Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer | Top 10 Reviewed + Compared for 2024

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The best VPNs for BBC iPlayer not only let you unblock BBC iPlayer from any location but also ensure high speeds and uninterrupted viewing. Moreover, an excellent VPN provides an additional layer of security, encrypts data while transmissions, bypasses censorship, and enhances overall online security.

Finding the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer can be difficult as not all VPNs deliver what they claim. We’ve found and reviewed the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer based on criteria like speeds, pricing, number of locations and servers, customer service, and other facilities. Read on to learn why NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access are in a league of their own and what they can do for you.

The Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer 2024 | Quick Answer

NordVPN stands out as the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, banking on features like a vast network of servers, effective kill switch, CyberSec, Double VPN, and a strict no-logs policy. Here’s how it fares against others on our list:

1. NordVPN — The Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in 2024 | Put it to the Test With the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
2. ExpressVPN — The Best Streaming VPN with 360-degree Privacy & Security | Try it With the 30-Day Guarantee.
3. Private Internet Access — The Cheapest VPN for BBC iPlayer | Try it Risk-Free for a Full Month.
4. SurfShark VPN — Top VPN Provider With Unlimited Simultaneous Connections | Offers a Month-Long Guarantee.
5. PrivadoVPN — The Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer | See if it Fits Your Needs With the Free Forever Plan.
6. CyberGhost VPN — BBC iPlayer VPN With the Longest Money-Back Guarantee of 45 Days.
7. IPVanish — The Best VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer With IP Masking.
8. PrivateVPN — Leading VPN Provider With Strong Data Encryption.
9. VyprVPN — One of the Cheapest VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
10. ProtonVPN — A Fast VPN for Streaming | Try the Freemium Plan Before Committing.

The Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer 2024 | In-Depth Reviews

Excited to learn more about our top picks for the best VPNs to stream BBC iPlayer? Dig in as we dive deep into the details of our recommendations, including their best features, pros, cons, and pricing. Ready?

1. NordVPN — The Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in 2024

NordVPN is best known for its wide network of VPN servers, plus it’s also one of the fastest VPN providers.

If you’re trying to unlock content on streaming platforms like the BBC iPlayer, you need a VPN that has enough servers, and with over 5,400 servers in 60+ countries, it doesn’t get better than Nord.

Even if your country doesn’t have BBC iPlayer, you can surely find a server location closer to your geographic location and access its content buffer-free. Say you want to enjoy the content on the go.

Luckily for you, NordVPN has an intuitive mobile app that takes less than a minute to set up. With that said, the best thing about NordVPN is that it connects to 6 devices simultaneously.

So, if you’re sharing the BBC iPlayer with a few other people like your friends or family, NordVPN will ensure that each one of you can access it simultaneously, so neither has to wait for the other to log out before they can log in.

Besides all this, Nord takes your privacy very seriously, which is something we like. Under its strict no-log policy, it doesn’t track your browsing history or collect your data. Hackers aside, even NordVPN employees cannot access your activities.

In addition, it also comes with multi-factor authentication to protect your account from intruders near you. If someone does, in fact, manage to steal your password, the extra steps and security questions will stop them right in their tracks.

Pricing

The Standard plan at $2.99/month will give you everything you need out of a VPN, including an intuitive kill switch, protection from digital threats, and even advanced anonymity.

If you have a lot of sensitive data and users that you need VPN support for, we recommend going for the Complete plan, which has additional features to offer and is still pretty cheap.

Try NordVPN risk-free before committing to it, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. You have nothing to lose and complete online security, freedom, and anonymity to gain.

2. ExpressVPN — The Best Streaming VPN with 36-degree Privacy & Security

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN services, thanks to its expertise in unblocking streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It has servers in more than 94 countries.

You can choose any server you want and switch as many times as you need — there’s no limit.

Besides all this, the platform is also heavily audited by independent parties. For instance, its no-log policy claims were audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which confirmed the validity of its no-logging policies.

This means that no matter what websites you visit or what you do online, ExpressVPN will neither track your activities nor collect any of your personal details, much like NordVPN.

Signing up with ExpressVPN will also fetch you an integrated password manager that’ll keep your passwords locked away, beyond the reach of malicious hackers and notorious online users, keeping you safe and undetectable.

What’s more, you can also use ExpressVPN on any device. Whether you’re using an Android or iPhone — it’s one of the best iPhone VPNs — Windows, or Mac, ExpressVPN can protect each of these operating systems equally well.

After all, no VPN service should restrict what device you should use to watch content on BBC iPlayer. Additionally, if you need a little help setting up your account, you’ll be glad to know that ExpressVPN customer support is available 24/7 via email and live chat.

Pricing

ExpressVPN, although on the pricier side, offers one of the largest networks of servers, top-notch customer support, and diverse features, justifying its price. The best deal is the 1-year plan at $8.32/month.

The best part is that all ExpressVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you don’t stand to lose any money if ExpressVPN fails to impress you, although we can swear that it won’t.

3. Private Internet Access VPN — The Cheapest VPN for BBC iPlayer

Private Internet Access (PIA) has one of the largest networks of VPN servers in the market. With over 30,000 servers across 84 countries, there’s hardly any top city in the world that doesn’t have a server to connect to PIA.

Even in countries like China and Africa, where finding a reliable VPN connection is a headache, PIA offers a stable and fully-encrypted VPN connection. What makes PIA different from other VPN providers is that it’s an open-source VPN service.

This means you can check its code anytime and see how it works. If you’re not someone who can easily trust the privacy claims of VPN services, PIA’s transparent approach will surely give you the peace of mind you need.

PIA users also get a dedicated IP assigned to them, which is one of the highest levels of personal security. After all, if you’re using BBC iPlayer through a VPN provider, you’ll also be paying for the subscription online through the same VPN.

In that case, a dedicated VPN ensures that your banking details remain inaccessible to hackers and away from the dark web.

In addition to all this, if you don’t want your online traffic to pass through the usual monitored routes, PIA’s split tunneling feature will be your friend. You can decide which data you encrypt through a VPN and which data remains open to the network.

This way, you’ll be able to keep your personal details anonymous, plus accessing geo-restricted content won’t stop you from benefiting from location-based searches.

Pricing

PIA comes with simultaneous connections to up to 10 devices and compatibility with every popular device format and operating system. Combine that with a 3-year + 3 months package for just $2.03/month, and you have a lottery in your hands.

Plus, any money you spend will be at zero risk because of PIA’s generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. SurfShark VPN — Top VPN Provider with Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Surfshark VPN stands out for its unlimited simultaneous connections. You can share both your BBC iPlayer account and your SurfShark account with your whole family.

Combine that with Surfshark’s dirt-cheap prices, and it’s easily the best family VPN service on the market right now.

At the same time, you can secure all of your devices, including your phone, laptop, and tablet, with the same plan. No matter where you choose to watch BBC iPlayer, Surfshark VPN will be ready to unblock restricted content for you.

Surfshark is also one of the safest VPN services with excellent encryption. In fact, it lets you choose your preferred type — you can choose OpenVPN, where you get a thoroughly tested VPN protocol that’s privacy-friendly.

On the other hand, WireGuard is much faster and consumes about 15% fewer data. It also handles network changes better and is just as secure. What we really like about Surfshark VPN is that it has RAM-only servers.

This means that every time the server is turned off, it automatically purges the data, making it impossible for hackers or unauthorized third parties to access it.

If you don’t want anyone online to find out that you’re using VPN, turn on Surfshark’s camouflage mode, also known as obfuscation. This feature makes your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic.

So in case your country has strict VPN laws, the obfuscated servers will ensure you don’t draw unwanted attention.

Pricing

Unlimited simultaneous connections at just $2.05/month is a steal. Plus, there are no renewal hikes, either.

The 30-day money-back guarantee will allow you to try the service risk-free. See if it’s your cup of tea.

5. PrivadoVPN — The Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

PrivadoVPN looks after your data privacy like very few VPN services can. After all, trying to access a streaming platform such as BBC iPlayer through VPNs often exposes your device to outsiders.

However, since PrivadoVPN is based out of Switzerland, your data is protected by some of the strongest consumer privacy laws. In addition to that, PrivadoVPN also has a strong zero-log policy similar to that of industry leaders like NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

As the best free VPN service, Privado offers a generous free plan. It gives you access to VPN servers in 12 different cities along with 10Gb of data every 30 days.

You might not get premium features like Threat Protection or Ad Blockers, but you’ll certainly benefit from its zero-log policy. Plus, you can also use the free plan to protect any type of device — Android, iOS, Mac, or Windows.

Once you move on to the paid plans, you’ll get unlimited data and access to servers from over 59 cities. Enjoy unlimited shows and movies on BBC iPlayer without buffering.

Also, with paid plans, you can protect as many as 10 devices simultaneously so that your whole family can enjoy their favorite content online without bothering each other.

Pricing

As the best free VPN, PrivadoVPN offers a good amount of features on its free plan, which is best suited for individual users.

But if you stay with your family, the paid plans, especially the $4.99/month plan, with simultaneous connections and access to more servers, might be a better match for you.

Put it to the test with a 30-day money-back guarantee today.

6. CyberGhost VPN — BBC iPlayer VPN with the Longest Money-Back Guarantee of 45 Days

CyberGhost VPN is the only VPN service that offers a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee on its paid plans, except the monthly one. That said, even on its 1-month plan, you get a generous 14-day money-back guarantee.

For context, most VPN providers don’t provide a money-back guarantee on their monthly plans.

Just as PrivadoVPN protects your personal data with its strong Swiss privacy laws, CyberGhost, too, uses strict Romanian privacy laws to safeguard your personal information, making it almost impossible for any outsider to break into your device and hence your info.

With over 9,600 servers in 91+ countries, CyberGhost VPN has one of the largest server fleets, making accessing BBC iPlayer’s never-ending gallery of content all the easier.

No matter where you live, you’ll surely find a CyberGhost server close to your geographical location. Besides all this, our favorite security feature of CyberGhost VPN is free ID guard monitoring.

While it’s almost impossible for anyone to break into your system with CyberGhost’s protection, if someone does manage to leak your passwords or emails, CyberGhost will immediately notify you so that you can take corrective measures before it’s too late.

In addition to that, CyberGhost also provides excellent customer service.

Irrespective of the plan you’re on, you get access to 24/7 customer support. This ensures that you never have to miss your favorite show/movie on BBC iPlayer simply because your VPN service isn’t working.

Pricing

CyberGhost VPN’s 1-month and 6-month plans are solid deals, but it makes more sense to select the 2-year + 2-month plan at just $2.19/month. Plus, that’s the plan with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Also, CyberGhost often offers seasonal offers, so keep an eye out for extra discounts!

7. IPVanish — The Best VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer with IP Masking

IPVanish takes encryption and security protocols to a whole new level with its military-grade encryption.

Compared to the regular 256-bit encryption that most VPN services offer, IPVanish uses AES-256-CBC encryption with a SHA256 hash algorithm, meaning more security and privacy.

Although IPVanish’s servers are not specially optimized to unblock streaming sites such as BBC iPlayer or Netflix, you’ll still enjoy a pretty smooth experience.

There’s no buffering or freezing, and you’ll be able to unlock almost all popular streaming platforms regardless of your location.

If your online anonymity and IP masking are your primary concerns, IPVanish might just be the best pick for you. It has more than 40,000 shared IP addresses which are used by all its subscribers. This way, no single online activity can be traced back to an individual.

To ensure you have the best streaming experience, IPVanish offers unmetered connections. This means you can connect as many devices as you want to the same account.

It helps that IPVanish is compatible with multiple types of devices, such as smart TVs, tablets, and even VPN routers, helping you enjoy your favorite content on the big screen effortlessly.

What’s more, IPVanish makes it super easy for beginners to use their service through their rich knowledge database, FAQs, and tutorials. If you need direct help from their experts, the IPVanish team is just a click away.

Pricing

Yes, IPVanish’s renewal costs are quite high, but given its well-rounded set of features, excellent security, and seamless user experience, it’s still a solid deal.

Its yearly plan at $3.99/month offers the best value-for-money proposition, which also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try it now.

8. PrivateVPN — Leading VPN Provider with Strong Data Encryption

PrivateVPN is one of the fastest-growing VPN services in the world. The best part is that, unlike IPVanish, PrivateVPN’s servers are specially optimized to unlock streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, and more.

What we really like about PrivateVPN is how easy it is to connect. Regardless of what device you’re using it on, all that you have to do is download the app and click the “Connect” button. Less than a minute is needed. No complex setup.

Also, unlike most regular VPN services that only provide a 256-bit AES encryption to keep your data private — other than IPVanish, of course — Private VPN provides a whopping 2048-bit AES encryption.

Its connection is secure and rapid, and you can stream or download videos in HD at lightning speed without worrying about exposing your personal data. Customer support is another area where PrivateVPN won points.

It offers premium in-house support. Instead of connecting you to bots or customer care executives, Private VPN is perhaps the only VPN platform that connects users to in-house developers through chat or a submission form.

The only downside is its relatively small network of just 200 VPN servers. That said, since it doesn’t affect the speed much, it shouldn’t be a concern.

Pricing

PrivateVPN’s 3-year plan at just $2/month is one of the lowest price points in the entire VPN industry.

Add to that a generous 30-day money-back guarantee and multiple safe payment options, and it’d be fair to say that it’s a steal!

9. VyprVPN — One of the Cheapest VPNs for BBC iPlayer

VyprVPN is one of the safest VPN services out there. In fact, it took security so seriously at the start that its services were quite limited compared to its competitors. But the reinvented VyprVPN is flexible, resourceful, and just as safe.

VyprVPN has also recently started allowing torrenting. You can download any content of your choice, and VyprVPN will try to keep the whole process safe for you with its advanced security measures.

While the extra layers of security might take a slight hit on the speed, it certainly is manageable.

The only thing we didn’t like about VyprVPN is that it struggles with certain Netflix locations, and it was almost impossible for us to make it work with Hulu, which makes it hard for us to recognize it as one of the best VPNs for streaming platforms.

On the brighter side, it works smoothly with BBC iPlayer — the primary concern here. In addition to that, if you come from a country that doesn’t have YouTube, VyprVPN makes it easy for you to surpass the censorship laws and access their wide range of content.

The best part is they have servers in over 64 countries, spanning across Europe, America, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. Such extensive global coverage is only going to make it easier for you to use the service, no matter where you are or if you’re traveling.

Pricing

VyprVPN might not be the cheapest VPN on our list, but its 1-year plan at $5/month, simple three-step signup, and 30-day money-back guarantee make it worth a try.

Try it risk-free today. You’ll get your money back if it’s not up to the mark for you.

10. ProtonVPN — A Fast VPN for Streaming. Try the Freemium Plan Before Committing

ProtonVPN is the best free VPN service in the market. While many other VPN services, such as PrivadoVPN, offer a free plan, none of them are as feature-rich as Proton VPN.

For instance, you get more than 100 servers in 3 countries (US, NL, JP), whereas Privado’s free plan only gives you access to servers in 12 cities.

Other benefits of ProtonVPN’s free plan include generous speeds, a strict no-log policy, and one VPN connection at a time. In short, it’s the perfect starter pack for BBC iPlayer fans.

The best part about Proton VPN is its high-speed servers that have been optimized for a speed of 10 Gbps. They also use VPN Accelerators, an additional set of technologies unique to Proton VPN that can increase your VPN speed by up to 400%.

With a higher speed, you’ll be able to enjoy your shows/movies on BBC iPlayer better and even download them quicker if you wish to watch them offline later.

Proton VPN is also known to use the highest strength of encryption in the industry to protect your data and identity. Along with the regular 256-bit AES encryption, you’ll also benefit from 4096-bit RSA and HMAC with SHA384.

Now, virtually, Proton VPN doesn’t store any data on its servers, but it still goes above and beyond and uses full-disk encryption for its VPN servers. Together, these technologies make your personal information 100% leak-proof.

Pricing

ProtonVPN’s 2-year plan at $4.99/month is the best deal you’ll get with this VPN. If you’re not ready to commit yet, go for its free version or use the 30-day money-back guarantee.

The free plan comes with good speed, 1 VPN connection, 100+ servers, and a no-log policy.

Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer | Top 10 Compared

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary of our top picks, highlighting their main differences. This will help you quickly zero in on the best VPN for BBC iPlayer for your needs:

How We Chose the Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer

Wondering how we filter the best VPNs? Here are several factors to consider when choosing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to use with BBC iPlayer:

Compatibility 

Not all VPNs work with BBC iPlayer, due to the service’s strict VPN blocking measures. To find a VPN compatible with BBC iPlayer, look for one with a track record of successfully unblocking the service.

Some VPNs have specific servers or configurations optimized for unblocking BBC iPlayer. It’s also important to choose a VPN with servers in the UK. This’ll allow you to get a UK IP address, which is necessary to access the service.

Speed

Streaming video requires a fast and stable internet connection, so choosing a VPN that offers fast speeds is essential. If your VPN has slow speeds, it can cause buffering issues when streaming video.

It’s worth noting that the speed of your VPN connection can be affected by various factors, including the:

It’s a good idea to test your VPN connection speed to ensure it is fast enough for streaming video.

Security and Privacy

Security and privacy are important considerations when choosing a VPN. A VPN uses encryption to protect your data and help keep it secure while transmitted over the internet.

This can be especially important when connected to a public Wi-Fi network, as these networks can be vulnerable to hackers and other cyber threats. A no-logs policy is another essential feature to look for in a VPN.

No logs ensure that the VPN doesn’t keep any online activity logs. This can help protect your privacy and ensure that your online activity isn’t tracked or recorded.

It’s a good idea to research and choose a reputable VPN that offers strong encryption and a no-logs policy.

Price 

Some VPNs offer basic features for a lower price. Others offer more advanced features but at a higher price. It’s a good idea to consider the most important features and look for a VPN that offers a good balance of price and features.

While a higher price doesn’t always equate to a better VPN, it’s generally a good idea to avoid very cheap VPNs as they may not offer the same level of security and privacy as more reputable, higher-priced options.

How to Set Up VPNs for BBC iPlayer

Here are the general steps you can follow to set up a VPN to access BBC iPlayer:

The specific steps may vary depending on the VPN service you are using, so it’s a good idea to follow the instructions provided by the VPN provider. If you’ve trouble setting up the VPN or accessing BBC iPlayer, contact the VPN’s customer support for assistance.

Conclusion | The Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2024

Our list includes VPNs for all your needs, be it to unlock BBC iPlayer on a single device for limited use or on multiple devices for your entire family — we’ve got your back.

NordVPN made it difficult for us to consider any other option as the best VPN for BBC iPlayer due to its robust features like an effective kill switch, Double VPN, excellent customer support, and a large fleet of servers.

Try it now without putting any money on the line, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Get your money back if it fails to live up to your expectations.

VPNs for BBC iPlayer FAQs