BBC iPlayer is an excellent site to view popular UK programming like EastEnders and Top Gear. The service is great for those living in the United Kingdom but what if you travel or live elsewhere? This is where a VPN can help. With a good VPN service you can access BBC iPlayer programming from outside the UK. In fact by using any of our top VPNs for BBC iPlayer you can watch from anywhere in the world.
Whether we are talking about BBC iPlayer, ITV 40D, Sky Go or other UK programming the fix to avoiding geo blocks is the same. Services like BBC iPlayer and the like block users based on the location of your IP address. Popular US sites like Netflix and Hulu do it as well. Without boring you with the technical details I would like to share how a VPN can help you watch content in other countries. When you connect to a VPN server the provider will assign you a local IP address for that location. Once you have an IP address in the UK you can enjoy watching shows with BBC iPlayer.
The process of using a VPN service to avoid geographic restrictions is not anything new. People have been doing it for quite some time. The 2012 Olympic Games in London brought a new level of aware with people around the world seeking local coverage. Since then we have seen a huge increase in users relying on VPN to get around geo blocks. The same process can be used to watch geo blocked services in other countries.
If you live in the UK and are enjoying BBC iPlayer then the only reason you would need a VPN is if you plan to travel. Anytime you travel outside of the United Kingdom the service and others live ITV and 40D will be blocked. Whether you plan to holiday abroad or are considering a move, a good VPN can help you enjoy the benefits of home while on the road. It will also encrypt your data and help protect your online privacy.
When consider providers for our best VPNs for BBC iPlayer list we looked for services with multiple server locations in the United Kingdom. Performance was also key. You want a fast VPN service that can handle HD content. No one wants to wait for buffering all the time. You also need a reliable service so the connection doesn’t drop during your favorite show. After careful consideration here is our list of the top VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer
| Rank | Provider | Price | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | $4.87 60% Off | 9.9 Read Review |  |
 |  | $6.25 37% Off | 9.8 Read Review | |
 |  | $8.32 35% Off | 9.7 Read Review | |
 |  | $6.55 43% Off | 9.6 Read Review | |
 |  | $3.25 53% Off | 9.5 Read Review | |
Reviews of the Best BBC iPlayer VPNs
1. IPVanish offers unlimited VPN access from just $4.87 a month.
IPVanish is our choice for the “Best VPN of 2015” based on their performance, reliability, privacy, and price. Managing a tier-1 network gives IPVanish an edge over other providers. This allows them to provide you the best possible performance. It also increases the reliability of the service because they have full control over their VPN servers. They have a strict “no log” policy which gives you greater privacy. Having control over all aspects of the VPN service allows them to give you the best price. IPVanish kindly offers our guests a 25% discount. Enjoy unlimited VPN from just $4.87 a month.
| Countries | Locations | Protocols | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 78 | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP |  |
Performance is key for those of us who enjoy watching tv shows and movies from other countries. Especially if you want to watch live sporting events or HD content. IPVanish has servers around the world with the speed and reliability to handle major events like the World Cup, Olympics, ICC Cricket, Super Bowl, and Grand Prix circuit.
Privacy is important to anyone looking for a VPN service. Any VPN you choose will offer encryption but IPVanish takes it a step further. They offer 256-bit AES encryption. IPVanish supports OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP protocols. Giving you a high level of security when connected to their network. Their “no log” policy ensures that your activities will not be logged while using the service.
IPVanish supports a wide range of devices. They have custom software for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. They also support DD-WRT and Tomato routers. Setting up your router to use the service allows you to protect your entire network with a single VPN account. IPVanish includes two simultaneous connections with every account so you can protect multiple devices at the same time. New members are covered by a 7 day money back guarantee. Enjoy unlimited VPN access from just $4.87 a month with our 25% off discount.
2. OverPlay offers unlimited VPN access from just $6.25 a month.
OverPlay is based in the UK and provides both VPN and Smart DNS service. They separate themselves from other providers by giving VPN members free SmartDNS access. This allows you to watch shows and movies in other countries without any speed loss. Enjoy unlimited VPN and SmartDNS from just $6.25 a month with our exclusive 25% discount.
| Countries | Locations | Protocols | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 75 | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP | |
As you can see OverPlay offers SmartDNS and Secure VPN accounts. The difference is encryption. For online privacy you will want their VPN service. If your goal is to unblock content in other countries then SmartDNS is a great choice. The VPN plan comes with free SmartDNS access. Giving you the best of both worlds.
OverPlay manages a large network of VPN servers in key countries around the world. They support OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP protocols. You will find the service to be fast and reliable. On the SmartDNS side they have a channel line up on the OverPlay site. It will help you find the channels available in each country along with the devices they support.
OverPlay offers custom VPN clients for Windows and Mac users. They also support Linux, iOS, Android and custom routers. SmartDNS adds support for game consoles, smart tv’s, media players, and more. Anything that allows you to change the DNS settings. Enjoy unlimited VPN with free SmartDNS access from just $6.25 a month.
3. ExpressVPN offers unlimited VPN access from just $8.32 a month.
ExpressVPN does a lot of things right. They are a bit pricier than some services but the quality is excellent. You can expect fast connections and friendly tech support. They have some of the best VPN client software. You can tell they put a lot of effort into the interface design for all their software. You can sign up for unlimited VPN from just $8.32 a month. They offer a 30 day money back guarantee.
| Countries | Locations | Protocols | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 97 | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP | |
You’ll find that ExpressVPN is very user friendly. They start by offering a 30 day money back guarantee. There are no usage or connection limits. You simply request a refund in the first 30 days if you are not happy with the service. Their client software is very user friendly. I am especially fond of their Mac client. The software looks great and is very easy to use.
ExpressVPN manages a large network of VPN servers around the world. They host servers in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. They are one of the fastest VPN services we have had the pleasure of testing. On top of great service, ExpressVPN offers excellent customer support.
As a member of ExpressVPN you’ll have access to free client software for Windows and Mac. They also have mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. They provide a nice set up guide for DD-WRT routers. ExpressVPN supports OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP. You can sign up for unlimited VPN access from just $8.32 a month. All new members are covered by their 30 day money back guarantee.
4. HideMyAss offers unlimited VPN access from just $6.55 a month.
HideMyAss has been helping users protect their online privacy since 2005. With many years under their belt the HMA team provides an excellent service. HMA has the largest network of any major VPN provider. They are headquartered in the UK and have offices in London, Kiev and Belgrade. Enjoy unlimited VPN from just $6.52 a month.
| Countries | Locations | Protocols | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 151 | 256 | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP | |
A benefit of having such a large network is that you can access VPN servers in countries that are not available from other services. The HideMyAss network can get very busy at times. I suggest you use their HMA Pro VPN client which has a load balancing feature. This allows you to optimize your speed while using their service.
If you travel the world or live in a country without many local VPN servers then HideMyAss is your best choice. They are always expanding their network and adding new servers. They have multiple server locations in many different countries. Including servers in areas that are not covered by other VPN networks.
HideMyAss has a full line up of software. They have custom clients for Windows and Mac. They also have mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can set up your router to work with the service. HMA supports OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP protocols. Sign up for unlimited VPN access from just $6.55 a month. HMA offers a 30 day money back guarantee.
5. Private Internet Access offers unlimited VPN from just $6.45 a month.
Private Internet Access is perhaps the best known VPN provider among p2p fans. They are featured on sites like TorrentFreak and have a solid reputation for protecting users privacy. They have a “no log” policy and a very reasonable price. Their network is not as large as some others but they are well represented in key locations. You can enjoy unlimited VPN from just $3.25 a month. PIA offers a 7 day money back guarantee.
| Countries | Locations | Protocols | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 20 | OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP | |
As I mentioned above Private Internet Access, better known as PIA, is respected for their commitment to users privacy. They have features that help in the effort. The PIA Windows client includes a VPN kill switch. You can have the client kill your Internet connection anytime the VPN drops. That way your public IP address is not exposed.
PIA doesn’t stop with the VPN kill switch. They do not log traffic on the network. That means you do not have to worry about PIA keeping track of your activities when using the service. They allow up to 5 simultaneous connections with a single account. This gives you VPN protection on a number of devices.
Private Internet Access has a nice Windows client with the VPN kill switch feature. They also have an Android app and guides for setting up Mac, iOS, and DD-WRT routers PIA supports OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP protocols. They offer all new members a 7 day money back guarantee. Best of all they have kindly offered a discount to our guests. You can enjoy unlimited VPN access from just $6.45 a month.
Take a look at our Top 10 VPN services if you would like to explore other options. The top 10 list was compiled with an overall experience in mind. While this post focuses on the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, the overall top 10 looks at a wide range of devices and purposes for using a VPN. You can follow us @VPNSP for the latest VPN news and special offers.