iFollow is a little unusual in that it’s a sports streaming service you can access from almost anywhere. However, Brits pay a little more than those in other countries and won’t be able to watch matches that take place on Saturday afternoons. These quirks can be extremely frustrating if you’re just visiting the UK, but there is a workaround.
By using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can make iFollow think that you’re still back home. What’s more, VPNs are a great option for anybody travelling as they protect your data and help to conceal your online activities when using public wifi.
Just bear in mind that iFollow blocks a large number of VPNs. This means you must pick a recommended provider to avoid disappointment.
We’ll discuss each VPN in more detail later, but for now, we’ve provided a summary below of popular VPNs for streaming:
- NordVPN: Our top choice VPN for iFollow. This service offers fast connections, customizable security features, and exceptional streaming ability.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for ifollow. - Surfshark: The best budget VPN for iFollow. A fast, privacy-conscious VPN with no connection limit, Surfshark is ideal for streaming iFollow abroad.
- ExpressVPN: A secure, high-speed VPN which works with a wide range of streaming services. Good security and lots of locations to choose from.
- CyberGhost: Boasting streaming-optimized servers, high-speeds, and a strong commitment to privacy and security, CyberGhost is ideal for users new to VPNs.
- PureVPN: Quick, reliable, and perfect for accessing iFollow from the UK on a budget. Lots of servers in the US and 65 other countries. 24/7 customer support.
- ProtonVPN: Secure no logs VPN with many advanced features. Servers in 85 countries, including the US for watching iFollow. Some of the highest speeds we’ve encountered.
- Hotspot Shield: A fast, low-cost VPN that’s great for streaming iFollow. Doesn’t compromise on security and comes with 24/7 live chat.
Many VPNs claim to work with ifollow but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock ifollow and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.
How to watch iFollow in the UK with a VPN
VPNs are privacy tool designed to prevent local network administrators, ISPs, websites, and government agencies from tracking what you do online. Further, because they encrypt your traffic, VPNs can also help you bypass geographic restrictions to watch iFollow while on vacation abroad, for example.
Here’s how to watch iFollow in the UK:
- First of all, sign up for a suitable VPN (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install the app
- Login and choose a server in your desired country. If you’re unsure, we’d suggest using an American server.
- Sign up for iFollow and login.
- Finally, try watching a video. It should load almost instantly but if not, try clearing your cookies then reloading the page. If this doesn’t help, contact your VPN’s support team for further assistance.
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Criteria for the best iFollow VPNs
At Comparitech, we help consumers by testing and evaluating the world’s leading VPN providers. You can read full details at the bottom of this article. When searching for the best VPNs for iFollow, we looked for the following criteria:
- Works with iFollow and several similar streaming platforms
- Offers reliable, high-speed connections
- Uses military-grade encryption and includes various other security features
- Does not log any information that could identify you
- Provides apps for the most popular devices and operating systems
- Includes live chat and email support, preferably 24 hours a day
Best VPNs for watching iFollow in the UK
Below is our list of the best VPNs for watching iFollow in the UK:
1. NordVPN
Nov 2024 works with ifollowTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
NordVPN is our first choice for watching iFollow. It has more than 6,000 servers spread across approximately 60 countries, meaning it caters to users from all over the world. This VPN is very fast and works reliably with services like Netflix, beIN Sports, and FuboTV, so it’s ideal for streaming. With up to six simultaneous connections permitted, you’re free to watch live EFL soccer both at home and on the go.
This service takes your security seriously. For starters, there’s 256-bit encryption, a customizable kill switch, and leak protection. What’s more, NordVPN includes a suite of advanced functionality, from automatic ad-blocking to Meshnet, a tool that lets you securely connect devices across multiple networks. NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy (something it has proven with independent audits), so your privacy is in good hands. If you need help, you can reach customer support using the 24/7 live chat service.
NordVPN apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available. It works on home routers but must be manually installed.
Pros:
- High-speed servers makes it ideal for streaming
- Good global server representation
- Excellent security and encryption standards
- No-logs policy that has been independently audited
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
Cons:
- Doesn’t let you choose a specific server, only a location
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR IFOLLOW:NordVPN is our first choice for iFollow. Boasts high speeds, advanced security features, and the ability to stream iFollow in the UK. Its plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
works with ifollowTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is our budget pick. Its network is comprised of around 3,200 servers in 100 countries. We had no issues securely accessing services like ESPN+ and TSN while connected. This VPN is fast enough to stream live HD video without any issues, and best of all, there’s no connection limit. As such, Surfshark is a strong choice for anyone looking to protect all of their devices at once.
This service offers a wide range of security features including 256-bit encryption, a kill switch (in all versions), automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. Most importantly, Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information, so your privacy is guaranteed. If you run into trouble, customer support is on-hand 24/7 via live chat.
Surfshark apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Browser extensions can also be downloaded for Chrome and Firefox. Manual installation is required for use with home routers.
Pros:
- Very impressive speeds
- Works with most streaming services
- Great security toolkit
- Keeps no logs
- Allows unlimited devices
Cons:
- Some features can’t be used without a Surfshark One subscription
Our score:
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a great low-cost VPN with fast speeds, strong streaming ability, and powerful security features. Best of all, it has no connection limit so you can use it on as many devices as you like. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
works with ifollowTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN offers access to servers in an unmatched 105 countries. These deliver impressive speeds and work with a huge range of streaming platforms including iFollow, so you shouldn’t have any issues watching live TV. ExpressVPN recently increased its connection limit and now lets you secure up to eight devices at a time. In other words, it’s better value than ever before.
This VPN keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and a kill switch (which stops all traffic whenever you disconnect unexpectedly). Its most recent update introduced automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and it’s been audited to prove that it doesn’t keep any logs. Of course, you can pay with Bitcoin if you’d like another layer of protection. Live chat-based support is available 24/7.
ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. You can also find apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. It offers custom firmware for routers for easy installation.
Pros:
- Consistent, speedy connections
- Perfect for live streaming
- Solid privacy and security
- Pay anonymously with Bitcoin
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer as many advanced features as some of its rivals
Our score:
GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN is fast and secure, making it ideal for streaming iFollow. Provides servers in more countries than its rivals, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
works with ifollowTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is a versatile VPN with over 11,000 servers in 100 countries. Some of these are optimized for tasks like torrenting and streaming, making it quick and easy to find one that meets your needs. With high speeds, novice-friendly apps, and exceptional unblocking ability, this is one of the best VPNs on the market for streaming Disney Plus, ESPN, or iFollow.
This service gives users quite a few ways to customize their security. For instance, it’s possible to create custom rules governing when exactly your VPN should activate. If you’d rather not tinker around the settings, don’t worry: the apps use uncrackable encryption, tracker-blocking, leak protection, and a kill switch by-default. CyberGhost doesn’t keep any logs and provides 24/7 support over live chat.
CyberGhost provides Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV apps. You can also use browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. It can be manually configured to work with select internet routers.
Pros:
- Has a huge server network
- Fast, streaming-optimized servers
- Minimal configuration required
- Can be used on up to seven devices simultaneously
Cons:
- Can be a little tricky to find a specific setting
Our score:
NOVICE FRIENDLY:CyberGhost offers fast, reliable servers, strong streaming potential, and comprehensive security. Additionally, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. PureVPN
works with iFollowTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN has a large network of 6,000 servers across 65 countries, including over a dozen locations throughout the US. This extensive coverage provides exceptional suitability for streaming, with ultra-fast speeds averaging nearly 400 Mbps in our recent tests. PureVPN supports a wide array of platforms, such as iFollow, Netflix, Peacock, and HBOMax, allowing you to stream your favorite American services from the UK. Plus, you can use it on up to 10 devices.
Security is a key strength of PureVPN. It comes equipped with AES encryption, a kill switch, and both DNS and IPv6 leak protection. For users in countries with rigorous digital censorship, the service offers automatic obfuscation, ensuring your browsing remains unrestricted and private. The VPN’s commitment to privacy has been verified with an independent audit, which confirmed its no-logging policy. Additionally, tracker blocking is available, though it’s exclusive to the Plus or Max plans.
PureVPN has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. For those who prefer to protect their entire network, it also allows for manual configuration on routers. Whenever you need assistance, PureVPN’s customer service team is available 24/7 via live chat, ensuring support is always at hand.
Pros:
- Plenty of speedy American servers work with iFollow and most other platforms
- Useful features, including a kill switch
- Excellent value for money
- Servers in 65 countries
Cons:
- Customer support sometimes takes a while to reply
- Port forwarding costs extra
Our score:
EASY TO USE:PureVPN is cheap and perfect for beginners. It is fast and has IPs in 65 countries, including the US to access iFollow or Netflix US from the UK. What’s more, every subscription comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of PureVPN to learn more.
6. ProtonVPN
works with iFollowTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.protonvpn.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN is a highly advanced VPN with fast servers in the US that work to access iFollow, Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, or anything else that takes your fancy while in the UK. The free plan is great for getting privacy on public wifi, but you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to access the full network and use streaming servers.
Proton lets you connect up to 10 devices at once, which is usually enough for most power users. With average speeds of around 330 Mbps, you’re unlikely to experience any buffering issues, even while performing data-intensive tasks. If you do, just reach out to customer support; the 24/7 live chat service makes getting help as quick and easy as possible.
This service can get you an American IP address but it is also perfect for getting online privacy. ProtonVPN uses industry-standard encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection by default. It also offers automatic tracker and ad-blocking, plus Secure Core servers in self-owned data centers for added protection. Most importantly, ProtonVPN has been audited by professionals, so when the company says it keeps no logs, you know it’s telling the truth.
ProtonVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux, and Windows. Additionally, the help section of its website explains how to manually install this service on your router.
Pros:
- Many advanced features, including split tunneling and port forwarding
- Exceptional speeds for streaming
- Works with US Netflix and iFollow
Cons:
- Can’t stream on the free plan
- Costs a little more than some of the VPNs above
Our score:
STREAM ANONYMOUSLY:ProtonVPN takes your security seriously and works with most American streaming platforms. Users in the UK can connect to a US server to unlock iFollow. It delivers high speeds, doesn’t keep any logs, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.
7. Hotspot Shield
works with ifollowTested Nov 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.
Hotspot Shield has servers across 80 countries and is fast enough to stream live video without any noticeable lag or buffering. It works with major platforms like fuboTV, ESPN+, and YouTube TV, so you shouldn’t have any issues watching soccer online, even if you’re traveling abroad at the moment.
This VPN uses 256-bit encryption and a kill switch, as well as DNS and IPv6 leak protection to keep your activities private at all times. There’s even a custom protocol designed for beating country-wide censorship and newer versions of the app include split tunneling functionality. What’s more, this VPN deletes all personally identifiable data when your session ends. Customer support is on-hand 24/7 just in case you have any problems.
Hotspot shield has apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux. It also supports manual configuration for routers.
Pros:
- Plenty of servers to choose from
- Includes a kill switch in every version of the app
- Decent speeds
Cons:
- No anonymous payment options
- Streaming servers only work with US and UK services
Our score:
STREAM SECURELY:Hotspot Shield makes it easy to watch soccer safely. It’s fast, has servers in 80+ countries, and logs no personally identifiable data. Also comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
Methodology: Choosing the best VPNs for iFollow
iFollow is particularly good at detecting VPN traffic, which means it’s actually fairly difficult to access your home country’s version of the site while visiting the UK. This isn’t the only requirement we have, either. Take a look below to see which key areas we focused on when finding the best VPNs for streaming iFollow:
- Performance: Slow speeds can lead to lag, which is the last thing you need when watching live sports. To prevent this, we’ve only recommended VPNs that have performed well in our most recent speed tests. These take consistency into account too, since it’s no good if your VPN’s speeds fluctuate all the time.
- Server choice: You’ll need access to servers in your home country to regain access to your usual version of iFollow. With this in mind, we prioritized VPNs with large networks and lots of supported locations.
- Security and privacy: We required our top picks to use 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection so that you can stream safely. They all offer a no-logs policy as well, and some also let you pay with Bitcoin.
- Streaming ability: The more versatile a VPN is, the better. That’s why we test them against not just iFollow, but also platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney Plus. We also only recommend providers that are suitable for torrenting, gaming, and video calling.
- Ease of use: We strongly prefer VPNs with newcomer-friendly features like streaming-optimized servers, around the clock support, and a total lack of connection or bandwidth limits.
- Value for money:Â There are many VPNs that fail to offer much of the above yet work out to be more expensive. We believe we’ve found VPNs that offer the best value for money. Not only do they include money-back guarantees making them risk-free, you can save even more thanks to our VPN discount coupons.
Check out our full VPN testing methodology if you want to learn more.
Streaming iFollow abroad: FAQs
Can’t I just use a free VPN instead?
Free VPNs might seem appealing but we advise against using them for several reasons. First, iFollow has particularly strict geo-blocking measures in place and there are only a few paid services capable of securely accessing it, meaning a free VPN is very unlikely to work. Additionally, as they usually have small networks, free VPNs often struggle to provide adequate speeds.
It can be difficult to know if your free VPN is safe. Research has proven time and again that free VPN apps tend to mislead users about how secure they are. We’ve personally even discovered a “zero logs” provider that kept detailed records on its users’ activities.
To stay as safe as possible, we recommend using a reputable VPN with a clearly-worded logging policy and a history of standing up for its users’ privacy.
Can I sign up for international versions of iFollow in the UK?
iFollow appears to have more advanced geo-blocking measures than many similar services. Despite this, it’s still possible to regain access to your home country’s version of the site when in the UK.
The first step is to connect to one of your VPN’s servers in your desired region. Some users have reported that their usual iFollow accounts were inaccessible when using a VPN; while this hasn’t been confirmed, it suggests that iFollow stores your initial location during registration. To bypass this restriction, just create a new account while connected to the VPN.
Now, purchase a pass for the match you’d like to see. Interestingly, although iFollow is available in several countries, it only has one website. This simply changes the currency and available content based on your IP address. In other words, as long as you have a payment method that’s valid in one of iFollow’s supported locations, you can sign up to whichever version of the site you’d prefer. You can use a card linked to a British address even when signing up for the American version, for instance.
You should now be able to stream matches live without any issues. There have been reports of problems accessing the service on Chrome while connected to a VPN, so if you’re having difficulty, try switching to a different browser.
Which games can I watch on international versions of iFollow?
iFollow allows you to watch any EFL games that aren’t broadcast internationally, provided one of the competing teams is registered with the service. If a match is being shown by one of iFollow’s international partners, it will be available on-demand at noon GMT the following day. Further, as match passes give you access for 24-hours, this means you can rewatch a particular fixture the following day.
Currently, iFollow lets you subscribe to almost any team playing inthe Sky Bet Championship, League One, or League Two. The only exceptions are Leicester City, Plymouth Argyle, Southhampton, Millwall, and Wrexham , since these have their own streaming services.
Why else should I use a VPN?
VPNs aren’t only good for streaming. If you log in to your online banking service when on vacation, for example, you’ll likely receive an automated alert. In some cases, these services even temporarily restrict access. While these measures are designed to keep you safe, they could cause significant problems when travelling. However, if you connect to a VPN server in your home country before logging in, your bank likely won’t even notice you’ve left the country. This also applies to watching streaming services abroad, if you want to watch UK TV while on holiday, for example, a VPN will allow you to do this.
Public wifi networks are convenient, but rarely well-protected. As such, they’re a popular target for hackers looking to monitor users’ traffic. When you use a VPN, though, your data is encrypted and completely meaningless to anyone without the correct decryption key. Further, as your traffic is routed through servers in another country, you’ll be able to bypass any web filtering that’s been imposed by the hotspot owner or local government, and access websites that are usually blocked.
When does the 2024/2025 EFL start?
The 2024/2025 season of the EFL will begin on August 10, 2024 and will end on May 3 2025. You’ll find a breakdown of every upcoming fixture on the EFL website.
Is it illegal to watch the EFL with a VPN?
No, using a VPN to watch the EFL in the UK isn’t illegal, but it might be against the terms of use set by the broadcaster. Fortunately, it’s highly unlikely that the streaming provider will be able to identify you while connected to a VPN.
Disclaimer: Although we’ve spent hours researching this topic, we are not legal experts. As such, nothing we’ve said above should be taken as legal advice. We encourage you to consult local laws before streaming with a VPN if there’s any doubt to the legality of doing so.
Which devices can I watch iFollow on?
You have a few options as to how you can watch iFollow. You can access it via web browser on desktop, mobile, and tablet. According to iFollow, it has been tested on the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. It states that cookies must be enabled and also advises that ad blockers are turned off to prevent issues with playback.
There’s also the option to download the EFL iFollow app which is available for Android and iOS. You can download this app via Google Play Store and the App Store. However, iFollow states that it doesn’t provide an app for Amazon Fire Stick devices as yet. It also doesn’t provide any Smart TV apps or Chromecast support.
How much does iFollow cost?
At the time of writing, Most teams on iFollow charge $33 USD per month or $112.50 per half-season. Alternatively, you can buy a single match pass for $13. Some Championship squads (such as Birmingham City) have their own streaming services instead, though these tend to cost around the same amount.