The best VPN service for watching BBC iPlayer has servers in the UK, robust security, and a reliable reputation. We recommend ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, all providing a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try them confidently.
- ExpressVPN: Recommended for those who need higher internet speed
>>Sign up through our site get an extra 3 months free! - NordVPN: Recommended for those who want to balance price and internet speed
- SurfShark
: Recommended for those on a budget
To access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is essential. Establishing a connection to a server in the UK using a VPN service allows you to easily watch BBC iPlayer.
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in the UK
- Access BBC iPlayer and Create an Account
In this article, we will present our top-recommended VPN services for watching BBC iPlayer in detail. Additionally, we will show you how to watch and create a BBC iPlayer account from outside the UK using a VPN.
Tips to Choose the Best VPN for Watching BBC iPlayer
There are five important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for watching BBC iPlayer.
- Servers in the UK: Not all VPN providers have servers in the UK. Ensure that the VPN provider you choose has a server in the UK.
- Security and Privacy: Choosing a VPN with strong security features is crucial for a secure online experience. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption and a kill switch are widely used choices. Privacy is further enhanced if the VPN provider has a no-log policy, ensuring your browsing history is never stored on the VPN server and cannot be retrieved in the event of an incident.
- Connection Speed: Encrypting and routing your traffic through VPN servers has the possibility of slowing down your internet connection. This may cause trouble during watching videos. However, if you use a major paid service, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, you rarely notice the difference.
- Popularity : A large user base often signifies reliability. VPNs that lack popularity might struggle with circumventing government restrictions or suffer from unstable connections.
- Support: Encountering issues when using a VPN is not uncommon. For instance, there might be sudden restrictions on accessing certain websites, or an app update might introduce glitches. During such instances, having responsive and supportive customer service is invaluable.
Best VPN Services for Watching BBC iPlayer from Anywhere (Outside the UK)
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 | 60 | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ | 5,800+ | 3,200+ |
| Servers in the UK | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
| Maximum devices supported | 8 | 10 | Unlimited |
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | 1-Month: $12.95 6-Months: $9.99/month 12-Months: $6.67/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 8 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 60 |
| Total Number of Servers | 5,800+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 10 |
NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN has more than 5,800 servers in 60 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. You can et help and advice from our friendly customer support team through email or live chat for your 24/7. And NordVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- Want to balance price and internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,200+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Surfshark offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. Customer support experts are there for you 24/7, if you need a helping hand with them via live chat or email. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Who are budget conscious and want to want to connect with lots of devices
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
How to Watch BBC iPlayer from Anywhere (Outside the UK)
To access and watch BBC iPlayer from any location outside the UK, you need to follow three key steps. These steps ensure seamless access to the service regardless of your geographical position.
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in the UK
- Access BBC iPlayer and Create an Account
ExpressVPN has some of the fastest internet speeds of the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. So, using ExpressVPN, you can enjoy TV programs normally available only in other countries without a noticeable difference in speed. After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can easily browse the internet using ExpressVPN just by downloading their app
STEP1. Register with ExpressVPN
To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Get ExpressVPN Today” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.
STEP2. Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in the UK
After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Next, click “…” in the app and type “United Kingdom” in the search box.
Select a server and click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in the UK.
STEP3. Access BBC iPlayer and Create an Account
You need a BBC iPlayer account to watch BBC iPlayer.
You need to access BBC iPlayer while connected to a server in the UK, so that BBC iPlayer will treat you as if you are accessing it from the UK.
Click the “Sign in” button on the top left.
You will be asked your age, so click the “16 or over” button.
Next, enter your date of birth.
Next, enter your email address and password and click the “Register” button.
The country should be set to the UK.
Additionally, enter your postcode and gender and click the “Register” button.
You should fill in the postcode field with a UK postcode, like “SW1A 1AA” which is the postcode for Buckingham Palace.
Once you have entered this information, you are done. You can now sign in and watch BBC iPlayer.
Why can’t I Watch BBC iPlayer Outside the UK?
As explained on the official website shown below, “BBC iPlayer is funded by the UK TV license and its use is restricted to UK residents only.”
I live outside the UK. Can I use BBC iPlayer?
No. BBC iPlayer is funded by the UK TV licence and its use is restricted to UK residents only.While you can’t watch TV programmes, here’s a list of services you can use if you live outside the UK:
Source: BBC iPlayer Help
- BBC Sounds
- BBC Podcasts
- BBC News
- BBC Sport
- BBC Three YouTube channel
If you access BBC iPlayer from outside of the UK, you will see the screen below.
How Does a VPN Enables You to Watch BBC iPlayer Outside the UK?
Using a VPN enables you to mask your location. A website like BBC iPlayer determines screen content based on IP address. For example, if you access the website from outside the UK, the screen content will not be displayed. However, if you access the website via an internet provider in the UK, screen content for the UK will be shown.
If you access the website via VPN servers in the UK, your IP address will actually appear like this. By using a VPN, the website will treat you as if you are browsing from the UK, regardless of where you are.
FAQ
Is it legal to watch BBC iPlayer with VPNs?
Using VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer is legal. VPNs are widely used by individuals to protect their private information and other online activity.
Can I watch BBC iPlayer for free?
Yes. BBC iPlayer is a free service. All you need is to pay the subscription fee for a VPN.
Can I access other BBC content, like BBC Sport, BBC Radio and BBC Channel, by using a VPN?
Yes, you can, but a VPN is necessary for some BBC iPlayer services. As explained on the BBC iPlayer website, the following five services are available without a VPN outside of the UK.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/help/questions/watching-outside-the-uk/reside-outside-uk
- BBC Sounds
- BBC Podcasts
- BBC News
- BBC Sport
- BBC Three YouTube channel
Is it okay to use a free VPN?
We recommend paid services in terms of privacy and security because we don’t know how free VPNs manage our log traffic data. It is also said that free VPNs are more likely to track our data. Many paid services have a money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the service, you can receive a refund.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It acts as a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. By routing your connection through a VPN server, it masks your actual IP address and makes it appear as though you’re accessing the internet from a different location. This not only enhances your online anonymity, protecting your identity from potential eavesdroppers, but also allows you to access websites and services as if you were in a different country, bypassing geo-restrictions.
What else can a VPN be used for?
In addition to bypassing geographical content restrictions, VPNs can also enhance your online privacy and security. Furthermore, it can be used to save money on subscription services like YouTube Premium and Netflix by allowing you to subscribe from regions where prices are lower.
Conclusion
- ExpressVPN: Recommended for those who need higher internet speed
>>Sign up through our site get an extra 3 months free! - NordVPN: Recommended for those who want to balance price and internet speed
- SurfShark: Recommended for those on a budget
- Register with a VPN (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download and Launch the App and Connect to a Server in the UK
- Access BBC iPlayer and Create an Account
