Best VPN for BBC iPlayer

A VPN (virtual private network) is a handy app which allows you to connect to a different server anywhere in the world. Simply put, it changes the location of your internet connection tricking your internet device into thinking you’re in that servers country (e.g. the UK when really you’re in the US). Once you have changed your location inside of the VPN, BBC iPlayer will think you are in the UK and hey presto, BBC iPlayer unblocked!

Whether you’re an expat living overseas, on a business trip abroad or simply on holiday, you will no doubt encounter BBC iPlayer restrictions in certain countries. Using BBC iPlayer is limited to TV licence paying users located physically in the UK. The BBC geo restrict all of their content meaning viewers are missing out on the latest and greatest BBC iPlayer content. By connecting to a VPN and appearing as if you are living in the UK, you will be able to watch live TV and catch up on the latest BBC entertainment.

Simply download your chosen VPN app to your computer or mobile device and connect to a VPN server in the UK. Once switched on and connected, you’ll be able to unblock BBC iPlayer and all of its great content.

Free VPNs are no good at all for streaming popular services such as BBC iPlayer so we do not recommend them. They do not support the basic requirements needed for a streaming VPN and aren’t able to cope with the high speeds and bandwidth requirements which paid VPN services offer. It’s worth adding that paid VPN services also offer a range of reliable dedicated servers for BBC iPlayer which are suitable for streaming buffer free HD content until your hearts content.

As mentioned, using a free VPN provider can be risky business with many not offering any VPN protection at all and are pretty much scams selling on your user data. However, WindScribe (at the time of writing) does currently work with BBC iPlayer and offers its free VPN users 10GB data allowance per month (which is sufficient for streaming a couple of shows) and is also completely safe to use!

Yes it is completely legal to use a VPN for BBC iPlayer and change your server location to the UK if you are trying to watch from abroad (from the US for example). It is important to remember that using a VPN can land you in trouble in a few certain countries so please have a quick search on Google first before using one.

Yes it does and not all VPNs can overcome this BBC iPlayer block. Essentially the BBC uses software which detects VPN servers, records their IP addresses and blocks them. Thankfully, our top 5 best recommended BBC iPlayer VPN applications above come with dedicated BBC iPlayer servers and are continually creating new IP addresses so if any of their IPs are blacklisted, users can continue to maintain access and unblock the service with no issues.

The only way to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad is by using a VPN. BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK and tracks if the users IP address is located on a UK server. By choosing one of our top 5 best recommended BBC iPlayer VPN providers from above, you can connect to a server in the UK from abroad and enjoy instant unrestricted access to BBC iPlayer as if you were living in the UK.

It isn’t possible to access/watch BBC iPlayer content without creating an account and signing in unfortunately. However, the registration is quick and easy!

If you’re not using a VPN to stream live TV on BBC iPlayer, there’s always masses of great content available to watch/catch-up on BBC iPlayer as it’s updated daily. Our favourite BBC iPlayer content such as Killing Eve, Line of Duty, Doctor Who, Eastenders and Match of the Day can all be viewed abroad by using a VPN.

Yes you can access all BBC iPlayer services as normal when using a VPN. This also works when you are abroad; ideal for listening to football commentaries and your favourite radio broadcasts.