There are so many streaming services available but only a few are accessible by all. Take BBC iPlayer for starters; is only available within the UK. However, all that is about to change, using the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2021.
BBC iPlayer is the full package for TV shows, movies, Live TV, Sports, news channels, and more. However, what about users who’re traveling abroad from the UK? They won’t be able to access it regardless of having a UK TV license.
So, how do you access BBC iPlayer from a country like Russia, Pakistan, or the United States? You use the best VPNs for streaming BBC iPlayer that still work!
Because BBC iPlayer blocks access to its content from outside the UK, and at the same time detects VPN activities to its service through blocking technologies, I had to be careful about which VPN provider I choose. After testing several, only the following 5 could get past the BBC iPlayer geo-blocks. If you’re short on time, you’ll find the list below.
TLDR;
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick look at 5 of the best VPNs for streaming BBC iPlayer in 2021:
- Surfshark – top VPN pick for streaming BBC iPlayer, with great speeds, allows unlimited device connections, and a secured connection.
- NordVPN – VPN with robust security features and fast speeds for accessing BBC iPlayer; also uses SmartPlay technology.
- ExpressVPN – the best VPN with unblocking features for streaming BBC iPlayer, fast speeds, has MediaStreamer feature for geo-blocked websites.
- CyberGhost – best user-friendly VPN app for unblocking BBC iPlayer, with great privacy and security features.
- PureVPN– offers a great number of UK servers for streaming BBC iPlayer, great speed, and security.
The best VPNs for BBC iPlayer to access UK Content!
How many of you have tried to access BBC iPlayer, only to be met with this geo-restriction notice? If you’re tired of seeing this message at every turn, then you need to make sure that the VPN you use is up to mark!
This is why I selected the top 5 of the best VPNs for streaming BBC iPlayer out of many other choices. BBC iPlayer is always detecting and blocking off access to its service using a VPN, which is why only a few currently work.
I’ve shortlisted the strongest VPN that works with BBC iPlayer, and looked for features like encryption, speeds, unblocking abilities, UK-based servers, and privacy policies.
Let’s start with:
1. Surfshark
| Price | $2.49/mo. |
| Website | Surfshark.com |
Surfshark is one of the most renowned VPN providers in the market, mostly because it continues to perform exceptionally. This user-friendly provider has much that makes it one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer, but first, let’s talk about its network coverage.
Surfshark has 3200+ servers covering 65 countries, which also includes servers in the UK in 3 cities. What’s more, Surfshark offers a Smart DNS feature that allows you to extend the VPN connection on devices that don’t support VPN apps.
You’ll only be able to use the Smart DNS option on one IP address at a time. So, if you’re connected to a UK IP, you’ll be able to apply it here.
The Surfshark speeds are great! However, during the time of testing, I was connected to a much slower internet speed, which is the only reason why my speeds dropped during testing Surfshark. Regardless of that obstacle, Surfshark still delivered great speeds for 4K content, when I tested the VPN with BBC iPlayer. Take a look at the full speed test on the UK server or other features in this detailed Surfshark review.
Besides being a great VPN for BBC iPlayer, Surfshark also unblocked many other popular and geo-restricted streaming services and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You’ll be able to watch BBC iPlayer on more than one device since it offers users unlimited simultaneous connections! It offers apps for numerous operating systems, some of which include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, etc.
Surfshark will make it a whole lot easier for you to access BBC iPlayer also because of the security backing it offers. You’ll find its NoBorders Mode most intriguing. It lets you stream on BBC iPlayer and other services within countries with restricted internet or heavy surveillance.
Additionally, Surfshark operates using 256-bit AES encryption, and has a Split-Tunneling feature, a Kill Switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and more!
All-in-all, Surfshark makes an affordable, user-friendly, and one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer that you can watch on unlimited devices.
2. NordVPN
| Price | $3.71/mo. |
| Website | Nordvpn.com |
Next, we have NordVPN, another one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer! It’s best known mainly for its security features which will be discussed further on.
NordVPN works best for BBC iPlayer, also because of the UK servers it offers. In its huge network of 5000+ servers in 59 countries, you’ll find over 600 dedicated to the United Kingdom. Additionally, each server is built with Double VPN technology. This means double encryption and protection while trying to access BBC iPlayer.
The speeds I got while testing the VPN with BBC iPlayer using the UK servers were fast! You can take a look at the results in this NordVPN review.
Where device compatibility is concerned, you don’t need to worry, because you can access BBC iPlayer on multiple supported devices. NordVPN also allows simultaneous connections up-to 6 devices per subscription, so you’ll be able to connect to multiple streaming devices in a go.
Now coming to NordVPN’s specialty; its security and advanced features.
Firstly, it has a SmartPlay feature which is specifically designed to bypass tough geo-blocked streaming websites. Among security features, it operates using 256-bit AES encryption, has a Kill Switch, a CyberSec feature that helped block ads and malicious content, and is DNS/IP/WebRTC leak protected. You’ll be able to unblock BBC iPlayer with no issues.
NordVPN is also one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer because it offers affordable packages. However, if you feel like testing the app, you can use its 7-day free trial or the 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. ExpressVPN
| Price | $6.67/mo. |
| Website | Expressvpn.com |
ExpressVPN is diverse, flexible, and functional, and that’s what makes it one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer. This provider is another British Virgin Islands VPN just like Surfshark, which means perfect privacy for online browsing or streaming.
The service offers a huge coverage of 3000+ servers in 94 countries, with the inclusion of servers in the UK (Docklands, East London, London, and Wembley). I could unblock BBC iPlayer with every UK server I ran some tests on.
If you’re looking for the fastest VPN for BBC iPlayer, you should know that each server is highly optimized, delivering great speed results. So, if you try to unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN, it’ll be much smoother than you think.
The VPN worked just as well with other popular streaming services as it did with BBC iPlayer. Also, you can also connect to the VPN on multiple devices because ExpressVPN allows up to 5 simultaneous multi-device connections. Try testing the app for a longer period using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Using any one of these devices, you can binge on BBC iPlayer and that too with HD streaming speeds. For more details on the provider and how it performed, you can have a look at this ExpressVPN review.
When I said versatile, I meant it. ExpressVPN has robust security features, like 256-bit AE encryption, a Kill Switch, a Split-tunneling feature, and much more! It also has a private DNS feature called MediaStreamer, which helps to unblock heavily censored content with great speed by connecting it with a router. All of this and more is what makes ExpressVPN one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
4. CyberGhost
| Price | $2.25/mo. |
| Website | Cyberghost.com |
Next on the BBC iPlayer VPN list, we have CyberGhost, another one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer. This VPN is one click away from having the best privacy features for your streaming journey. It is a Romanian provider that works to great lengths, sticking to its no-data logging policies.
CyberGhost has around 6000+ servers in 59, with around 450+ servers in the UK (Berkshire, London, and Manchester). The ample server coverage in the UK is a plus point so that many users will be able to unblock BBC iPlayer with ease from all over the world, without having any lagging issues or overriding of servers.
The great thing about the CyberGhost servers is that they are assigned to unblock specific streaming services, along with BBC iPlayer.
During testing, I was not only able to access BBC iPlayer but other streaming services. You’ll find its detailed performance and test report if you take a look at this CyberGhost review.
Even if you’d like to use more than one device for BBC iPlayer, CyberGhost allows simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices.
Some of the major BBC iPlayer supported devices that CyberGhost is compatible with include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Routers, browser extensions, Android TV, and others, with each client app being user-friendly.
Besides privacy, great speeds, and unblocking abilities, CyberGhost also has great security backing to support its performance, which is what also makes it one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer. It operates using military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a Kill Switch in case your VPN connection drops, and other advanced features to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, which by the way, is quite affordable.
5. PureVPN
| Price | $1.22/mo. |
| Website | Purevpn.com |
Last on the list we have PureVPN, another great VPN provider known for its unblocking skills, making it one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer. This provider is based in Hong Kong and doesn’t log any data, securing your privacy on the internet.
PureVPN offers great coverage of 2000+ servers in 140+ countries, with the inclusion of 557 servers in the UK (Maidenhead, London, Gosport, and Manchester). The speeds I rendered from the UK server were impressive, considering that not many VPN services can pull out fast speeds on this server.
You can unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN and binge on all the latest shows while protecting multiple devices in one go since PureVPN allows simultaneous connections on up to 10 devices.
Speaking of device compatibility, PureVPN supports all the major devices and has apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Chromecast, and much more. There’s more that PureVPN offers, which is why it’s a popular choice.
PureVPN runs with AES 256-bit encryption and offers other features like Split-Tunneling and a Kill Switch on most of the apps. All this and more is what makes PureVPN one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
How to access BBC iPlayer with a VPN
It’s pretty simple to get started with a VPN for BBC iPlayer, all you have to do is:
- Subscribe to any one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer. I’ve recommended 5 top providers (Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PureVPN).
- Then you download the app on any supported device.
- Install it and open the app.
- Sign in to your account using the same credentials as the ones you signed to the service with.
- Now, since you’re trying to unblock BBC iPlayer, select any UK server and hit the connect
- In case you doubt your connection, you can check out your new UK IP address using any IP checking website.
- Before streaming, make sure you clear your cookies and cache.
- That’s it! Start binging!
How we chose the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer
Here’s a quick insight, what would you choose?
- A free piece of candy from a stranger? Or
- A piece of candy from your regular superstore that costs a few cents?
Whichever one you go for, makes all the difference in the world. Sure the free candy is the most tempting option, but, do you trust the source it comes from? What if there’s something wrong with it? You’ll never know until you’ve consumed it.
In the same case, looking for the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer is much similar. There are so many providers that claim to unblock BBC iPlayer with ease, but only a few have succeeded in the process.
So, to choose the best one, specifically the ones on my list, I looked for particular features or aspects. Here’s what to look for:
Privacy and reliability
Firstly, since you’ll need to access BBC iPlayer, or services not available to you, within your country, you’ll need a VPN that is safe and reliable.
Privacy policies play a big part in this as well as the VPN provider’s location of origin. To choose the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer, make sure that they’re away from the 14-eyes alliance. Or, if not that, then look for ones that have strong privacy laws and no-data logging agreements, like the top 5 providers on my list.
Server coverage
There are many streaming services like BBC iPlayer that are blocked in many countries around the world, and only the best VPN can help access them. However, for that to happen, the VPN needs to offer wide server coverage from particular locations. In short, if you’re trying to unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN, it has to be through a UK IP.
To access BBC iPlayer, you’ll need the best VPNs that offer server coverage in the UK, providing a UK IP address to blend in. Other than that, the servers should be spread across all the major countries in the world, just in case you’re looking to utilize the VPN far beyond just BBC iPlayer.
Security and encryption standards
Security is a major issue where VPNs are concerned. Many providers claim to offer top of the line encryption and other unblocking features to bypass BBC iPlayer’s strict censor blocks. However, there are a few providers, like the ones on my list, which do provide great security features that’ll help you access any platform securely, all while making sure your connection, IP, and identity is private.
Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth
What’s streaming without fast speeds? If I wanted to wait for hours just to download a 1.5-hour movie, I’d go for a free VPN. But, to get the best streaming experience on BBC iPlayer, fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth go hand-in-hand. All the BBC iPlayer VPNs I chose rendered fast speeds against my local connection during the testing phase.
User-friendly apps
You finally get your hands on a VPN for BBC iPlayer, and then find out you don’t know how to use it. How does that help? The VPNs chosen were also based on user-friendly apps for multiple clients.
Device compatibility and simultaneous connections
Speaking of multiple clients, device compatibility is a key ingredient. A VPN should be compatible with not only the major operating systems but also devices compatible enough for BBC iPlayer. Secondly, they should also allow multiple simultaneous connections to encrypt not only your streaming device but other devices that you use on a daily basis.
FAQs
Do I need a VPN for BBC iPlayer?
Yes, you do. If you’re living anywhere out of the UK, then you definitely need a VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer. Just like many other popular streaming services, BBC iPlayer is among the few that have very strict censor blocks and copyright laws.
Neither I nor topvpnservices condone downloading copyrighted content, but only here to provide you the safest passage to it, if ever you’re thinking of using a VPN for BBC iPlayer. Secondly, a VPN will help protect your devices from hackers or other forms of malicious attacks.
Can I use a free VPN for BBC iPlayer?
I wouldn’t recommend that. I always say, go for safer free options like a free trial premium VPN for BBC iPlayer. There are only a handful of free VPN services for BBC iPlayer, but that highly depends on which one you go with.
There are way too many free VPNs that are scams. They steal your data or sell it to third party companies. Apart from that, you’ll experience bad speeds and restricted data.
What’s the best BBC iPlayer VPN according to Reddit?
BBC iPlayer isn’t a very easy platform to unblock to get access to. Only the best VPN for it will help unblock its services. So, for that, a little work will have to be done on your part. Yes, I provided a genuine list of BBC iPlayer VPNs, but I always recommend my viewers go a step further and look up other reliable recourses for user-experience.
Reddit happens to be the best community for that. So, after going through many BBC iPlayer posts on Reddit, regarding the best VPN to unblock it, CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN were the top combined results.
Here’s a small clip from one of the Reddit findings:
In conclusion
Let’s go over the facts, shall we? Just in case you rushed through all the lengthy details and want an “all in a nutshell” scenario, I’ve listed 5 of the best VPN services for BBC iPlayer. However, if I had to recommend one that never failed to unblock BBC iPlayer with ease and plenty of other streaming services, I would have to choose Surfshark.
Other than that, all the providers managed to unblock the service and offer necessary privacy and security features, protecting your devices, data, and maintain your online anonymity.
However, since BBC Player is one of the most difficult platforms to get a hold of, there are circumstances where the VPN you use might not work. So, even if your BBC Player VPN isn’t working, there are workaround methods to fix it.
To Summarize, the Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer are…..
| Rank | Provider | Our Score | User Rating |
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