How to watch BBC iPlayer in the USA for free in 2024

Are you fed up with not being able to watch BBC iPlayer from the USA? As fellow expats, we understand the frustration of being denied access to your favorite BBC shows while living in the United States.

The easiest way around this is to fire up a VPN before attempting to access BBC iPlayer from the USA. VPNs encrypt your traffic, preventing your activities from being monitored by hackers, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), your employer, or the government. However, they have another significant benefit: they allow you to change your IP address. As streaming platforms often rely on the user’s IP address to verify their location, accessing geo-blocked services abroad is as simple as connecting to a server in the appropriate country. So, if you are a Brit traveling to the US and want to keep watching BBC, you first need to connect to a VPN server in the US.

However, not just any old VPN will do. The BBC invests substantial resources into improving its geo-restriction measures, making it challenging for most VPNs to bypass these restrictions. The good news is that we’ve tested the top providers and found those that are fast, secure, and consistently deliver reliable access to BBC iPlayer in America.

We’ll discuss each provider’s capabilities and limitations later in the article. For now, here’s a summary of our results.

These are the best VPNs for watching BBC in the US:

1. NordVPN: Our top choice for watching the BBC in the USA. This service is faster than any other, with advanced security features, superb streaming abilities and a verified no-logs policy.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for BBC iPlayer.
2. Surfshark: Best value VPN. A fast, security-conscious VPN that unblocks BBC iPlayer with ease and allows any number of connections. Excellent security and comes with an ID-generation tool.
3. IPVanish: Provides consistent access to BBC iPlayer and other free UK streaming services. Speedy servers available in four UK locations. Allows unlimited device connections.
4. ExpressVPN: Fast, reliable, secure, and boasting excellent unblocking capability. Servers available in 94 countries worldwide, the UK included. Includes a smart DNS feature.
5. CyberGhost: A budget, user-friendly service with streaming-optimized servers for BBC iPlayer and other popular platforms. Fast speeds and ideally suited to beginners.
6. PureVPN: One of the fastest VPNs available. Large server network and great for streaming. Great security and low cost long-term subscriptions. Apps for all platforms include a no-logs policy.
7. Private Internet Access: Works well with BBC iPlayer and other UK streaming platforms. Allows unlimited device connections and uses RAM-only servers. Comes with ad and malware blocking.
8. PrivateVPN: Secure, privacy-conscious, and unblocks a wide range of popular streaming services. Strict no-logs policy and allows port forwarding.
9. ProtonVPN: Servers in 110+ countries, including the UK. Ideal for secure torrenting and works great with BBC iPlayer. 30-day money-back guarantee.

How to watch BBC iPlayer in USA

It’s actually very simple to bypass regional restrictions with a VPN. Below, we’ll explain how you can use BBC iPlayer and a VPN to stream BBC iPlayer in the USA.

1. Sign up for one of the VPNs mentioned below (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the app, making sure to get the right version for your device’s operating system.
3. Connect to one of your VPN’s British servers.
4. Sign in to BBC iPlayer and try loading a video. It should begin immediately, but you might have to clear your browser’s cookies and cache first. Once this is done, refresh the page and you should be able to stream freely.
5. You can now access restricted content from BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four on iPlayer.

Criteria for the best BBC iPlayer VPNs

We’ve thoroughly explored each VPN provider to determine its strengths and weaknesses. To ensure we don’t miss anything, we test providers using a range of different criteria. You can get a taste of our evaluation process below. If you really want to see how it’s done, go to the methodology section later in the article, where we explore the data in more detail.

• Speed: BBCiPlayer is only available in the UK, so it makes sense to test how fast each VPN provider’s UK servers are. To this end, we carried out several speed tests over a day while connected to each VPN’s UK servers.
• Streaming suitability: The first thing we check streaming-wise is that VPNs work with BBC iPlayer. Once this is established, we find out how they perform with other streaming platforms that people are likely to use — and score them accordingly. We also score VPNs on the number of countries they have servers in, and the number of UK locations they have servers in. Finally, we ask one of our resident experts to score each VPN’s streaming ability subjectively.
• Security & privacy: VPN providers are scored against 15 different security and privacy criteria. These include which VPN protocols they support, the level of authentication and encryption they use, and whether they allow anonymous payment options.
• Ease of use: We use ten metrics to gauge whether a particular service is easy to use. In addition to considering its design, we look at things like the parity of its features between apps and whether it has task-specific servers available.
• Value for money: We use eight criteria to calculate a value-for-money score. In addition to considering the monthly subscription costs, we also consider the number of permitted connections and the existence of a free trial and money-back guarantee.

Best VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer in America — A snapshot of features

Best VPNs for watching BBC in the USA

Below, you’ll find our list of the best VPNs for watching the BBC in the USA:

1. NordVPN

Nov 2024 Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

NordVPN has over 6,000 high-speed RAM-only servers spread over an impressive 111+ countries. There are more than 700 in the UK alone, which is great for congestion-free connections. Users can choose between four server locations: London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

We chose the London server and used it to access BBC iPlayer. It also worked with ITVX and Channel 4. This wasn’t surprising, as NordVPN has a good reputation for consistent access to streaming platforms, including big dogs like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. We’ve yet to find a platform it doesn’t work with, though in some instances, you may have to try a few servers before hitting on the right one.

In addition to its streaming abilities, NordVPN has advanced security and privacy features. Its specialty servers allow users to create double-VPN connections for an additional layer of encryption or connect to an obfuscated server to navigate VPN-blocking technology — such as that leveraged by China. The Onion Over VPN servers provide one-click access to the Tor network (thus removing the need to install a separate browser).

Other features include a dark web monitor that alerts users if their personal information is exposed online; an ad, tracker and malware blocker; and an app vulnerability scanner.

NordVPN offers its own connection protocol (NordLynx) as an alternative to OpenVPN. NordLynx is built around the WireGuard protocol and designed for speedy connections.

We wanted to find out just how fast these connections were, specifically when connected to UK servers. We tested NordVPN’s download speeds three times over the course of a day using a home broadband connection with an average download speed of 53.23 Mbps.

As you can see from the above, NordVPN was very fast. In fact—spoiler alert—it was the provider we tested. This makes it a great option for streaming BBC iPlayer in the best available quality—either HD or, more rarely, UHD.

NordVPN offers a wide range of easy-to-use apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Its Linux app is command-line only but still very easy to use. Apps include a kill switch, automatic public Wi-Fi protection, and app-based split tunneling.

Strong encryption protects user-generated traffic, and connections are leak-free. We know this because we carried out IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

The company adheres to a strict no-logs policy that independent auditors have checked out four times.

Subscriptions allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections. If that’s not enough, it’s possible to configure a connection on your router. This protects every device on your home network but only uses one of your ten allotted connections. It also means you can stream BBC iPlayer on VPN-incompatible devices.

BEST VPN FOR BBC IPLAYER:NordVPN is our first choice! It’s an extremely fast, privacy-oriented service that takes your security seriously. Better still, its plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN here

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2. Surfshark

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

Surfshark is a competitively priced provider with thousands of RAM-only servers in 100+ countries. The app’s dashboard allows you to scroll through these. Clicking a location establishes a connection—it’s as easy as that.

Servers are available in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. We connected to the server in London.

We had no problem accessing BBC iPlayer while connected. We also successfully watched content from other free UK streaming platforms, namely, Channel 4, BritBox, ITVX, and My5.

Surfshark is also a great choice for international platforms. We tested it with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney Plus without issue.

Next, we conducted speed tests connected to one of Surfshark’s UK servers. We used a home broadband connection to simulate the average’s user’s experience of using the service. You can see the results below.

The provider was fastest in the afternoon, though speeds were more than good enough for streaming in HD or Ultra HD throughout the day. Overall, Surfshark was the second-fastest provider.

Surfshark has several exciting features that make it stand out from the crowd. One is that it gives users access to static IP addresses in six countries. Usually, VPN IP addresses change every time you disconnect and reconnect. A static IP address is just that—static. Conversely, Surfshark also provides for those who want their IP address to change as often as possible. The provider’s Rotating IP feature changes users’ IP addresses without them having to end the connection, making users more difficult to track.

Other security features include a NoBorders mode that obfuscates user-generated traffic to bypass VPN blocks in countries such as China and Multi-Hop connections where users can specify entry and exit servers.

One of the provider’s more recent features allows users to generate a fake persona with name, address, and date of birth. The Alternative ID tool can create addresses for the US, Australia, Denmark, Portugal, Germany, and Brazil. We’ve found it helpful in accessing free streaming platforms that require registration.

Surfshark uses 256-bit encryption, and its apps come with a kill switch, split tunneling, an ad, tracker, and malware blocker, and leak protection. We confirmed there were no leaks by conducting a series of IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

The provider has an independently audited no-logs policy, which is reassuring as it’s based in the Netherlands, a member of the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.

Surfshark apps are available for Windows, Android, Linux, MacOS, and iOS. All have a well-designed GUI—even the Linux app. The number of devices you can connect is unlimited, so it’s perfect for those with families or lots of devices to protect.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a fantastic low-cost option as it boasts top-notch security features, solid speeds, and the ability to unblock plenty of popular streaming platforms (including BBC iPlayer). Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark here

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3. IPVanish

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

IPVanish is a veteran provider that owns the majority of its server network. For users, this means improved security through a reduced risk of third-party tampering. The company has an audited no-logs policy, so you can be sure that your online activity is kept private.

IPVanish is refreshingly open about its number of servers. Users can see how many are in each location and choose between them. The ping times are listed, enabling you to decide which is likely to be fastest.

There are 197+ UK servers, divided unequally between Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester.

Once connected (we used one of the London servers), users are presented with a graph showing the real-time data transfer and a map showing the current connection location. Users can also see which protocol is used and whether the kill switch is enabled.

We had no problems accessing BBC iPlayer, ITVX, or Channel 4 while connected. The provider also works great with multiple content libraries from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

As most readers will be using IPVanish’s UK servers on a home broadband connection, we carried out a series of speed tests on just such a setup. You can see the results below.

The provider was slowest in the morning, but improved during the day. Its average speed placed it in the top three of the providers we tested — which is a great result. This makes it a solid choice for streaming BBC iPlayer and any other British TV platform you might choose to access.

Apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS and iOS. In addition to the features already mentioned, these come with leak protection enabled by default. We tested this by conducting IP, DNS and WebRTC leak tests (available from the browserleaks.com site).

The provider has an independently audited no-logs policy and uses strong encryption to protect user-generated traffic. Available protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. If you need to obfuscate your traffic for any reason, opting for OpenVPN unlocks the Scramble feature. Enabling this can help navigate VPN-detection technology. Note, however, that it doesn’t work in China.

Other features include automatic wi-fi protection and app-based and IP-based split tunneling.

Subscriptions are great value, especially since they allow unlimited device connections. They also include access to a free SOCKS5 proxy, which can be useful if you don’t care about your encrypted traffic and just want a different IP address and the fastest possible connection speed.

If you have a smart TV or games console that you’d like to use with BBC iPlayer, you can configure IPVanish on your router. This enables you to change the virtual location of every device connected to the router, regardless of whether they support VPN apps natively.

STRONG UK PRESENCE:IPVanish provides impressively fast UK connections and works with popular free British streaming platforms. Subscriptions are competitively priced and include unlimited device connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

ExpressVPN is a superb VPN for those who want to connect and be done with it. Its apps are easy to use, and ExpressVPN works consistently with streaming platforms.

The provider has RAM-only servers in 105+ countries overall. This includes the UK, where it has servers in five locations: four in London and one in the Midlands.

While connected to the London server, we could stream BBC iPlayer without issues. Streaming Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Channel 4, and ITVX was similarly easy.

We also conducted speed tests while connected to see how ExpressVPN performed with a home broadband connection.

The provider was fast throughout the day. On average, the ExpressVPN download speed was only 2.13 Mbps slower than our connection speed without a VPN. This is unlikely to be noticeable in practice and makes ExpressVPN a great choice for streaming UHD BBC iPlayer content.

A lot of ExpressVPN’s work goes on behind the scenes—its Trusted Server technology is a good example. This involves things like reinstalling the operating systems of every server weekly to ensure they’re all reading from the same hymn sheet.

That’s not to say the apps lack features. They come with built-in obfuscation, a kill switch, app-based split tunneling, and an ad, tracker, and malware blocker as standard. There’s a choice of protocols, too: either OpenVPN or ExpressVPN’s home-grown Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN says that Lightway makes connecting to ExpressVPN faster. We can vouch for this, as connections are notably quick to establish.

ExpressVPN uses strong encryption and has a no-logs policy that’s been audited multiple times. Leak protection is built-in — a claim we verified by running a series of IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

Apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux (command-line only). ExpressVPN is unusual in that it also has an app for routers. This replaces the existing firmware on your router and makes it easy to protect every device on your home network. Moreover, it’ll allow you to access BBC iPlayer on VPN-incompatible devices.

Subscriptions aren’t the cheapest, and plans can only be extended to 12 months. However, you do get a reliable service that’s fast and easy to use. Privacy-conscious users register almost completely anonymously with Bitcoin and a throwaway email address.  ExpressVPN has a dedicated Onion site, so it’s possible to sign up via the Tor network.

PRIVATE STREAMING:ExpressVPN is a solid choice for streaming. It offers high-speed connections, powerful security and privacy features, and excellent streaming potential, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN here

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5. CyberGhost

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

CyberGhost is a streaming-friendly provider with a huge number of RAM-only servers in its network. It has 1,000+ servers in the UK alone, located in London, Manchester and Berkshire (a county to the east of London).

As well as its regular servers, CyberGhost has servers optimized for various tasks, including streaming, gaming and torrenting. Its list of streaming-optimized servers helpfully tells users which platforms they work best with. For example, there’s one for BBC iPlayer, one for Channel 4, and one for ITVX.

In practice though, things aren’t so rigid. We used the iPlayer-optimized server for watching BBC iPlayer, though we also found that it worked with ITVX and Channel 4. That said, Netflix only worked with the Netflix UK server.

If you’re only interested in streaming, CyberGhost has tools that mean you don’t have to interact with it every time you want to watch BBC iPlayer when traveling abroad. As part of its Smart Rules, CyberGhost lets users specify apps that, on opening, should cause CyberGhost to launch and connect to a specific server.  If you set it up with the BBC iPlayer app and associated server, you won’t need to interact with the CyberGhost app every time you want to watch Bluey (for example).

Other Smart Rules include the option of specifying an app that should launch when CyberGhost is connected (such as a favorite browser). URL-based split tunneling and automatic public Wi-Fi protection are also available.

CyberGhost’s privacy settings contain an ad, tracker and malware blocker; a kill switch and DNS leak protection. The leak protection is enabled by default, and we tested it out as part of our IP, DNS and WebRTC leak testing (it passed).

Overall, the provider is strong on privacy. It is based in Romania, which has no mandatory data collection laws and a no-logs policy that’s been independently audited several times. Users can pay for subscriptions using Bitcoin, which relatively few providers allow.

Easy-to-use apps are available on Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS. CyberGhost supports some network routers, but they require manual configuration. You can see which are compatible on the CyberGhost website.

CyberGhost has historically been recognized as one of the fastest VPN providers. We wanted to find out if this was true while connected to UK servers, so we carried out speed tests over the course of a day.

CyberGhost’s speeds—although fast enough for interruption-free streaming—placed it at the slower end of the providers we tested. Overall, its average download speed was 2.93 Mbps slower than our base connection speed without a VPN, which isn’t a bad result.

If you’d like to try CyberGhost, its subscriptions come with a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee. The cheapest of these (the 26-month plan) costs the equivalent of $2.19 a month.

Easy-to-use apps:CyberGhost has a vast server network and works with BBC iPlayer and a host of other platforms. It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost here.

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6. PureVPN

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

PureVPN is a low-cost VPN based in the British Virgin Islands — a location that lacks invasive surveillance agencies and mandatory data retention directives that apply to VPNs. It also has a fully audited no-logs policy, which means there aren’t records of users’ online activities accumulating on a server somewhere.

The company has a large server network and a presence in 65+ countries. This includes the UK, which has servers with UK IP addresses in London and Manchester. The ping times are helpfully listed next to each location.

If you want to save yourself a little time when accessing BBC iPlayer, you can try using PureVPN’s shortcut to the service — unsurprisingly located in the Shortcuts tab. Here, users can simply click on ‘BBC’ and they will be automatically connected to the best server for BBC iPlayer. PureVPN will also open up the BBC iPlayer website so that you’re ready to go.

The BBC shortcut worked great when we tried it. We used the same server to stream other UK-only platforms such as ITVX, Channel 4, and My5. You can also use PureVPN to try out different content libraries from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.

We didn’t experience any interruptions while streaming — no lag, and no buffering. We carried out speed tests regardless, as we wanted to know if it was fast throughout the day while connected to a UK server.

The provider appeared to get faster as the day progressed, though the difference was fairly minimal. It was certainly fast enough for streaming BBC iPlayer in HD, the BBC’s go-to resolution.

PureVPN’s apps are fairly easy to use, though not the most inspiring design-wise. Features include a kill switch, tracker blocker, and app-based split tunneling. Split tunneling allows you to keep your BBC iPlayer app within the VPN tunnel while using other apps with a regular internet connection.

There are no Multi-Hop servers, and there is no malware or ad blocker. This won’t be a deal-breaker for most users. Few people actually need Multi-Hop connections, and there are plenty of excellent free ad blockers available.

Users can choose between the WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols. There’s no stealth option. This is because PureVPN obfuscates user’s traffic by default, unlike its competitors. This is great if you’re using a network that tries to block VPNs. It works in China, which demonstrates its effectiveness.

PureVPN has apps available for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. These come with built-in leak protection, which we verified ourselves through a series of IP, DNS and WebRTC leak tests. You can see the results of one of them below.

Subscriptions are excellent value — particularly the five-year plan. This costs the equivalent of $2.16 a month, one of the cheapest VPN subscriptions on the market. Bear in mind that most providers restrict their introductory offers to two years, so there’s a chance to make real savings if you don’t mind locking yourself into a contract. If you want to test the water, PureVPN has a 31-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out without committing anything financially.

LOW COST:PureVPN makes it cheaper to watch BBC iPlayer and other British TV services while in the USA. It has an audited no-logs policy, and apps come with AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. Live chat support is available 24/7 and you can trial the VPN risk-free using its 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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7. Private Internet Access

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

Private Internet Access (PIA) operates a network of RAM-only servers in 91+ countries. In the UK, it has a presence in three locations: Manchester, Southampton, and London. PIA also has a UK streaming-optimized server, which should be your go-to choice for accessing BBC iPlayer.

We used the streaming-optimized servers to stream BBC iPlayer as well as ITVX and Channel 4. It also works with the UK libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.

If you fancy streaming content from outside the UK, PIA also has streaming-optimized servers in the US, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Finland, and Japan.

We tested PIA’s speeds while connected to the UK streaming-optimized server. Tests were carried out on a home broadband connection to simulate a typical user’s experience.

PIA was slightly faster in the morning, though it’s speeds at any point in the day were suitable for streaming high resolution BBC iPlayer content. On average, our connection with PIA was 2.56 Mbps slower than our download speed when not connected to a VPN.

The PIA dashboard is easy to interact with and keeps unnecessary details to a minimum.

If it’s details you want, clicking the ‘down’ arrow at the bottom opens the extended view. This has shortcuts to various, numerous connection details, and a real-time performance graph.

PIA has a kill switch; an ad, tracker and malware blocker; and app and IP-based split tunneling. You can use this to use BBC iPlayer within the VPN tunnel, while accessing other domains and/ or apps with a regular internet connection.

Multi-hop connections are available. However, rather than routing user’s traffic through an additional VPN server, PIA uses a proxy: either Shadowsocks or SOCKS5. This obfuscates traffic, but not to the extent that it can navigate blocks in countries such as China.

Users can choose between OpenVPN or the faster WireGuard. OpenVPN allows for more customization, such as the option of choosing between 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption.

PIA apps are all open-source, which is commendably transparent as it means anyone can view the source code. Supported platforms include Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux. These all have a full GUI — even the Linux app, which is something of a rarity.

Port forwarding and automatic Wi-Fi protection (via the Automation tab) are available for those who want them. PIA says leak protection is built in. We confirmed this by carrying out IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

Long-term subscriptions are great value. The three-year plan costs the equivalent of just under $2 a month. All plans come with unlimited device connections, which is great for those in larger households.

SERVERS IN 91 COUNTRIES:Private Internet Access has a global network of RAM-only servers and won’t throttle your bandwidth. Use it to watch BBC iPlayer overseas and connect unlimited devices at once. Comes with a  30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Private Internet Access review.

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8. PrivateVPN

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

PrivateVPN has servers in 63+ countries overall, though there are relatively few servers in each. In the UK, for example, there are two servers: one in London and one in Manchester. The ping time is listed next to each, making it easy to choose the fastest (which would be Manchester in the example below).

We were able to stream BBC iPlayer using the Manchester server, but only if we first enabled the Stealth VPN feature. This obfuscates traffic so that it isn’t recognizable as VPN-generated. It’s powerful enough to be able to navigate China’s VPN-blocking technology, which is high praise indeed.

We tried PrivateVPN with the UK version of Netflix, and it worked straight away — without the need for Stealth VPN. The provider also worked with Disney Plus, Max, ITVX and Channel 4.

We tested PrivateVPN’s speeds three times over the course of a day while connected to its Manchester server.

As you can see from the above, PrivateVPN’s speeds were consistently fast throughout the day. On average they were just 2.64 Mbps slower than our average base connection speed without a VPN. That’s a good result and means users with a decent broadband connection will be able to enjoy uninterrupted streaming.

PrivateVPN allows port forwarding and has long supported torrenting in general. It has a kill switch that’s enabled by default and an Application Guard feature. This terminates named apps—like BBC iPlayer or a torrent client—when the VPN is disconnected.

The provider uses strong AES-256 encryption by default, though users can opt to use the weaker AES-128 if they prefer. Reducing the work the VPN needs to do in encrypting traffic can speed up otherwise sluggish connections.

PrivateVPN has a robust no-logs policy, though this has yet to be independently audited. Leak protection is enabled by default. We confirmed that this works by conducting IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests while connected to a US server.

PrivateVPN subscriptions are great value if you’re happy to sign up to a three-year plan. Privacy-conscious users can pay for these in Bitcoin or Ethereum. Subscriptions allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections, which should be enough for most users.

Apps are available for Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS apps. It works on Linux-based platforms and wireless routers with manual configuration. Instructions for this are available on the website. If you get really stuck, PrivateVPN support staff can, with your permission, remotely configure the software for you. This goes beyond what almost all other VPNs are willing/ able to do.

STREAM BBC ANYWHERE:PrivateVPN keeps no logs, prioritizes your security, allows port forwarding, and offers stress-free streaming. It includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN here

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9. ProtonVPN

Unblocks BBC in USATested Nov 2024

ProtonVPN is a premium VPN with top-notch security and excellent privacy features. It is based in Switzerland, a country that lacks mandatory data retention directives that apply to VPNs. It has a fully audited no-logs policy and fully verified open-source apps.

The provider has servers in an impressive 110+ countries. This includes the UK, where it has masses of servers to choose from in both London and Manchester.

It works great with BBC iPlayer as well as other free UK streaming sites like ITVX and Channel 4. It’s also able to access international streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video — though there can be a little trial-and-error involved in finding working servers.

We tested ProtonVPN’s speeds while connected to a UK server. The results are below. As a reference, our average download speed when not connected was 53.23 Mbps.

Speeds were consistent throughout the day and averaged 3.79 Mbps slower than our base connection speed—which isn’t bad at all. While ProtonVPN wasn’t the fastest provider we tested, it was still fast enough for uninterrupted streaming of Ultra HD BBC iPlayer content.

ProtonVPN is rich in advanced security features. Its Secure Core servers are located in high-security ProtonVPN-owned and operated data centers located in privacy-friendly countries like Iceland. Opting to route your traffic through these makes it extremely unlikely that you location could be traced.

Unlike most VPNs, ProtonVPN allows port forwarding. This is primarily useful to torrenters seeking greater upload and download efficiency. Port forwarding can be enabled from the app’s dashboard — as can NetShield, which provides ad, tracker, and malware blocking.

A kill switch is available, as is app and IP-based split tunneling. Users can choose between the WireGuard, OpenVPN and Stealth protocols — with the latter being designed especially to help traffic evade firewalls and VPN-blocking technology. Note that this doesn’t currently work in China.

ProtonVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Unusually, ProtonVPN has a Linux app with a full GUI, which is great if you’re suffering from command-line overload.

The provider uses strong AES-256 encryption and has leak protection enabled by default. We confirmed that our true location was hidden while connected by carrying out IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests.

Live chat support is available, and ProtonVPN ensures a fantastic support experience for users. Beginners may initially find its advanced features a little intimidating. However, learning them all in just a few days is easy. You can try it on for size by using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

SECURE AND PRIVATE:ProtonVPN is an advanced VPN based in Switzerland. It has a fully audited no-logging policy. Apps for all platforms provide AES encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Works to get an IP address in the UK and 109+ other countries. Ideal for secure torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review

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Watch iPlayer USA in America – Our VPN testing methodology

We carry out in-depth testing to evaluate each provider’s strengths and weaknesses. This largely goes on behind the scenes, but we’ll take a look at it here for those of you interested in understanding our scoring system.

Speed

We regularly conduct lab tests to find out VPNs’ maximum possible speeds. However, as we wanted to simulate the real-world experience of a typical user, we decided to use a home broadband connection.

Using the desktop version of the Ookla app, we tested each provider’s download speeds while connected to one of its UK servers in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. Our base connection speeds when not connected to a VPN were 53.12 Mbps in the morning, 53.07 Mbps at noon, and 53.49 in the afternoon. The subsequent test results are shown below:

The first thing to note is that all the providers were fast. If you have a decent base connection speed you should have no issue using any of them for streaming BBC iPlayer in Ultra HD. However, the fastest in all three tests was NordVPN. This becomes evident if we take an average of the results and convert them to a score out of ten.

As you can see from the above, Surfshark and PureVPN are good alternatives to NordVPN in terms of speed.

Streaming suitability

We first score providers on how many server locations they have in the UK — a higher score means users get more choice. More choice means less competition for servers when trying to stream UK-based platforms like BBC iPlayer.

We check that each VPN works reliably with BBC iPlayer before moving on to other international platforms that users are typically interested in. Providers are given a score for how many platforms they work with, and another score for the number of countries they have a presence in.

Finally, one of our expert reviewers provides a score based on their experience of using the provider for streaming.

You can see how each VPN performs in the table below.

To make it easier to directly compare providers, we combine the above scores to give an overall streaming suitability score.

From the above, you can see that ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the best streaming options for UK platforms like BBC iPlayer, which is closely followed by Surfshark.

Security & privacy

It’s easy to forget that VPNs are primarily a security and privacy tool. Even if a provider is good at streaming, we don’t recommend it unless it provides adequate protection. We measure this using 15 different security and privacy criteria. You can see what these are, and how each VPN performed against them, in the table below.

We assign a score to each of these criteria to create an overall score out of 10. This makes it more convenient to compare providers directly.

You’ll notice from the above that all the providers scored relatively highly. As such, they can all be trusted to keep your connection safe while online. The very best, however, are NordVPN and Surfshark (incidentally, both these providers are owned by the same company). If neither of these appeal, ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access are also great options.

Ease of use

If you’re keen to access BBC iPlayer, you want a service that’ll get you there with the minimum of fuss. We measure how easy each VPN is to use by scoring them against 10 different criteria. You can see what these are in the table below.

We combine the scores for each metric to generate an overall ease of use score for direct comparison of providers.

According to our results, NordVPN and Private Internet Access provide the most streamlined services overall. If you want minimal stress, choose one of these providers. IPVanish is a good alternative.

Value for money

We only recommend VPNs for BBC in the USA that are fairly priced and give you plenty of bang for your buck. This includes discounts, free trials, and money-back guarantees. We also look at the number of simultaneous device connections supported when assessing value. You can see how the individual providers perform in the table below.

We score providers on each metric and then generate an overall score. This gives us an overview of how the providers compare in terms of their relative value for money.

If money is tight, or you just like getting a good deal, then Surfshark is a great choice. IPVanish also offers great value for money, as do NordVPN and CyberGhost.

Can I watch the BBC abroad with a free VPN?

Free VPN services can be tempting, but we advise against using one for several reasons. The first is their performance; free VPNs rarely have enough servers to support all their users, which manifests as slow speeds. Streaming is pretty data-intensive, particularly at higher resolutions, and as such, you’ll likely experience choppy playback, subpar video quality, long buffering times and data limits. Further, the BBC regularly updates its geo-blocking measures so there’s a good chance you won’t be able to access BBC iPlayer at all with a free VPN service.

These services might be free to use, but they are businesses and as such, exist to make money. Most use an ad-supported model or offer perks like higher speeds for a monthly fee, but some resort to shadier practices. Some services store tracking cookies on your device to see which sites you visit, and sell the resulting consumer profile to advertisers. This takes control over who sees your data out of your hands, which is the exact opposite of what a VPN is supposed to do.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to even tell if you are using a safe VPN or not. Researchers tested 283 free VPN apps and found that almost 40% contained malware, 84% were vulnerable to IPv6 leaks, and 18% used no encryption whatsoever. Well-known services aren’t necessarily safer; in 2015, Hola was caught selling user bandwidth to help run a botnet.

Using a reputable VPN with a clear, customer-first privacy policy is the best way to stay safe online.

Alternatives to BBC iPlayer in the USA

Although BBC iPlayer provides a vast collection of British television shows, other options are available for viewers in the USA who want to enjoy UK programming. Here are some alternatives that allow you to watch British TV from the comfort of your living room.

1. BritBox: A collaboration between the BBC and ITV, BritBox is a British TV lover’s dream come true. From classic Doctor Who episodes to the latest EastEnders seasons, it’s a one-stop-shop for all things British. Plus, there’s no need to fret about legality; it’s all above board.
2. ITVX: Want more than just the BBC? ITV Hub offers a wide array of content from ITV’s channels. Whether you’re into dramas like Downton Abbey or reality shows like Love Island, ITV Hub has something for everyone.
3. Sky Go: Sky Go can be a viable option for those with access to a UK Sky subscription. It offers live and on-demand content from Sky’s channels, including sports, movies, and series like Chernobyl.
4. Channel 4: Channel 4’s content  is supported by advertisements, which means you don’t need a TV license. You can watch popular shows like The Great British Bake Off and The Inbetweeners for free on All 4. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore British TV without committing to a subscription.
5. My5: My5 is the streaming platform from Channel 5 where you can watch content from the main channel, and places like 5STAR, 5USA, and 5SELECT. Some of the biggest titles include Only Fools and Horses, The Inheritance, and Police Interceptors.

How to watch BBC iPlayer in the USA: FAQ