Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in 2020 Review

BBC iPlayer is a free UK streaming service, best known for shows like EastEnders, Ordinary Lies, MOTD, and The Missing. Sadly, British expats residing in Australia, Spain, USA, or Canada, will find BBC iPlayer to be geo-blocked outside the borders of the UK. Don’t worry though, it is still possible to get BBC iPlayer overseas with the help of a virtual private network. This review will give you a look at some of the best VPN services you can use to watch BBC iPlayer abroad.

Best BBC iPlayer VPN

BBC iPlayer outside UK Geolocation Error

If you attempt to stream live or catch up TV on BBC iPlayer overseas, you receive the following geo-errors instead.

“BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”

“BBC iPlayer programmes are available to play in the UK only.”

Choosing the right VPN for BBC iPlayer can be a bit daunting if you don’t know what to look for. In this review, I’ll be covering the top VPNs you can use for the job in a detailed analysis.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad using VPN?

The whole process of unblocking UK-only sites, apps, and channels revolve around acquiring a UK IP address abroad. By signing up with any of the top-recommended VPNs we have suggested above, you will be able to do just that. Here’s how you can get BBC iPlayer anywhere in the world with the help of a VPN. Here’s what I did:

1. I signed up with a VPN that actually works with BBC iPlayer, and that VPN is ExpressVPN.
2. Then, I downloaded and installed the VPN app on my phone (any other device will work just fine)
3. After launching the application, I connected to a UK VPN server.
4. Once the VPN connection was established, I appeared to be browsing the web from within the United Kingdom.
5. I was able to access BBC iPlayer, Now TV, Sky, or any other geo-restricted UK channel from the USA, Ireland, Australia, NZ, or anywhere else overseas.

Best VPN for BBC iPlayer – In A Glance

You might need to read into the details of a VPN function and process of operation- that is if you are already aware of it. If that’s the case, focus on the list of best VPN providers below. We summed up them up for you and classified them as the best BBC iPlayer VPNs.

Rank

VPN Provider

Features

Links

• Best for streaming and privacy
• High speed servers in 160 VPN locations
• Works for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu
• 24/7/ live chat support
• 3 extra months free on annual plan

Visit ExpressVPN Try risk-free for 30 days Read our review

• UltraHD streaming
• Free Smart DNS proxy
• Unblocks all major streaming services
• Limited Time 72% Discount

Visit BulletVPN Read our review

• Unlimited VPN connections
• Over 1000 servers
• Ad-blocking feature available

Visit Surfshark Read our review

4

• User-friendly application
• Exclusive Smart VPN feature
• Standalone Smart DNS subscription available

Visit Unlocator Read our review

5

• Extra security features
• Extensions for Firefox and Chrome
• Split-tunneling available

Visit NordVPN Read our review

ExpressVPN

A solid and reputable VPN is needed in the case of unblocking BBC iPlayer. There are many free VPNs that offer to unblock BBC, but they are not to be trusted. Testings have proven that ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for bypassing regional restrictions. Yes, you will be able to stream BBC iPlayer’s content outside the UK. You’ll find some of its most prominent aspects here:

• Removing blocks on all UK channels overseas. BBC, my5, Channel 4, ITV, Sky GO, BT Sport, etc.
  
• Providing friendly software for devices with Android, Linux, Windows, Mac, and iOS
• allows up to 5 concurrent VPN connections.
• a helpful 24/7 support team
• adheres to a 30-day money guarantee policy.

BulletVPN

This is another top VPN service provider you can use in order to watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK. BulletVPN offers users a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can install the BulletVPN app on your PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad, or FireStick. A Smart DNS proxy feature is also available in case you wish to stream geo-blocked content on devices that natively do not support VPN.

BulletVPN offers pretty decent speeds and services. Its 5-star customer service team leaves no question unanswered. To avoid experiencing any form of video lagging, you’ll need a VPN like BulletVPN. With VPN protocols such as PPTP, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, and IKEv2, your online security is guaranteed. This way you’ll be able to stream BBC’s content at high-performance rates and security levels. The unlimited bandwidth feature is beneficial when streaming, especially when it’s a major streaming service like BBC.

NordVPN

NordVPN’s is headquartered in Panama, which means there’s zero possibility that governments retain users’ browsing records. The country is not subject to any retention laws. Nord’s company protects users’ logs if any are kept and has nothing to submit if asked. Also, the service allows up to 6 simultaneous connections. This means you are able to unblock BBC iPlayer on 6 devices simultaneously.

Its stealth security features reflect those of top-tier VPN providers. Most of these features are exclusive to NordVPN. The double-hop VPN feature reroutes traffic through two servers instead of just one. Not only does this increase the level of security, but it also makes it difficult for anyone to track you down. A no-logs policy is also active and clearly puts forth that no user logs are kept. You get to browse the web without worrying about your history falling into the wrong hands or getting recorded in the first place.

SurfShark

Surfshark features a very minimalistic, easy-to-use interface, which is ideal for beginners and individuals without too much technical knowledge. The client is pretty straightforward and devoid of any unnecessary menus and buttons. What’s more, the VPN allows for unlimited concurrent connections per single account. That means you can protect all the devices at home and share your VPN connection with friends and family members. Despite being new, this VPN comes with a lot of beneficial features.

This VPN comes with blazing fast servers around the world and an outstanding support team that’s present around the clock to solve your problems. Moreover, it offers a strict no-log policy and a kill switch to secure your browsing activities if a sudden connection outage occurs. To add a cherry on top, SurfShark has a 30-day cash-back guarantee, which means that you can take the VPN through a test drive and get your money back if it doesn’t live up to your expectations. Although I highly doubt that since this VPN works pretty well with BBC iPlayer, but you never know what privileges a user might be expecting from a VPN provider.

IPVanish

IPVanish’s high server speeds have been rewarded with a huge followers base. Those speeds are essential when streaming content like news, live broadcasts, sporting events from BBC iPlayer. Additionally, this provider’s server speeds facilitate download speeds regardless of the tight security imposed on the giant streaming service. The user-friendly and easy-to-use software is quite enjoyable. It also supports the most used platforms like Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.

The company runs more than 850 servers spread in over 60 countries. Users can easily connect to one of their servers thanks to smart distribution. None of the users’ browsing histories will be recorded or stored by this service. This is clear in their no-logs policy. As far as security goes, IPVanish offers the following protocols  PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN with a 256-bit AES encryption to ensure security. What’s different about this provider is that it only offers a 7-day refund policy so that customers get to decide whether or not they want this service.

VyprVPN

This service provider is based in Switzerland. You get to replace your IP address with another by connecting to one of its 70+ worldwide servers. VyprVPN offers subscribers multiple British VPN servers that can be used to unblock various UK channels and websites abroad. Unlimited downloading/streaming is important to those who want to bypass location-based blocks and watch their favorite TV shows or movies. Privacy levels are increased with the use of VyprVPN when streaming.

VyprVPN doesn’t offer a refund policy. They have a 3-day free trial to get a better idea of performance and speed. They have two plans. The basic plan, which allows up to three connections, and the premium plan, which allows up to five connections.

The Smart DNS Proxy Alternative for BBC iPlayer

In case none of the four VPNs above caught your attention, a Smart DNS might. A Smart DNS Proxy is also a tool used to unblock geo-restricted sites like BBC iPlayer. Users outside the UK can benefit from its services for their fast unblocking activities.

Here’s all that you need to be aware of:

• It has high levels of compatibility; you can stream BBC iPlayer on iPhone, Mac, PS3/PS4, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and Xbox.
• Your IP address stays the same.
• Internet traffic remains untouched and unencrypted.
• If your Internet service provider uses transparent proxies or DNS hijacking, a Smart DNS will not work out for you.
• No anonymity with a visible IP address.

If you were drawn to those features, we recommend that you give Unlocator a shot. The company offers a free 7-day trial period for indecisive people. Also, it supports the unblocking of BBC, ITV, Sky Go, Now TV, and other UK channels.

The Best BBC iPlayer VPN in 2020

If you are searching for a VPN provider that guarantees access to BBC iPlayer outside the UK, head on over to ExpressVPN. In case you want to try a different method to unblock geo-blocked content abroad, you can always make use of a Smart DNS instead. But. what do you think? What is it that you want? Some of you might find a Smart DNS a suitable fit, while others might feel safe with a VPN subscription. Which one do you prefer? Let us know by dropping comments.

Best VPN for BBC iPlayer

Name: ExpressVPN

Description: Finding a VPN that still works with BBC iPlayer has become very difficult recently. ExpressVPN are one of the few you can still use to watch iPlayer abroad.

• VPN Apps
• Access Geo-Restricted Content
• Speed
• Customer Support
• Refund Policy

Visit VPN Provider

Get ExpressVPN

Top Recommended VPN

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

4.7