If you're outside of the UK but still want to watch the best of British TV, you'll need one of the best BBC iPlayer VPNs to do so.
By using one of the best VPNs, you'll be able to spoof your location to the UK and unblock BBC iPlayer without being detected.
We've tested dozens of VPNs to make sure they are actually able to access BBC iPlayer, as well as taking a look at their speeds, their server spread, their ease of use, and any extra features (if they have any) to determine the top 5 VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
I'll be going in-depth into these VPNs, but if you want a quick answer, check out the top 3 BBC iPlayer VPNs below: NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN.
The 3 best BBC iPlayer VPNs at a glance
How we chose the best BBC iPlayer VPNs
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We test whether or not VPNs support unblocking in multiple different ways. First, we use a semi-automated tool built by our in-house VPN tester. This gives us an overview of whether or not they are able to access streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer.
However, the tests don't stop here. I've individually tested each VPN on this list to make sure it is able to access BBC iPlayer in real-world scenarios on my personal devices – a Dell laptop and an iPhone 11. This means I've got a good idea of exactly what using these VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer is like during streaming sessions.
To do this, I select a UK-based server from my chosen VPN's server list, then attempt to stream content on BBC iPlayer (e.g. Doctor Who). If the VPN was detected, I switched to a different server. If this didn't solve the issues, I classed this as the VPN being unable to unblock BBC iPlayer.
This wasn't the end of the test, though, as if any VPN was unable to unblock BBC iPlayer, I contacted their support to see if they had a fix for the issue. I then factored the level of support I received into that provider's placing on this list.
Other factors also went into the ranking of the VPN services on this list. One in particular is speed, as high VPN connection speeds mean that your base connection won't be slowed down, keeping your streams reliable. So, all of the VPNs were tested on a 1 Gbps line to determine their top speeds.
The amount of servers and locations the VPN providers have in the UK were also taken into consideration, as the more servers the provider has, the less likely is that your VPN use will be detected.
I've also taken a look at the level of privacy and security these VPNs offer. While this may not be the first thing you look at if you're looking for a VPN for BBC iPlayer, it is integral in ensuring a VPN performs as expected. Plus, it's an important factor in keeping you and your data safe online.
The final factor I've considered is what additional features these VPNs offer beyond their streaming support and a strong, secure connection, whether this is ad and malware blocking or a free password manager. While these are definitely bonuses rather than must-have features, they do still factor into how appealing a VPN is for certain users.
Read more about how we test VPNs for an in-depth look at our testing process.
This update saw me double check all the facts and figures for all the VPNs to ensure they're all as up-to-date as possible. I have also included more information on recent updates to the VPN providers themselves, including Proton VPN's new look for its iOS, Android and Windows apps.
The best VPN for iPlayer overall
What we like:
NordVPN tops our list of the best VPN services, and it takes the number one spot in this list of the best BBC iPlayer VPNs, too.
In my unblocking tests, I was able to access BBC iPlayer with absolutely no issues. NordVPN was also able to unblock ITVX, All4 and the UK catalog of Netflix as well, making it not only one of the best iPlayer VPNs but one of the best UK VPNs as well.
This is, in part, down to its 440 servers in 4 locations across the UK, meaning you'll likely find it easy to find a server to connect to. Additionally, your connection is unlikely to be impacted by your use of NordVPN, as it maxed out our testing line at over 950 Mbps.
Beyond this is NordVPN's extra features, which make it essentially an entire security suite rather than just a VPN. This includes its tool to help users avoid phishing scams, tracking and malware, Threat Protection Pro, as well as its secure private network feature, Meshnet.
So, if you're looking for a BBC iPlayer VPN that also doubles as a full security suite, NordVPN is an excellent choice.
What could improve:
NordVPN may not be the most expensive VPN by any means, but it is more expensive than both Surfshark and Private Internet Access, with prices starting at $3.39 per month plus tax for a two year subscription.
Plus, while NordVPN has a lot of added extra features, these do come at a cost. If you want to access its full suite of security features, you'll be paying $6.99 per month plus tax for a two year subscription.
You'll also be subject to significant price hikes after your initial subscription ends. If you want to avoid this, you'll need to cancel your subscription completely, then re-sign up for NordVPN.
NordVPN's design isn't consistent across its apps, so if you want to use VPN on a platform like Fire Stick as well as mobile, you might find the difference in interface a little jarring.
🔒 Read our in-depth NordVPN review for all the details.
Buy NordVPN if:
✅ You want the best BBC iPlayer VPN. Based on our testing, NordVPN is the most reliable VPN for iPlayer, unblocking it first time, every time.
✅ You want a BBC iPlayer VPN that can unblock other UK streaming services. In testing, NordVPN unblocked ITVX, Netflix's UK catalog and All4.
✅ You want a security suite as well as a BBC iPlayer VPN. NordVPN has a number of added features, like tracker, ad and malware blocking, to keep you safe online while you stream.
Don't buy NordVPN if:
❌ You're on a strict budget. While NordVPN isn't the most expensive VPN, Surfshark gives it a good run for its money while being cheaper.
❌ You want a VPN that's consistent across apps. NordVPN's app design varies depending on which operating system it's on, which may make it difficult to pick up or navigate if you want to use it on multiple different devices.
The best cheap iPlayer VPN
What we like:
Surfshark is one of the best streaming VPNs on the market, accessing BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world with ease. If you want to access other regional streaming services, whether this is in the UK or elsewhere, Surfshark has you covered here, too.
In my latest streaming tests, Surfshark was able to access ITVX and All4, as well as Aussie streaming services 9Now and 10 Play. Beyond this, it could access Netflix in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and Japan, as well as Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ in the US.
It's also the fastest VPN we've tested, hitting speeds of more than 950 Mbps in our testing. While a VPN can't actually speed up your base connection speed, a VPN with good speed won't slow you down when you're connected. I can vouch for the effectiveness of Surfshark's speeds, too – when using it, my connection was ultra-smooth and didn't suffer any lag at all.
Another great factor about Surfshark is how easy it is to use. It keeps its design pretty consistent across its apps, so there's no re-learning how to use it if you want to switch from watching BBC iPlayer on your phone to on your desktop. While it doesn't quite have a huge on/off button in the middle of the screen like ExpressVPN or PIA, all its settings are set out clearly and you should have no issue picking it up no matter what your VPN skill level is.
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform, so the likelihood is you're not looking to shell out for a VPN just to watch TV shows or movies on it. Luckily, Surfshark is one of the best cheap VPNs on the market, with prices starting at $1.99 plus tax per month for a two year subscription. So, you can watch as much Doctor Who as you like without burning a hole in your pocket.
What could improve:
While Surfshark offers excellent value in your initial subscription, you will be subject to a hefty price hike after this subscription comes to an end. So, if you want to continue to use Surfshark but don't want to suffer an increased price, you're better off cancelling your subscription before it ends and re-signing up for a new one.
Additionally, Surfshark's apps are super simple and easy to use, but this comes at the cost of its customization options. If you're after a VPN for watching BBC iPlayer and other streaming services only, then this likely won't matter to you. However, if you want a VPN you can completely configure the connection of, you're better off going with Proton VPN or Private Internet Access.
🔒 Read our in-depth Surfshark review for all the details.
Buy Surfshark if:
✅ You want a super-fast BBC iPlayer VPN. As the fastest provider in our last round of speed testing, Surfshark won't slow you down while you're streaming.
✅ You want a BBC iPlayer VPN you can use for other streaming platforms as well. Surfshark performed flawlessly in our latest round of streaming tests, meaning you can use it with pretty much any streaming service you want to.
✅ You want a budget BBC iPlayer VPN. At just under $2 per month plus tax for a two-year subscription, Surfshark is one of the best value VPNs out there.
Don't buy Surfshark if:
❌ You want a configurable BBC iPlayer VPN. Surfshark doesn't offer the same level of customization as Proton VPN or PIA.
❌ You want to avoid price hikes. Surfshark is initially good value for money, but you'll be subject to large price hikes after your subscription ends.
The best iPlayer VPN for ease of use
What we like:
While it doesn't publicly state exactly how many servers it has in the UK alone, we do know that ExpressVPN is one of the best UK VPN services, with servers in 5 locations across Blighty. While many of these are London-specific, it's still a decent amount of locations to offer in one country alone.
Regardless, these servers did the trick as ExpressVPN was able to unblock BBC iPlayer without any issues during my testing. It was also able to unblock UK Netflix, as well as All4.
If you're looking for a VPN for BBC iPlayer, but aren't super familiar with VPNs, ExpressVPN is a great choice. Its apps are simple yet powerful, and stay completely consistent across all its apps.
This includes platforms that other VPN providers tend to have completely different interfaces for, like Amazon Fire Stick. So, if you are after the best Fire Stick VPN to watch BBC iPlayer on, then ExpressVPN will work well for you.
ExpressVPN is also a great option for users who want a little more bang for their buck in terms of VPN subscription. While it may be a little pricier than other VPN providers on this list, it offers cybersecurity extras, like ad and malware blocker Threat Manager and a password manager, that other VPN providers put behind a paywall. If you're in the US, you'll even get cyber insurance bundled in.
If you wanted to get the same amount of cybersecurity protection from NordVPN that ExpressVPN offers as standard, you'd be paying upwards of $6.99 plus tax per month. So, with this in mind, ExpressVPN is actually great value for money.
What could improve:
While it was generally good at unblocking UK-specific streaming services, ExpressVPN did struggle to unblock ITVX. ExpressVPN also had some other issues unblocking other streaming platforms, including Australian and Japanese Netflix, and Australian streaming service 10 Play.
While these issues were fixed by switching servers, it's still a little disappointing to see from ExpressVPN.
Overall, ExpressVPN is good value for money if you want a VPN that also acts as a security suite. However, if you just want a VPN to spoof your location to the UK to watch BBC iPlayer and nothing more, then you're better off going with a basic plan from Surfshark, NordVPN or PIA.
🔒 Read our in-depth ExpressVPN review for all the details.
Buy ExpressVPN if:
✅ You want a BBC iPlayer VPN that's easy to use. ExpressVPN's simple apps stay consistent across all of its platforms.
✅ You want a BBC iPlayer VPN and a security suite. All of ExpressVPN's subscriptions come with its ad and malware blocker Threat Manager and a password manager.
✅ You mostly stream BBC iPlayer on Fire Stick. ExpressVPN is one of the best Fire Stick VPNs as well as a great BBC iPlayer VPN.
Don't buy ExpressVPN if:
❌ You want to watch other streaming platforms. While it was able to unblock them after switching servers, ExpressVPN did have issues unblocking ITVX, 10 Play and Australian and Japanese Netflix.
❌ You're on a strict budget. Although it does have a lot of added extras, ExpressVPN is the most expensive BBC iPlayer VPN on this list.
The best iPlayer VPN for security
What we like:
With 553 servers in 5 locations across the UK, Proton VPN has you sorted not only as a BBC iPlayer VPN, but also for any other UK streaming service you might want to access.
Plus, with over 12,000 servers worldwide and excellent streaming support, you should be able to access basically any other streaming service you want to.
Its Android, Mac and iOS apps were recently redesigned, and I was pleased to see that my previous critiques appeared to be taken into consideration, especially where the iOS app is concerned.
I tested out Proton VPN for four weeks as part of writing my Proton VPN review. I found its functional server map to be a cluttered and unnecessary, and its central "disconnect" button meant that when I relied on muscle memory from other apps to navigate, I found myself accidentally disconnecting the app.
The redesign has seen the server map become aesthetically pleasing, and the disconnect button moved to part of a widget (similar to Surfshark and NordVPN's designs), making the apps a lot sleeker and easier to navigate. So, if you're after one of the best iPhone VPNs for BBC iPlayer, I'd definitely recommend Proton VPN.
Despite this ease of use, Proton VPN also has a lot to offer for those looking for complete control over their connection. You can set up profiles within its apps, allowing you to set the server location, country, encryption protocol and whether or not it uses a Secure Core server. You can even name them and colour-code them.
This means that once you've found the BBC iPlayer settings that work best for you, you can set this all up in a profile, meaning the best BBC iPlayer VPN experience is just a couple of clicks away.
What could improve:
I won't sugar-coat it – when compared to Surfshark or PIA, Proton VPN is pretty pricey. Prices typically start from $3.59 per month for a two-year subscription, making it more expensive than every other provider on this list except ExpressVPN.
Still, this subscription does give you access to a full suite of free products from its parent company, Proton. This includes encrypted email from Proton Mail, secure cloud storage from Proton Drive, and encrypted password management from Proton Pass. So, if you want a complete security suite as well as a VPN, you might find it worth it.
Usually, if a pricier VPN provider has one of the best free VPNs on offer (like Proton VPN does), I'd suggest you just use it and consider upgrading if you end up really liking it. Unfortunately, Proton VPN Free has one major flaw – it does not support streaming at all. So, it's not a viable option if you like the look of Proton VPN but don't like the look of its price.
If you want a free VPN that does support streaming, check out PrivadoVPN Free.
🔒 Read our in-depth Proton VPN review for all the details.
Buy Proton VPN if:
✅ You want a BBC iPlayer VPN that's great on iOS. Thanks to its redesign, Proton VPN is a great option for iOS users.
✅ You want a lot of freebies with your BBC iPlayer VPN. Proton VPN subscriptions come with free encrypted storage, a password manager and secure mail service courtesy of its parent company, Proton.
✅ You need a wide server spread. With 553 servers in 5 locations across the UK, and 12,000 servers in 144 locations worldwide, Proton VPN has plenty of servers to choose from.
Don't buy Proton VPN if:
❌ You want a cheap BBC iPlayer VPN. With prices starting from $3.59 per month for a two-year subscription, Proton VPN is one of the most expensive VPNs on this list.
❌ You want a free BBC iPlayer VPN. While Proton VPN Free is a great free VPN in general, it does not support streaming so it won't work as a free BBC iPlayer VPN.
The best iPlayer VPN for experts
What we like:
If you want a BBC iPlayer VPN but still want to prioritize security and privacy, Private Internet Access (PIA) is a great option. It's one of the most private VPNs on the market, even allowing you to pay with cryptocurrency to keep your VPN use completely anonymous.
PIA is also one of the most secure VPNs on the market, publishing a quarterly transparency report which proves that your data is not tracked, stored or shared by this VPN provider.
Those who like to get under the hood of their VPN will be pleased with PIA, too, as it offers a huge amount of settings and customization options for you to get your hands on. This includes encryption protocol to network to creating automated actions when connecting to different Wi-Fi networks.
Plus, if you'll be opening these settings to change your encryption protocol from OpenVPN to WireGuard for added security over speed, you'll be pleased to know that PIA has decent OpenVPN speeds at 256 Mbps. This is faster than NordVPN, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN.
PIA's also a great option for those looking for a BBC iPlayer VPN that won't break the bank. Prices start from $2.03 per month for a two-year subscription, making it one of the cheapest VPNs for BBC iPlayer on this list.
What could improve:
While PIA was able to unblock BBC iPlayer in my testing, this was not without issues. In fact, PIA struggled to unblock every UK-based streaming platform, except for the UK's Netflix library.
Most streaming issues were fixed by switching to a different server, although it was disappointing that my VPN use was detected on PIA's streaming optimized servers specifically.
For All4, however, PIA was simply unable to unblock it. I was unable to stream any content, no matter how many times I switched my server. If you only want to stream BBC iPlayer, then this likely isn't an issue for you, but if you want to stream UK content from multiple different platforms, then you might want to consider NordVPN, Surfshark or Proton VPN instead.
It's also worth noting that my issues with streaming doesn't necessarily mean you will struggle, too. When I contacted PIA for their advice with streaming issues, its support advised doing the following:
- If the website is only available in a specific region, connect to at least 3 server locations in that region. If not, you may connect to at least 3 random server locations.
- Change to a different VPN protocol then try accessing again. To change VPN protocol, go to Settings > Protocols.
- Try a different browser or log out and log back into the app.
Another area where PIA has room for improvement is ease of use. While PIA's apps do appear to be easy to use on the surface, with a big quick-connect on/off button in the center of the screen, beyond this they do get a little complex.
For example, on its iOS app, PIA has quick settings icons underneath its quick-connect button. But, there is no explanation of what these icons mean. You can discover the meaning of them if you open up PIA's larger settings on the iOS app, but this defeats the point of having quick settings in the first place.
If you primarily stream on your Windows computer, you may find PIA frustrating to use, too. This is due to its default settings being set so the VPN auto-hides when using it. In order to turn this off, I had to search for the PIA app on my computer.
While these issues aren't the end of the world, it does make PIA a lot less accessible to first-time VPN users. If you want a simpler BBC iPlayer VPN, go for ExpressVPN, Surfshark or Proton VPN.
Finally, while PIA's WireGuard speeds aren't terrible, at 436 Mbps they are significantly slower than all the other VPN services on this list. With this being said, speeds of just 25 Mbps are needed to stream 4K video, so you shouldn't be slowed down when using PIA. Even on my slow domestic Wi-Fi, I didn't experience any issues.
🔒 Read our in-depth Private Internet Access review for all the details.
Buy Private Internet Access if:
✅ You value privacy above all else. With quarterly transparency reports and crypto payment options, PIA will ensure your VPN use stays completely private.
✅ You want a customizable VPN. PIA allows you to completely customize your VPN connection, from network to encryption.
✅ You want a cheap BBC iPlayer VPN. With prices starting at $2.03 per month for a two-year subscription, PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs on this list.
Don't buy Private Internet Access if:
❌ You want completely flawless streaming performance. While it was able to unblock most streaming services I tested it with by switching servers, my VPN use was frequently detected during streaming tests.
❌ You want a super-fast VPN. At 436 Mbps, PIA's speeds are decent, but they're definitely not comparable to that of Surfshark, NordVPN or Proton VPN.
Is it legal to use a VPN with BBC iPlayer?
The short answer to this is yes. However, if you're using a VPN to watch on-demand content on BBC iPlayer or to watch any live UK TV broadcasts, you will need to have a TV license.
This is because it's illegal to watch BBC iPlayer or live broadcasts from the UK without one. If you do so, you may face a fine or prosecution.
How do you use a VPN with BBC iPlayer?
Using a VPN with BBC iPlayer is pretty simple. First, open up your chosen VPN. Then, navigate to its server list, and select one within the UK. Once you're connected, open the BBC iPlayer site on your browser or the app on your device. Then, choose what you want to watch and you should be good to go!
If your VPN is detected, try switching servers and reloading the page. All the VPNs I tested on this page were able to connect to BBC iPlayer, so you should be able to access it if using one of them.
It's important to remember that if you are watching anything on BBC iPlayer, whether this is on-demand or live content, you will need a valid TV license to do so.
How does BBC iPlayer know I am using a VPN?
BBC iPlayer, and other streaming platforms, attempt to block VPN use as the content on their sites are only licensed to be distributed in certain countries.
In order to do this, BBC iPlayer will block shared IP addresses, meaning if many different users are using the same IP address, this is a sign that they are using a VPN. So, this IP address will be blocked by the site.
This is also why switching servers can give you access to BBC iPlayer if you can't access it on the first server you try. By switching servers, you change your IP address.
Can I use a free VPN with BBC iPlayer?
Even the best free VPNs tend to be limited, whether this is via a data limit, number of simultaneous connections or just overall functionality.
For example, Proton VPN Free simply does not support streaming at all. However, some free VPNs, like Windscribe Free and PrivadoVPN Free do.
Another issue you may run into with using a free VPN for BBC iPlayer is that free VPNs tend to have a very limited server spread.
As BBC iPlayer blocks shared IP addresses to combat VPN use, even if your free VPN is able to access BBC iPlayer, it's more likely that the IP address generated when using it will be blocked as more people will be using that IP address.
Additionally, you most likely won't be able to switch servers if you experience a block from BBC iPlayer.
Plus, if you do use a free VPN with a data limit, you'll most likely not be able to get more than an hour or two of streaming out of it.
So, while you can use a free VPN with BBC iPlayer, you'll probably find you have a smoother and more consistent experience using a paid-for VPN like Surfshark, NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
How does a VPN work for BBC iPlayer?
As BBC iPlayer is inaccessible to anyone outside of the UK, a VPN works for BBC iPlayer by spoofing your location to somewhere in the UK.
By making your IP address appear as though you are in the UK, a VPN will give you access to BBC iPlayer and all of its content – for example, TV shows like Doctor Who or Sherlock.
However, if you want to stream content using BBC iPlayer, you will need to make sure you have a valid TV license. It's illegal to watch on-demand content on BBC iPlayer or live UK TV without a TV license.
Back to the best iPlayer VPNs ^
How to choose the right BBC iPlayer VPN
The most important thing when looking for a BBC iPlayer VPN is that it is actually able to access BBC iPlayer. Luckily, all the VPNs reviewed in this guide are able to do this.
Another key feature is the VPN's server spread within the UK. As BBC iPlayer attempts to block VPN use by blocking IP addresses used by many different users, a decent server spread helps ensure firstly that your VPN-generated IP address won't be used by as many people, as well as allowing you to easily switch to a different server if you do run into any issues.
You should also consider the speed of your chosen VPN, too. While a VPN cannot speed up your base internet connection, and you only need speeds of 25 Mbps to stream video in 4K, good speeds do mean that you won't be held back by any buffering or lag when you are connected.
Other factors, like how easy the VPN is to use or what support it has on offer, can be important to consider if you're new to VPNs or feel you might need more help getting started.
Back to the best BBC iPlayer VPNs ^
The experts that test VPNs at Tom's Guide
Olivia joined Tom's Guide in October 2023, and is currently VPN Commissioning Editor. She regularly uses VPNs to make sure they deliver what they promise, and specializes in testing VPNs with streaming sites. For this guide, they tested all the VPNs listed with BBC iPlayer as well as multiple different UK-based streaming sites to make sure the VPN services could unblock them.
Mo has written about VPNs for Tom's Guide, day-in, day-out, for five years. He's an expert when it comes to what makes a VPN truly usable, and loves it when a VPN makes staying safe online as easy as possible. He is also a contributor to TechRadar, T3, and What Hi-Fi?.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
