How to unblock and watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world

Don't miss out on your favourite shows.

By Joseph Green

Sept. 20, 2024

How to unblock and watch BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world

Credit: Pexels

NordVPN

Best For Security

You can't go wrong with Nord. It's a well-known and reliable VPN that has over 5,000 servers worldwide and doesn't track your activity.

Pros & Cons

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

CyberGhost makes staying protected on your Android device easy.

Pros & Cons

Private Internet Access

Best For Server Network

Installs quickly and comes with loads of premium features for all types of users.

Pros & Cons

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

Surfshark offers an impressive set of features with an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

Pros & Cons

ProtonVPN

Best For Free

ProtonVPN's network is small but its offering is strong.

Pros & Cons

BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular streaming sites in the UK. Users get access to a wide range of dramas, original shows, and much more on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. BBC iPlayer is also ad free, which is a nice bonus that we're sure everyone can appreciate.

The only catch is that if you're travelling or not permanently based in the UK, BBC iPlayer will recognise that you're not in its catchment area and immediately block you. To bypass this frustrating blockade, you will need to use a VPN. These cybersecurity services can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in the UK, which tricks BBC iPlayer into thinking you are based in the country. This quick and easy process maintains access to everything that BBC iPlayer has to offer.

The key message is that if you want to keep up to speed with all your favourite shows on BBC iPlayer, you are going to need a VPN. But which VPN is the best for unblocking and watching BBC iPlayer? We'll get to that after answering a few of the most important questions concerning the world of VPNs.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are powerful security tools that provide protection for your identity and data by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. The best way to visualise a VPN is to think of it like an encrypted tunnel through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

Do you need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer?

You can continue to watch BBC content when you're outside of the UK by downloading your favourite shows on the iPlayer app before you depart the country. This is a solid move for any movies or shows that have already been released in full. However, this method does not help with shows that are still being released or live sports.

To keep up with this kind of entertainment, your only option is to use a VPN.

Can you watch BBC iPlayer from abroad?

If you think accessing BBC iPlayer abroad is going to be tricky with a VPN, think again. It's actually a really simple process that absolutely everyone can understand:

Sign up to a streaming-friendly VPN
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Log in to BBC iPlayer to watch live content and your favourite shows on demand

You could be anywhere in the world, but the process remains the same.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

There are a lot of VPNs out there that can reliably access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, but which is the best service for you? To help you find something that ticks your boxes, we've handpicked a selection of the very best streaming-friendly services for everyone.

ExpressVPN can be found at the top of this roundup for a number of reasons: it has a streaming-friendly interface, security focused features, and strong connection speeds. All of this provides users with a straightforward and speedy streaming experience. That's not to say that ExpressVPN will suit everyone best, and the likes of Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN will appeal to many users.

These are the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2024.

NordVPN

Best For Security

The good

One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs Fast servers Can connect six devices Doesn't log activities

The Bad

It's expensive

The Bottomline

If you want a VPN that has a fast service and allows you to connect to multiple phones at once, try out NordVPN.

Specs

Monthly: £10.39/month
One-year plan: £3.99/month
Two-year plan: £3.19/month

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues.

NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

The good

Great security features Easy to use with Android Generous money-back guarantee

The Bad

Speeds can drop

The Bottomline

CyberGhost VPN keeps things real simple, and focuses on strong security features.

Specs

Monthly: £10.89/month
Six-month plan: £6.19/month
Two-year plan: £1.92/month

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices.

CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings.

Private Internet Access

Best For Server Network

The good

Encrypted WiFi Kill switch Number and spread of servers Range of apps

The Bad

Interface is dated Not the fastest

The Bottomline

List of features that should suit beginners and advanced users.

Specs

Monthly: £10.99/month
Six-month plan: £5.39/month
Two-year plan: £1.69/month

Private Internet Access (PIA) installs quickly and comes with loads of impressive features for all types of users, no matter if you're a beginner or an advanced user who likes fiddling around with settings.

You get your standard secure VPN account, encrypted WiFi, P2P, IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, plus a whole lot more. PIA isn't a particularly sexy app, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with a long list of features. It also has a solid backbone, with thousands of servers in countries all around the world.

It's also relatively speedy. We noticed our "naked" download and upload speeds dropped by only about a half or two-thirds (common for most VPNs). It may not be the fastest VPN around, but it's definitely not the slowest, either.

PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and an extension for Chrome.

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

The good

No limit on simultaneous connections Intuitive app Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools

The Bad

Not the strongest connection speeds

The Bottomline

Surfshark ticks a lot of boxes for streaming sport and should be your top choice if you rely on a lot of tech.

Specs

Monthly: £9.90/month
One-year plan: £3.05/month
Two-year plan: £1.76/month

Surfshark is probably the best VPN for anyone who relies on a lot of tech, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. This also makes it something to seriously consider if there is a lot of people in your house looking to stream at the same time.

Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with an easy to use and stylish interface making it a strong choice for total beginners.

Surfshark is not the cheapest provider, but if you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.

ProtonVPN

Best For Free

The good

Impressive free version Shielded by Swiss laws Kill-switch

The Bad

Small network Not the fastest speeds

The Bottomline

ProtonVPN is a stong option for any Android user who likes to have choice.

Specs

Monthly: £9.87/month
One-year plan: £5.15/month
Two-year plan: £4.29/month

ProtonVPN offers users a lot of choice, with three different annual plans, as well as a free service.

Android users can choose from ProtonVPN's Basic, Plus, and Visionary annual plans, with each one offering a different package of features.

ProtonVPN has a lot of advantages over the competition. It's Switzerland-based for a start, meaning your data is shielded by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world. ProtonVPN also has a no logs policy meaning none of your data can be revealed to third parties. Other than that you are also getting a kill-switch, DNS leak prevention, and more.

The Basic plan provides access to servers all around the world, on two devices, with high speeds and peer-to-peer networking.