7 Best VPNs for BBC America — Tested & Still Working in 2023

While you can still access the site from abroad, geo-blocks make it impossible to watch any BBC America content from outside the US without a VPN. Due to copyright restrictions, shows like Star Trek: Deep Space 9 can’t be accessed from the UK (even on BBC iPlayer). BBC America can only be streamed in the US, Canada, and a few US territories like American Samoa, United States Virgin Islands, or Guam.

My team and I tested 80+ VPNs and shortlisted the best ones for streaming BBC America, prioritizing fast servers across many US locations. These VPNs also have strong security measures that give you additional online privacy — even on unsecured public WiFi.

ExpressVPN is my top recommendation. Its vast network of American servers makes it reliable for unblocking BBC America in the UK and anywhere. Military-grade encryption also gives you high-end protection while browsing and streaming. You can test ExpressVPN risk-free because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Best VPNs for BBC America — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

These VPNs are ideal for streaming BBC America because they offer servers in multiple American cities, so you can always find one that unblocks the platform. They also deliver fast streaming speeds and provide robust protection from cyber threats.

All the VPNs on this list offer responsive chat or email customer support too — so you can easily get assistance when you need it. Plus, each one can be tested without risk because they all have money-back guarantees.

1. ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds for Streaming BBC America Without Buffering

ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol delivers ultra-fast speeds over long distances. That means you can stream 4K videos on BBC America from abroad without buffering. I tested ExpressVPN’s US servers myself and got lightning-fast results. The New York and Los Angeles servers clocked 46–48 Mbps, which was just 4–8% slower than my base connection. UHD streaming only requires 25 Mbps, so I watched shows in the highest quality.

The network covers an impressive 24 US locations. I had access to servers in New York, LA, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, and more. When I tested these servers from my location in the UK, I watched episodes of Doctor Who and Killing Eve on my BBC America account. All the servers have unlimited bandwidth too, so you can stream as much as you want.

There are also servers in 94 countries to give you access to geo-blocked content on other platforms, like Netflix UK, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. The Stealth mode gives you extra help unblocking content by obfuscating your VPN traffic so you can bypass VPN blocks on streaming sites.

Thanks to the VPN’s military-grade encryption, you get the best protection from hackers. This scrambles your traffic, making it unreadable. Lightway is safe and fast, but you can also choose the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol for maximum security.

Plus, IPv6/DNS leak protection and Network Lock (a kill switch) prevent data exposure. Network Lock cuts off your internet access if the VPN connection accidentally drops (that said, I didn’t experience any connection issues during my tests).

A no-logs policy also keeps your privacy intact — your internet searches and real location aren’t monitored or recorded either. ExpressVPN’s British Virgin Islands location is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (countries that share citizens' data), so it isn't subject to data retention laws. You can even subscribe using Bitcoin for enhanced privacy.

It's easy to install and use the VPN on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Apps are also provided for smart TVs like Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Plus, MediaStreamer helps you access BBC America on devices that don’t support VPNs, like games consoles or Samsung and LG Smart TVs. Live chat support is provided 24/7, so you can always get help with setting up.

The plans are a bit pricey, starting from $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN also has generous discounts and giveaways. I got 49% off and 3 months for free when I purchased the yearly plan.

There's a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can easily get refunded if you don't like the service. When I submitted my request on chat, I got my money back in my PayPal account after 1 day.

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2. CyberGhost — Plenty of Servers in the US for Unblocking BBC America from Anywhere

CyberGhost runs more than 1000 servers in 11 US locations, including New York, LA, San Francisco, and Washington. So you can always find a server that works with BBC America. The VPN also offers optimized servers for popular streaming sites like Disney+, Netflix US, and Sling TV. In my tests, CyberGhost’s US servers instantly unblocked Netflix US shows on my account.

Plus, fast speeds let you watch UHD content on BBC America. The US servers I tested mostly gave speeds of between 43 and 45 Mbps. My videos loaded without buffering while watching The Split on my BBC America account. Because of the unlimited bandwidth, you can stream, torrent, and play online games uninterrupted too.

AES 256-bit encryption gives you solid security when using WiFi hotspots. Also, protocols like OpenVPN and the fast WireGuard provide ample safety. If your connection is disrupted, an automatic kill switch momentarily blocks the internet so your private data remains safe. Plus, DNS/IPv6 leak protection helps prevent accidental exposure of your browsing activity.

Your data is never stored or sold thanks to the VPN’s transparent no-logs policy. CyberGhost is also based in Romania, outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, meaning your sensitive information can’t be handed to foreign authorities either. You can upgrade (for an extra fee) to use the Security Suite for Windows, which offers additional virus and malware protection.

The VPN has simple apps and is compatible with major devices, including Android and Amazon Fire TV. Customer support is also provided 24/7 on live chat, for timely assistance.

Monthly subscriptions are fairly expensive and only offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. However, CyberGhost’s extended plans are much more affordable. You can subscribe for only $2.19/month. My personal recommendation is the 3-year plan, which gave me the best value.

If you want to test CyberGhost, you can do so for free — thanks to a 45-day money-back guarantee. I got reimbursed after filling out the contact form on the support page. It took 3 days for the money to show up on my credit card.

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3. Private Internet Access — Secure Features for Safely Streaming BBC America on WiFi Hotspots

PIA’s default 128-bit encryption provides high-end security without noticeably compromising speed. Alternatively, you can switch to 256-bit encryption for the best protection while streaming BBC America on public WiFi. A kill switch further prevents data exposure if your connection fails. Plus, reliable protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN provide safe tunneling for your traffic. I didn't detect any leaks when I tested PIA thanks to the DNS/IP leak protection.

Above all, PIA has a zero-logging policy, so your private data isn’t recorded or given to third parties. I found the MACE feature useful too. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware while you browse and also warned me about potentially malicious sites to avoid.

Like ExpressVPN, this VPN also has fast speeds for streaming BBC America. During my tests, the servers in locations such as Silicon Valley and New York clocked over 40 Mbps. I didn’t experience any slowdowns while streaming all the way from the UK.

There are 53 server centers in the US — each one I tested let me watch Orphan Black on my BBC America account. There are also servers across 84 countries in total. That means you can unblock international content on your other accounts too, like BBC iPlayer or Netflix. I had no issues logging into my Hulu account and watching The Handmaid’s Tale.

My only concern about PIA is that its multiple configuration settings can be confusing if you’re new to VPNs. However, the app has a pre-customized streaming profile so you can start watching BBC America immediately after installation without making complicated changes. Representatives are also on standby 24/7 on live chat to answer any questions you may have.

You can subscribe to PIA for only $2.03/month. Longer subscriptions are the most pocket-friendly, especially the 3-year plan.

A 30-day money-back guarantee also covers this service. Getting a refund is straightforward if you’re not impressed. I sent my request via email and the money was reflected in my bank account within 4 days.

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4. IPVanish — Access BBC America on All Your Supported Devices

IPVanish lets you connect unlimited devices with one subscription. That means you can simultaneously stream BBC America on multiple devices. During my tests on IPVanish, I connected my MacBook, Android tablet, and Windows laptop without problems.

Despite connecting all my devices at once, I still got good streaming speeds. The US servers I tested averaged out at 40 Mbps, meaning I could stream BBC America in high quality without buffering.

Unblocking BBC America is easy because of the multiple US servers across 20 locations, including New York, Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago. I streamed Top Gear on my BBC America account, plus shows on Netflix US, Disney+, and HBO Max.

AES 256-bit encryption secures your traffic against hackers. Multiple reliable protocols are offered, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard. The kill switch also temporarily blocks your internet access in the event of a disconnect.

IPVanish owns its entire server network. That means third parties can’t intercept your traffic since the servers are only accessed by the VPN’s in-house team. There’s also a no-logs policy, so your online activity data isn’t stored or sold. I tested the IP/DNS leak protection myself and my real location wasn’t exposed.

The intuitive app design allows you to instantly connect to US servers from the home screen. I found the 24/7 live chat support to be very responsive too, so you can quickly get help if you face any challenges.

Unfortunately, cryptocurrency payment isn’t supported by the VPN. However, other popular billing methods like PayPal and credit cards are accepted.

Subscriptions start from $2.49/month. If you opt for the longer 2-year plan, you save the most.

You can also test IPVanish for free because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Canceling the service is easy. I clicked the “I wish to cancel my subscription” button on my account dashboard and got my bank account refunded within 5 days.

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5. PrivateVPN — Straightforward Apps for Unblocking BBC America Without Hassle

PrivateVPN offers user-friendly apps for all popular operating systems, including macOS, Windows, and Android TV. During testing, it only took me a few minutes to install the PrivateVPN app and connect to US servers. A team of experienced developers can also be reached on live chat 24/7. They even do remote installation if you aren't sure how to set up the VPN on your Windows, Mac, or Linux devices.

Like PIA, PrivateVPN offers both 128-bit and 256-bit encryption. There’s a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection to safeguard your online privacy. Plus, the VPN owns its entire server network and follows a no-logs policy, so third parties can’t buy or steal your data.

Speeds are fast enough for streaming. I tested the New York servers and got speeds between 36 and 39 Mbps. My videos loaded smoothly while streaming The Watch on BBC America. All the servers have unlimited bandwidth and support torrenting as well; features like SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding can be enabled to boost download speeds.

One downside is that the server network is relatively small. However, there are 12 US locations and all the servers are reliable for unblocking US-based and global services too. This is partly thanks to the Stealth mode, which obfuscates your traffic so you can avoid VPN blocks on streaming sites.

You can subscribe to PrivateVPN for just $2/month. The 3-year plan is better value compared to the shorter monthly plans.

There’s a 30-day trustworthy money-back guarantee as well. If the service isn’t satisfactory, you can get refunded without hassle. I submitted my request via a support ticket and got the money back on my debit card the same week.

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6. Proton VPN — Servers Optimized for Easily Streaming BBC America

Proton VPN has over 100 streaming-optimized (Plus) servers in the US for unblocking content. So you can seamlessly stream high-quality videos on BBC America from outside the US. I used the VPN to stream Planet Earth II on my BBC America account from the UK.

All Plus servers support connections of up to 10 Gbps too. I got reliable speeds when I tested Proton VPN Plus servers in the US. The Denver and Salt Lake City servers reached 37 Mbps — fast enough for UHD streaming.

Protection also comes from AES 256-bit encryption and safe protocols like OpenVPN. A kill switch further helps to secure your IP address if your connection is disrupted. There's a no-logs policy, so your data isn't stored either. Cybersecurity firms like SEC Consult have independently audited Proton VPN’s apps and found the security measures transparent.

I found the apps very easy to use, thanks to the simple design. You can also customize your profile for each device you use. This means you don’t have to manually tweak settings each time you use the VPN on a different device.

The only disappointing thing is that live chat support isn’t provided. However, the support center offers a couple of ways to contact reps (via ticketing and email) and get a response within 24 hours.

Plans start from $4.99/month. I recommend the 2-year subscription, which offers a slightly lower price.

You can also test Proton VPN for free since it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. I sent my request via ticket support (giving a reason for cancellation) and was reimbursed on my credit card after 7 days.

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7. ZenMate — Unlimited Bandwidth for Uninterrupted Streaming on BBC America

ZenMate doesn’t limit bandwidth on its servers, meaning you can stream as much content as you want without restrictions. While testing Zenmate, I watched multiple series and didn’t encounter bandwidth caps. These included Killing Eve on my BBC America account, New Girl on Netflix US, and The Boys on Amazon Prime Video.

My speeds were fast enough for streaming too. The Chicago and Phoenix servers averaged 34.22 Mbps during my tests, allowing me to watch BBC America in the highest quality. I got similar results when I tested servers across the network of 81 countries, so I could stream on my international accounts like BBC iPlayer without buffering.

ZenMate provides an array of robust security features, such as AES 256-bit encryption, the OpenVPN protocol, and a kill switch, ensuring excellent protection on unsecured WiFi hotspots. Additionally, the VPN has the capability to identify and alert users about malicious websites. Moreover, ZenMate follows a strict no-logs policy, guaranteeing that your personal data remains unstored.

One drawback of ZenMate is that it doesn’t offer live support. However, you can submit a ticket or read quick-fix articles on the website if you have any questions. I found the VPN’s apps to be user-friendly and didn’t need assistance from support anyway.

Subscriptions for ZenMate start from $1.99/month. The 18-month plan is more affordable than the other short-term subscriptions.

You can easily get refunded if you’re not satisfied, provided you cancel your subscription within the 30-day money-back guarantee period. I sent an email to the VPN’s support team and got my PayPal account refunded after 9 days.

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Quick Comparison Table: BBC America VPN Features

Tips on Choosing the Best VPNs for BBC America

I shortlisted the best VPNs for BBC America using rigorous testing criteria. Feel free to use my list when searching for a reliable service to access your BBC America account.

• US servers: Your VPN must offer multiple servers in the US to give you a local IP address for unblocking BBC America (and other US-restricted platforms) from abroad. Bonus global servers also let you access geo-blocked content in other countries.
• Fast speeds: Make sure your VPN doesn't reduce your speed by over 50%, as you need at least 25 Mbps for 4K streaming.
• Security and privacy features: Military-grade encryption is a top security priority in a VPN. Safe tunneling protocols, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy are also important features.
• Easy-to-use apps: Your chosen VPN should have simple apps for the devices you use, like Windows, macOS, and Smart TVs. Round-the-clock live chat or email support should also be provided.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee: A refund policy is necessary so that you can confidently test the service and get your money back if it doesn't meet your expectation.

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FAQs on VPNs for BBC America

How can I sign up for BBC America outside the US?

Use a VPN to subscribe to a supported on-demand service provider like YouTube TV or FuboTV. Because these OTT (over-the-top) live TV streaming platforms are in the US, you need a VPN with US servers to open an account.

Once you get your login credentials (and are still connected to a US server), you can sign in to the OTT service and watch BBC America.

What can I watch on BBC America?

BBC America offers more or less the same content as BBC iPlayer, except for a few US-exclusive shows. You can watch shows and movies like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Doctor Who, and Planet Earth II when you use a VPN to access your BBC America account from the UK or overseas.

Is BBC America free to watch?

Technically yes, if you're already subscribed to on-demand TV providers like YouTube TV or Sling TV. Sometimes you can even use a free trial for such services. Even if you travel overseas, you can still use a VPN to access your geo-restricted YouTube TV account and watch BBC America. You don't necessarily have to buy another subscription.

Can I use a free VPN to unblock BBC America from outside the US?

No, most IP addresses issued by free VPN services have already been blacklisted by BBC America. So, most likely, they won't work. It’s better to use a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee as, that way, you get reliable access to BBC America every time.

Besides being too weak to bypass BBC America’s blocks, free VPNs also purposefully restrict vital features such as speed, bandwidth, and security. That means they aren't reliable for HD streaming or online protection. Some free VPNs can even install malware on your device or sell your online activity data to third parties.

The Bottom Line

A VPN lets you stream shows on your BBC America account from anywhere. Just look for reliable and fast US servers for streaming from abroad. Your VPN should also provide robust protection from cyber threats.

ExpressVPN is my top choice for streaming BBC America. It has super-fast obfuscated servers in many US locations, making it easier to bypass geo-restrictions on BBC America and other US-based platforms. Plus, high-end security and privacy measures protect your identity and online activity against hackers and snoops. You can also test ExpressVPN without risk because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for BBC America