If you don’t reside in the UK but enjoy BBC content, this post is for you. I will provide details on some of the best VPNs you can use to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere worldwide.
BBC iPlayer is a free on-demand streaming service for live TV channels, movies, and TV shows. It is compatible with mobile phones, PCs, tablets, smart TVs, and FireStick products. Unfortunately, it is only available in the UK and BBC iPlayer fans outside the UK must find other ways to access the service.
One of the most reliable ways to stream BBC iPlayer outside the UK is by using a VPN. A reliable VPN has smart DNS technology that lets you bypass geo-restrictions implemented by streaming services like BBC. You can stream BBC iPlayer from the US, Russia, Canada, China, France, or anywhere with a reputable VPN.
What is a VPN? How does it unblock BBC iPlayer outside the UK?
A VPN is a tool that changes your IP address.
An IP address is a unique number assigned to your internet connection by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This IP address contains information about your connection, including your geographical location. When you try to access BBC iPlayer from any country other than the UK, the service will detect your location and block the access.
A VPN helps reroute your internet connection through a server in a different country, thus changing your primary IP address. For example, you can choose a UK server to access BBC iPlayer if you are US-based.
The BBC servers will see your IP and believe it is coming from an area in the UK, allowing you to access the entire library of channels, including the following:
- BBC One
- BBC Two
- BBC Three
- BBC Four
- CBBC
- CBeebies
- BBC News Channel
- BBC Parliament
- BBC ALBA
How We Review VPNs?
We buy VPN subscriptions and carry out extensive research over several weeks, assessing essential factors such as speed, performance, security leaks, geo-unblocking capabilities, and additional features like ad-blocking. Our testing process involves examining multiple VPN servers across various cities and countries at different times of the day. Moreover, we also assess the performance on times and days when the network traffic is expected to be higher, such as weekends. Furthermore, every VPN is tested on all compatible devices, including routers.
The Best BBC iPlayer VPNs in 2024
There are hundreds of VPN providers, nearly all claiming to work with BBC. But it isn’t entirely true. Only a few VPN services have the technology to unblock streaming services, such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix. After spending several hours testing, I found the following best VPNs for BBC iPlayer that will still work in 2024:
1. ExpressVPN
Rated #1 BBC VPN out of 34 VPNs reviewed
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs, making it the best choice for streaming shows on BBC iPlayer. Let’s take a look at its features.
Servers
ExpressVPN has one of the largest server networks of all VPN providers, with servers in 105 countries and 5 server locations in the UK. You can connect your device to one of ExpressVPN’s UK servers and access BBC iPlayer wherever you are. Having multiple server options in the UK is an excellent way to ensure reliable streaming speeds that let you watch content uninterrupted.
Subscription Cost
This VPN service has different subscription plans based on duration. Their basic monthly subscription plan costs $12.95. The 6-month plan costs $59.95 per year, which is $9.99 monthly.
The annual plan is a special deal: $6.67 monthly. You get three extra months for $99.99 per year (you pay for 12 months and get 15).
If you are unsatisfied with the service (I see no reason), you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
Speed and Security
When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN outperforms all its competitors. According to the speed test conducted by our experts, running speed tests for various servers at different locations with ExpressVPN led to an average speed of 106 Mbps (the Allotted speed is 120 Mbps).
These are impressive figures with speed retention of 88.33%, and you can easily stream videos at 4k Ultra-HD quality with such a fast connection. The average speed test for various regions are:
- Speed in North America: 117 Mbps
- Speed in Europe: 107 Mbps
- Speed in Asia: 96 Mbps
Regarding security, ExpressVPN has military-grade encryption and doesn’t record any identification logs. They don’t store your IP address on their servers, which keeps you completely anonymous.
Other features
A single subscription plan with ExpressVPN allows you to connect 8 devices simultaneously. Servers and security measures are updated regularly to avoid getting blocked by the BBC. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers a free Password Manager tool branded Keys with its subscription.
Further, their customer support team is available 24/7 through live chat.
Compatibility
ExpressVPN works on FireStick, Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and Routers. They even have extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers.
Jurisdiction
The company is under the jurisdiction of the BVI (British Virgin Islands) and is not subject to data retention laws or government surveillance.
Verdict
Despite being a slightly expensive service in this list, ExpressVPN is our first recommendation for BBC iPlayer VPN. They have earned the trust of their vast user base and are the most reliable network in the market. With all these fantastic features, you will be satisfied with this VPN. So, without any doubt, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer.
How to Access BBC iPlayer
This is the easiest part once you get a good VPN.
1. Install VPN on your Device
2. Open the VPN app and connect to the UK server
3. Visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer and sign in with your login details.
4. That’s all. You can start watching your favorite shows.
Note: If you don’t have a BBC iPlayer account, you can create a new account by following the link above. You don’t require a credit card or other payment-related details to create an account.
2. IPVanish
Rated #2 out of 34 VPNs tested
IPVanish is a VPN service based in the US. With it, you can hide your identity, lock your data, and stay entirely anonymous on the World Wide Web.
Like other VPNs we have reviewed in this post, IPVanish is a reliable, fast, and secure VPN service to stream BBC iPlayer. You can easily watch BBC iPlayer using IPVanish from anywhere in the world.
Servers
IPVanish has several servers in the UK that you can use to unblock iPlayer in any part of the world. They are fast and reliable and ensure high-quality resolution for all premium streaming services, including BBC iPlayer. The servers also use cutting-edge technology to prevent latency.
Additionally, they support various resolutions, including 4K, and are optimized to avoid tearing due to packet loss for a smooth streaming experience.
Unlike ISPs, IPVanish doesn’t implement speed throttling, so you won’t experience data degradation when watching BBC iPlayer using IPVanish.
Regarding server networks, IPVanish has over 2,200 servers in 75+ countries. This provider offers several of these servers in the UK distributed across four primary locations. This vast network ensures you access reliable service with zero downtimes whenever you wish to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Subscription Cost
The 2-year plan costs $77.95 and saves you 75%, equal to $3.25 monthly. The yearly plan lets you save 66%, as you pay $51.95 annually, down to $4.33 monthly. The annual and two-year plans also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Finally, we have the monthly plan. This package costs $12.99 per month. It’s ideal for people who want to try the service before committing to a longer-duration plan.
Speed & Security
IPVanish UK servers use high-tech hardware and software with ultra-fast speeds. On average, you’ll get 488 Mbps speed on a 500 Mbps internet connection—enough to stream 4K-quality content and go even further.
When it comes to security, IPVanish uses state-of-the-art 256-bit AES encryption. This algorithm makes it impossible for any individual or company to decrypt your data. Around the world, this encryption method is used by governments, agencies, top-secret legal bodies, and more.
IPVanish offers five types of connection protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and IPSec. According to your device and requirements, you can select any of them to safeguard you in the horrific playground of the World Wide Web.
Other Features
In addition to the fast servers and advanced encryption technology, IPVanish has other notable features like the VPN kill switch. The kill switch instantly disables your internet if the VPN connection drops accidentally.
It also has the all-new SOCK5 proxy. It is a feature ideal for people who don’t prioritize encryption but want an overall secure connection without sacrificing speed.
Do you know that leaking DNS protection is one of the crucial reasons behind traffic and location leaks? Unfortunately, many VPN services don’t provide real-time DNS leak protection, but with IPVanish, you get the feature built-in for free.
Just like you, IPVanish is quite serious about privacy. That’s why they never monitor or log your traffic. Whatever device you use, your data, activities, and information remain yours.
Unlike many VPN services, IPVanish doesn’t cap your connections. With one account, you can sign in to an unlimited number of devices without experiencing any throttling. So, you can now use multiple devices to watch BBC iPlayer simultaneously.
Compatibility
IPVanish has designed user-friendly software for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Linux, and Google Chrome. To install the app and log into your account, you only need to install the app. Furthermore, IPVanish offers firmware for selected routers like DD-WRT, Tomato, ASUSWRT, and ASUSWRT-Merlin.
Jurisdiction
IPVanish falls under the jurisdiction of the United States. As a member of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, the US threatens the privacy and security of user data. In the past, there have been many cases where members of the Five Eyes alliance used the help of participating members to analyze and scrutinize their citizens’ data.
So, as IPVanish is under US jurisdiction, there’s always an element of doubt about its true privacy and security.
Verdict
For all those who want to stream BBC iPlayer content outside of the UK, IPVanish has got you covered. Impressive speeds, reliable servers, premium security, valuable plans—you name it, IPVanish has everything to be your number one BBC iPlayer streaming partner.
3. PIA (Private Internet Access)
Rated #3 out of 34 VPNs tested
PIA was founded in 2010 and has steadily risen to become one of the best VPN services available. This VPN uses modern technology and military-grade encryption to help users bypass government censorship, unblock geo-restricted websites, and browse the Internet privately and anonymously.
Private Internet Access (PIA) developers prioritize security and privacy, ensuring this VPN meets your needs. In addition to providing top-notch security and privacy, PIA offers diverse features, a vast server network, and compatibility with various devices.
Servers
A vast and well-distributed server network is one of the most essential features of a reliable VPN service. Servers typically dictate which countries users can connect to. Like other top VPN providers, PIA has servers in over 91 countries, with several distributed across three locations in the UK.
UK PIA servers are fast, lag-free, and reliable—great for watching BBC iPlayer abroad. PIA’s huge server network in the UK lets you stream high-quality content with minimal buffering or lagging. Servers have unlimited bandwidth, meaning you don’t have to worry about speed throttling by your ISP or degraded streaming quality.
This VPN aims to maximize your BBC iPlayer streaming experience with crystal-clear video and audio quality, no matter where you are.
Subscription Cost
Trusted by millions of satisfied customers worldwide, PIA offers one of the most affordable plans in the game. Private Internet Access has something for everyone, whether you are a student looking to safeguard your activity or a company owner who wants to keep employees safe on the Internet.
The two-year plan with two free months costs $56.94 (billed every two years) and comes down to $2.03 monthly. Next up, we have the six-month plan. You pay $45 for this plan, which costs approximately $7.50 monthly.
Lastly, we have the one-month plan, which will cost you $11.95 per month. PIA offers premium add-ons for extra security, like Antivirus and a Dedicated IP Address. Regardless of your chosen plan, PIA offers a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.
Speed & Security
According to Private Internet Access, all their servers have been optimized for 10 Gbps connection speeds. Also, they use state-of-the-art VPN protocols, which means you won’t notice any buffering, freezing, lagging, or stuttering when streaming BBC iPlayer from different parts of the world.
Regarding raw download speed, PIA falls slightly below ExpressVPN and IPVanish. On average, PIA offers 140 Mbps download speed compared to ExpressVPN’s 165 Mbps download speed. However, you won’t notice a significant difference. On the other hand, PIA wins in terms of upload speed. The average PIA upload speed is 137 Mbps, whereas ExpressVPN provides 110 Mbps.
Regarding security, PIA is second to none. The VPN lets you choose between 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption. These are two of the most renowned encryption algorithms used worldwide to keep data from harm’s way.
Next, PIA is one of the only top VPNs that offers 100% open-source VPN apps. Therefore, anyone can verify its publicly available code, as it has nothing to hide.
PIA uses only the safest and most trusted open-source VPN protocols, like OpenVPN and WireGuard, for maximum performance and security. They also use IPSec on iOS to offer customers A+ reliability without compromising safety and transparency.
Speed and security are not compromised when you use Private Internet Access. Start streaming BBC iPlayer from anywhere worldwide with PIA to experience solid fluidity and privacy.
Other Features
PIA has no shortage of features. It offers a ton of safety and privacy tools. The no-logging policy is the first-in-line feature. It never records or backs up your activity, including your IP address, browsing history, bandwidth consumption, and connection times and durations. This service takes your privacy seriously, so it doesn’t have access to your data.
PIA lets you get a dedicated IP address. This feature ensures you enjoy the perks of a private connection with a more consistent web browsing experience and fewer interruptions.
You might have noticed that some apps and services aren’t quite VPN-friendly. As a result, you can’t even access them if you use a VPN. With PIA’s advanced and highly configurable split tunneling, you can easily pick apps or services with which you don’t want to use the VPN. Then, you can set custom rules to direct traffic through and around the VPN tunnel simultaneously.
Lastly, a custom ad-blocking feature MACE, helps you block ads, trackers, and malware online. Unlike other blockers, it’s based on DNS, meaning full-proof protection.
Compatibility
PIA is everywhere, from Windows to macOS, Linux, Android, Apple iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, gaming consoles, routers, smart TVs, FireStick, and Android TV.
Regardless of the hardware, PIA apps feature a user-friendly UI, easy-to-use tools, and a simple set-up process. Just follow the on-screen instructions to get your VPN walls up and running.
Simultaneously, you can use up to 10 devices per account on the PIA service. You won’t experience any speed or data throttling while running multiple devices. And that means you can easily stream BBC iPlayer on more than one supported device simultaneously.
Jurisdiction
Speaking of jurisdiction, Private Internet Access falls under the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. However, on its official site, Private Internet Access mentions that “there are no logs. No identifying information can be collected, regardless of the force applied. Several companies claim they don’t log in, but the opposite has been proven. In contrast, we have stated in multiple court cases that we do not log.”
Verdict
PIA offers affordable plans, top-notch download and upload speeds, great features, and top-notch security. You can use PIA to access 4K UHD-quality BBC iPlayer content no matter where you live. Just purchase the plan, download the app, and turn on the VPN to enjoy your favorite content on the UK’s most popular platform.
Visit PrivateInternetAccess.com
4. CyberGhost VPN
Rated #4 out of 34 VPNs tested
CyberGhost is also a decent VPN service that can unblock BBC iPlayer outside the UK. Its key features are listed below.
Servers
CyberGhost’s network connection system is different from that of other VPNs. For most VPNs, you must choose a country to connect to their server. However, in CyberGhost, you get a list of streaming services, and BBC iPlayer is also included. When you select the BBC iPlayer service, they automatically connect you to the best and fastest server in the UK, allowing you to stream abroad.
Subscription Cost
The different subscription plans for CyberGhost are:
- 2-year + 4 months (28 months) plan: $2.03/month; billed at $56.94 with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- 6-month plan: $6.99/month; billed at $41.94 with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Monthly plan: $12.99 billed every month (14-day money-back guarantee).
They also offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Speed and Security
As per the speed tests done by our experts, speed tests across different locations and times have given an average speed of 58 Mbps (the allocated speed of 100 Mbps). This means speed retention of 58%, and you can stream videos in 4K ultra-HD quality with the speed offered by CyberGhost.
They have a no-identification log system that keeps your IP address private and inaccessible to third parties. They use 256-bit AES encryption to keep all data safe and secure.
Other Features
With a single CyberGhost subscription account, you can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. Live chat support is available 24/7 to assist you with any queries or issues.
CyberGhost has apps for MAC, IOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Amazon FireStick, Smart TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 & PlayStation 4, Routers, and more.
Compatibility
CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux devices and provides extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers. They even support Firestick, and the parent company continuously upgrades and improves its services to avoid being blocked by BBC iPlayer.
Jurisdiction
The company comes under the jurisdiction of Romania’s laws, which considers it safe for VPN companies.
Verdict
With a super-cheap plan and many valuable features, CyberGhost is another superb VPN for BBC iPlayer and comes second on our list.
5. Surfshark
Rated #5 out of 34 VPNs tested
Surfshark is also a popular VPN service, which makes it an excellent option for unblocking BBC iPlayer abroad. Here are its features.
Servers
Surfshark offers 3 main servers in the UK, located in Glasgow, London, and Manchester. They have more than 1000 servers in 60+ countries worldwide.
Subscription Cost
Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPN providers available. It offers three types of plans:
- Surfshark Starter
- Surfshark One
- Surfshark One+
All plans are available in 24-month, 12-month, and one-month packages.
The SurfShark Starter is the entry-level plan. However, it includes all the necessary VPN features (including Ad Blocker). This plan is good enough for you if you only want VPN functionality (such as unblocking BBC iPlayer).
The 24-month (+2 free months) Starter plan costs $59.54 (effectively $2.29 monthly). The 12-month (+2 free months) is billed $41.86. The month-to-month plan costs $15.45, which is more expensive than most VPNs.
The 24-month (+2 free months) SurfShark One and SurfShark One+ packages cost $75.14 and $116.74 respectively. These plans offer additional features like real-time email and credit card breach alerts, personal data security reports, a private search engine, antivirus, webcam protection, etc.
The 12-month (+2 free months) One and One+ cost $48.86 and $76.86 respectively. The 1-month plan costs $15.95 and $17.95, respectively.
You can save up to 79% by buying a 24-month plan. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Speed and Security
Their average network speed is 60 Mbps (allotted speed 100 Mbps), making it suitable for online streaming of videos in HD quality. We also noticed that it doesn’t slow down the speed of your basic internet connection. This means that the faster your internet connection is, the faster the VPN connection will work.
With 256-bit encryption, your data is also protected, and Surfshark’s zero-logs policy keeps no record of your internet activity and IP address.
For added protection, Surfshark offers a Multi-hop feature that diverts your online traffic through two separate VPN servers, providing you with an extra layer of privacy. However, this will compromise your internet speed, so it’s a choice of security vs. speed.
Compatibility
Surfshark is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon FireTV, and Linux platforms, as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. You can use Surfshark on unlimited devices.
Jurisdiction
Like ExpressVPN, the company comes under the BVI (British Virgin Islands) jurisdiction.
Verdict
Surfshark rightfully takes the No. 5 spot in our list of best BBC iPlayer VPNs with a budget-friendly plan, unique features, and strong privacy and security.
Why are these five options the best choice for BBC iPlayer VPNs?
You may wonder why you should go for these 5 VPN services that require a subscription fee when so many free VPNs are available. That’s because BBC iPlayer already blocks most free VPNs.
Services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix continuously detect and block VPN servers. The free VPNs usually do not change their IP addresses as they lack financial resources. On the other hand, premium VPN services, such as ExpressVPN, constantly upgrade their servers and introduce new IP addresses. Therefore, it is almost impossible for BBC iPlayer or other geo-locked services to identify and ban all the IP addresses of premium VPN providers.
We have extensively used and tested the five VPNs on this list and confirmed that they work well with BBC iPlayer.
Furthermore, free VPNs are usually not as secure as the premium ones. They may not have the finances to employ the best encryption and safety technologies. But that’s not all. Some free VPN services are notorious for selling users’ private information.
While free or low-cost VPNs may save me a few dollars, they are not the best regarding security and privacy.
How did we choose the best BBC iPlayer VPN?
We have chosen ExpressVPN as the best BBC iPlayer VPN based on its fast speed and reliable connection. It can also bypass the Great Firewall of China, and its user interface is straightforward to understand. It provides 24/7 live chat customer support and advanced security for apps.
Therefore, it performs exceptionally well on all fronts, like speed, security, unblocking censorship, compatible devices, and customer support.
Other VPNs that Partially Worked with iPlayer
The following VPN services also worked with BBC iPlayer but weren’t satisfactory. Most of the time, the BBC detected the VPN and blocked access.
Wrapping Up
Among all the options we have listed, we recommend ExpressVPN for its highest reliability, security, and impressive streaming speed. Even in terms of reputation, ExpressVPN beats all its other competitors and has already amassed a massive consumer base. However, if their subscription prices are too much for you, feel free to try out any of the other four options.
Finally, we want to state that you will need to sign up for the BBC iPlayer service once you are connected to a UK IP address. You will also need to enter a UK postal code to do so. Once you finish that, you can stream shows and movies on BBC iPlayer.
Related:
- How to Install & Use Best VPN for FireStick
- How to Install & Use ExpressVPN on FireStick
- Best VPN for Torrenting
- Best VPN for Streaming Movies/ TV Shows
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