6 Best VPNs For BBC iPlayer [Stream Outside UK]
10 min. read
Updated on
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial team. Read more
Key notes
- BBC iPlayer is a popular streaming platform that packs a wide variety of streamable content and endless hours of entertainment.
- If you're trying to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, you may notice that it doesn't work.
- You can easily bypass unfair geographical restrictions by turning to specialized tools such as VPNs.
- Even if you're watching from within the UK, VPNs can also encrypt your connection so that you'll be always safe.
For lovers of BBC’s iPlayer, if you want to watch channels therein and you’re outside the UK, a VPN comes in handy because the service is geo-restricted.
With the best VPN for iPlayer, however, you can easily pretend that you’re in the UK and unblock iPlayer to watch your favorite shows.
The most important thing is that the VPN has servers in the UK, because you’ll stream HD content, so you need one that delivers fast connection speeds.
Also, because you’re unblocking BBC, you need a reliable VPN with a strong privacy policy and encryption.
If you live abroad or suffer from ISP speed throttling problems, then a VPN is good for you.
Added benefits include watching series earlier, anonymous file sharing, and unlocking restricted content.
Our list of the best VPN for iPlayer has all these required and necessary attributes so you can try one of them and see which one suits your preferences.
Why would I need a VPN for BBC iPlayer?
If you want to have access to BBC iPlayer’s content library from outside the UK, you need to connect to a UK-based server to surpass geo-restrictions.
If you plan to travel abroad or want to access exclusive iPlayer content from a different region, you have to route your traffic with the help of a reliable VPN.
Some iPlayer users report getting a You cannot stream programs on BBC iPlayer outside the UK even when they actually are in the area.
This is an ISP-related issue and it generally means that your IP is not registered correctly. If you have this problem, you can benefit from a VPN until your ISP gets around it.
Additionally, you should also know that a VPN can help you surpass traffic restrictions that some internet service providers may impose.
Most premium VPNs offer unlimited bandwidth and include advanced encryption options so your ISP won’t be able to get any information on how much traffic you use and place any limitations.
This means that you will be able to enjoy seamless video-on-demand content all month round without worrying about using up too much data.
Make sure to get a VPN with powerful encryption that can hide the fact that you use a VPN in the first place. Fortunately, most modern-day VPNs encrypt your data in multiple ways so it is very unlikely to get detected.
How to unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN
There are various ways to reroute your traffic via a VPN, but the easiest one is to install a dedicated application on your device of choice, as follows:
- Sign up for a VPN account (of your choice) and download the application.
- Follow the installation prompts and then log in with your credentials.
- Pick a fast UK-based server location and connect to it.
- Login or create an iPlayer account directly from their website.
- Browse the library and pick the show of your choice.
Note that iPlayer is available on multiple devices, but the process is very similar, regardless of platform. For example, to access it directly from your TV, install your VPN and iPlayer applications to your smart TV.
VPN services generally provide straightforward information on how to install their specific product on your device and which devices support said VPN provider.
What are the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer ?
Private Internet Access (Recommended)
Private Internet Access, or PIA, offers you the possibility to access geo-restricted content, like BBC’s iPlayer and many others.
Additionally, you benefit from the highest-grade data encryption and secure connections.
Moreso, with one subscription, you can protect all your devices on wired and wireless networks, block ads and IP trackers as well as stay anonymous when online.
If you’re interested in using a VPN to stream media, such as that offered by BBC iPlayer, PIA has you covered, as you have unlimited bandwidth and thousands of servers available.
This VPN is very easy to use. You just have to set up an account and install the application on your devices of choice. Enter your credentials and connect to a private server at the press of a button.
For those of you that want to access restricted content and also browse locally at the same time, PIA offers the split tunneling feature which lets you handpick the apps that connect to the VPN.
PIA is a highly secure open-source software. It can be easily updated and optimized with changes taking effect quicker than with other types of software.
It also has a set of security features that include an ad blocker, anti-tracking tools, and advanced DNS security against malicious sites.
Private Internet Acess lets users connect to secure open-source protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Here are some of PIA’s key features:
- Encrypted WiFi
- P2P support
- PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec
- No traffic logs
- Over 3000 servers in 45 countries (and counting!!!)
- Protect up to 10 devices simultaneously
Private Internet Access is available with a subscription. There are 3 plans available, each with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Private Internet Access
Keep your browsing habits private with this amazing VPN, now at a discounted price for a limited time!NordVPN
NordVPN lets you connect to remote UK servers and make it seem like you’re living in your home country while securing your connection with strong encryption and zero logs.
This way, you can stream your favorite shows securely from any location.
Some of the benefits of this best VPN for iPlayer include security, military-grade encryption, CyberSec technology to shield you from intrusive ads and malware, an extra layer of privacy, IP address protection, and DNS leak protection.
It features an automatic kill switch, Onion Router for maximum security, browser proxy extensions, and SmartPlay technology.
The automated VPN Kill Switch feature ensures your data is secure even in case the connection is lost. It monitors your connection making sure you only use secure traffic.
If you want to connect to iPlayer and use local traffic at the same time, you can do so if you enable the split tunneling feature.
NordVPn uses private DNS on every server along with powerful AES-256 encryption to make sure your data is completely anonymous.
Other key features of NordVPN include:
- Mobile applications
- Multi-factor authentication
- Changes IP address twice
- Browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Edge
NordVPN has a network of 3277 servers in 60 different countries, plus you can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously with one account.
NordVPN
Looking for a great VPN that can unblock BBC’s iPlayer? NordVPN could be the one you need.Surfshark
Surfshark VPN is another good option for iPlayer because it has a large number of servers across the globe, allowing you to connect to the best server based on your configuration.
This VPN service lets you have a clean browsing experience with its built-in adblocker and anti-tracking features. Plus, it has a basic anti-malware shield that will protect your PC and data.
You should also know that Surfshark places private DNS and leak protection on every server. Along with that, they have a very strong no-logs policy.
Your data is completely private, they do not track anything and they prevent any third parties from doing so.
The NoBorders mode allows you to connect to various virtual locations. This way you can get access to restricted content across the whole globe.
Other key features of Surfshark include:
- Changes your IP
- AES-256 GCM encryption
- Camouflage mode
Surfshark is a subscription-based service with three different plans available. You can try it out for free for 7 days.
Surfshark
Surpass any restriction and enjoy limitless content.CyberGhost VPN
If you live abroad and want to watch your favorite flicks or the latest episode on BBC iPlayer, you need not worry about a great VPN like CyberGhost.
With 75 servers in over 15 countries, you can access audio and video platforms whether the services are blocked or not where you reside, including YouTube content that could be available or not depending on where you’re logged in from.
CyberGhost has an Unblock Streaming feature that lets you access many popular streaming services including BBC, without testing servers manually.
This is done based on an internal and regularly updated list, where users can add their favorite sites too.
Other features like ad and tracking blockers or malware blockers are optional so they’re deactivated to avoid streaming issues, but by default, this best VPN for iPlayer provides features such as no logs, military-grade encryption, hiding of IP, IP sharing as an additional security layer, Kill Switch to block traffic, and Leak Protection against IPv6 leaks, DNS, and port forwarding leaks.
Other key features of Cyberghost VPN include:
- Compatible with Windows, macOs and Linux
- Applications for iOS and Android
- Can be installed directly on router
- Lightweight
- Unlimited bandwidth
Once you’re successfully connected to the server, CyberGhost will send feedback about the website you’re connected to and want to watch, the current server location, and protection status.
CyberGhost VPN
Trying to bypass BBC iPlayer’s geo-restrictions? CyberGhost VPN could definitely help you with that.ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a trusted leader as one of the best VPN for iPlayer, with high speed, ultra-secure protection, ease of use, and instant setup.
You can access any content across 94 countries in over 148 locations, unblock the sites and apps you love, avoid hacking or tracking using powerful encryption, with blazing fast VPN speeds on a huge network of over 1700 global VPN servers.
The bandwidth is unlimited, and the VPN is easy to use for Windows and other operating systems.
Other advantages include zero restrictions on streaming and downloading from anywhere while your IP is hidden, plus offshore privacy protection with no activity or connection logs.
Additionally, Express VPN ensures protection from hacking and surveillance with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, and split tunneling.
ExpressVPN is compatible with all major devices and has dedicated applications for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
It can also be installed directly on routers, game consoles, and Smart TVs.
Other key features of ExpressVPN include:
- 24-hour live chat support
- Anti-tracking features
- Lightway protocol
- Built-in speed test feature
ExpressVPN is a subscription-based VPN service with three plans available. Each plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and users can use plenty of payment methods.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a great VPN service that can easily unblock BBC iPlayer.PureVPN
Owned by GZ Systems Limited, PureVPN offers a unique solution that creates encrypted tunnels, restricts malware and viruses, blocks annoying ads, and filters unwanted content.
Its features include antimalware, intrusion detection and intrusion prevention for protection against malicious programs, built-in ad-blocking and URL filtering to block malicious pages before you visit them.
Moreover, it includes app filtering, seamless connectivity, and software and apps for most major platforms and operating systems including Windows.
You can also use multi-logins on one single account, 256-bit data encryption, access all servers regardless of the package you choose with unlimited server switching, and unlimited data transfer.
Once you click on the BBC iPlayer option on the PureVPN extension, you get connected with their specialized servers in the UK, which unlock restrictions and let you stream live online with zero hiccups.
PureVPN is compatible with more than 20 devices, on over 750 servers in more than 140 countries, and has more than 88,000 IP addresses you can use.
Other PureVPN key features include:
- Compatibe with all major operating systems
- Dedicated mobile appplications
- Port forwarding
- WebRTC protection against identity leaks
However, it doesn’t come with an iPlayer account, so you have to subscribe separately. All this VPN does is provide a gateway to access BBC, and eliminate speed throttling issues. As for legality, there aren’t laws that restrict access to content through a VPN.
PureVPN
In need of a VPN that can unblock BBC iPlayer for you? You should definitely check out PureVPN.Don’t see your favorite VPN for iPlayer? Let us know your own experience with VPNs and BBC iPlayer by leaving a comment in the section below.
User forum
0 messages