5 Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer Outside UK in 2023

Free-VPN-to-Unlock-BBC-Iplayer

People frequently ask, “what is the best free VPN to watch BBC iPlayer?” Choosing the best free VPN for BBC iPlayer is difficult since most free services cannot circumvent geo-blocks. We have identified five suppliers who will freely collaborate with BBC iPlayer in 2023.

Most free VPNs provide sluggish connections and are risky to use, which is why our top suggestions for unblocking BBC iPlayer are the most reliable. We recommend you use a premium VPN as they offer huge server networks along with advanced privacy features.

Since BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted everywhere outside UK, where it is situated, you will need to obtain a UK IP address in order to stream BBC iPlayer shows like Call the Midwife, Great Expectations, and BBC iPlayer movies including An Irish Goodbye using a reputable VPN. You can also stream the Oscars Nominees 2023 on BBC iPlayer.

If you want to watch BBC iPlayer outside UK, ExpressVPN is the ideal option because of its exceptional speed and video quality. Despite the fact that ExpressVPN is a premium VPN. We propose taking advantage of its free trial to gain access to premium services for free.


What are the Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer Outside UK? [Quick Overview]

Here’s a brief summary of the best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer in 2023:

  • ExpressVPN – The Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer outside UK, with more than 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. For a truly gratifying customer experience, it is available at GB£5.28/mo (US$6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free with a risk-free 30-day trial is also offered.
  • CyberGhost – Most Reliable Free VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer outside UK using BBC iPlayer-specific UK servers. It has a total of 7900+ servers in 100 countriesCurrently available at  GB£0/mo (US$/mo) - Save up to 84% with exclusive 2-year plans + 4 months free.
  • TunnelBear – Trustworthy Free VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer Abroad, comes with free 500MB/per month for the users.
  • Windscribe – Fast VPN to Access BBC iPlayer outside UK, also offers 10GB of free data each month to the subscribers.
  • Zenmate – Secure Free VPN for BBC iPlayer outside UK, has 2600 servers available all over the world. It also offers the lowest prices for a VPN, currently available at €1.64.
Get ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer Our Top Recommendation

How to use a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer Outside UK? [3 Steps Guide]

Are you wondering, how to use BBC iPlayer with VPN? Just follow the steps below to watch BBC iPlayer outside UK:

  1. Subscribe to a premium VPN service such as ExpressVPN. Once you subscribe, download and install the VPN on your streaming device.
  2. Connect to a UK server (Recommended: Wembley) and go to BBC iPlayer website.
  3. Login with your credentials and start streaming on BBC iPlayer outside UK.

Note: If you don’t have an account on the streaming platform and you are wondering about BBC iPlayer cost, it is a free service.  You can instantly go for the BBC iPlayer free trial.

Get BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN Our Top Recommendation

What are the Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer Outside UK? [Full Analysis]

Which free VPNs work with BBC iPlayer? We did some rigorous testing on around 50+ VPNs to pick out the best free VPN for BBC iPlayer. In the below section, you will find a detailed analysis of each VPN.

1. ExpressVPN: The Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer due to the vast security features it has to offer along with high-speed streaming on the platform. When we tested ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer, it gave us a download speed of 92.26Mbps on a 100Mbps connection.

It has a server count of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries with 4 UK servers.

bbc-iplayer-outside-uk-expressvpn

We were able to unblock BBC iPlayer outside UK hassle-free

Recommended servers: Docklands, East-London and London

ExpressVPN allows 5 simultaneous connections on multiple devices with a single account. It is supported by all major operating systems such as iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and Linux.

It is readily compatible with iPhones, iPads, smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, Smart TVs, and gaming consoles. With its MediaStreamer feature, you can also connect with devices that do not support VPN configuration like Roku and Apple TV. You can also get BBC iPlayer on Firestick with ExpressVPN.

The security features of ExpressVPN are also unmatchable like AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, Threat Manager, split tunneling, and no backlogs.

You can currently catch all the matches of Six Nations and FA Women Super League with ExpressVPN BBC iPlayer.

When we tested ExpressVPN, it gave us a download speed of 89.42Mbps and an upload speed of 84.64Mbps on a 100Mbps connection. During our speed test, the Wembley server was extremely slow and therefore we do not advise that you connect to this server.

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ExpressVPN speed results

If you want a subscription to ExpressVPN, you can get it at GB£5.28/mo (US$6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free with 30-days money back guarantee. 

On the brighter side, you get a 7 day free trial on your phones like iPhones and Android smartphones. Subscribe to ExpressVPN now and enjoy BBC iPlayer on Android.

2. CyberGhost: Most Reliable Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

CyberGhost is most reliable in terms of the privacy and security features it has to offer to the users. Currently, it has 7900+ servers in 100 countries with 3 servers located in UK.

cyberghost-unblock-bbc-iplayer

CyberGhost unblocked BBC iPlayer in a second

Recommended servers: London, Berkshire and Manchester

It allows up to seven simultaneous connections on a single subscription account. You also get the best security and privacy features with CyberGhost such as AES 256 bit encryption, malware filtering, kill switch, and rapid ad.

CyberGhost is found to be compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. Its app is compatible with iPhones, smartphones, iPads, tablets, PCs, laptops and many others. So you can also stream BBC iPlayer on Windows easily.

Moreover, it offered great speed while streaming BBC iPlayer. We received a download speed of 75.12 Mbps and an upload speed of 39.48 Mbps with CyberGhost.

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CyberGhost speed results

It is currently priced at GB£0/mo (US$/mo) - Save up to 84% with exclusive 2-year plans + 4 months free with a 45-days money back guarantee that no other VPN will offer.

Subscribe to CyberGhost today and watch Scottish Championship on BBC iPlayer.

3. TunnelBear: Trustworthy Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

TunnelBear is an extremely popular free VPN to stream BBC iPlayer outside UK. Currently, it has servers in 49 locations all over the world including the United Kingdom.

tunnelbear-unblocks-BBC-iplayer-outside-uk

TunnelBear unblocked BBC iPlayer outside UK

TunnelBear offers up to 500MB free per month which is basically 30-40mins of streaming on BBC iPlayer.

When we tested TunnelBear, it gave us a download speed of 45.16 Mbps and an upload speed of 51.02 Mbps on a 100Mbps connection.

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TunnelBear speed results

It also comes with some of the best security features, like 256-bit encryption, VigilantBear, and GhostBear for bypassing deep packet inspection.

Due to the tough geo-blocks of BBC iPlayer, if you wish to cancel BBC iPlayer subscription, try to stream it once with TunnelBear. We guarantee you will not be disappointed.

4. Windscribe: Fast VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer

Windscribe is a fast VPN to stream BBC iPlayer outside UK. It currently has servers in 10 locations around the world with 2 servers located in United Kingdom.

windscribe-unblocked-bbc-iplayer-outside-uk

Windscribe offers up to 10GB free per month and at a time allows only one connection for one account.

When we tested Windscribe, it gave us a download speed of 48.01 Mbps and an upload speed of 42.35 Mbps on a 100Mbps connection.

windscribe-speed

Windscribe speed results

It also has some of the most robust security features to keep your connections fully encrypted like AES 256-bit encryption.

You can watch Northern Irish Premiership with Windscribe today.

5. Zenmate: Secure Free VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer

Zenmate is the most secure option when it comes to our selection of the best free VPNs to stream BBC iPlayer outside UK. It currently has over 2600 servers all over the world and also has server locations in UK.

It offers a 7 day free trial to the users which means endless hours of entertainment on BBC iPlayer for an entire week. You can watch all the top shows and movies currently available on the platform.

When we tested ZenMate, it gave us a download speed of 22.91 Mbps and an upload speed of 18.01 Mbps on a 100Mbps connection.

zenmate-speed

Zenmate speed results

It is considered a secure VPN for the encryption and security protocols it offers, such as IP cloaking which carefully conceals your IP address from leaking in any manner. Subscribe to ZenMate today and unblock BBC iPlayer outside UK.

Watch BBC iPlayer with ZenMate Our Top Recommendation

What Free VPNs don’t work with BBC iPlayer?

There are some free VPNs that will give you the persistent issue of BBC iPlayer not working, such as:

  • Proton VPN- You may get unlimited data with Proton VPN for no fee at all. But the free plan only lets you get access from the US server. So, you will not be able to stream BBC iPlayer with it.
  • Hide.me- This VPN only has servers in USA, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands. There is no server in UK which means you will not be able to watch BBC iPlayer with hide.me.
  • Hotspot Shield- You do get 15GB/month free with Hotspot Shield but it only has 1 server to offer in United Kingdom which makes it difficult to work for BBC iPlayer.

How to choose the Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer?

When we were choosing the best free VPNs for BBC iPlayer, we had the following criterion in our mind:

  • Access to BBC iPlayer outside UK – The VPN should be able to unblock BBC iPlayer outside UK without any hassle. This particularly requires some servers of the VPN should be located in the UK to unblock the streaming platform.
  • Security protocols- The VPN should have robust security and encryption features to keep your communications fully encrypted. Features like IP leak protection, Multihop feature, and Ad Blocker feature are also essential.
  • Speed of the VPN- The VPN should be able to give you a seamless streaming experience with BBC iPlayer with no lags or buffering on the platform.
  • Privacy of the users- Before choosing a VPN, one must make sure that the VPN is not sharing any kind of information with third parties and has a strict no backlogs policy as well.
  • Compatibility with multiple devices- The VPN should be readily compatible with all devices such as iPhones, iPads, tablets, laptops, PCs, and much more.
  • Customer support- In case the user needs assistance, the VPN should have 24/7 customer support to guide you through the entire process.
Get BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN Our Top Recommendation

What are the Risks of using Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer?

Free VPNs may be a convenient option for some but it has their share of risks as well, such as:

  • The user information is shared with third parties without the user’s consent.
  • It may collect user logs and also leak your IP while streaming.
  • Limited servers with more than below-average speed.
  • Limited data is offered to the users.
  • The VPN is not able to gain access to geo-blocked content.

If you think using a free VPN is the best BBC iPlayer hack, sadly that is not the case. This is the main reason why we recommend you a premium VPN service such as ExpressVPN that ensures your security and guarantees high-speed streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Get BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN Our Top Recommendation

FAQs- Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

Yes, it can. Streaming services like BBC iPlayer use IP-detecting technologies that can easily detect VPNs. They detect your VPN on the basis of the IP address, if multiple devices are coming from the same IP address, there is a likely chance that it is a VPN. iPlayer detects these IP addresses and blacklists them.

 Yes, it does track the IP address and even identifies the device and the browser that you are using. BBC can tell which webpage is directed to the user just by the information shared by the user.

 Due to the stringent copyrights and the content rights on BBC iPlayer, it does not work outside UK. BBC iPlayer can detect your IP address and instantly block you out if your IP address is not that of the UK.

Yes, you can watch BBC iPlayer offline. You can download the titles and keep them for streaming at a later time while you are offline.


Conclusion

BBC iPlayer is considered the best streaming platform but due to copyrights and distribution laws, its content is only limited to UK viewers only. But now with this guide, you know about the best free VPN for BBC iPlayer to bypass its geo-blocks.

If you are wondering, you can watch BBC iPlayer abroad for free without a VPN, but that is not possible. You will need a VPN to get BBC iPlayer outside UK.

There are some risks associated with free VPNs and therefore, we recommend a premium VPN service such as ExpressVPN. It is the best VPN for streaming BBC iPlayer outside UK hassle-free.

Subscribe to ExpressVPN today and let us know your feedback in the comment section below.

Preston Nolan

Hey there, I'm Preston Nolan – your guide to all things entertainment! From award shows to sports, gripping documentaries to nostalgic dramas, I'm here to share stories that captivate and inspire. Let's dive into a world where passion meets insight, and where every topic is a fascinating adventure!

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