Best VPN for BBC iPlayer

HideMyAss! stands out for its huge server network, with over 190 countries on offer worldwide, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the all-round performance offered by some of our top choices.

With almost 20 UK servers, with some dedicated to BBC iPlayer, there should be next to no time wasted trying to find a connection that works. It also provides snappy speeds, regardless of where you’re based – New York to London connections average 40Mbps, with a global-to-London average of 55Mbps.

It’s not all perfect, though. HMA! really falls down when it comes to privacy. It’s based in the UK and has an intrusive logging policy that involves your true IP address being stored on their servers for three months or more. If you care about privacy as much as you do streaming then you should probably pick an option further up this list.

Given the excellent customer service and affordable pricing plans, though, this is absolutely a VPN to consider.

Hotspot Shield has long been a fast and reliable VPN, but in the past months it’s made serious strides as a VPN for streaming, too. It offers easy access to BBC iPlayer, as well as all your other favorite services. The only concern is that there are no dedicated servers for them, but hopefully Hotspot Shield keeps pushing in the right direction.

It’s so simple to use that more advanced VPN fans may actually find it a touch light on detail, with little ability to deep-dive into settings or options. If you just want something you can boot up and get online with, though, Hotspot Shield will have you streaming in seconds.

You should be aware of its less-than-spotless past, though. In 2017 the free version of the VPN was discovered to be surreptitiously injecting code into customers’ traffic. A sizeable breach of trust, but so long as you spring for the (extremely cheap) premium version we see little reason to doubt it now.

A tremendous choice for BBC iPlayer fans, even those based in the UK. PrivateVPN may have a fairly small server network, but it still represents great value for money.

Those located in Western Europe will enjoy speeds that are not only quick enough to provide smooth Full HD streaming, but also have enough left over to allow for multitasking, too. Those connecting to UK servers via Amsterdam, for example, can expect a lightning fast 88Mbps. The numbers take a bit of a tumble when you’re based further afield, but typical speeds of 33Mbps from Toronto to London will still keep your viewing experience uninterrupted. The global average download speed when connecting to London servers speaks for itself at 50Mbps.

It’s slipped in our rankings recently though, following the loss of its dedicated BBC iPlayer server option. We spoke to customer support and it stated that it was working on the issue – for the time being you simply need to connect via its ‘Argentina – VT1’ server to gain access (no, we have no idea why either).

A strict zero-logs policy and a ton of advanced security features make PrivateVPN a great choice for those seeking the highest levels of privacy, too. Our only real gripe is with the customer support live chat should you encounter an issue – it’s inconsistent and often proved a frustrating experience. You may find that forgivable given how cheap a 17-month plan is, though.

SaferVPN is a staggeringly cheap option for BBC iPlayer fans, even by the high standards set by its rivals on this roundup. Should you opt for the ultra-affordable three-year plan you’ll be treated by a VPN with rapid connection speeds the world over and UK servers dedicated to streaming.

Where it underwhelms is on the privacy side of things. SaferVPN’s minimal logging policy goes a long way to mitigate the fact it’s based in the privacy-unfriendly US, but it’s still an important factor to consider. Advanced features such as a VPN kill switch and DNS/IPv6 leak protection are a big help.

The software is slick and very user-friendly but lacking in configurable options, which might not be ideal for more experienced users. The isn’t a huge number of international servers, but the ones that are on offer put forward impressive download speeds: Singapore to London clocks in at 21Mbps, while those in Western Europe can expect 91Mbps courtesy of its Amsterdam server. The global average sits at a very respectable 49Mbps.