Best VPN for BBC iPlayer
Are you on holiday and trying to access BBC iPlayer abroad? Trying to watch BBC iPlayer outside of the UK? Then you need a BBC iPlayer VPN to unlock your favourite TV shows and entertainment!
Our BBC iPlayer VPN reviews explained
BBC iPlayer restricts its content to people who are travelling or trying to access the BBC abroad. Usually, if attempting to access BBC iPlayer abroad the following error message will occur ‘Due to rights agreements, you need to be in the UK to stream and download programmes or watch BBC TV channels.’
With a VPN BBC app you can simply connect and pretend you are located in the UK to unblock BBC iPlayer. Using a VPN for iPlayer will enable unrestricted access to live BBC channels and on demand content for free, across all devices.
We have found the best VPN for BBC iPlayer by testing the best VPN companies out there – finding out which VPN services enable access to BBC iPlayer, allowing you to catch up on series such as The Bodyguard abroad, watch CBeebies on holiday or even unblock Peaky Blinders!
What do you need from a VPN for BBC iPlayer?
An iPlayer VPN needs to be a fast VPN for streaming content quickly and easily. Our VPN iPlayer reviews all cover the following:
- The ability to overcome BBC iPlayer detecting VPN
- Fast and reliable servers with UK servers to unblock iPlayer in HD without interruptions
- Secure connections allowing you to stream online privately and safely
- Unblocking BBC iPlayer proxy allowing access to geo-restricted content
- BBC iPlayer VPN providers that work across a multitude of devices such as mobile, tablet, desktop, Fire TV Stick, Smart TV and more
Melvyn's top 5 VPNs for BBC iPlayer
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the best and most popular VPN providers out there. It strikes the perfect balance for privacy concerned users and those looking for lightning fast speeds. It’s great for unblocking content such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer and also supports P2P and torrenting. Add to this its no logs policy and impeccable security, Nord sure does tick all the boxes!
Compatible with
Summary
Outstanding speeds, zero logs, and award winning 24/7 customer support… NordVPN is up there with the very best in the VPN market!
Our score:
4.9
Price from:
$3.71
per month
Pros
- Super-fast reliable servers with up to 226Mbps download speeds
- Extremely user-friendly applications on all devices
- Kill switch, DNS leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption
- Access to over 5,400+ servers spanning 59 countries
- Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer and all other popular streaming sites
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting permitted
- Double VPN security feature for extra protection
- One of the most popular VPNs available
Cons
- Alternative security protocols need manual configuration
- Speeds can be compromised on some distant connections
CyberGhost
CyberGhost are an exceptional VPN provider with industry leading levels of privacy, worldwide server locations ideal for torrenting with user friendly applications that flawlessly unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other popular streaming services. If you want a super-fast, zero logs, easy to use VPN… then look no further!
Compatible with
Summary
Super-fast, zero logs, easy to use apps and friendly 24/7 customer support… you can see why it’s our number one recommended provider!
Our score:
5.0
Price from:
$1.99
per month
Pros
- Super fast, reliable servers with up to 265Mbps download speeds
- Extremely user-friendly applications on all devices
- Kill switch, DNS leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption
- Access to over 7,200+ servers spanning more than 91 countries
- Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and all other popular streaming sites
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting allowed
- Protect up to 7 devices with one account
- One of the best value VPNs available
Cons
- No VPN obfuscation technology for use in high censorship countries
- Doesn’t work in China
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN are one of the most recognisable names on the market, offering best-in-class zero logs privacy, fantastic speeds, awesome features and easy to use applications. ExpressVPN is a true market leader, and whilst it comes with a premium price tag (compared to others), users are rewarded with an outstanding product!
Compatible with
Summary
Blazing-fast speeds, exceptional app usability and 24/7 customer support… ExpressVPN is a real force to be reckoned with!
Our score:
4.8
Price from:
$8.32
per month
Pros
- Blazing-fast servers with up to 170Mbps download speeds
- Extremely user-friendly applications on all devices
- Kill switch, DNS leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption
- Access to over 3,000+ servers spanning 94 countries
- Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer and great for HD streaming
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting permitted
- Defeats content and government censorship
- One of the most trusted names out there
Cons
- Only allows you to protect 3 devices
- Premium brand so you pay a premium price
Surfshark
Surfshark’s rise from zero to hero has been nothing short of outstanding and has quickly become a favourite amongst VPN users worldwide since joining the market in 2018. A secure, no logs VPN with great speeds, it’s ideal for streaming & torrenting. It’s extremely competitively priced, simple to use and allows users to protect an unlimited number of devices.
Compatible with
Summary
Super user-friendly apps (ideal for beginners), great speeds and unlimited device allowance… Surfshark is making some serious waves!
Our score:
4.8
Price from:
$2.49
per month
Pros
- Fast, reliable servers with up to 64Mbps download speeds
- Super user-friendly applications ideal for beginners
- Kill switch, DNS leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption
- Access to 1,700+ servers spanning 63 countries
- Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer and all popular streaming sites
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting allowed
- Protect unlimited devices with one account
- One of the cheapest VPNs available
Cons
- Speeds not quite as fast as rivals (at present)
- Server network still has room to grow
- Torrenting routed to servers in Canada and Holland
ZenMate
Newly relaunched and better than ever, ZenMate are aiming to break into the top 5 best VPNs that’s for sure! With upgraded hardware, incredible privacy, zero logs and market leading speeds, plus the ability to torrent and flawlessly unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other popular streaming services. If you want a super-fast, user-friendly, highly secure VPN… ZenMate may be your answer!
Compatible with
Summary
Super-fast, highly secure and potentially the cheapest premium VPN on the market right now… ZenMate really are trying to compete with the very best!
Our score:
4.7
Price from:
$2.22
per month
Pros
- Super-fast, reliable servers with up to 255Mbps download speeds
- Extremely user-friendly applications on all devices
- Kill switch, DNS leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption
- Access to over 3,600 servers spanning 74+ countries
- Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer and all other popular streaming sites
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting permitted
- Protect an unlimited amount of devices with one account
- One of the best value VPNs available
Cons
- No 24/7 live chat support
- Servers focussed around Europe & North America
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting not available on North American servers
BBC iPlayer related news
BBC iPlayer VPN FAQs...
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.