Are you a British expat? You’ve probably been looking for ways to access services like BBC iPlayer and other British TV services, but you’ve not been able to do that from your location. You can get past the geo-blocking by using a high-quality VPN. There are hundreds of VPN services available on the net, and it will be pretty difficult to choose the right one. To help you get the best without scanning through the exhaustive list for weeks to months, we have tested over 100 VPNs and selected the 10 best VPN services to watch British TV. You’ll get fantastic results from anyone you select on this list.
Features to Consider When Choosing a VPN Service
When selecting the best VPN to watch British TV, one might consider additional features beyond merely accessing geo-restricted content. After all, VPNs offer a wide variety of functionalities that can enhance your overall browsing and streaming experience. Let’s delve into some of these features that may be worth considering while making your decision.
Privacy Policies and Logging Practices
Privacy is a primary concern for many VPN users. The leading VPNs strictly adhere to no-log policies, ensuring that no records of your online activity are kept. While all the VPNs on our list grant access to British TV, not all may have the same privacy standards.
Therefore, before you commit to a service, scrutinize their privacy policies to ensure they prioritize user confidentiality. For instance, NordVPN has a robust no-log policy, further reinforced by its location in Panama, far from the prying eyes of the 14 Eyes alliance.
Speed and Bandwidth
The speed and bandwidth a VPN offers can significantly impact your streaming experience. A VPN with high speed and unrestricted bandwidth ensures smooth, lag-free streaming of your favorite British TV shows. Most VPNs like ExpressVPN and Surfshark promise unlimited bandwidth and high-speed connections, but it’s still beneficial to test these claims during the trial period or within the money-back guarantee duration.
Compatibility with Multiple Devices
In today’s interconnected world, we use multiple devices for streaming and browsing. Therefore, a VPN that supports a wide range of platforms is more beneficial.
Check if the VPN is compatible not only with your computer but also with mobile devices, Smart TVs, and even gaming consoles. For example, CyberGhost VPN offers dedicated apps for numerous platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, and Android TV.
Number of Simultaneous Connections
If you’re living in a household with multiple users or have various devices, consider how many simultaneous connections a VPN allows. Services like Surfshark permits infinite simultaneous connections, positioning it as an ideal choice for households with multiple users streaming simultaneously.
Customer Support
Last but not least, consider the quality of customer support. Ideally, the VPN provider should offer 24/7 live chat support, as is the case with ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN. Such a feature can be beneficial when you encounter technical difficulties or need assistance with setup.
Remember, the ideal VPN for you is determined by your unique needs and online habits. Therefore, it’s critical to evaluate all factors before arriving at a decision.
List of the Best VPN Services to Watch British TV
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is our best VPN service to perform most online activities, not only using BBC iPlayer. Apart from streaming, you can also use it to play games, make Skype calls in restricted countries, and do other things you are not permitted to do because you’re not in the UK. NordVPN has 5,390 servers across 62 countries, and you will find 690 in the UK alone. This means a faster connection and access to multiple servers. It has a SmartPlay feature for its users to enjoy streaming online. It also provides superfast speed and unlimited data. You can use NordVPN to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, and CBS.
Features
- 5,390 servers across 62 countries
- 690 servers in the UK
- SmartPlay feature for streaming
- Fast speed and unlimited data
- Works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has no limits when you’re streaming British TV with BBC iPlayer. Although it has a relatively smaller number of servers in the UK when compared to NordVPN, it still works fine. With only 3 servers in the UK, NordVPN connects to BBC iPlayer in only a few seconds. When streaming, you can watch in HD without any delays. You need at least 5 Mbps to stream in HD, but ExpressVPN provides you with at least 38 Mbps. It allows connections on up to 5 devices and is compatible with your Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, routers, and Firefox. It also has great 24/7 live support, so you would get help when you encounter any problems.
Features
- 3 servers in the UK
- High-speed streaming in HD
- Works on multiple devices
- Compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and more
- 24/7 live support
3. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost boasts of over 400 servers in the UK. Each server can access the BBC iPlayer and you can enjoy streaming seamlessly. One reason why we enjoyed testing CyberGhost is its ease of use and simple setup procedure. You can get it running in about five minutes. We suggest that you connect to the BBC iPlayer server manually and not using the quick-connect function. After registering, you get a 45-day money-back guarantee if you sign up for at least 6 months. You also have access to a 24/7 live chat service to answer all your questions. CyberGhost works with Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, and CBS among others. So, you never go out of things to watch.
Features
- 400 servers in the UK
- Easy setup and use
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Works with Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, and more
- 24/7 live chat support
4. Surfshark
With Surfshark, you get access to unlimited internet and unlimited connections on various devices. Yes, there are no limits. So, once you login to any device irrespective of your location, you can enjoy streaming your BBC iPlayer without hassle. It only has 3 UK locations, but they all access the BBC iPlayer server and stream fast. Also, it has tight security features and gets past geoblocks easily, even in security-tight countries like Russia. Surfshark is very easy to use, and you can find a server in seconds. With this service, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, if you don’t like it, you can always ask for a refund. Just give it a try.
Features
- Unlimited internet and connections
- 3 UK locations
- Strong security features
- Works in geoblocked countries
- 30-day money-back guarantee
5. VyprVPN
VyprVPN has only 1 server in the UK, but it safely unlocks BBC iPlayer on all your devices. You can use the apps on your mobile phones and also use desktop software. They both work great. We added Vypr on this top 10 list because it is easy to use, has great apps, and streams fast. It protects your privacy by using high-level encryption, so you don’t have to worry about getting blocked or flagged by BBC iPlayer servers. You can also use VyprVPN on other streaming platforms like Netflix, and to watch other British TV channels.
Features
- 1 server in the UK
- Works on all devices
- High-level encryption
- Works with Netflix and other British TV channels
6. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN has 6 servers in the UK and allows you to connect on up to 6 devices simultaneously. Although it is a small VPN, it is very powerful and reliable, as it offers impressive download and upload speeds. You can stream for as fast as 37 Mbps, which means you get to enjoy your Ultra-HD movies with no difficulties. PrivateVPN provides a 24/7 live chat to assist you with setting up and any other support you may need. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can enjoy its premium services for a month.
Features
- 6 servers in the UK
- Simultaneous connections on up to 6 devices
- Fast download and upload speeds
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
7. SaferVPN
SaferVPN is both safe and very fast. Its lightning speed connection is one of the main things we like about it. Although you may experience lagging after several hours of streaming, you will enjoy your HD pictures most times. SaferVPN is also very easy to set up. You can connect to the server and start enjoying its service in less than five minutes. They also provide step-by-step guides to help you start and give access to support agents to assist you. SaferVPN works with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, routers, and Firefox. You can also use it to stream other services like ESPN, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video.
Features
- Lightning-fast connection
- Easy setup
- Step-by-step guides and support agents available
- Works with Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and more
- Compatible with streaming services like ESPN, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video
8. Zenmate
Zenmate has more impressive server coverage than many VPN services. It has 3,600 servers in 74 countries and over 270 in the UK alone. Zenmate wastes no time in accessing the BBC iPlayer server. It by-passes the geo-blocks and gets in almost immediately. Also, you will barely experience any interruptions when streaming in HD. It might lag sometimes, but it works fine. You can try the 7-day free trial to see if you would like its features, or you can also go for the 30-day money-back guarantee. In any case, you have nothing to lose.
Features
- 3,600 servers in 74 countries
- 270 servers in the UK
- Fast access to BBC iPlayer
- Impressive server coverage
- 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
9. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield only has servers in 2 UK locations, but these servers are really fast. Although we would have loved more connections, we were still able to get past BBC iPlayer’s geo-restrictions with every server we tried and in different locations around the world. With Hotspot Shield, you do not experience any lagging since all its servers are optimized for streaming. You get lightning speed connection and watch clear HD pictures. You can even set your VPN to connect automatically whenever you open your BBC iPlayer app on your phone, so you can just enjoy streaming as if you’re in the UK. No need to think about bypassing blocks.
Features
- Servers in 2 UK locations
- Fast streaming optimized servers
- Bypasses BBC iPlayer restrictions
- No lagging during streaming
- Automatic connection feature
10. PureVPN
With 168 servers in the UK, PureVPN is one of the most affordable VPN services for people looking for an easy and cheap way to access BBC iPlayer in restricted countries. It has great apps for your mobile devices and they all come with VPN features you’ll need. The only problem we encountered with this service is that it lags sometimes. However, this is not too frequent. It uses an OpenVPN encryption and a kill switch to keep your data private, so you don’t have to worry about leaks to your ISP. So, if you want great service at a low cost, this is a good pick.
Features
- 168 servers in the UK
- Affordable pricing
- Apps for mobile devices
- OpenVPN encryption and kill switch
- Works with BBC iPlayer in restricted countries
If you do not like using a VPN, you maybe interested in trying some proxies that does the job for you.