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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

4 Best FREE VPNs for BBC iPlayer — Updated in 2024

James Everard Updated on 20th February 2024 Senior Writer

Most free VPNs don’t have the features or hardware to work with BBC iPlayer in the UK. Even if you find one with servers in the UK that actually work with iPlayer, you’ll likely have data and bandwidth limits that make reliable streaming unfeasible.

After testing 60+, my team and I found a few VPNs that work reliably with iPlayer in the UK. In theory, you could also use these VPNs to watch iPlayer from abroad. However, that may violate copyright law and the BBC’s terms of use, so I advise against it.

My #1 pick for iPlayer is ExpressVPN. While it’s not 100% free, you can try it without risk since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It will free you of the limitations of free VPNs with the fastest speeds I’ve seen and 5 reliable UK locations. Our testing shows that it works consistently for watching iPlayer in the UK, and if you’re not happy, you can easily get a refund.

Stream in HD With ExpressVPN

Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer

  1. Editor's Choice
    ExpressVPN
    ExpressVPN
    Fast UK servers for seamless BBC iPlayer streaming, no data cap. Risk-free trial.
    70% of our readers choose ExpressVPN
  2. CyberGhost VPN
    CyberGhost
    Specialty server for watching BBC iPlayer reliably in GB, test them at no risk for 45 days.
  3. TunnelBear VPN
    TunnelBear
    100% free VPN that works reliably with BBC iPlayer, but there’s a 500MB monthly data cap.
  4. Hotspot Shield
    Hotspot Shield
    7-day free trial to stream BBC iPlayer, but speeds on mobile devices are slow.
IMPORTANT! The vpnMentor team and I condemn copyright infringement. We only recommend VPNs with strict no-logs policies, so no one (not even the VPN) can track your data. That means you are responsible for respecting copyright laws and the BBC's terms of use.

4 Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Superfast Speeds for Watching BBC iPlayer Without Lag

  • Lightning-fast speeds and unlimited data to stream BBC iPlayer without buffering
  • 5 UK locations to watch BBC iPlayer securely in the UK
  • Impressive network of 3,000 servers across 105 countries
  • 8 simultaneous device connections
  • Works with: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX, Channel4, My5, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, browsers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, and more

ExpressVPN's ultra-fast speeds are perfect for high-quality streaming on BBC iPlayer. During my tests from the north of England, I was impressed to see an average of 54 Mbps from its UK locations — a dropoff of just 7% on my base speed. That's enough to stream in Ultra HD on 2 separate devices (UHD requires around 25 Mbps).

I got no lag and minimal loading while watching 3 episodes of EastEnders, so you can stream in high quality (for as long as you want) no matter where you are in the UK. With most free VPNs, I'd have hit my data limit within 2 episodes or more likely, wouldn’t have been able to stream anything at all.

Screenshot of EastEnders playing while connected to ExpressVPN's UK server from within the UK.ExpressVPN gives you unlimited data so that you can stream as many shows as you like in UHD

With servers in 5 UK locations, it's easy to watch iPlayer. If one location isn't the fastest, simply switch to another. I tested its London, East London, and Docklands servers from Newcastle — BBC iPlayer worked with all of them. I also found it helpful that you can save your favorite locations for quick access. For instance, I saved East London since it gave me the fastest speeds for iPlayer.

MediaStreamer lets you watch iPlayer on devices that don't usually work with VPNs, like game consoles and smart TVs. After a short tutorial, I set up ExpressVPN on my PS4 in about 5 minutes — it was great to safely stream iPlayer directly on my big screen. I was happy to have this capability since you can't do this with any free VPN I've tested.

The biggest drawback is that it's not 100% free. However, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You get unlimited data and speeds and  24/7 live support — so you can try ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer risk-free.

If you're not completely happy, you can easily get a full refund. I tried this out, and it was easy; I just sent my request via 24/7 live chat. The agent asked one question about why I wanted to cancel, then quickly processed my refund. The money landed back in my account 2 days later.

ExpressVPN Offer March 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

2. CyberGhost — Specialty Servers to Safely Watch BBC iPlayer With Ease

  • Specialty UK server optimized for BBC iPlayer
  • Fast speeds and unlimited data to watch as much as you want
  • Huge network of 11,690 servers across 100 countries, with 3 UK locations
  • 7 simultaneous device connections
  • Works with: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX, Channel4, My5, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, browsers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, and more

CyberGhost has a specialty server to ensure you can always stream iPlayer reliably from the UK. I found it easily in the app by clicking "For streaming" and entering "BBC". After connecting, iPlayer loaded in seconds. It has many specialty servers for other platforms like Netflix, ITV Hub, and All 4, and CyberGhost regularly maintains them to ensure they work. That's something most free VPNs simply don’t offer.

Image of CyberGhost successfully unblocking BBC iPlayerCyberGhost is fast enough so that you can watch shows in uninterrupted HD from the UK

All of its UK servers are lightning-fast. While testing it from the UK, I tested 3 UK locations (London, Berkshire, and Manchester) and got average speeds of 44 Mbps — a dropoff of 24%, which is pretty average for a top VPN. That's 9x what you need for HD streaming (5 Mbps) and more than enough for UHD, and I watched the whole of series 2 of Fort Salem on iPlayer.

CyberGhost's app is easy to use and is consistent across platforms. Using my iPhone, I could connect from my Northern England location to its server in the UK with 2 taps and "favorite" the BBC server. On my Windows laptop, I used "Startup rules" to designate Chrome browser for iPlayer, and set iPlayer as my homepage. Now when I connect to CyberGhost, iPlayer is ready and waiting.

Unfortunately, CyberGhost's Smart DNS feature doesn't support iPlayer. Like ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer, Smart DNS allows you to watch streaming apps on smart TVs and game consoles. That being said, it’s still a bonus that I could stream popular platforms on my PS4, like Disney+, Prime Video, and others local to me in the UK.

You can try CyberGhost free with its 45-day money-back guarantee, longer than the standard 30 days. That gives you plenty of time to try it out with iPlayer. I tested the refund policy, and it's reliable. All I had to do was request a refund via 24/7 live chat and answer some quick questions. I got my money back after 5 days.

March 2024 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.

3. TunnelBear — GhostBear Feature Safeguards Your Data While You Watch

  • Obfuscate your data and stream iPlayer from the UK privately with GhostBear
  • A reliable, free UK location to watch BBC iPlayer from within the UK
  • 500 MB/month data allowance and Unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • Works with: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, browsers, and more

TunnelBear is a free VPN that provides a premium privacy feature called GhostBear. This security feature can help you overcome VPN and media blocks on public WiFi hotspots, such as libraries and airports. You might not need it elsewhere, though. During testing, I was able to watch iPlayer on my home WiFi in the UK as well as outside in cafes.

Screenshot of What We Do In The Shadows streaming on iPlayer under the TunnelBear app connected to a UK serverGhostBear obfuscates your connection to ensure your personal data stays private when you stream

It's also fast, so you can watch your favorite shows in high quality. I tested its UK location from where I am in the north of England and got 34 Mbps — a dropoff of around 40% — comfortable enough for UHD. While this wasn't nearly as fast as ExpressVPN, it still let me load an episode of What We Do In The Shadows within seconds. However, if you have a slower starting speed, you may encounter some lag.

Its user-friendly app makes it quick and easy to secure your connection while you watch BBC iPlayer. You can navigate locations using an animated world map, which is quirky and fun. To test this, I clicked the "tunnel" icon in the UK, which automatically connected me. You can also select locations from the dropdown menu at the top of the app. It has way more server locations than most free VPNs, with over 47.

Regrettably, TunnelBear restricts your data usage to a mere 500 MB per month, providing approximately 30-40 minutes of HD streaming. Nevertheless, you can effortlessly obtain an additional 1 GB of data by tweeting the company from your Twitter account. Simply select the "1GB Twitter Promo" option in the app's settings. I personally tried this and received the extra data within an hour.

4. Hotspot Shield — Free Trial Includes a Reliable UK Streaming-Optimized Server

  • 7-day free trial to test Hotspot Shield with iPlayer
  • Exclusive Hydra protocol is fast enough for bufferless streaming of iPlayer in the UK
  • 5 simultaneous device connections
  • Works with: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, ITVX, Channel4, My5, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Browsers, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, and more

Hotspot Shield offers a 7-day trial that lets you use its UK streaming server for free. Its UK server let me watch iPlayer with fast speeds and smooth quality from where I am in Northern England. I watched The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk in flawless HD with its speed-optimized Hydra protocol. It also has a 100% free version, but sadly its free servers don’t work with iPlayer.

Screenshot of The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk streaming on iPlayer under the TunnelBear app connected to a UK serverAfter the 7 days are up, you can choose to upgrade or use its free plan

I got great speeds of 46 Mbps when connected to the Coventry server on macOS during my tests — a dropoff of 20%. That’s not as fast as ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, but it’s considerably faster than the completely free VPNs I tested. Speeds on the mobile apps weren't nearly as quick, and I got under 50% of my base speed on iPhone and Android.

One limitation of Hotspot Shield is the brief duration of its free trial, which lasts just 7 days. It also mandates the provision of your payment details to start the trial. Should you neglect to cancel prior to the end of the trial, you will be charged the monthly fee until you terminate your subscription.

Warning: Risks of Free VPNs

Finding a free VPN capable of protecting your privacy without compromising your streaming quality is a daunting task, and many of these VPNs pose real security threats. The most secure method to watch BBC iPlayer from the UK is by using a top-tier VPN that offers a money-back guarantee. It's advisable to rely on the VPNs mentioned in this list as their safety has been verified. Here are some dangers linked to free VPNs:

  • Some free VPNs collect and sell your data. The data collected is often shared with various third parties, which may put your safety at risk. Before downloading a free VPN for BBC iPlayer, make sure you carefully read its privacy policy. There have been many cases when a free VPN sold its user data for profit.
  • Free VPNs often have poor security features. Usually, these free services are offered at the expense of your online safety. Meaning, they don't provide critical security features such as leak protection and a kill switch to ensure you can safeguard your personal data while you watch BBC iPlayer in the UK.
  • Some free services come with viruses and malware. Even if not, most free VPNs are ad-supported, so they won’t block ads or pop-ups from bombarding you when you watch BBC iPlayer. Popups are not only annoying but can also contain malware.

Tips on Choosing the Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

I've scrutinized all the VPNs on my list according to these key characteristics. Below is a summary of what to look for, which will help you make an educated decision when choosing the perfect free VPN for BBC iPlayer:

  • Provides stable connections for BBC iPlayer consistently. A large selection of UK servers will allow you to watch BBC iPlayer more reliably in the UK. It will also ensure that you have plenty of additional servers in case you run into lag or overcrowding.
  • Really free. I ensured that the VPNs on my list are 100% free or come with a reliable money-back guarantee. There wasn't any misleading information involving payment or hidden fees.
  • Fast speeds. The faster the speeds, the faster content will load and play back. For HD streaming on BBC iPlayer, 5 Mbps is required. I used a free online tool to test each VPN in this list to make sure it meets this requirement.
  • Easy to set up and use. All of the VPNs on this list are compatible with the most popular devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and more. I also made sure the apps are easy to use for watching BBC iPlayer.
  • Strong security and privacy features. Some free VPNs don't use strong encryption and leak your personal IP. If your IP is leaking, then it’s easier for your connection to be intercepted by prying eyes or cybercriminals. I only selected free VPNs that have military-grade encryption and leak protection (and all of them passed my leak tests).
  • Reliable customer support. I checked that the VPNs in this list offer dependable customer support, whether that's by email, contact form, or a 24/7 live chat. This will help you deal with any issues that may arise in a timely manner.

FAQs on Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer

Can I watch BBC iPlayer in Australia or the US?

Unfortunately, no. Technically, you could use a VPN to get a UK IP and hypothetically watch iPlayer from Australia or another place abroad. But this would constitute copyright infringement in most countries and violate the BBC's terms of use. Please use a VPN responsibly to keep your viewing private and secure, and only stream BBC iPlayer if you’re in the UK.

What if BBC iPlayer doesn’t work with my VPN?

They’re great security tools, but using a VPN while streaming can cause connection issues. So first, check that the VPN has been proven to work reliably for watching BBC iPlayer in the UK. If you have a good and reputable VPN, there are a few other tips you can try to improve your connection for streaming.

  1. Disconnect, then reconnect your VPN. This is a simple trick that may help you get a more reliable connection for BBC iPlayer in the UK.
  2. Change your browser. You could also try using the iPlayer app instead of the website, or vice versa. I recommend clearing your cache and history; to remove unnecessary and conflicting data. Using a private or incognito window may also help.
  3. Switch to a different UK location with your VPN. During my tests from my location in the UK, not every UK server worked with BBC iPlayer. Therefore, using a VPN with multiple UK locations is a significant advantage.
  4. Use a VPN with robust security features like military-grade encryption and DNS/IP leak protection. A kill switch is also a bonus.
  5. Contact live chat. There are various reasons why you may not be able to watch iPlayer or any other platform in the UK. The VPN’s support team may be able to provide additional troubleshooting tips.

Will I be able to watch BBC iPlayer offline?

Yes — you can download titles to watch at a later time in the BBC iPlayer app. You have to be in the UK, though. To download titles securely, simply connect your VPN to a UK server to use the app. Then, find the content you wish to watch offline and click download (under the episode or movie). Your downloads won't expire for 30 days. However, the app is only available for download in the UK — and you'll need a compatible iOS or Android device.

Can I watch BBC iPlayer while using a free proxy?

You can, but I would not recommend it. Proxies do not give you the same protection as VPNs — they lack encryption and other key security features needed to keep you safe. This can also cause problems with your streaming connection, so they're not the best options for watching BBC iPlayer in the UK. For reliable and safe connections to BBC iPlayer, it's best to use a VPN that’s highly secure, like those on my list.

Do I need a UK TV license to watch BBC iPlayer?

Yes, you’ll be asked if you have a license before you can stream anything on iPlayer. I have a TV license, so I tested this myself from the UK while securing my connection with a reliable VPN for BBC iPlayer.

If you’re in the UK, go on iPlayer and find a show you want to watch. Hit the play button, and you’ll see a popup that says, “Got a TV Licence?”. Below it will be 2 buttons saying, “I have a TV Licence. Watch now.” and, “I don’t have a TV Licence.” If you have a UK TV license, click the former so you can stream your chosen content. If you click the latter, you’ll be redirected away from iPlayer.

Start Watching BBC iPlayer Today

Many free VPNs don't have locations in the UK, which you need to stream iPlayer in the UK. On top of this, there are several risks associated with free VPNs. They can sell data to third parties, target you with ads, and expose your device to malware. Luckily, my team and I found a few free VPNs that work consistently with iPlayer.

My top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It has lightning-fast speeds and tons of UK servers, so you'll always have a fast and reliable connection for streaming your favorite BBC content in the UK. While it's not 100% free, it does offer a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. This way, you can test ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer risk-free. If you're not 100% happy with it, it's easy to claim a refund.

Top VPNs You Can Try Risk-Free With Money-Back Guarantees...

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.9 /10
9.9 Our Score
Save 49%!
2
9.7 /10
9.7 Our Score
Save 83%!
3
9.5 /10
9.5 Our Score
Save 82%!
4
9.4 /10
9.4 Our Score
Save 67%!
5
9.3 /10
9.3 Our Score
Save 81%!
Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

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The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.

Visit ExpressVPN

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

James conducts rigorous hands-on research and testing to evaluate dozens of VPNs for his articles. He's an advocate for digital freedom.