5 Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2024
BBC iPlayer is a UK-based platform offering hundreds of TV shows and movies for free. However, it’s available to UK residents only, and its licensing policies don’t allow people from other countries to access or watch its content. However, with a suitable BBC iPlayer VPN, you can access it no matter where you are.
A VPN will help mask your location with a UK IP address, so you can trick BBC iPlayer into thinking you’re in the UK. Also, you'll get to use BBC iPlayer even while traveling. Furthermore, as VPNs work on practically any device, you'll be able to access the streaming platform on your computer, handheld, and even media streaming device.
In this article, we present the top 5 best VPNs for BBC iPlayer providers, along with a detailed guide on how to set up a VPN. You’ll also learn why you need a VPN for iPlayer, how to choose the best option, whether you need a UK TV license, and how to troubleshoot technical issues. We'll finish with a round of helpful FAQs.
Best BBC iPlayer VPNs - Our Shortlist
- NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in 2024
- Surfshark – Most Easy-to-Use BBC iPlayer VPN
- ExpressVPN – Privacy-First VPN That Works with BBC iPlayer
- CyberGhost – Best VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer via Specialized Servers
- PIA - Highly Advanced VPN for Hardcore Streaming Enthusiasts
How to Watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN
To watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN, you need to subscribe to a suitable BBC iPlayer VPN and connect to a UK server. Here’s everything you need to do:
- Subscribe to a suitable VPN for BBC iPlayer (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install the VPN app on your device(s).
- Launch the app and sign in to your VPN account.
- Connect to a UK-based VPN server.
- Open BBC iPlayer via its website or apps and start streaming. That's it!
BBC iPlayer will ask whether you have a UK TV license. Even though you're legally required to have one, you'll get unlimited access to iPlayer either way. So, connect to a VPN server in the UK, sign up for an iPlayer account using the 'Sign In' button in the top-left corner, dismiss the TV license prompt, and you can start streaming from abroad.
The Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2024
To find the best VPN that works with BBC iPlayer, you need to base your search on the criteria that'll help you find the best VPN for streaming. That said, you need a VPN that can unblock iPlayer across a range of devices. You're also after a VPN with a sizable server network, with many servers in the UK.
Then, you need a fast VPN, as you'll want to avoid heavy throttling. It's also important to pay attention to the availability of obfuscated servers, which can hide the fact that you use a VPN. Another useful feature is a kill switch, whose role is to prevent data leaks if your VPN connection drops.
In terms of privacy, look for a no-logs policy, reliable protocols (like OpenVPN and WireGuard), and strong encryption (AES-256). Also, pay attention to simultaneous connections so that you can stream iPlayer and use your VPN's native applications on multiple devices at once.
Last but not least, ensure your chosen VPN offers a competitive price. Also, make sure your purchase comes without risks, which you can do by relying on money-back guarantees. What's also crucial is 24/7 customer support.
Based on the criteria explained above, these are the top 5 best BBC iPlayer VPNs in 2024:
1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in 2024
NordVPN is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, as it gives you instant access to iPlayer from anywhere in the world. You'll find 6,300+ servers in 110+ countries and close to 440+ servers in the UK. Furthermore, NordVPN's UK servers are located in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
In terms of its performance, this VPN certainly doesn't disappoint. NordVPN is among the fastest VPN providers right now. It provides a smooth experience whether you're near or far away from its UK servers, which makes it highly suitable for streaming.
Know that NordVPN also offers specialty servers (including obfuscated servers), which are helpful if you want to battle online trackers more aggressively. As expected from such a reputable VPN, a capable kill switch is there to protect your data. All of that is backed by an audited no-logs policy, which means that even NordVPN won't see what you do online.
We'll also mention that you get protocols like OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2/IPsec, coupled with ultra-strong AES-256 encryption. You can use NordVPN on up to 10 devices at the same time. And yes, this VPN works on any computer, phone, tablet, or streaming device.
You can sign up for only $3.09/month (2-year subscription plan), which comes with a robust 30-day money-back policy. Comprehensive customer support is also available, including 24/7 live chat, email support, installation guides, explainers, and more.
PROS
- Easy access to BBC iPlayer.
- Suitable even for beginners.
- Great for media streaming.
- Audited no-logs policy.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back policy.
CONS
- Not all servers are obfuscated.
2. Surfshark - Most Easy-to-Use BBC iPlayer VPN
Surfshark is the best BBC iPlayer VPN if you're looking for a fully automated and user-centric VPN. It gives you easy access to iPlayer and countless other streaming sites, thanks to its 350+ servers in the UK, across London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow - and yes, all those servers work great for unblocking online content. Globally, it has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries.
We can also praise Surfshark's performance, as it features stable and fast speeds. You won't encounter drastic changes in performance, no matter if you connect to UK servers from Europe, the UK, or across the world. So, streaming in HD and even 4K is a possibility.
Aside from being excellent for streaming, this BBC iPlayer VPN is a hugely capable all-in-one VPN. It offers obfuscation and a kill switch, so you can rest assured that data leaks won't happen. Surfshark is powered by OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard, features a no-logs policy, and uses ultra-strong AES-256/ChaCha20 encryption.
Then, know that Surfshark supports an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. There's also support for computers, phones, tablets, streaming devices, and even routers. Surfshark's apps are very easy to use, with clearly explained terms, making them highly suitable for beginners.
You can sign up for as low as $2.29/month (2-year plan). Surfshark has a 30-day money-back guarantee to prove it has nothing to hide. In addition, 24/7 live chat support is available.
PROS
- Easy access to BBC iPlayer and more.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Great for media streaming.
- Servers in 100 countries.
- 24/7-available customer support.
- 30-day money-back policy.
CONS
- Takes a while to connect.
3. ExpressVPN - Privacy-Friendly VPN That Works with BBC iPlayer
ExpressVPN is a reputable VPN that works with BBC iPlayer, focusing on streaming and privacy at the same time. It unblocks iPlayer on practically any device and from any country. You'll find thousands of those in 100+ countries. Hundreds of servers are found in the UK, across Docklands, East London, London, Midlands, and Wembley.
Let's not forget that ExpressVPN is among the fastest VPN providers. You can expect minimal throttling whether you connect to nearby or remote servers. In other words, you'll get to stream in HD even if you don't have an ultra-fast baseline connection.
All ExpressVPN servers are obfuscated, and this feature works in the background at all times, which is a rare thing to see. You can also expect a capable kill switch, preventing data leaks. You'll also have a set of VPN protocols (OpenVPN, Lightway, IKEv2/IPsec) to switch between, paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 data encryption.
We'll also add that ExpressVPN gives you 8 simultaneous connections and apps for 60+ platforms. Since iPlayer is available on any computer, phone, tablet, or streaming device, no complicated workarounds are needed. You can use both ExpressVPN and iPlayer, side by side.
This VPN's annual plan costs $6.67/month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Lastly, we’ll mention that you get 24/7 live chat support. So, in case of any questions or issues, you can rely on ExpressVPN’s team.
PROS
- Works great with BBC iPlayer.
- Ultra-fast performance.
- Easy to set up and use.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back guarantees.
CONS
- Among the pricier VPNs.
4. CyberGhost - Best VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer via Specialized Servers
CyberGhost comes as the best VPN to watch BBC iPlayer if you need servers optimized for streaming. This VPN unblocks 50+ streaming services and works with iPlayer without any issues. You'll get 1,000+ UK-based servers (London, Manchester, and Berkshire), as well as thousands of servers in 100 countries in total.
We also have to note that CyberGhost offers medium-fast speeds, so a fast baseline connection would certainly help. Still, that might not be an issue if you're from Europe or North America, as this VPN works well when it comes to relatively nearby VPN connections.
Another downside is that CyberGhost doesn't have obfuscated servers. So, you can't use it in countries with heavy censorship. However, it does provide a capable kill switch designed to prevent accidental data leaks. There's also a recently audited no-logs policy, showing that CyberGhost respects your privacy.
Aside from that, it allows you to switch between different protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec), as well as protocols like AES-256 and ChaCha20. CyberGhost gives you 7 simultaneous connections, which seems quite generous. Those apps are available on any desktop or mobile device.
This VPN's 2-year subscription is priced at $2.03/month and comes with a 45-day money-back policy. You'll have plenty of time to test-drive this VPN and ensure you spend your money wisely. Also, it matches our other recommendations in terms of customer support. It features 24/7 live chat support, installation guides, an active blog, and more.
PROS
- Unblocks iPlayer with ease.
- Covers 100 countries in total.
- Streaming-optimized servers.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 45-day money-back policy.
CONS
- Slower than its competitors.
- No obfuscation present.
5. PIA - Highly Advanced VPN for Hardcore Streaming Enthusiasts
Private Internet Access is a US-based VPN provider known for its high level of fine-tuning. As such, it works great for streaming and unblocks iPlayer every time. It offers hundreds of servers across 3 UK locations (Manchester, London, Southampton), as well as thousands of servers in 90+ countries.
Out of the box, this VPN offers medium-fast speeds. It's possible to reach faster performance, but only if you dive into its settings. More precisely, you can lower your privacy settings (leaving you well protected on the Web) to speed up PIA across nearby and remote servers.
You'll also find obfuscation here, as well as several types of kill switches. You can decide whether your entire Internet connection shuts down if your VPN connection drops or if you'd like individual apps to close. Either way, you won't experience data leaks. Aside from that, PIA features a solid no-logs policy, open-source applications, and total transparency.
This VPN is powered by OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec, in addition to AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption protocols. Expect support for unlimited simultaneous connections, in addition to software for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS/iPadOS, support for routers, and more.
PIA's 2-year plan starts at $2.03/month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This VPN also offers 24/7 live chat customer support in addition to installation guides, email support, customer support tickets, and plenty more.
PROS
- Can bypass iPlayer's geo-blocks.
- Advanced security and privacy.
- High level of customization.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back policy.
CONS
- Requires some fine-tuning.
- Slower than its competitors.
Best BBC iPlayer VPNs: Compared
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer?
You need a VPN for BBC iPlayer to bypass the streaming platform’s geo-restrictions. As mentioned earlier, only UK residents can access iPlayer, so if you live elsewhere, you won’t be able to watch its content. A VPN if your only way to watch BBC iPlayer abroad.
If you access BBC iPlayer outside the UK, you won't encounter any issues with accessing the website itself. However, when you try to watch something, the following error message will appear: "BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it's due to rights issues."
Other reasons why you need a VPN for BBC iPlayer include the following:
- Bypass BBC iPlayer's Geo-Restrictions - A VPN will help you unblock iPlayer from outside the UK, but you'll get to do the same with other UK-based streaming apps. On top of that, a VPN will allow you to use other countries' streaming apps, both free and premium
- Watch BBC iPlayer on the Go – If you’re from the UK and don’t want to miss any BBC content while traveling, you can get a BBC iPlayer VPN to watch your favorite shows and movies wherever you are.
- Avoid Bandwidth Throttling – Most ISPs slow down your Internet when they notice you’re using large amounts of data. To avoid throttling, you’ll need a VPN, which will hide your online activity from your ISP and allow you to enjoy continuous high-speed connections while streaming.
- Keep Your Personal Information Hidden – VPNs offer great security and privacy, which happens through encryption and obfuscation, so if you want to protect your identity online and ensure your real location doesn’t leak, you’ll need a powerful BBC iPlayer VPN.
- Make Your IP Address Hidden - You're being tracked online through your IP address. Once you hide it, trackers will have a much harder time following you. Also, no one will see your physical location, which is another piece of information visible through IP addresses.
- Get Ad-Free and Tracking-Free Streaming - Some VPNs can filter out advertisements, so you'll see less of those as you stream online media. A VPN will also help you block trackers used by streaming apps to create a profile of your viewing habits.
- Stream on Any Public Wi-Fi Privately - Most public Wi-Fi networks are designed to extract your data and see what you browse on the Web. With a secure VPN connection on your device, you'll get to stream iPlayer in private, without anyone knowing what you watch.
How to Choose the Best VPN for BBC iPlayer?
To pinpoint the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, you need to take your pick based on its ability to unblock the streaming app, the number of servers it offers, and the level of performance it can promise. Here's everything you need to keep in mind:
- Find a VPN Compatible with iPlayer: Since your primary goal is to unblock iPlayer, make sure to find a VPN that has that ability. However, know that unblocking iPlayer isn't that easy, so make sure to rely on hands-on reviews or contact VPNs directly.
- Ensure There Are Plenty of Servers in the UK: Using a VPN with plenty of servers in the UK means that you'll avoid overcrowded servers, which can cause streaming-related buffering. Also, you'll want plenty of servers worldwide to be able to unblock even more websites.
- Find What Kind of Performance to Expect: Rely on hands-on reviews to learn what to expect from any VPN, and don't believe in marketing messages, as VPNs often overpromise their capabilities.
- Aim for Obfuscated VPN Servers: Obfuscation will help you hide your VPN traffic. This feature is quite useful when bypassing geo-blocks, as streaming services will have a much harder time seeing your VPN data.
- A Kill Switch is a Must: Data leaks can happen without a warning, stopping your online activities. A kill switch can prevent data leaks by shutting down your connection if it's dropped.
- Don't Forget About Privacy and Security: Don't accept anything less than OpenVPN or WireGuard. Those protocols should be paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20.
- You'll Want Plenty of Simultaneous Connections: Protect all your devices at once by getting a VPN that has a sufficient (or an unlimited) number of simultaneous connections.
- Check Which Platforms & Devices Are Covered: To unblock iPlayer, you need to use a VPN app on the same device you'll use to access iPlayer. So, your chosen VPN must offer apps for any device you own.
- Get a Good Price and Plenty of Value: Most VPNs offer steep discounts when you get a long-term plan. Ensure that you get your money's worth.
- Protect Yourself via Money-Back Policies: To invest your money wisely, make sure to check money-back policies. In general, any reputable VPN will be willing to return your money if you're unhappy with its service for any reason.
- Don't Leave Out Customer Support: We recommend getting a VPN with 24/7 live chat support, as that's how you'll fix any issue in record time.
What If You Don't Have a UK TV License?
If you don't have a UK TV license, you're not legally allowed to access BBC iPlayer. However, many still decide to do so without any consequences (for now).
Upon trying to access iPlayer, you will be asked whether you have a UK TV license. You can say that you do, and the streaming service will grant you access. If you say that you don't, you'll be redirected to a support page with more info on who can access the service.
In other words, BBC iPlayer doesn't check whether you have a valid license, and it relies on your honesty. So, if you don't have a license and decide to access iPlayer, you would technically be stealing that content, as you didn't pay for it.
Of course, that doesn't stop millions from enjoying BBC's content from all across the world. Also, it's a known fact that the BBC is quite liberal with its policies regarding who can access its content.
However, they know that more than 60 million people use iPlayer for free from outside the UK (that information came out in 2015, so those numbers are probably higher today).
Does BBC iPlayer Detect and Block VPNs?
Yes, BBC iPlayer detects and blocks VPNs based on their IP addresses primarily. However, it also has other ways to see VPN traffic.
Most VPNs rely on third-party data centers to provide connections to various countries. In other words, VPNs get access to pools of IPs. So, if a site (or a media streaming platform, such as iPlayer) wants to block VPNs, it relies on its partners to implement blocks that detect IPs associated with VPN data centers.
Similarly, if too many users access iPlayer through the same IP address (which often happens when using VPNs), the streaming platform can block that IP. Furthermore, DNS leaks, cookies, and GPS location are types of data that a VPN can't hide, allowing iPlayer to see your actual location.
To watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN in the long run, you need a VPN with a large pool of IP addresses. It should provide a leak-free VPN data tunnel. That’s precisely why we recommend NordVPN, as it comes with a massive number of IPs, making it the best VPN for BBC iPlayer.
Another solution is to use a dedicated VPN IP address. That means you’ll “buy” a single IP, which will be associated with your VPN account. To learn more, check our guide on the best VPN for dedicated IPs.
What Can You Watch on BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer lets you watch live TV channels, movies, TV shows, documentaries, daytime TV shows, and sports content - absolutely free of charge!
In terms of the available TV and radio channels, BBC iPlayer gives you access to the following: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Scotland, S4C, BBC Parliament, Radio 1, and BBC Alba.
Perhaps the biggest reason for iPlayer's popularity is its on-demand content. You'll find a truly valuable library of TV shows and movies here, so let's give you some recommendations.
BBC iPlayer Not Working with a VPN - Try This!
There are several things to try if your VPN doesn't work with iPlayer. We recommend using a different VPN protocol, using another VPN server, or inspecting your baseline connection for issues or errors. Let's go over some actionable tips you can try:
- Check Your Baseline Connection for Errors: First, ensure that your baseline connection works. Turn off your VPN and see if you can browse the Web without issues. If you can't, contact your Internet provider.
- Restart Your Equipment: Restart your router by keeping it unplugged for around 30 seconds. Also, restart your devices, which will restart your VPN software as well.
- Remove Your Browser's Cache: If you used iPlayer before, cookies and cache exist on your device, helping the streaming service detect your VPN traffic. So, you need to clear your cookies.
- Switch to Another Server: If your VPN offers servers specialized for streaming, make sure to use those (and find one located in the UK). If you don't have access to specialized servers, you'll need to try a range of UK servers manually.
- Go with an Obfuscated Server: Obfuscated servers perform better when it comes to bypassing geo-blocks, because they use smaller data packets that can evade detection.
- Try Another VPN Protocol: We had plenty of luck unblocking iPlayer via OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Protocols like IKEv2/IPsec work just fine as well.
- Turn Off Your Firewall: Windows PCs often have strict firewalls that block VPN connections. The solution is to lower your firewall's level of protection or turn it off for a while.
- Turn Off Your GPS: Mobile apps, such as iPlayer, use GPS data on mobile data. Disable that option via your phone's settings to force iPlayer to read your VPN data instead.
- Let Your VPN Know About the Problem: If nothing helps, turn to your VPN for support. If there's an option to live chat with support agents, you'll find it on your VPN's website.
Of course, there's more you can do to resolve VPN-specific issues. For more information, turn to our central VPN troubleshooting guide, focusing on 25 different issues.
Can You Use a Free VPN for BBC iPlayer?
Yes, you can use a free VPN for BBC iPlayer. However, know that free VPNs will limit your media streaming experience - in a big way. So, we recommend avoiding free VPNs and here's why.
Free VPNs come with bandwidth and data limitations, giving you a limited amount of data on a daily/monthly basis. That might be useful for several quick browsing sessions, but it's not useful for media streaming. Free VPNs also come with limited server networks, and they most often don't support multiple simultaneous connections.
Then, another problem is that free VPNs can leak your data. Furthermore, they abuse your trust and could place you in a very problematic situation, as many free VPNs collect your data while injecting code to serve ads. We've also seen free VPNs bundling malware.
There's really no alternative to a premium VPN, especially if streaming is your focus. So, what you can do is get a premium VPN trial, letting you use high-end features without any risk. For example, you can try NordVPN for free on Android, as its trial lasts for 7 days. This VPN also has a 30-day money-back policy that applies across all its supported devices.
Once you've tested multiple VPNs, check our guide to the top VPN providers. You'll see that many provide trials or money-back policies, so you can be sure that you're spending your money wisely.
Final Thoughts
BBC iPlayer is restricted to the UK only. If you live abroad or plan on traveling, the only option to unblock iPlayer is to use a VPN. Still, keep in mind that the streaming platform detects when someone uses a VPN and can block IP addresses. To enjoy BBC iPlayer's content without interruptions, ensure that you use a reliable BBC iPlayer VPN with strong security and privacy protocols.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for BBC iPlayer because of its encryption, server network with plenty of UK options, and strong unblocking capabilities. Using this powerful VPN, you’ll be able to avoid all the VPN-detection measures that BBC iPlayer has in place and stream its content without disruptions. Plus it works with other UK-based and international streaming apps.
That’s all for our guide on the best VPN for BBC iPlayer. If you have any questions, leave a comment just below. Thank you for reading!