Our overall rating is reached by combining several subcategories. The subcategories are weighted as follows:
- Speed & Reliability: 30%
- Logging & Jurisdiction: 30%
- Security & Extra Features: 20%
- Streaming: 10%
- Torrenting: 5%
- Ease of Use: 5%
ExpressVPN is our top choice for those seeking speed when accessing BBC iPlayer. It excels in delivering a swift and seamless experience, especially through its web browser extensions optimized for BBC iPlayer. Moreover, ExpressVPN boasts broad compatibility with a wide range of popular devices, including Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and various gaming consoles. However, it's worth noting that this level of performance may come with a higher price tag compared to its nearest competitors during the initial signup process.
Go To Review:- Best For: Fastest
- BBC iPlayer Rating: 9.5/10
- UK Servers: Undisclosed
- International Speed: 85Mbps
- Fire TV Stick app: Yes
- Smart DNS: Yes
- Cheapest Price: $6.67/mo over 15 months
In 2023, NordVPN stands out as the top VPN option for accessing BBC iPlayer. It boasts exceptional speed, user-friendliness, and a consistent track record of successfully streaming BBC iPlayer content across all of its UK servers. With NordVPN, you won't need to waste time experimenting with different servers, and its Smart DNS feature enables convenient streaming of BBC iPlayer content across multiple devices.
Go To Review:- Best For: BBC iPlayer
- BBC iPlayer Rating: 9.7/10
- UK Servers: 440
- International Speed: 86Mbps
- Fire TV Stick app: Yes
- Smart DNS: Yes
- Cheapest Price: $3.29/mo over 27 months
Despite having a relatively small network of only 200 servers, PrivateVPN remains a strong contender for accessing BBC iPlayer. Its user-friendly applications consistently provide reliable access to the streaming service from locations outside the UK, offering good streaming speeds in the process. Additionally, PrivateVPN is a valuable option for accessing other popular streaming services like Netflix.
Go To Review:- Best For: Value
- BBC iPlayer Rating: 8.9/10
- UK Servers: 6
- International Speed: 82Mbps
- Fire TV Stick app: Yes
- Smart DNS: No
- Cheapest Price: $2.00/mo over 3 years
See other supported VPN
Private Internet Access is a feature-rich and budget-friendly virtual private network service that offers strong security, reliable speeds, and unrestricted access to global content, with no logs and easy-to-use apps.
Go To Review:- Fast P2P-enabled 17,087 servers in 84 countries
- Verified zero-logs logging policy
- Effective VPN kill switch & port forwarding
- Streams US Netflix & BBC iPlayer
- Servers in 50 US states to bypass US blackouts
- Excellent native Linux application
Surfshark VPN is a fast and reliable virtual private network service that ensures your online security and privacy with its advanced encryption and multi-hop feature.
Go To Review:- Unblocks 10 Netflix libraries
- Budget price of $2.30
- Audited logging policy & diskless servers
- Lots of advanced security features
- Torrenting allowed
- User-friendly apps & unlimited simultaneous connections
Hide.me is a safe, fast, and P2P-friendly VPN with a free and premium version. It’s almost zero-logs, comes with advanced security features like multi-hop servers, and offers good customer support. The paid VPN unblocks US Netflix as well as HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney+. The free version is also safe and one of the best free VPNs overall, but it’s limited by speed restrictions and data caps.
Go To Review:- Safe logging policy & security standards
- Servers for streaming in 16 countries
- Very fast download speeds
- Advanced security features
- Good free version available
- Works in China & Russia
CyberHost VPN is a versatile and secure virtual private network service that offers complete online anonymity and unrestricted access to global content with lightning-fast speeds.
Go To Review:- Multiple servers in the USA for high speeds
- Strict no-logs policy you can trust
- Lightning-fast servers
- Excellent apps for all major platforms
- Reliable VPN Kill Switch
- Over 6900 servers in 90+ countries
- 24/7 live chat support in 4 languages
- 45-day money-back guarantee
AstrillVPN is a premium virtual private network service that provides fast and secure internet access, unlimited bandwidth, and advanced features such as StealthVPN and Smart Mode for optimal online privacy and freedom.
Go To Review:- 100% reliability in China, the UAE, and Turkey
- OpenVPN, WireGuard plus custom protocols
- Extra features like ad blocker, leak protection and kill switch
- Servers optimized for P2P traffic and torrenting
- Based in privacy-friendly Seychelles
- Works with US Netflix
IPVanish VPN is a reliable and high-speed virtual private network service that prioritizes user privacy and security, with extensive server coverage and intuitive apps for seamless online browsing.
Go To Review:- Excellent app for Fire TV Stick
- .apk file for side loading on Android boxes
- Fast short-distance download speeds
- No-logs first-party DNS servers
- SOCKS5 proxy for torrent clients
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
ProtonVPN is a highly-secure and privacy-focused virtual private network service that offers fast and reliable speeds, with advanced security features, strict no-logs policy, and a user-friendly interface for seamless online protection.
Go To Review:- Open-sourced & independently audited apps
- Works with US Netflix, Disney+ & BBC iPlayer
- Secure Core servers provide extra encryption
- Allows port forwarding for fast torrenting
- Quick & easy connections to the Tor network
- Privacy-friendly logging policy
Atlas VPN is an excellent freemium VPN that's easy to use and has lots of extra features. Overall, Atlas VPN is perfect for beginners that want to bypass internet geo-blocks.
Go To Review:- The free version doesn’t require any payment details
- Both payment tiers work with US Netflix & other streaming sites
- Fast speeds using WireGuard
- Works in China
- P2P traffic allowed on all servers
- One of the cheapest VPNs available
StrongVPN is a safe VPN with fast speeds and a strict no-logs policy. It’s a good choice for P2P torrenting, unblocking US Netflix, and bypassing online censorship in China. It also has a generous limit of 12 simultaneous connections, which you can use on iOS, Android, PC, Mac and more.
Go To Review:- Fast & reliable speeds
- Works with Netflix & BBC iPlayer
- Torrenting & P2P allowed on all servers
- No-logs & no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks
- Apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
- Up to 12 simultaneous connections
"PureVPN is a comprehensive virtual private network solution that offers robust encryption, global server coverage, and a range of privacy features, ensuring seamless browsing, streaming, and secure access to the internet from anywhere in the world."
Go To Review:- 6,500 servers in 78 countries
- Unblocks BBC iPlayer, HBO Max & DAZN
- Based in British Virgin Islands
- Extensive compatibility & multi-device allowance
- Solid security suite
- GPS spoofer on browser extensions
Compare Top 3 VPNs For BBC iPlayer
The table below compares the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer
VPN:
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Best For
BBC iPlayer Rating
UK Servers
International Speed
Fire TV Stick app
Smart DNS
Cheapest Price
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Wi-Fi Protection:
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Keep Your IP Private:
Open Source VPN:
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iPhone VPN FAQs
Is it Legal to Use a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer?
Using a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer is not considered illegal. As long as you possess a valid UK TV license, you are legally allowed to stream BBC iPlayer regardless of your location.
When you connect to a VPN, it links you to a UK server and assigns you a UK IP address, which is entirely permissible within the law.
Technically, the BBC's Terms of Use may prohibit the use of VPNs to access content from outside the UK, but no one has ever faced prosecution for doing so.
Do Free VPNs Work with BBC iPlayer?
The majority of free VPNs are ineffective in working with BBC iPlayer. Overcoming BBC iPlayer's VPN blocks requires significant time and expenses.
Free VPN services lack the resources necessary to regularly update their UK IP address pool and find innovative methods to disguise their traffic.
Moreover, most free VPNs offer limited functionality at best and can pose risks to users' online security. To learn more about these potential risks, refer to our comprehensive guide on the best free VPNs.
Despite these challenges, our tests indicate that Windscribe is the sole safe free VPN that consistently succeeds in unblocking BBC iPlayer from abroad.
Do You Need a UK TV License?
As per BBC iPlayer's Terms of Use, it is necessary to obtain a UK TV Licence to stream, download, or access shows on BBC iPlayer using any device.
This rule applies to both live TV and on-demand content. However, listening to iPlayer Radio does not require a UK TV licence.
Additionally, to watch BBC iPlayer, users are required to create a BBC account. During the account creation process, a UK postcode must be provided, although it does not necessarily have to match the user's UK IP address location.
Can You Download BBC iPlayer Shows?
Indeed, it is possible to download BBC iPlayer shows. When abroad, you can utilize a VPN to access BBC shows, download them, and watch them either with or without your VPN enabled.
It is essential to note that the downloaded shows have an expiration time identical to their online counterparts. Therefore, they will be available for viewing only until their online availability period expires.