Does NordVPN Work With BBC iPlayer? Yes, if You Do This
Overcoming BBC iPlayer's tough geoblocks with a VPN isn't as straightforward as you'd think. Many VPNs simply aren't powerful enough, and even the ones that are can be slow and unreliable.
You need a VPN with strong, high-speed UK servers, so no matter where you are in the world, you can reliably tune in to the best of British TV. Your VPN also needs to regularly refresh its IP addresses to avoid being detected by iPlayer's anti-VPN software.
Thankfully, I've found one that does just that. NordVPN is a great choice for accessing BBC iPlayer because it's super-fast, reliable, and secure. However, my personal favorite is ExpressVPN. It offers lightning-fast speeds, reliably unblocks BBC iPlayer, and you can give it a try risk-free before you commit. If you don't like it, you can request a refund within 30 days.
Unblock BBC iPlayer With ExpressVPN Now!
How to Watch BBC iPlayer With NordVPN
- Choose NordVPN. Visit the NordVPN website and choose your plan.
- Select a UK server. Install the app and connect to a server in the UK.
- Start Streaming. Head over to BBC iPlayer, sign up/log in, and press play on your favorite TV show! If you're new to the service, make sure you enter a valid UK postcode, such as SW1A 1AA for Buckingham Palace.
Why Choose NordVPN to Unblock BBC iPlayer?
- 490+ UK servers that all unblock BBC iPlayer
- SmartPlay DNS for secure, guaranteed streaming
- Lightning-fast speeds
- Unlimited data—no restrictions on how much you can watch
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Try risk-free for 30 days
- Works with: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV
- Compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Chrome, Linux, Firefox, routers
NordVPN is a great choice no matter what you need a VPN for. It consistently beats the competition in our tests when it comes to speed, security, and its ability to fight through geoblocks.
Its SmartPlay feature makes NordVPN one of the best VPNs for streaming. It's designed to automatically bypass geoblocks by combining Smart DNS with VPN technology. It's already enabled in the apps, so you don't need to do anything to use it.
In the UK, you've more than 490 servers to choose from, so there's less risk of congested servers slowing you down. And if you need to hop onto another server somewhere else in the world, there are 5,640 available.
All of NordVPN's UK servers are reliable for unblocking BBC iPlayer. I tested 237 UK servers with no trouble. And my operatives in China even managed to unblock BBC iPlayer.
NordVPN's super-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth make streaming a breeze. Even when we tuned in from Australia, we still managed to stream with HD quality, free from lag and buffering.
I ran several speed tests over the weeks of testing, and my results are seriously impressive. From the US to the UK, my speed only dipped by 14.62%. I couldn't even tell the difference between streaming quality with or without a VPN.
| Connection | Ping - ms |
Download Speed - Mbps |
Upload Speed - Mbps |
| Base speed in the US | 11 | 55.73 | 11.88 |
| Quick connect UK server | 154 | 47.58 | 11.22 |
| Manual connect UK server | 234 | 32.11 | 10.89 |
Alongside unlimited bandwidth, you also have unlimited data, so there are no restrictions on how many binge-worthy UK box sets you can watch.
You have 6 simultaneous connections with just one subscription. Or install it to your router for unlimited simultaneous streams. Even with four devices playing, my streams stayed HD quality.
The applications proved to be exceptionally user-friendly, allowing me to effortlessly stream content on BBC iPlayer within a mere five minutes of establishing a connection, without encountering any difficulties.
NordVPN offers excellent support. There's a 24/7 live chat on-hand to answer your queries.
You can try it completely risk-free with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Want to know more? Explore our NordVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing.
FAQs
Can I use a free VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer?
Sure, if you can find one that works. But I don't recommend using a free VPN for BBC iPlayer because your free subscription usually has substantial limits. Most of the time, there are restrictions on data, speed, and server locations. That means you might not even get access to servers in the UK to watch BBC iPlayer.
Free VPNs can also be risky for your security, as they usually use lower-level encryption and can even sell your data to third parties.
Does BBC iPlayer Block VPNs?
Yes, but there is an easy way around this.
If you're using a premium VPN and BBC iPlayer blocks you, simply switch to another UK-based server. This will assign you a new IP address that iPlayer hasn't blocked.
Is BBC iPlayer free?
Yes, BBC iPlayer is free to stream. You'll need to make sure you enter a valid UK postcode when you sign up, such as SW1A 1AA for Buckingham Palace.
During the registration process, it will ask you if you have a valid UK TV license. Simply click 'yes,' you do not need to provide any proof of this.
The Bottom Line
BBC iPlayer's geoblocks are tough, but you can easily get around them with a powerful VPN, like NordVPN. It gives you access to British TV and offers incredible speeds with easy-to-use apps. There are a few other VPNs that reliably unblock BBC iPlayer as well, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, in case you want to shop around a bit before deciding on the best BBC iPlayer VPN.
All of these VPNs come with money-back guarantees, allowing you to try them out without any risk involved.
After more streaming? See how you can unblock Netflix libraries around the world, wherever you are, with one of these top VPNs.
To summarize, here are the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2023
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VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.
About the Author
Elly is an experienced writer in digital technology. With an avid interest in researching the latest cybersecurity and technology trends, Elly is committed to helping vpnMentor's users find the very best VPN and maintain their online privacy.
