How To Use a VPN For BBC iPlayer (Watch from Anywhere)

Whether you’re a sucker for good old British comedy or an Englishman stuck abroad longing to see some Beeb exclusive, your best bet is to sign up for the BBC iPlayer. 

Unfortunately, you’re in a bit of a pickle (it’s the BBC and we’ll work hard to keep up with the “posh” theme) as the content on this free service is geo-restricted. This means you can’t access it outside of the UK. Short of going to the Old Blighty, there’s only one option for you – using a robust VPN service to bypass the strict geo-restrictions implemented by the BBC.

While this technique is valid, sadly, not every VPN will work. In fact, our comprehensive testing led us to conclude only three solutions work out of our top-rated VPN services. The good thing is that you can always rely on us to test the solutions for you before you waste time trying things that don’t work.

So, join us today as we explore how to use a VPN to access the content on the BBC iPlayer, regardless of where you’re located in the world.

Key takeaways for using a VPN with BBC iPlayer

• Before signing up for a BBC iPlayer account, you must use a VPN with a server in the UK to get past geo-restrictions.
• The VPN you use should include a solid network of UK servers, offer unlimited bandwidth with fast connection speeds, along with a slew of security features to protect your privacy while streaming.
• According to our test results, the best VPN that consistently works with BBC iPlayer is NordVPN, which is fortunate as they’re offering a 74% off coupon.

Want to get into the nitty-gritty of internet privacy and the exciting world of VPNs? Be sure to sift through our detailed VPN overview guide.

BBC iPlayer basics

When you have an IP address in the UK, streaming content on the BBC iPlayer is pretty simple. However, if you’re located elsewhere, you’ll have to put in a little more effort.

First, find a VPN service effective in bypassing geo-restrictions and install it on a device you plan to use for streaming the BBC iPlayer. Before proceeding further, you must connect to a UK server using the VPN app. 

From there on, you only have to sign up for a BBC iPlayer account. 

Even though accessing the iPlayer technically requires a UK television license and a valid postcode, the verification process for a license is non-existent. As for the postcode, you can enter any UK postal code and you’ll be able to stream the content just fine. 

So to summarize, anyone from anywhere can access the BBC iPlayer by:

• Using a good VPN service like NordVPN
• Entering any UK postal code to claim you have a “television license”

What is a VPN and why is it necessary for using the BBC iPlayer?

A VPN is a nifty tool that enhances your online security, providing you with a more robust internet browsing experience. In a nutshell, this software can safeguard you from fraud and identity theft, and protect you from phishing, cyberstalking, and malware. 

When you access the web without a VPN, all your activities can be easily traced to your actual location and the IP address of your device (laptop, phone, or tablet). A VPN hides this traceable information, replacing it with the info of the VPN server you’re connected to. 

VPNs (at least the good ones) supply a variety of connection options, allowing you to access global content with no restrictions. Put differently, besides boosting your online anonymity, you can use a VPN to circumvent any censorship or geo-restrictions you may encounter when browsing the internet.

If you want to take this a step further, we have many guides on using a VPN for streaming:

• Best VPNs for Netflix
• Best VPNs for Amazon Prime Video
• Best VPNs for Apple TV
• Best VPNs for Roku

How to choose an effective VPN provider for BBC iPlayer

Choosing the right VPN for BBC iPlayer isn’t easy because most VPNs simply won’t effectively navigate around geo-restriction. This is especially true for free VPNs, all of which are blocked by BBC iPlayer. 

As mentioned earlier, for best results, choose a VPN that offers plenty of servers in the UK. You can see this With NordVPN and ProtonVPN, as well as Surfshark and ExpressVPN.

Here are some of the other considerations to facilitate a better streaming experience: 

• Unlimited bandwidth to avoid unnecessary buffering and handle HD and 4K media without interruptions
• Top-not security features including kill switches, 256-bit encryption, and leak protection
• Apps for a wide range of devices and systems 
• Reliable performance on all devices 
• 24/7 technical support 

It also doesn’t hurt if your VPN service is successful at avoiding restrictions on other streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video – can’t beat access to exclusives, right?

Top VPNs for BBC iPlayer

Although there is no shortage of VPNs out there, only a handful will consistently work for unblocking BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

We’ve checked out each one and performed various tests to confirm if they can still get by the geo-restriction (BBC is very diligent in blocking VPN servers), the speed of the connection, the performance, and the quality of the customer support.

Here’s the rundown:

1. NordVPN – Best all-rounder for BBC iPlayer

One of the top-performing VPNs we have tested, NordVPN is highly effective in bypassing the BBC iPlayer’s restriction. With over 400 servers in the UK across four major cities (Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester), the BBC iPlayer will have no idea you’re cosplaying as a Brit. 

In our tests using NordVPN, we were easily able to unblock BBC iPlayer from our testing facility located in the US. You can see this in the screenshot below.

NordVPN provides different dedicated IPs and cutting-edge obfuscation features, delivering consistent access during all your binging sessions. During our streaming tests, we switched back and forth between servers and the playback continued. 

But what about the streaming speed?

The performance went way beyond our expectations for HD video streaming. With the NordLynx protocol, you’ll always receive the highest speed with no compromises made to your privacy. We can routinely get download speeds over 700 Mbps using NordVPN with the WireGuard (NordLynx) protocol.

Simply put, NordVPN won’t significantly impede your streaming, gaming, or torrenting and you can keep it on without worrying about it slowing down your connection. As a bonus, this is a great VPN for Firestick, and also works well on smart TVs and gaming consoles. NordVPN also offers excellent applications for Mac OS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and more.

On the privacy and security front, NordVPN offers a higher level of security with its Threat Protection feature. This is a VPN ad blocker that filters out ads, trackers, malware, and even phishing domains for all types of devices.

The feature we like the most, though, is the split tunneling VPN feature. It allows you to route specific apps through the VPN while leaving others out – handy if you want to stream content without routing your entire traffic. 

Our advice is – go with the safe choice. NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test drive it without any risk. They also offer 24/7 live chat support.

Here’s a more detailed look at the pros and cons of running NordVPN for BBC iPlayer:

Dive deeper into the features of this software by checking out our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark – Affordable option for accessing BBC iPlayer

Despite not being as large of a name as NordVPN, Surfshark has already started seeing plenty of traction. It is a powerful, yet cost-effective VPN provider with plenty of bells and whistles. 

When looking to overcome streaming service hurdles, the number of locations is an important consideration. Even though it doesn’t have as many servers as NordVPN, Surfshark offers four UK server locations, in addition to 3,200+ servers worldwide. 

Below, we’re streaming one of the BBC’s biggest hits while connected to a Surfshark server in Edinburgh. As you can see, we found streaming BBC iPlayer with Surfshark to be seamless.

With that out of the way, the real question is how does Surfshark stack up against NordVPN speed-wise. The answer is that it's pretty close, as you can see in the NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison. Here is one such speed test result showing that Surfshark is still pretty darn fast:

With speeds like this, it's easy to see why Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for torrenting we've seen. And because it also supports WireGuard VPN protocol, Surfshark comes pretty close to the speeds we recorded when testing our top choice. That said, both WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols were fast with Surfshark.

If you need more reasons to invest in Surfshark VPN, the crowning feature is the support for unlimited simultaneous connections – a great solution if you need a VPN for multiple devices. Better yet, Surfshark runs equally well on all devices and operating systems. Most recently, Surfshark launched an Apple TV VPN app.

It’s also fair to praise Surfshark’s security protocols. As well as supporting OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols, it also gives you AES-256 encryption, protecting your data continuously whether you’re downloading files, browsing the web, or streaming video content. 

If you need another layer of protection online, Surfshark provides CleanWeb to block phishing attempts, ads, and malware trackers. 

Similar to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark also has split tunneling so you can route certain websites and apps outside the VPN to preserve your connection speeds.

All in all, Surfshark is a reliable choice for unblocking BBC iPlayer and overcoming content restrictions with other streaming services. It’s important to note that it’s only marginally cheaper when compared to NordVPN, so feel free to use Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee to see which provider is more suited to your needs. 

Here’s a detailed pros and cons list you can use for fast comparisons:

Not sure Surfshark is the right match? Go through our detailed Surfshark review to get the full picture.

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3. ExpressVPN – Premium VPN for unblocking BBC iPlayer

Next up on our list is ExpressVPN, a well-known brand that is based in the British Virgin Island. This hard hitter of the VPN scene sidesteps BBC-enforced geo-blocking with ease, but there are a few caveats that you have to contend with (some of which we’ll go through in a few moments). 

First, we tested out ExpressVPN's unblocking capabilities using a server in London. As you can see below, we were able to seamlessly unblock BBC iPlayer with ease.

Nonetheless, if speed is your main concern, other solutions on this list work slightly better. This is something we anticipated as our prior tests showed ExpressVPN is a bit slower than Surfshark. Similarly, it does not offer the speeds we observers in our NordVPN vs ProtonVPN comparison.

While the connection speed will be sufficient for streaming HD video steadily (as you can see below), the more sluggish performance is disappointing when you consider the price of this VPN. 

While it might not be as fast as NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN does not cut any corners when it comes to security and privacy.

It is an audited no logs VPN service with an excellent track record.  ExpressVPN also uses DNS leak protection to eliminate the risk of leaking your DNS queries to your internet service provider, delivering a truly anonymous browsing experience. 

In place of a standard WireGuard VPN protocol, ExpressVPN implements Lightway, an open-source protocol that enhances reliability, security, and overall speed. It works surprisingly well, but considering ExpressVPN lags somewhat behind the likes of NordVPN, we’re still yearning for that good old WireGuard.

As expected of any modern VPN, this one is also compatible with a wide array of different devices and operating systems. The tour de force here is router compatibility that can extend to absolutely every device connected to your home network, ensuring maximum coverage.

ExpressVPN is a worthy contender for accessing BBC iPlayer, but it’s almost twice the price of other solutions tested in this article (certainly not a cheap VPN). Luckily, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee you can take advantage of if you get stuck with a bit of analysis paralysis. 

Here are the full pros and cons:

Read a detailed ExpressVPN review to determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.

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Step-by-step guide in setting up a VPN for BBC iPlayer

Whichever VPN you choose, the process is identical. Thus, you can freely repeat the following steps for each solution on the list:

1. Sign up for an account and download the VPN app from the provider’s website.
2. Install the application on the device where you plan on streaming BBC iPlayer.
3. Follow the installation instructions.

Once you install the VPN app on your device, open it and do the next few steps:

1. Choose a UK server (we recommend connecting to a specific city)
2. Navigate to the BBC iPlayer website.
3. Sign up for an account (or log in to an existing account if you have one).

How to create a BBC iPlayer account

Creating a BBC iPlayer account is as straightforward as can be. Here’s what you should do:

1. Go to the site or download the BBC iPlayer app while connected to a UK server
2. Hit the ‘Sign up’ button
3. Follow the basic steps and check ’Yes’ when you receive a prompt about having a TV license
4. Enter a valid UK postcode (any one will work for this purpose)

This will take you about two minutes tops. Fortunately, BBC iPlayer doesn’t check the validity of the addresses or TV licenses, so there’s zero chance you’ll run into problems while streaming. 

Can you stream BBC iPlayer content on different devices?

The BBC iPlayer is compatible with almost every device in existence. This includes a variety of Android smart TVs, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Roku. 

For devices that support the VPN apps mentioned above, the process is super simple. For instance, if you’re using a smart TV or a Firestick, you can install a VPN directly to the device and stream BBC iPlayer content with no hiccups. 

However, if you use a device called Roku, the bad news is that it doesn’t support direct VPN apps. Hence, you’ll have to set up a VPN connection through the device. With Chromecast, on the other hand, you have to connect both the Chromecast and the casting device to the same network. 

Apple TV has a different workaround. You have to change your region to the UK and then you’ll be able to download and install the BBC iPlayer app. Additionally, you can also now use a VPN on Apple TV devices.

All in all, with some tweaking, BBC iPlayer content can be viewed on just about any device. 

Troubleshooting common issues with the BBC iPlayer

Whilst setting up a VPN is so simple that anyone can do it, there’s still a chance you’ll encounter some difficulties in your quest to access goodies in the BBC iPlayer content library. 

In most cases, you should contact your VPN provider and they’ll be happy to explain which servers to use for unblocking this streaming service. 

If that doesn’t work, try a different browser or clear your cookies and cache (the most basic fix of them all). Your next best bet is enabling leak protection in your VPN app’s settings. This prevents the BBC iPlayer from detecting your true location. 

As a last resort, you could flush your DNS cache. In Windows, use the Search box and type in ‘cmd’ to open the Command Prompt. Use the ipconfig /flushdns command. This completely deletes the stored cache, forcing the system to retrieve information from the DNS. 

Do free VPNs work for BBC iPlayer?

The allure of unblocking the BBC iPlayer for free is real. Yet, experimenting with freebie VPNs is not something we recommend, especially when you consider how affordable a comprehensive software like NordVPN really is.

A free VPN may provide you with basic access to BBC iPlayer, but you’ll have to contend with slower speeds due to poor decryption and encryption. Even worse, you run the risk of your account being blocked. 

In addition to the limited number of servers, there are plenty of serious security risks that come with the use of free VPNs.

These apps may claim they’re free, but they’re actually profiting from you in another way – collecting user information. A free VPN may contain hidden tracking mechanisms and leave you open to malware and phishing attacks due to their outdated technology. 

All things considered, the few bucks you’ll have to pay on a monthly basis is more than worth it as you’ll receive a reliable and smooth streaming experience. You can also check out a free trial VPN as well.

Is watching BBC iPlayer with a VPN illegal?

Reading all of this, you may get the idea that all of this is super illegal. Is it?

The short answer is no. Using a VPN in the UK is what many law-abiding citizens and companies do every day. Even so, using this software to access the BBC iPlayer outside the UK may breach the Terms of Service. We'll let you decide how you want to proceed.

The worst thing that can happen is your account being suspended – nothing that a new email address can’t solve (wink wink).

Other BBC iPlayer VPN guides:

• Best VPN for BBC iPlayer
• ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer
• NordVPN to for BBC iPlayer
• Surfshark for BBC iPlayer
• How to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a free VPN for BBC iPlayer?

Unfortunately, no. Free VPNs offer only a handful of UK servers, most of which are blocked by the BBC iPlayer. 

How can I change the location of my BBC iPlayer?

Navigate to the settings section in the player and select the Location option. If you’re using a TV app, go to Settings and click on the Change Location option. 

Can I access the BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world?

Yes! By using a reliable VPN that hides your true location and makes it appear as if you have a UK IP address, you can access the BBC iPlayer regardless of where you’re located. 

Is using a VPN for BBC iPlayer illegal?

No, although using a VPN to stream BBC iPlayer content breaches the Terms of Service and could result in an account suspension. 

What if you can’t access the BBC iPlayer with a VPN?

Clear your browser cache and cookies or switch to another browser. If the problem persists, contact your VPN provider’s customer support and they’ll help you troubleshoot the issue. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, most VPN solutions struggle to circumvent the BBC iPlayer’s strict geo-restriction, so your options are pretty much limited. Thankfully, there are some great VPNs to provide access to this service’s content at affordable prices.

Based on our test results, our top recommendation as the best VPN for BBC iPlayer is NordVPN, and it also comes with a 74% off coupon.

When choosing the right option, consider the number of available servers, the connection speed, and the quality of customer service – key ingredients to overcome any kinks that may pop up during your UK-themed binge sessions. 

Plus, all the VPNs we recommend will be effective for other streaming services, so you’ll never run out of new shows and films to watch.

This guide on using a VPN for BBC iPlayer was last updated on April 26, 2024.