Best BBC iPlayer VPN in 2023: Watch BBC Content from Abroad

It is not hidden that BBC is a hub when it comes to movies and TV shows that are quite popular all around the world. There are so many streaming services available but only a few are accessible by all. Take BBC iPlayer for starters; it is only available in the UK. For those who reside in the UK, can easily stream BBC iPlayer but when they travel, geo-restrictions become an issue. Moreover, for those who live in a country where the services of BBC are not available won’t be able to watch their favorite TV shows and movies on it. This is where a VPN comes into the picture. However, not just any VPN will cut it, but the best BBC iPlayer VPN in 2022. 

Keeping this in mind, we have rounded up the top 5 best VPNs that will make all the geo-restriction barriers go away and enable you a gateway to stream BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

About BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is the full package for TV shows, movies, Live TV, Sports, news channels, and more. However, the UK citizens traveling abroad will have to get a reliable VPN service to keep using BBC iPlayer, as it is geo-restricted in other countries. They won’t be able to access it regardless of having a UK TV license.

So, how do you watch BBC iPlayer in Australia, Russia, Pakistan, the United States, or anywhere outside the UK? The best and the most clean way is to get a VPN subscription and enjoy streaming your favorite content on BBC iPlayer quite easily!

BBC iPlayer blocks access to its content from anywhere other than the UK, and at the same time detects VPN activities to its service through blocking technologies. Keeping that in mind I only included the VPNs in here that work fine when it comes to unblocking BBC iPlayer. 

After testing several VPN service providers, only the following 5 could get past the BBC iPlayer geo-blocks. You’ll find the list below that will be helping you unblock any kind of geo-restricted barrier hanging over BBC iPlayer. 

The best BBC iPlayer VPN services in 2023 – Detailed analysis

How many of you have tried to access BBC iPlayer outside the UK, only to be met with the geo-restriction notice? This can be frustrating I understand, this is why I tested the top-notch VPNs in the market so it can help you go through the restricted BBC iPlayer content with great ease!

BBC iPlayer is always detecting and blocking off access to its service using a VPN, which is why only a few of them work. Luckily, you will not have to go through the trouble of downloading every VPN service to see which one works to unblock BBC iPlayer as the VPNs included in the list below are tried and tested.

I’ve shortlisted the best VPNs after testing them. The fans all around the world use to unblock BBC iPlayer. Moreover, I have also looked for features such as encryption, speeds, unblocking abilities, UK-based servers, and privacy policies to ensure everything stays on track.

Let’s start with:

1. ExpressVPN – #1 Best VPN for BBC iPlayer with the fastest speeds

Price	$6.67/mo.
Website	Expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is a diverse VPN. It’s what makes it the best VPN 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). You can easily unblock BBC iPlayer quite easily by connecting to one of ExpressVPN’s UK servers.

The 24/7 chat support of ExpressVPN is an aspect that all of its users find quite interesting. If you are connected to the BBC iPlayer and come across any obstacle, you can contact their chat support and they will get back to you soon with a solution. 

The VPN worked just fine with other popular streaming services as it did with BBC iPlayer. Moreover, you can connect ExpressVPN to up to 5 devices per subscription. You can test ExpressVPN using a 30-day money-back guarantee which can help you decide whether it suits you or not.

Using any one of these devices, you can binge on BBC iPlayer and that too with HD streaming speeds.

When I said versatile, I meant it. ExpressVPN has robust security features, like AES  256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, a Split-tunneling feature, and much more! All that you need from a premium VPN can be found in ExpressVPN.

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. The added perk is that ExpressVPN allows you to test the VPN using its free trial!

Get ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer Now

2. Surfshark – Affordable best VPN for BBC iPlayer

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 VPN service provider is popular when it comes to bypass geo-blocked content from streaming services and BBC iPlayer is one of them.

Surfshark has 3200+ servers covering 95 countries, which also includes servers in the UK. 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, isn’t that amazing?

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 easily.

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 my speeds dropped during testing Surfshark.

Regardless of that obstacle, Surfshark still delivered great speeds for 4K content, when I tested and reviewed this particular VPN app.

Our team used Surfshark to watch The War of The Worlds, and An Irish Goodbye on BBC iPlayer in USA, Canada, and Australia.

Besides being a great VPN for BBC iPlayer, Surfshark also unblocks many other popular and geo-restricted streaming services and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. The good thing is that you do not need to break the bank to get Surfshark as it is quite pocket-friendly. If you stick to its 2-year plan, you can get yourself a good deal. 

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. The unlimited device connections it offers paired up with such cheap prices makes Surfshark one of the best BBC iPlayer VPNs you can avail off.

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. Feel free to run a few tests!

Get Surfshark VPN for BBC iPlayer Now

3. NordVPN – Military-grade encryption & fast speeds

Price	$3.29/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 5400+ 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 using the UK servers were pretty fast!

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.

Another reason why NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer is 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. It gives you the freedom of figuring out whether NordVPN is best for you or not. 

Get NordVPN for BBC iPlayer Now

4. CyberGhost – Offers dedicated servers for BBC iPlayer

Price	$2.23/mo.
Website	Cyberghost.com

Next, 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 7800+ servers in 91 countries, with around 600+ 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. You don’t have to deal with lagging issues or overriding of servers that is seen if there are fewer servers and more users. Try testing the VPN for optimal results!

The great thing about the CyberGhost servers is that they are assigned to unblock multiple streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, along with BBC iPlayer.

During testing, I was not only able to access BBC iPlayer but other streaming services mentioned above.

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.

Even if you’d like to use more than one device for BBC iPlayer, CyberGhost allows simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices.

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. All this and more is why CyberGhost gets great reviews.

Get CyberGhost Now

5. PureVPN – Offers UK servers for BBC iPlayer

Price	$1.99/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 6500+ servers in 140+ countries. Moreover, 567 servers are 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.

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 in the industry, and the best VPN for BBC iPlayer.

Get PureVPN for BBC iPlayer Now

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:

How we chose the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer

Here’s a quick insight, what would you choose?

1. A free piece of candy from a stranger? Or
2. 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 free VPN service providers that claim to unblock BBC iPlayer with ease, but only the paid providers have succeeded.

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

In order to bypass the strict restrictions on streaming services such as BBC iPlayer it becomes necessary to get a VPN

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. They ensure that your online activity stays hidden from everyone present on the internet which provides you with the freedom to use the internet safely.

Server coverage

There are many streaming services like BBC iPlayer that are blocked in many countries around the world. Only the best VPN can help access them. However, for that to happen, the VPN should offer wide server coverage in various locations. In short, if you’re trying to unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN, you will need to be connected to a UK IP address.

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 other than just to unblock 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. The 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. Even if you have not used a VPN ever in your life, the ones mentioned in this blog will not make it hard for you because of the friendly user interface they all have.

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.

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. However, 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:

FAQs

Do I need a VPN for BBC iPlayer?

Yes, you do. If you live in a country where the services of BBC iPlayer are inaccessible, 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?

Using a free VPN service for BBC iPlayer is not recommended. Many free VPN service providers have been found selling the data of their users to third parties which is not ethical at all. The only thing a VPN must do is to keep your data safe. This is why entrusting a free VPN to do that is not smart.

How can a VPN unblock BBC iPlayer?

Using a VPN helps you to mask your actual IP address. It lets you use one of its IP addresses by connecting you to its UK server. This tricks BBC iPlayer into thinking that you are  accessing it from the UK and it grants you access.

Is it illegal to use a BBC iPlayer VPN?

No! It is not illegal to watch BBC iPlayer using a VPN. Even though it is against the terms and services of BBC iPlayer, it does not make it illegal. The worst case scenario  BBC iPlayer finding out you are using the VPN will just result in the cancelation of your account. 

Can I use the same BBC iPlayer VPN to access other UK TV services?

Yes, the VPNs let you virtually connect to the UK server which is why you get a UK IP address. It tricks every streaming channel to think that you are someone trying to access the streaming channels from the UK. This is how you can easily get the access to them.

Is it safe to use a VPN for BBC iPlayer?

Yes, it is safe to use a VPN to stream BBC iPlayer. In fact, there are many viewers that have been using VPN to access BBC iPlayer from all around the world without any issues.

How do you use a VPN for BBC iPlayer?

You should subscribe to a trusted VPN service like ExpressVPN> Connect to the UK server > Go to the BBC iPlayer Website or app > Start streaming BBC iPlayer quite easily

Why is my BBC iPlayer VPN not working?

One of the reasons for the BBC iPlayer not working is that the server you are connected to is blacklisted by the BBC itself. Moreover it can also be because your device’s GPS location and IP address does not match. You have to get a VPN that overcomes these issues and let you stream your favorite content with ease. Other than that, use a different server, check your internet connection, switch between protocols, and clear all cookies and cache. 

In conclusion

So far, here’s what we got. I’ve listed 5 providers for the best VPN for BBC iPlayer in 2022. 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 ExpressVPN.

Other than that, all the BBC iPlayer VPN providers on the list managed to unblock BBC iPlayer and offer necessary privacy and security features, protecting your devices, data, and maintaining your online activity. 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
1	ExpressVPN	9.6/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
2	Surfshark	9.4/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
3	NordVPN	9.3/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
4	Cyberghost	9.0/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>
5	PureVPN	8.8/10	Read Review	Find Out More Get Started >>