6 Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer Outside UK [Updated 2022]
Finding a free VPN that genuinely unblocks BBC iPlayer is difficult. Moreover, to access BBC iPlayer from abroad, the majority of free VPNs don’t even have UK servers. Others are still prohibited by BBC iPlayer or are unable to see an entire episode due to insufficient data or limited bandwidth.
Right now in 2022, BBC iPlayer is one of the most difficult videos streaming platforms to unblock with a VPN. This OTT service works aggressively in detecting and restricting VPN traffic using its advanced technology.
These geo-restricted content platforms take this action to uphold the terms of the licenses they have with their content producers. Different streaming providers have different restrictions according to their copyright rules.
So, in order to save your time in finding out the best free VPN for BBC iPlayer outside UK. We have tested 30+ free VPNs that work best in unblocking BBC iPlayer so that you can watch the all-time popular British series “Peaky Blinders” from all around the world. For BBC iPlayer, ExpressVPN comes highly recommended. This VPN offers 3000+ servers, exceptional security features, and unlimited streaming data.
You can get rid of your current IP address with the help of a virtual private network (VPN). Then you may switch it out for a UK IP address and bypass geo-restrictions for BBC iPlayer as if you are present in UK.
The BBC iPlayer offers an excellent selection of TV shows, movies, sporting events, and Live Tv channels. Anything broadcast on the BBC iPlayer is solely intended for British viewers or for UK citizens. Therefore, in order to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, you’ll have to use one of our top listed VPNs that gives you a UK IP address to unblock BBC iPlayer content.
Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer Outside UK: A Quick Guide
Here is a quick summary of our top best free VPNs for BBC iPlayer working smoothly in 2022. They have all the quality features that are needed for accessing BBC iPlayer outside UK.
- ExpressVPN– Enjoy a flawless streaming experience with its high-speed UK servers free for 30 days.
- NordVPN– Largest VPN network offers fast video streaming speed and specialty servers in the UK.
- Surfshark– Affordable VPN to watch BBC iPlayer from all outside the UK.
- CyberGhost– Its optimized UK servers let you unblock BBC iPlayer and buffer-free streaming for 45-days.
- TunnelBear– A Free VPN famous for its animated app that offers 500MB free per month of data with access to 50 server locations, including many in UK.
- Windscribe– A VPN that will play BBC iPlayer by offering free 10GB monthly data with strong security features and unlimited device connection.
Best Free VPN For BBC iPlayer Outside UK: Detailed Guide
After evaluating more than 30 VPNs, we have picked out the 6 best free VPN for BBC iPlayer and listed them keeping their speed and security features in mind.
1. ExpressVPN: Number 1 BBC iPlayer VPN
Key features:
| Total servers | 3000+ servers in 94 Countries |
| No. of UK servers | 4 servers |
| Multi Logins | 5 devices |
| Live Chat | available 24/7 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | BBC iPlayer, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ |
| Price & Plans | GB£5.48/mo(US$6.67/month) with a 30-day Money-back Guarantee |
| Compatible Devices | Windows, Firestick, iOS, macOS, Android, Smart TVs, routers, and more |
| Trust Pilot Rating | 4.8 out 5 |
ExpressVPN is the best, risk-free VPN to use for accessing BBC iPlayer outside of the UK. This VPN has almost 3,000 servers spread across 160 sites in 94 different countries. ExpressVPN is famous for having servers in a few different UK locations. These include Wembley, East London, Docklands, and London. Therefore, it is simple to obtain a UK IP address in order to unblock BBC iPlayer.
With unlimited bandwidth, you can stream all the BBC iPlayer content and other streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime, Netflix, HBO max, and Disney Plus, from outside their restricted region.
ExpressVPN offers 5 simultaneous connections. It also has a MediaStreamer feature that lets you watch BBC iPlayer on devices that don’t usually support VPNs. By simply downloading ExpressVPN on your home routers, you can stream BBC iPlayer on your Apple TV, Smart TV, Xbox, PS4, and other devices.
You won’t need to be concerned about online security when using ExpressVPN because it has built-in features such as a kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection, and AES-256-bit encryption. Additionally, it has a strict no-logs policy, which does not keep a record of your internet activity.
pros and cons
- Based on the British Virgin Island
- Numerous UK servers
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Easy-to-use app
- Fastest VPN
- Verified No-log policy
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Expensive Plans
2. NordVPN: Special Streaming Servers for BBC iPlayer
Key features:
| Total servers | 5400+ servers in 60 countries |
| No. of UK servers | 440 servers |
| Multi Logins | 6 devices |
| Live Chat | available 24/7 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime. |
| Price & Plans | GB£2.7/mo(US$3.29/month) with a 30-day Money-back Guarantee |
| Compatible Devices | Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, Smart TVs, Firestick, etc. |
| Trust Pilot Rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
With a large selection of UK servers, NordVPN is a secure service for accessing BBC iPlayer from outside the UK. The company really has around 400 servers in the UK, some of which are even designed for streaming. To find out which servers actively unblock BBC iPlayer videos, see the NordVPN website’s official knowledge base.
NordVPN’s strong encryption and a rigorous zero-logs policy provide great security and the confidentiality of your personal information, including your IP address. There is also 24/7 live chat available to help customers.
The double-VPN server provides an extra layer of encryption, making it impossible for the BBC iPlayer algorithms to determine your true IP address. Also, NordVPN servers provide you the possibility to bypass BBC iPlayer’s geo-blocks by using a dedicated UK IP address.
With NordVPN you can connect up to 6 devices at once and with that you can stream BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many others.
NordVPN has great device compatibility. You can download NordVPN on firestick, Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, and other devices.
Pros and Cons
- Extensive UK servers
- Outstanding security features
- Confirmed the no-logs policy
- Nordlynx Protocol
- Specialty servers
- Allows torrenting
- No router App
3. Surfshark: VPN with Unlimited Connections
Key features:
| Total servers | 3200+ in over 65 Countries |
| No. of UK servers | 4 servers |
| Multi Logins | Unlimited Devices |
| Live Chat | available 24/7 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | BBC iPlayer, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ |
| Price & Plans | GB£2.04/mo(US$2.49/month) with a 30-day Money-back Guarantee |
| Compatible Devices | Windows, Firestick, iOS, macOS, Android, Smart TVs, and others |
| Trust Pilot Rating | 4.4 out of 5 |
Currently, Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers spread throughout 65 countries, including 4 server locations in the UK. It can reliably access popular services like BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and Netflix US and is quick enough to stream live HD videos without any buffering.
The best part is that because Surfshark has no connection limitations, you can safeguard all of your streaming devices using a single account simultaneously. Surfshark is compatible with Windows, Android, macOS, Linux, etc
To protect your online activity at all times, Surfshark service employs AES-256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and safeguards against, IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC breaches. A zero-logs policy and the ability to immediately block advertisements, malware, and trackers are also provided. With live chat support available 24/7, any issues can resolve in no time.
Pros and Cons
- BVI-based
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Affordable packages
- MultiHop feature
- Camouflage Mode
- Limited P2P servers
4. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly BBC iPlayer VPN
Key features:
| Total servers | 8,900+ servers in 91+ countries |
| No. of UK servers | 3 servers |
| Multi Logins | 7 devices |
| Live Chat | available 24/7 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | BBC iPlayer, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ |
| Price & Plans | GB£1.85/mo(US$2.25/month) with a 45-day Money-back Guarantee |
| Compatible Devices | Android, Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Browsers, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, and more |
| Trust Pilot Rating | 4.7 out of 5 |
Upon testing, CyberGhost comes out as the most beginner-friendly app for Accessing BBC iPlayer. When you open the app, select the streaming option which displays a long list of well-known streaming websites, including BBC iPlayer. Simply connect to one of that options. The app will launch iPlayer in your browser for you.
For users who are concerned about security, CyberGhost also has good security and privacy history. It uses AES encryption with full forward secrecy and doesn’t store any logs. You can be guaranteed that none of your personal data or internet traffic ever escapes the encrypted tunnel thanks to leak protection and a kill switch feature.
Along with high-definition video streaming. You can connect up to seven simultaneous connections. CyberGhost offers User-friendly apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Pros and Cons
- NoSpy Servers
- Dedicated servers for streaming
- Wireguard Protocol
- Automated Kill Switch
- Not independently audited No-Log Policy
5. TunnelBear: Most Easy To Use VPN
Key features:
| Total servers | 2,600+ servers in 48 Countries |
| No. of UK servers | 1 |
| Multi Logins | 5 devices |
| Live Chat | available via email |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | BBC iPlayer, Spotify, HBO Max, Netflix, YouTube, and more |
| Price & Plans | Free 500MB monthly data |
| Compatible Devices | Windows, Firestick, iOS, macOS, Android, Smart TVs, Chromebook |
| Trust Pilot Rating | 2.9 out of 5 |
TunnelBear is the most easy-to-use free VPN app for dependable access to BBC iPlayer. With the GhostBear feature, streaming services find it tough to tell if you’re using a VPN. During my tests, I had no trouble logging onto my BBC iPlayer account and quickly enabled GhostBear in the app’s settings.
Unblocking BBC iPlayer with its user-friendly interface is quick and simple. The TunnelBear app includes a world map. To test this, I simply hit the “tunnel” button in the United Kingdom, and it connected me automatically.
You can get 1 GB of free extra bandwidth by tweeting regarding TunnelBear or recommending them to a friend. With an extra 1 GB, you can stream for a few more hours.
Because TunnelBear has a vast server network, it provides consistent streaming speeds without lags or buffering. Additionally, TunnelBear provides the highest level of security with features like the VigilantBear kill switch, 256-bit encryption, and GhostBear for avoiding deep packet analysis (DPI).
You can stream on any device by downloading TunnelBear’s apps or extensions for Windows, browsers (Chrome and Firefox), macOS, Android, and iOS.
Pros and Cons
- VigilantBear
- 256-bit encryption
- GhostBear
- Chrome-extension available
- Only 500MB of free data
- Only 1 server in Uk
6. Windscribe: VPN with the Best No-Log Policy
Key features:
| Total servers | 10 servers in 10 countries |
| No. of UK servers | 2 servers |
| Multi Logins | Unlimited devices |
| Live Chat | Available via Email |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | BBC iPlayer, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ |
| Price & Plans | Free 10GB per month of data |
| Compatible Devices | Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, macOS, Chromebook, and browsers. |
| Trust Pilot Rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
Windscribe is a free multi-purpose VPN that enables users to access BBC iPlayer with the help of its two servers out of 10 servers in the UK. For any issue, you can ask your questions through the live chat feature, and they will offer you efficient customer help. It offers both a live chat feature and a chatbot.
It provides 10GB of free bandwidth per month, which would limit your ability to binge-watch BBC iPlayer but would still allow you to watch the video in SD Quality.
Windscribe provides P2P-optimized torrenting servers and a strict no-log policy to protect your anonymity online. Additionally, it works with a variety of platforms, including Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and others.
It has servers in nations like the United States and Canada, allowing users easy access to online content. Unblocking restricted websites can be a challenge for free VPNs, however, we did not find such an issue when testing Windscribe for accessing BBC iPlayer.
Pros and Cons
- Unlimited Connections
- Good for Torrenting
- No-log policy
- Live Chatbot
- Limited servers
- Speed issues
Free VPNs To Avoid for BBC iPlayer
There are many free VPNs to avoid for BBC iPlayer because they are so aggressive in identifying and banning VPN IP addresses. hence they have already blocked a lot of VPN services including the paid ones.
Free VPN providers are the first to get banned by this streaming platform since they are so simple to detect. Plus, they usually cause bandwidth throttling, which makes them useless for data-consuming activities like streaming.
To keep you safe from getting these free VPNs and losing personal data, we have listed some of them below:
- Betternet
- Hide.me
- Hidemyass
- IPVanish
- PureVPN
Even though these above-mentioned VPN services could not match the level of our best free VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer but they can be good at other internet activities.
How to Use VPN with BBC iPlayer
Use a free UK VPN to watch BBC iPlayer by using a UK IP address from anywhere outside the UK and view geo-restricted video and live TV content that is only available in the UK.
Choose a VPN that has UK-based servers first. Every VPN mentioned on the above list has servers both in and outside of the United Kingdom.
Here is the easy step on how to use the best free VPN for watching BBC iPlayer:
- Sign up for a suggested VPN provider i.e., ExpressVPN, and enjoy streaming with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Install and open the VPN app and enable the key features (if available) such as Kill switch and IPv6 leak prevention.
- Search and select a server based in the UK.
- Visit the BBC iPlayer website or open its app for streaming your favorite Tv shows and movies.
Note that. To stream BBC iPlayer you have to buy its subscription first.
Content Available on BBC iPlayer
Below is the list of all the content that is exclusively available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
- You Don’t Know Me
- EastEnders
- Doctor Who
- The Control Room
- Sherwood
- Superman & Lois
- Trom
- The Young Offenders
- The Responders
- Casualty
- Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dream
- Pretty little liars
- The Outlaws
- Bad Education
- Avoidance
- Moon and Me
Free VPN for BBC iPlayer: FAQs
How do I unblock BBC iPlayer outside UK?
You can unblock BBC iPlayer by connecting to a VPN that has servers in UK. The VPN will assign you a UK IP address which can help you in accessing BBC iPlayer from anywhere outside the UK.
What if BBC iPlayer doesn’t work in UK with my VPN?
If BBC iPlayer does not work with your VPN, try to clear the cache and cookies from your browser then recheck it. If the problem is still there, try connecting to another VPN UK server.
Is it legal to watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN in UK?
Yes, it is legal to watch BBC iPlayer using a VPN. Although, BBC iPlayer has a strict technology that detects a VPN connection, so try to use a VPN that has reliable servers in the UK.
What are the Risks of Using Free VPNs in UK?
If you’re detected using a free VPN that is unsecured, the worst that may happen is that BBC will suspend your account.
Wrapping Things Up
This concludes our guide on how to use a VPN to unblock and stream iPlayer. The BBC iPlayer is currently the most popular streaming service inside and outside the UK.
However, a VPN is required to unblock this streaming platform from anywhere in the world. If a free VPN doesn’t impress you, we strongly advise choosing the best free VPN for BBC iPlayer outside UK. In any case, paid VPNs offer greater security. For instance, although some free VPNs do not provide secure HTTPS browsing, premium VPNs do.
In our opinion, ExpressVPN is a superb choice for watching BBC iPlayer which is also offering a 30-day money return policy with a reliable connection. So in the end, if you don’t like their service you can have your money back.
