5 Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer in Australia[Tested and Updated 2023]

1. To get started, you’ll need to subscribe to a VPN like ExpressVPN.
2. After subscribing to ExpressVPN, choose a server located in the UK. Docklands Yard is a recommended server that you can connect to.
3. Once connected to a UK server, you can access BBC iPlayer and enjoy streaming your favorite UK shows and content without restrictions.

What are the Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer in Australia? [Full Analysis]

After carefully evaluating numerous VPNs, including free options, to determine their compatibility with BBC iPlayer, we have handpicked the best ones. Here are the best free VPNs for BBC iPlayer in 2023:

1. ExpressVPN: The Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer 

ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming BBC iPlayer as it offers exceptional speed, with an average of 89.42 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, making it ideal for smooth streaming of content on BBC iPlayer free without any buffering or lag.

It has a network of over 3000+ servers in more than 105 countries, including 5 locations in the UK, which are Docklands, London, East London, Midlands, and Wembley. All 5 of ExpressVPN’s UK server locations during tests could access BBC iPlayer without issues.

ExpressVPN 89.42 Mbps downloading speed on 100 Mbps connection.

ExpressVPN also offers a split tunneling feature, allowing you to use your local internet while watching BBC iPlayer via ExpressVPN. This provides flexibility in managing your online activities while enjoying your favorite BBC iPlayer shows.

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer is a feature that allows users to unblock content on devices that don’t support VPNs directly, such as gaming consoles and smart TVs.

It uses DNS settings to redirect traffic and provides access to geo-restricted content on these devices, although it does not offer the same level of security and privacy as a full VPN connection.

ExpressVPN allows up to 5 simultaneous connections to protect multiple devices with just one subscription. It has native apps for various platforms, including BBC iPlayer on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TVs, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

It also has a MediaStreamer feature, a smart DNS tool you can set up on smart TVs or consoles to bypass geoblocks, and it doesn’t encrypt your connection like a standard VPN connection.

ExpressVPN successfully unblocked BBC iPlayer in Australia.

ExpressVPN also offers extensions for Chrome and Firefox. These extensions are particularly useful for accessing BBC iPlayer as they have an HTML5 GPS spoofing feature that helps bypass geoblocks.

Customer support is excellent with ExpressVPN, offering 24/7 live chat support and a comprehensive knowledge base to troubleshoot common issues.

While ExpressVPN is not completely free, it offers excellent value for money with its cheapest plan costing AU$ 10.21/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Pros of ExpressVPN:

• 5 high-speed servers in the UK for unblocking BBC iPlayer
• Industry-standard encryption, built-in kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy to keep you safe
• Allows for up to 5 simultaneous connections
• Excellent customer support via 24/7 live chat and comprehensive knowledge base
• 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial

Cons of ExpressVPN:

• Not completely free but offers affordable plans starting at AU$ 10.21/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free

2. CyberGhost: Most Reliable Free VPN for BBC iPlayer 

CyberGhost is a popular (VPN) service known for its reliability in unblocking BBC iPlayer, a popular streaming service in the UK.

With a global server count of over 3000+ servers in 105 countries, including regional servers in the UK, CyberGhost provides a wide coverage of server locations to choose from for accessing BBC iPlayer content.

One of the key features of CyberGhost is its user-friendly interface, making it easy to connect to a recommended server for streaming BBC iPlayer content.

Cyberghost shows a 75.12 Mbps downloading speed on a 100 Mbps connection.

When it comes to speed, CyberGhost performs well, as evidenced by speed test results. While VPNs can sometimes impact internet speed, CyberGhost is known for maintaining decent speeds for smooth streaming on BBC iPlayer.

CyberGhost uses AES-256, considered one of the most secure encryption standards, ensuring that your online activities and data are protected from prying eyes.

Cyberghost successfully unlocks BBC iPlayer in Australia.

One notable advantage of CyberGhost is its availability on a wide range of devices and platforms, including BBC iPlayer on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more. It also supports router installations, allowing you to protect your entire home network.

CyberGhost also offers simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices, so you can use it on BBC iPlayer on multiple devices simultaneously without purchasing additional subscriptions.

While CyberGhost offers a free trial, it’s worth noting that a premium subscription is recommended to fully access its features and optimal server performance for streaming BBC iPlayer. CyberGhost often runs promotions and discounts; the current deal can be found on its website.

As with any VPN, there are pros and cons to consider. Some pros of CyberGhost include its extensive server network, user-friendly interface, good speed performance, strong encryption, and availability on multiple devices.

However, a potential con is that the free trial may have limited features and performance compared to the premium subscription.

3. TunnelBear: Trustworthy Free VPN for BBC iPlayer 

TunnelBear is a popular VPN service known for its trustworthy reputation and accessibility for BBC iPlayer. While it offers a free version with limited features, it’s important to note that a premium subscription is recommended to access its server network fully.

TunnelBear has a global server network with servers over 105 countries, including regional servers in the UK. While the server count is less extensive than other VPNs, TunnelBear’s server locations can still provide reliable access to BBC iPlayer content.

tunnel-bear-speed-test-results-in-au

In terms of encryption, TunnelBear uses strong AES-256 encryption, which ensures that your online activities and data are protected from unauthorized access.

TunnelBear also offers a recommended server feature, which suggests the best server for streaming BBC iPlayer content, ensuring smooth performance and reliable access to the streaming service.

Tunnelbear successfully unblocked BBC iPlayer in Australia.

TunnelBear is compatible with various devices and platforms, including BBC iPlayer on Apple TV, Windows, Mac, Android, and more. However, it’s important to note that it currently does not support router installations.

TunnelBear also offers simultaneous connections on up to 5 devices, allowing you to use it on multiple devices simultaneously without purchasing additional subscriptions.

However, a potential con is that the free version has limited data usage, which may not be sufficient for heavy streaming.

4. Windscribe: Fast VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer 

Windscribe is a fast and reliable VPN option for streaming BBC iPlayer content. Its global server network and strong encryption ensure a secure and seamless streaming experience.

Windscribe has a global server network with servers in over 105 countries, including regional servers in the UK, which provides a wide range of options for accessing BBC iPlayer content from different locations.

Windscirbe speed test

In terms of encryption, Windscribe uses AES-256 encryption, which is a military-grade encryption standard that protects your online activities and data from unauthorized access, ensuring your privacy and security.

Windscribe also offers a recommended server feature, which suggests the best server for streaming BBC iPlayer content, ensuring optimal performance and reliable access to the streaming service.

BBC iPlayer has been successfully unblocked by Windscribe.

Windscribe is compatible with various devices and platforms, including BBC iPlayer on Android, Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, and routers. It also offers browser extensions for Chrome, BBC iPlayer on Firestick, and Opera, making it accessible on different devices and browsers.

With a Windscribe subscription, you can connect to Windscribe on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, making it convenient for use across multiple devices without needing to purchase additional subscriptions.

It offers a convenient and secure option for accessing BBC iPlayer content from different locations while ensuring your privacy and security online. However, a potential con is that the free version of Windscribe has server options and data usage limitations.

5.  Hotspot Shield: Secure Free VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer 

Hotspot Shield is a VPN that provides a secure way to stream BBC iPlayer content. It has a global server network with servers over 105 countries, including regional servers in the UK.

This extensive server network allows users to choose from various locations, ensuring reliable access to BBC iPlayer content from different regions.

Hotspot free VPN speed test results.

When it comes to encryption, Hotspot Shield uses AES-256, which is a military-grade encryption standard. This level of encryption ensures that your online activities provide high security while streaming BBC iPlayer content.

Hotspot Shield is compatible with various devices and platforms, including BBC iPlayer on iPad, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, BBC iPlayer on Kodi, and routers.

It also offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, making it accessible on different devices and browsers. This versatility in device compatibility allows users to use Hotspot Shield on their preferred devices and browsers for streaming BBC iPlayer content.

Hotspot Shield free VPN unblocked BBC iPlayer in Australia.

With a Hotspot Shield subscription, users can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. You can use Hotspot Shield on multiple devices, such as your laptop, smartphone, tablet, and more, without purchasing additional subscriptions.

However, it’s worth noting that the free version of Hotspot Shield may have server options and data usage limitations. Users who require more server options or higher data usage may need to consider the subscription version of Hotspot Shield.

Pros of Hotspot Shield:

• Extensive global server network for reliable access to BBC iPlayer content.
• Strong AES-256 encryption for secure online activities and data protection.
• Compatibility with multiple devices and platforms, including browser extensions.
• Simultaneous connections on up to 5 devices for convenient use.

Cons of Hotspot Shield:

• The free version has limitations in terms of server options and data usage.
• Some users may find the subscription price higher compared to other VPN options.

What Free VPNs don’t work with BBC iPlayer?

Here are some free VPNs that may not work with BBC iPlayer and the reasons for not recommending them:

Hotspot Shield:

While Hotspot Shield offers a free version with up to 15GB/month, it only provides a single server in the US, which makes it unsuitable for streaming BBC iPlayer as it lacks a server in the UK.

hide.me:

The free plan of hide.me only offers servers in the US, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, without a server in the UK. As a result, it is not recommended for streaming BBC iPlayer content.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN’s free plan provides unlimited data but only allows access to US, Netherlands, and Japan servers. This limitation prevents it from being used for streaming BBC iPlayer content, as it lacks a UK server.

How to Pick One: The Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer

When it comes to picking the best VPN for BBC iPlayer, it’s important to consider several key factors carefully. Through thorough testing and evaluation, I assessed various VPNs on the market based on the following criteria:

1. Free plan or money-back guarantee: A free plan or a money-back guarantee allows you to try out the VPN without any financial risk. This ensures you can test the VPN’s performance and features before committing to a paid plan.
2. Compatibility with BBC iPlayer: Since the goal is to access BBC iPlayer, it’s crucial to choose a VPN with at least one UK server that can successfully bypass the geolocation restrictions imposed by BBC iPlayer.
3. Streaming speeds: Fast streaming speeds are essential for a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience on BBC iPlayer. I prioritized VPNs that consistently maintain high speeds, as a minimum of 5 Mbps is usually required to stream BBC iPlayer in HD without buffering. However, it’s important to note that speeds may vary depending on your physical location and internet connection.
4. Security and privacy features: Protecting online privacy and security is crucial when using a VPN. Therefore, I thoroughly examined the VPNs for strong encryption protocols, leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. These features ensure that your streaming history remains private and cannot be traced back to you.
5. User-friendly VPN apps: A user-friendly VPN app with a simple and intuitive interface is essential for a seamless streaming experience. VPNs offer desktop and mobile apps that are easy to set up, navigate, and use, even for users with little technical expertise.

And the best part about BBC iPlayer? It is a free streaming service. You don’t need to subscribe for the BBC iPlayer free trial. So, instead of canceling the BBC iPlayer account, start watching your favorite shows immediately.

But remember that you cannot watch BBC iPlayer abroad for free without VPN. Choose any reliable VPN like ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer. We have discussed the other free VPN above already. 

What are the Risks of using Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer?

Using free VPNs for BBC iPlayer can have several risks, so a premium VPN is often recommended for a safer and more reliable streaming experience. Some of the risks associated with free VPNs include:

1. Limited server options: Free VPNs often have limited server options, which can result in slow speeds and buffering while trying to stream BBC iPlayer. This can lead to a frustrating and interrupted streaming experience.
2. Data limitations: Many free VPNs impose data limitations, which can restrict your streaming capabilities and may not be sufficient for streaming BBC iPlayer content, especially if you watch frequently or for extended periods of time.
3. Unreliable performance: Free VPNs may have inconsistent performance, with frequent disconnects, unreliable connections, and poor streaming quality. This can disrupt your streaming experience and result in a frustrating viewing experience.
4. Security and privacy concerns: Free VPNs may not offer the same security and privacy as premium VPNs. They may lack advanced encryption protocols, leak protection, and strict no-logs policies, compromising your online privacy and security.
5. Risk of data logging and selling: Some free VPNs may collect and sell user data to third parties to generate revenue, compromising your privacy and exposing your personal information to potential misuse.
6. Malware and phishing risks: Free VPNs may contain malware or be vulnerable to phishing attacks, which can compromise your device and personal information.
7. Limited customer support: Free VPNs may not offer reliable customer support, leaving you with limited assistance in case of technical issues or concerns.
8. Premium VPN: In contrast, premium VPNs like ExpressVPN typically offer a more reliable and secure streaming experience with a larger server network, faster speeds, and robust security and privacy features. They also usually provide dedicated customer support and prioritize user privacy.

A quick tip: When the iPlayer not working and you’re experiencing technical difficulties, you just need to refresh your device.

FAQs – Best Free BBC iPlayer VPN