5 Best VPNs for Sky Go That Still Work: Watch Abroad in 2023

Sky Go has some of the toughest geoblocks of any streaming platform, and it actively bans IP addresses used by VPNs. Because of this, many VPNs have stopped trying to access the platform completely. Finding one powerful enough to watch Sky Go wherever you are can be really frustrating. Some VPNs that claim to work with it actually don't.

My team and I tested 50+ VPNs to find the best ones for Sky Go. Very few actually allowed me to use the streaming app. Of those that did, we selected the ones with the best speeds, so you can watch shows on Sky Go without worrying about slow load times or buffering.

I found ExpressVPN to be the best out of all the VPNs I tested. Its high-speed global server network includes multiple servers in the UK, so you can watch Sky Go easily. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN completely risk-free because it's backed by a solid money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, you can get a full refund within 30 days.

Watch Sky Go With ExpressVPN >>

Best VPNs For Sky Go — Full Analysis (Updated 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best Sky Go VPN With Fast Streaming Speeds

ExpressVPN has several UK servers, all of which can access Sky Go. Other VPNs I tested only had 1 or 2 servers that consistently worked, so it’s great that ExpressVPN gives you plenty of options. During my testing, I could easily access Sky Go and stream Succession on my Windows laptop and iPad using its East London and Docklands servers.

It only took 2 seconds for each episode of Succession to load after connecting

With ExpressVPN, I could load Ultra HD Sky Go shows in seconds and my stream was completely smooth. I averaged a 6% speed drop on the London server (around 1,000 km away), and even when I connected to a server 5,500 km away, my speeds only dropped by 11%, which I found particularly impressive. Even if you’ve traveled far away from the UK, you’ll still be able to watch Sky Go with no issues.

ExpressVPN’s great speeds are partly due to its proprietary protocol, Lightway. On top of being the fastest protocol I’ve tested, it’s also more battery-friendly – great for streaming on the go. It also offers OpenVPN (secure but not as fast) and IKEv2 (fast but less secure) protocols. But Lightway is the perfect middle ground between speed and security.

The only downside with ExpressVPN is that it’s on the pricier side, with the cheapest plan starting from $6.67/month. However, you can save money using its regular discounts. I was able to get 49% off and 3 months of free service when I signed up for a long-term plan. ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide it’s not for you.

Useful Features

• Automatic obfuscation. Every ExpressVPN server automatically disguises your encrypted data as regular internet traffic if a service uses VPN-detection tools to snoop on your connection. This makes it harder for Sky Go to discover that you're using a VPN, so it's less likely that the platform will block your connection.
• Easy to use. ExpressVPN automatically detects the fastest server based on your location – just click Connect and you’re ready to go. You can also search for UK servers by clicking the three dots next to your current location. Plus, all of your recent locations are saved, so you don’t have to hunt for a UK server every time you open the app.
• 8 simultaneous device connections. Since Sky Go lets you stream on 2 devices at one time, it’s great that ExpressVPN doesn’t restrict you to 1 device. I tested watching Sky Go on my iPad while my roommate was also streaming it on their laptop, and there was no lagging on either device.
• Split tunneling. This feature lets you selectively route your internet traffic, letting you access Sky Go's content through ExpressVPN while using your local connection for other online activities. This also optimizes streaming performance, so you won’t have to deal with any lag or buffering.

Watch Sky Go With ExpressVPN >>

2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Easily Watch Sky Go in UltraHD

CyberGhost has an optimized UK streaming server specifically for Sky Go, so you have reliable access to the platform wherever you are. I tested one of these Sky Go streaming servers and watched 3 episodes of The White Lotus easily. I had to wait around 4 seconds for each episode to load, but I experienced no lag or buffering once the show started.

I couldn’t access Sky Go on its regular UK servers, but the optimized one worked perfectly every time

When I was testing its optimized Sky Go server, I got speeds of 107.1 Mbps — a 9% drop from my base speed. I got a bigger drop of 25% when connected to a long-distance server in New York (5,500 km away). While this isn’t quite as fast as ExpressVPN, it’s fast enough to stream Sky Go in UHD while you’re away from the UK.

Its app is also really easy to use, so you can get straight to watching Sky Go. I particularly liked CyberGhost’s Smart Rules feature, which let me set a custom automation that opened Sky Go whenever I connected to my chosen optimized server. So, I could start my next binge-watching session in only a few clicks.

One small issue I found was that CyberGhost’s short-term plan only offers a 14-day guarantee. However, you can use the extended money-back guarantee and try CyberGhost with Sky Go risk-free for 45 days.

Useful Features

• Good value for money. Although CyberGhost’s short-term plans are quite expensive, its long-term plans are affordable, starting at just $2.19/month. It also offers regular deals — I got an extra 3 months for free when I signed up.
• Split tunneling. Like ExpressVPN, you can choose certain apps to bypass the VPN connection. I added my local banking website to avoid additional security checks while connected to the VPN. This let me stream Sky Go library without making it difficult to access my online accounts.

Watch Sky Go With CyberGhost >>

3. Surfshark — User-Friendly Apps to Access Sky Go Wherever You Are

Surfshark's responsive apps are clean and simple to use. Even if you're new to VPNs, navigating all its functionalities is straightforward. I like that it lets you “favorite” servers, so once I found one that worked with Sky Go, I could access it quickly the next time I needed it.

It also offers Camouflage and NoBorders modes, ensuring your VPN traffic is masked as regular internet traffic. This means you can still use Surfshark and watch Sky Go even on restricted networks that may block VPN usage, like public WiFi networks. During my tests, I could easily access Sky Go from my hotel in France.

I also liked that I could customize which protocol Surfshark uses

Although Surfshark has 4 UK servers, I had to test a few to access Sky Go. Its London server didn’t let me stream Sky Go initially. I reached out to its 24/7 live chat, and the customer service agent told me to try a London Static IP server, which let me access Sky Go right away.

You can try Surfshark risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.It’s easy to request a refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Useful Features

• Good speeds. Surfshark has lots of UK servers and multiple Static IP servers (these work best for streaming), so slowdowns due to server congestion are less likely. My speeds averaged 97.94 Mbps on its UK servers — a 17% drop.
• Unlimited simultaneous device connections. Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that offer unlimited device connections with one account, which is great for larger households.My speed never dropped more than 25%, even when I was streaming on several devices.

Watch Sky Go With Surfshark >>

4. PrivateVPN — Stealth Feature Easily Bypasses Sky Go's VPN Blocks

PrivateVPN’s Stealth Mode makes your encrypted data appear like regular traffic, hiding the fact that you are using a VPN. This makes it difficult for Sky Go to block you, so it’s easier to access the platform. While I was testing it out, I was able to watch 4 episodes of Barry in my school’s library with this feature activated.

I only had to wait around 5 seconds for each video to load

You get good streaming speeds with PrivateVPN, but it isn't quite as fast as other VPNs I tested. Since it works best for Sky Go with Stealth activated, speeds are slower because of the extra time it takes to scramble your VPN traffic. I had a huge 35% speed drop, but these speeds are more than fast enough to stream in HD.

As with Surfshark, I didn’t manage to access Sky Go on the first try using the London server. When I reached out to PrivateVPN’s customer service, the agent recommended I try the Dedicated IP UK - London server, which worked perfectly.

All of PrivateVPN’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free and ask for a refund if you decide it’s not for you.

Useful Features

• Easy to install and use. PrivateVPN is a great choice for beginners thanks to its user-friendliness. I was able to install the app on my Windows laptop, connect to a server and start streaming Sky Go in less than 3 minutes. The app has a “simple” mode, which makes it easy to navigate since it’s not cluttered with advanced features.
• Great value for money. PrivateVPN is a good budget-friendly Sky Go VPN. It offers multiple plans, but the long-term ones are really affordable, starting at $2/month for a long-term plan

Watch Sky Go With PrivateVPN >>

5. Hotspot Shield — Catapult Hydra Gives Fast Speeds for Lag-Free Streaming on Sky Go

Hotspot Shield's proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol is a good choice for streaming Sky Go as it minimizes buffering and reduces latency. When connected to this protocol, my speeds averaged 102.3 Mbps on its UK servers — only a 13% drop. During my tests, I watched a season of Last King of the Cross with no issues.

Every episode of the show played loaded up in less than 3 seconds

Nonetheless, the efficacy of extended-range connections left much to be desired. Establishing a link with a server in Tokyo, Japan, a distance exceeding 9,000km, resulted in a speed drop by 40%. Streaming could still be achieved, albeit with initial loading periods for episodes and intermittent buffering issues. Consequently, I wouldn't recommend Hotspot Shield to those journeying great distances from the UK.

While HotSpot Shield has a free plan, it’s not great for Sky Go – it offers a maximum of 1 GB of data each month, which will only cover around 1 hour of HD streaming. However, its Premium plans offer a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, so you have plenty of time to try it out and request a refund if it’s not for you.

Useful Features

• Reliable UK servers. Although it only has 2 UK servers, each one consistently let me watch Sky Go with no issues.
• Bypass VPN. This is Hotspot Shield’s split tunneling feature, so you can select certain apps to be exempt from the VPN tunnel and use your local connection instead.

Watch Sky Go With Hotspot Shield >>

Quick Comparison Table: Sky Go VPN Features

In the table below, you'll find a comparison of features for all the Sky Go VPNs listed here. The table encompasses the lowest price, number of UK servers offered, average speed drop on the UK servers, simultaneous device connections, device compatibility, and the duration of the money-back guarantee.

Try ExpressVPN for Sky Go >>

Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for Sky Go

During my testing of VPNs with Sky Go, I specifically emphasized these essential features. You are welcome to use this checklist as a reference when evaluating VPNs for your own use.

• Works with Sky Go. I’ve only included VPNs that provide reliable access to Sky Go. Some of the VPNs come with special features, like Stealth Mode, which is designed to make bypassing VPN blocks easier.
• Extensive server network with UK Servers. All the listed VPNs have multiple UK servers so that you can watch Sky Go UK without any issues. If you want access to other regions’ Sky Go platforms, then make sure they have servers in those locations.
• Fast speeds. A good Sky Go VPN should provide speeds fast enough for lag-free HD streaming at the very least (minimum 5 Mbps). Unlimited data and bandwidth are also necessary, so you can stream in high quality for as long as you want. I tested all of the VPNs on this list to ensure they fulfill this requirement.
• Device compatibility. The VPN you choose should have apps for the devices you use to stream Sky Go. I’ve only listed VPNs that allow multiple device connections and are compatible with all the major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
• Reliable customer support. I made sure that all the VPNs on this list provide 24/7 live chat support. For a streaming service like Sky Go, that aggressively blocks VPNs, having customer support available 24/7 is super helpful in case the VPN stops working for any reason and you need help troubleshooting.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. Always look for a VPN that provides a trustworthy money-back guarantee so that you can make sure it works with Sky Go before committing to a subscription. These VPNs offer at least 30 days to try them. Getting a refund was easy when I tested the policies.
• Good value for money. No one wants to pay over the odds for a service that doesn’t perform well. All the VPNs on this list offer great value for money. They work reliably to unblock Sky Go and other streaming platforms since they constantly invest in upgrading their servers to overcome tough geoblocks.

Try ExpressVPN for Sky Go >>

FAQs on Best VPNs for Sky Go

What should I do if my VPN is not working with Sky Go?

If your VPN stops working with Sky Go, you may see the following error message:

If you see this, there are a few solutions you can try. First, make sure you’re using a VPN that actually works with Sky Go because a lot of them don’t. If you’re sure your VPN supports the service, but it still isn’t working, then you can try:

• Re-connecting: Sometimes, your IP address can be blacklisted by Sky Go. Disconnecting and connecting again will give you another IP address, and sometimes solves this issue.
• Configure IPv6 settings: IPv6 leaks can reveal your true location, preventing you from watching Sky Go. Always enable IPv6 leak protection settings in your VPN, or disable IPv6 altogether in your device’s network settings.
• Update your VPN: Make sure you're running the most up-to-date VPN software. Using an outdated VPN app could cause security issues that might stop it from working with Sky Go.
• Contact your VPN’s support team: VPN support can also troubleshoot the issue so you can try asking support for help in case the problem still persists. 24/7 live chat is essential here, since a lot of the time, the support team can tell you which server will work with Sky Go.
• Set system settings and time zone: Make sure your system is set to English (UK) and the timezone is also set to UK time.
• Use a browser that supports Microsoft Silverlight. If the Sky Go app isn’t working with your VPN, you might need to access it through a browser that supports Silverlight. This includes Internet Explorer for Windows and Safari for macOS users. It’s not supported on Edge, Firefox, and Chrome.
• Clear your cache and browser cookies. This will delete any stored data the website might have that reveals your actual location. Once this data is cleared, you can establish a clean connection with the VPN and bypass location-based restrictions.

If none of these fixes work, it may be that Sky Go has blocked the VPN IP. Sky Go is notoriously difficult to access with a VPN. If the issue persists, try accessing the show or movie through another platform like NOW (previously Now TV), which is owned by Sky and hosts a lot of the same content.

What impact does the EU Portability Regulation have on using Sky Go?

Since January 2021, Sky Go hasn’t allowed customers to stream Sky outside of the UK because the UK no longer benefits from the EU Portability Regulation.

The EU Portability Regulation allows customers within the European Economic Area (EEA) to access their online content services when they travel within the EEA. This means that UK customers now face restrictions on the content they see when they travel abroad (as do visitors coming to the UK).

The only way to overcome these restrictions is to access Sky Go with a UK IP address. All of our recommendedVPNs offer reliable servers in the UK.

Will a VPN unblock Sky Go on all my devices, including iOS and Android?

Yes, the best Sky Go VPNs are compatible with all popular operating systems, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, smart TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. Each VPN also allows multiple device connections under a single subscription, so you don’t have to pay for each device.

However, just note that VPNs don’t always work to change your location on streaming platform apps, so you may have to use the browser version of Sky Go with your VPN on iOS and Android devices.

Sky Go only allows you to use it on 2 devices at a time. So, if you want to watch Sky Go on a new device, you will have to remove an existing device and register the new one through the settings on your account dashboard.

Is it legal to watch Sky Go with a VPN?

Yes, but it can be complicated. Using a VPN to watch Sky Go is legal in most countries. It only becomes an issue if you’re using a VPN in a country that has laws against VPN-use, like China or the UAE. Please read up on the most recent laws about VPN use if you want to use one somewhere they're banned. Sky Go is also known to blacklist IP addresses associated with VPNs, but there has been no reports of banning a subscriber account for using a VPN.

Will a VPN also unblock Sky Go New Zealand or other countries?

It's possible. This article lists VPNs that work with Sky Go UK, but these VPNs also have servers in New Zealand and other countries with Sky channels, like Italy, Austria, and Germany. Keep in mind that Sky Go isn't available as a stand-alone online service — you must have a Sky TV cable or satellite subscription to access Sky Go and its content.

As long as you have that, you can connect to one of those server locations with your VPN and it should technically work as long as that Sky Go service hasn't blocked the IP you're using. But, I recommend contacting the VPN's support team to ask if it works with the specific Sky channel or platform you want access to.

Can I use a free VPN to watch Sky Go?

Probably not. All VPNs struggle with Sky Go’s aggressive IP blocking, and many premium VPNs have given up trying to get around this. After testing dozens of VPNs, I only found a handful of premium VPNs that still work with Sky Go. If premium VPNs can’t keep up with Sky Go’s blocks, then the chance of finding a free VPN that can is slim.

Not to mention, most free VPNs that are safe to use often don’t have any servers in the UK. And, even if they do, free VPNs usually only allow 1-10 GB of data per month – this would only let you stream for a few hours anyway.

Get The Best VPN for Sky Go Today

Sky Go uses aggressive IP blocking to prevent users from watching their content via a VPN, and it’s increasingly difficult to find one that can consistently access the platform. However, I have tested dozens of VPNs and shortlisted the ones that can still reliably unblock Sky Go.

From these, my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It's tried and tested to reliably work with Sky Go and provides lightning-fast speeds for lag-free streaming. You can also test ExpressVPN risk-free because it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you decide that it is not for you, it’s easy to claim a full refund.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for Sky Go are...