devices:6 |
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Devices: Firestick, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi, Chromebook, Chromecast |
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS |
According to many of our readers, NordVPN and BBC iPlayer are the best choices to watch BBC iPlayer outside of the UK. A vast number of servers and IP-addresses allow you to maintain stable connections capable of unblocking iPlayer. If you contact the support, they are quick to respond and are knowledgeable enough to tell you where to connect. Please note that the service does not unblock BBC iPlayer on Firestick.
3. PureVPN
Price Range: $1.32 - $10.95. Special offer: 7-day trial for only $0.99
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Money-Back: 31-day free trial |
Devices: 10 |
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Devices: Routers, Android TV, Amazon FireStick, Microsoft Surface |
Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox |
If you like accessing streaming platforms from different counties, then PureVPN is the right choice for you. Though this app is not the fastest among its peers, it could easily stream Hulu, Netflix, HBO GO, and BBC iPlayer in HD. The encryption protocol of the service is also not as strong as its peers, and the customer service is not as good as others. However, it is a relatively cheap option with plans starting at $1.99 per month.
Increasing your encryption will be detrimental to your speed. However, when it comes to streaming, PureVPN works well because of its specialized servers for popular websites. You can select a specialized server for a specific website from the app. The Hong Kong-based firm focuses extensively on privacy protection and lies outside the 14-Eyes jurisdiction. It also claims to have a strict no-logs policy for the users. It can also break the Chinese internet firewall.
Now work, binge & stay secure online with PureVPN
4. Surfshark
Price Range: $1.99 - $11.95. Special offer: Get 81% discount
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Money-Back: 30-day free trial |
Devices:Unlimited |
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Devices:Android TV, FireTV |
Platforms: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Linux, Chrome |
SurfShark is another reliable and high-speed VPN service provider. It is also one of the cheapest products on the market. If you are unhappy with a free VPN but don’t want to spend a fortune on a paid VPN product, then SurfShark should be the app of your choice. It provides you high-speed servers that allow you to stream in high definition. It also comes with a CleanWeb adblocker, which helps people in avoiding midroll ads in video streaming platforms like YouTube.
It comes with high-speed connections as well, which can go up to 14.52 Mbps upload and 40.92 Mbps download. SurfShark provides P2P sharing, which makes torrenting very speedy. It has industry-standard 256-bit encryption as well and follows a strict no-logs policy. It also provides IP and DNS leak protection. It also works well with P2P clients. It also provides you double VPN protection, which keeps your browsing data safe.
5. CyberGhost
Price Range: $2.75- $12.99. Special offer: 3 extra months for FREE
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Money-Back: 45-day free trial |
Devices: 7 |
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Devices: Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick, Android TV, Routers |
Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux |
CyberGhost is a reliable provider with strong encryption and extra features that come with a fair price.It allows access to popular social networks and streaming services even in the countries with active censorship. Technical documentation is quite helpful, and the first line support is responsive and friendly. Overall, CyberGhost is a good choice for beginner and intermediate users.
Enjoy a fast and reliable VPN
How to Choose the Best BBC iPlayer VPN?
If you want to know how to get around BBC iPlayer and get it working VPN will be the best solution. Of course not all VPN providers are suitable so you have to take into account some factors which will make your experience better.
Don’t Use Free VPN
Most of such VPN services have a lot of restrictions and limitations (limited bandwidth, limited speed). But the main reason that currently, BBC is trying to restrict access to its content for those which use VPN. And all IP addresses of free VPNs are already known and blocked.
Wide Choice of the UK IP Addresses
The VPN provider you choose has to offer different servers in the UK and various UK IP addresses. It means that even if one IP address will be banned with BBC iPlayer you will also have another IP address to use. Also, your ideal iPlayer VPN provider should constantly update the set of UK IP addresses in order to have those which are not banned by BBC iPlayer.
Unlimited Bandwidth
If you want to watch BBC iPlayer without any limitation you need VPN service with unlimited bandwidth. Actually, most Paid VPN providers offer unlimited bandwidth by default but it is better to check beforehand.
Good Speed
TV series in good quality require the good speed of the internet connection. If you want to watch online Planet Earth or news from BBC it is better to check that your VPN service offers a good speed of the connection. Usually, the speed with VPN can be 10% lower than without VPN. But not more.
Excellent Customer Support
This is also extremely important. As BBC doesn’t like when somebody from outside the UK is trying to reach their content they are constantly banning IP addresses which belong to VPN providers. That is why it is important to have a responsive support which will be able to enable other IP addresses in the UK if all previous will be banned from BBC iPlayer.
Things to Consider Using VPN for BBC iPlayer
The most important in using VPN for iPlayer abroad is to constantly pretend that you are located in the UK so keep an eye on your devices (Windows, MAC).
Android Devices
If you want to use some Android Devices to watch BBC iPlayer (Smart TV or tablet) be careful. Sometimes they save DNS settings of your ISP instead settings of your VPN provider. The same can happen and with iOS devices. The one solution for this will be installing VPN on your router or using a virtual router. If you prefer watching BBC iPlayer on a really big screen we strongly recommend you installing VPN on your router (of courses in case your router support such function).
Cache and Cookies
Sometimes your browser may save the cookies from the previous session which will contain your real IP address. That is why even with VPN enabled BBC iPlayer will deny you from accessing its content (because somewhere in your cookies your real IP address is stored). That is why it is recommended to clean cookies and cache of your browser.
The Worst VPN to watch BBC
Some VPN providers even being good for other purposes are not suitable for watching BBC iPlayer mostly because their IP addresses for the UK are currently banned.
If you want to use Private Internet Access (PIA) be careful because most of its IP addresses for the UK are currently blocked by BBC iPlayer. As this company holds itself out as privacy solution it doesn’t tolerate those users which want to use VPN to overcome content restrictions. Read NordVPN review
FAQ
- Can I use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer for free?
As our article hints upon, you should not use a free VPN to watch BBC iPlayer. Even the best VPNs fail to provide access to streaming services, much less to this media level.
- Does Hola work with BBC iPlayer?
For free users, no. Generally, the use of this service is dangerous, as it is not an MHT. If you decide to pay, choose a VPN with a discount.
- What's the Fastest VPN for BBC iPlayer?
In this case, it is essential to find at least one that works. For speed, test NordVPN or ExpressVPN and choose the one that works best for you.
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Written by: Stefany Anderson
Technical Writer, Visit My WebSite Techno-copywriter, Privacy, Internet Security