5 Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer in Italy in 2023

It is a bit challenging to find out the best free VPNs for BBC iPlayer when you are located in Italy. The majority of free services are unable to circumvent geo-blocks and let you watch BBC iPlayer in Italy. We have narrowed our search down to five VPN services that are compatible with BBC iPlayer in Italy.

Many free VPNs have poor download speeds and are risky to use, our top recommendation for accessing BBC iPlayer is to use ExpressVPN. Nevertheless, due to geo-restrictions, access to iPlayer is restricted to the UK only, where the service is headquartered. The only way to access this popular service on a device in Italy is to obtain a UK IP address.

Wondering what to watch on BBC iPlayer? Some of the best binge-watching content available is on BBC iPlayer. If you’re not in the UK but still want to watch shows like Peaky Blinders, Silent Witness, The Gold, Better, and Question Time on BBC iPlayer, ExpressVPN is your best VPN for BBC iPlayer because of the excellent speed and video quality when connected to its UK servers.

We have conducted some research and testing on the free VPNs available on the market for unblocking BBC iPlayer free in Italy: Let’s get there!

Read on to learn how to use a VPN to unblock and stream BBC iPlayer in Italy using a VPN:

How to use a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Italy? [3 Steps Guide]

Wondering how do I use BBC iPlayer with VPN. Following are the 3 easy steps to watch BBC iPlayer in Italy using the best free VPNs for BBC iPlayer:

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

We’ve tested 50+ VPNs and narrowed it down to these 5 free ones that are still compatible with BBC iPlayer. In order to help you discover which free VPNs work with BBC iPlayer we have listed them all below.

Here are some VPNs that can access BBC iPlayer, along with other benefits like high-speed video streaming and complete anonymity.

1. ExpressVPN: The Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

Recommended Servers:

ExpressVPN is the best VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Italy due to its ultra-fast servers which ensure quick and throttle-free access to BBC iPlayer without any server disconnections.

ExpressVPN BBC iPlayer has a vast server network that spans more than 105 countries and contains more than 3000 servers in total, including the United Kingdom, where it has four server locations: London, Docklands, Wembley, and East London.

Throughout our test with ExpressVPN connecting to the UK’s Docklands server, we could watch episodes of The Gold, Better, and Question Time. Not only this, but we could watch sports events like Six Nation and Northern Irish Premiership.

ExpressVPN remained unbeatable due to its unique MediaStreamer feature that allows you to stream BBC iPlayer on devices such as Apple TVs, Roku TVs, and Samsung TVs that do not directly support VPNs. This function also guarantees fast streaming rates and an uninterrupted streaming experience.

When we did a performance test on our 100 Mbps connection with ExpressVPN, we got a jaw-dropping download speed of 89.38 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.66 Mbps. Both of these speeds are phenomenal.

Not only BBC iPlayer, but ExpressVPN also lets users unblock other geo-restricted streaming platforms such as Netflix US, Hulu, Paramount Plus, YouTube TV, ITV, and many others.

ExpressVPN provides its users with 256-bit encryption, an automated kill switch, security against DNS and IP leaks, and the Lightway protocol.

Furthermore, it provides unlimited bandwidth, ensuring a buffer-free streaming experience at all times. ExpressVPN is also recommended because of its military-grade encryption methods and stringent no-logs policy.

ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and FireOS, and can support up to five simultaneous device connections on a single subscription.

This enables you to download ExpressVPN on Firestick, smartphones, tablets, Desktops, Smart TVs, Android TVs, and any other streaming device of your choice.

With ExpressVPN you are able to watch BBC iPlayer on iPhone, Firestick as well as Smart TV. With ExpressVPN you will never have an issue with BBC iPlayer not working.

ExpressVPN costs only EUR 6.26 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it out without committing to anything long-term.

2. CyberGhost: Most Reliable Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

CyberGhost has a specialty server to ensure you always have access to iPlayer. iPlayer loaded in seconds after connecting to CyberGhost.

This VPN has a large number of specialty servers for various platforms such as ITV Hub, Hulu Netflix, and All 4, and CyberGhost continually maintain them to assure their functionality. That is something that most free VPNs just do not provide.

They boast lightning-fast speeds across the board in the UK. As for speed, I tried it in three different places around the United Kingdom (Berkshire, London, and Manchester) and got an average of 44 Mbps, which is about par for the course for a top VPN.

I watched The Gold and episodes of Killing Eve on iPlayer, and that’s 9 times faster than what’s required for HD streaming (5 Mbps). The CyberGhost app works reliably and consistently across all major operating systems. To access the United Kingdom from my iPhone, I only had to “favorite” the BBC server and touch it twice.

Using “Startup rules,” I assigned my Windows laptop’s Chrome browser to iPlayer and made the service my homepage. I can now launch iPlayer immediately after connecting to CyberGhost.

Clever DNS doesn’t work with iPlayer on CyberGhost. Clever DNS, like ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer, can be used to access the geo-restricted content on smart TVs and gaming consoles. Even yet, I found it to be a pleasant surprise that my PS4 allowed me to log in to other, equally well-liked services, such as Netflix US and Hulu.

CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, far more than the industry standard 30-day promise. You’ll have plenty of time to give iPlayer a go with that kind of buffer. While streaming BBC iPlayer, we got a download speed of 86.49Mbps and an upload speed of 79.42Mbps on a 100Mbps connection.

Cyberghost speed results while streaming BBC iPlayer

The guarantee of a return has been thoroughly tried by me, and it holds up. Live chat is available around the clock, so all I had to do to get my money back was ask a few simple questions. After 5 days, I received a refund.

3. TunnelBear: Trustworthy Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

The BBC iPlayer can be accessed from locations in Italy with the help of the popular free VPN service TunnelBear. It provides server space in 49 countries, one of which is the United Kingdom. You are able to unblock BBC iPlayer in Italy on its servers located in the UK.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of its unblocking capabilities, we connected to the company’s server in the United Kingdom. After doing so, we were able to watch the most popular show, The Warship: Tour of Duty, as well as The Gold without any interruptions when we were in Italy.

When it comes to data, Tunnelbear places a cap of 500 Mbps per month on your usage. Because of the data limit, you can only stream BBC iPlayer for about 30 to 40 minutes, which is a relatively low amount of time. This streaming service may be challenging for users who just sometimes engage in binge-watching.

You can receive one GB of free additional bandwidth if you tweet about TunnelBear or refer a friend to the service. You will be able to stream for a few more hours if you have an additional 1 GB of storage space.

In order to determine how well TunnelBear performs in terms of speeds, we connected to one of their servers located in the United Kingdom and ran a speed test.

We were able to record a download speed of 55.27 Mbps using a connection that was 100 Mbps, and our upload rates were 40.21 Mbps. You should have no trouble streaming content from the BBC iPlayer using any device you generally use.

So that you may watch your favorite shows on any of your devices, TunnelBear has developed apps for streaming services like BBC iPlayer for PS5, Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, and Browsers (Chrome, as well as Firefox).

The large number of servers offered by TunnelBear means that users can enjoy uninterrupted streaming video with no pauses or delays. In addition, the 256-bit encryption, the kill switch known as the VigilantBear, and the GhostBear both contribute to Tunnelbear’s exceptional security (DPI).

4. Windscribe: Fast VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer

Windscribe is an all-rounder-free VPN service that provides customers access to two servers located in the UK to unblock BBC iPlayer while they are in Italy.

It provides free bandwidth of 10 GB per month, which would prevent you from binge-watching shows on BBC iPlayer but would enable you to stream around six movies in standard definition (SD). But there’s more to it than that if you tweet about Windscribe, you can access free data up to 5 GB in size.

Windscribe’s free edition provides access to 10 different server locations, two of which are located in the United Kingdom, and makes it possible to access BBC iPlayer from outside the country.

The first time we tried to access BBC iPlayer from in Italy, we were unsuccessful; however, when we tried again, we were successful. In addition to this, the speeds were satisfactory, as we did not encounter any buffering or delays.

After connecting to the Windscribe server in the United Kingdom to test its capability of unblocking content in Italy, we were able to access the BBC iPlayer hack without any problems. We did not observe any buffering while watching sports events like Scottish Championship and FA Women’s Super League.

In addition, Windscribe provides P2P-optimized servers for free torrenting in the UK and has a stringent no-logs policy, which enables users to maintain their anonymity when torrenting online.

Also, it is compatible with a broad variety of operating systems and mobile platforms, including but not limited to Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Interestingly, the BBC iPlayer can also be streamed onto big displays using Windscribe on Firestick.

Throughout the course of our research for the United Kingdom, we connected this VPN to our Windows devices and were able to stream BBC iPlayer with reduced buffering on windows. As a result of these tests, we came to the conclusion that Windscribe is an excellent free VPN for windows in the United Kingdom.

According to the results of our speed test conducted on Windscribe’s UK servers, we were able to record an average download speed of 59.11 Mbps and an upload speed of 37.07 Mbps when using a connection that was 100 Mbps.

This VPN has acceptable throughput rates and, thanks to its high level of security, can get around geographical limitations. Use the live chat feature to ask any questions you have, and they will respond quickly even if you’re not in the UK. Live chat is available, and so is a chatbot.

5. Zenmate: Secure Free VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer

Zenmate is a secure and cost-free VPN that allows users to stream BBC iPlayer in Italy. It has over 3900 servers located in over 87 countries all over the world, all of which function quickly to unblock restricted streaming services like BBC iPlayer.

You can use a 7 Day free trial of Zenmate to unblock BBC iPlayer in Italy and enjoy watching your favorite streaming content at a cost of $1.64/mo with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ZenMate has acceptable speeds across numerous servers, I was able to achieve speeds in excess of the industry standard (35 Mbps) with this service.

This performance was pretty excellent when checked with the servers located in the United Kingdom. The download speed that the UK server was able to achieve on average was approximately 27.21 Mbps.

In addition to the BBC iPlayer, ZenMate was also able to successfully unblock ITV by connecting to a server in the UK. Having said that, I did experience a few difficulties with the streaming here and there. In general, though, the fact that it was able to unblock ITV as well as BBC iPlayer astounded and impressed me.

When it comes to compatibility, ZenMate performs admirably. You may set it up in a variety of ways on Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS, Android, and even gaming consoles by downloading suitable programs or setting it up locally.

You can set up ZenMate to function with your network, Firestick, Smart TV, Apple TV, Chromebook, Raspberry Pi, and more. It also has apps for Firefox, Brave Browser, UC Browser, Chrome, Edge, and Fire TV, as well as Android, macOS, Fire TV, iOS, Windows, Android TV, and Android.

While ZenMate states that it follows a strict no-logs policy and does not record user activity. If you’re not certain and prioritize privacy above all else, though, a VPN service like ExpressVPN would be the best choice for you to stream BBC iPlayer by using its 30-day free trial.

ZenMate uses robust 256-bit AES encryption, in addition to conventional VPN protocols like IKEv2, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPsec, to keep your data safe. These protocols are more than sufficient for any user, but I was hoping for more.

When tested for speed, ZenMate gave us a download speed of 43.27Mbps and an upload speed of 22.18Mbps on a 100Mbps connection.

ZenMate speed results while streaming BBC iPlayer

When it comes to encryption and protocols, ZenMate is a safe option. However, ZenMate falls short in certain key areas, particularly in terms of security. Split tunneling and ad blocking are two features that won’t be present. But, it has some useful features, such as a Kill Switch and DNS Leak prevention, which is a positive.

What Free VPNs don’t work with BBC iPlayer?

The following free VPNs do not function with BBC iPlayer, so tread carefully as you search for the best free VPN for BBC iPlayer:

Read on to learn how to choose the best VPN for BBC iPlayer in Italy for unrestricted streaming:

How to choose the Best Free VPNs for BBC iPlayer?

While determining which VPNs offer the best free access to BBC iPlayer in Italy, we evaluated each VPN according to the following criteria:

1. A VPN having accessibility to BBC iPlayer in Italy:

We’ve included screenshots proving that each VPN can access BBC iPlayer when connected to a server in the UK from in Italy, as proof that the VPN can unblock BBC iPlayer.

2. VPN Speed:

The speed of a VPN service is an important consideration when watching BBC iPlayer from in Italy. We tested the speed of every major VPN service’s United Kingdom server included in this guide.

Additionally, we found that when using these VPNs in tandem, the iPlayer streamed smoothly at high speeds from the UK servers of each service.

3. A VPN’s Device Compatibility:

We took measures to ensure that the VPN is compatible with all of the most popular devices, giving you a variety of options for streaming BBC iPlayer. To stream BBC iPlayer on devices such as Windows OS, iPhone/iPad, Android, Mac, Linux, Firestick, Roku, Apple TV and Smart TVs, and other streaming devices.

4. Online Privacy:

When using BBC iPlayer from in Italy, we made sure to read the VPN’s logging rules before deciding on one. Each VPN we’ve recommended above adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning it won’t record your browsing history or other personal data while you’re connected.

5. Security Protocols:

When deciding on a VPN service, fundamental safety measures must be prioritized. In addition to protecting users from IP leaks, the Multihop feature, and the ability to block ads, the VPNs we’ve compiled here also offer conventional encryption protocols.

6. Live Customer Support:

We test the customer service of each VPN by sending them queries about app setup and server locations through their live chat feature or by opening tickets through email. Every VPN service we contacted on our list responded promptly to our inquiry.

Read on to learn about the risks of using free VPNs for accessing BBC iPlayer in Italy:

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

Free VPNs have a number of drawbacks, one of which is that they cannot bypass geographically limited content. Let’s delve more into the dangers that come with using free VPNs:

If you want to get past geo-restrictions and access a streaming service that isn’t available in your country, a paid VPN service like ExpressVPN is always the best and safest choice you can make.

What to Watch on BBC iPlayer in 2024?

We absolutely love this free platform for the massive amount of shows, movies, sports, and other entertainment available on it. Here are some of our top selections for now:

FAQs – Best Free VPN for BBC iPlayer

Conclusion!

When it comes to streaming services in the UK, nothing beats BBC iPlayer. But due to Geographical restrictions and distribution laws, the service is unfortunately restricted to users within the United Kingdom.

The only viable solution is to use a VPN service that has servers in the UK to bypass these restrictions. If you’re trying to watch BBC iPlayer from in Italy but don’t have a lot of spare cash, this guide will help you pick the best free VPNs for BBC iPlayer.

Nonetheless, in our opinion, the security provided by paid VPNs is superior in any case. Among the key differences between free and premium VPNs is the availability of additional security features, such as HTTPS browsing with the former.

If you want to access the BBC iPlayer abroad, we advise using ExpressVPN. You may try it out risk-free for 30 days, or you can get three months free by signing up for the yearly plan. BBC iPlayer accounts require neither a password nor an email address to cancel in the event of a change of heart.