Using a VPN, or a virtual private network, is the most convenient way to protect your online presence from prying eyes and unblock geo-restricted content inside and outside the United Kingdom.
The best VPNs spoof your real IP address and make it look like you're within UK borders, tricking the streaming service into unblocking its library for you, even if you're halfway around the world.
However, not all VPNs deliver on their promises. Also, getting around ITVX's restrictions isn't very straightforward, as they note down IP addresses and analyze user behavior to identify VPN usage. Luckily for you, Tom's Guide experts have tested all the best VPNs with ITVX, and I've rounded up the top five in this guide.
Keep reading for detailed analyses of all five VPNs, including their unblocking performance, security features, speed, ease of use, and value for money, as well as how they compare to each other. But if you're looking for a quick answer, here are the top three VPNs for ITVX right now.
The 3 best ITVX VPNs at a glance
The best ITVX VPNs in 2024
Check out my shortlist of the best ITVX VPNs in the industry today. We'll dig into how each service compares to the competition, recent test results, and all the features I did (and didn't) like.
NordVPN: the best ITVX VPN overall
✔️ You want the best VPN for British TV. NordVPN unblocks ITVX, as well as all other UK streaming sites like BBC iPlayer and Channel 4, from absolutely anywhere in the world.
✔️ You want all-around security. NordVPN is your best bet for comprehensive protection, thanks to its built-in antivirus, ad-blocking, password manager, and dark web monitoring.
✔️ You have a need for speed. NordVPN is the quickest I've tested, maxing out our line with speeds of over 950 Mbps.
❌ You want a simple interface on mobile. Nord's map-style interface can be quite overwhelming, especially on the smaller screens of smartphones.
❌ You want a VPN for torrenting. Only a few hundred NordVPN servers are configured for P2P traffic, as opposed to every single server of ExpressVPN and PIA.
NordVPN sidesteps geo-restrictions with ease, unblocking ITVX and a host of other streaming sites without fail. It's also incredibly secure, lightning-quick, and reasonably priced, meaning it's very deserving of the top spot on most of our guides. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN has consistently proven to be the very best streaming VPN in our tests, and it's also the best ITVX VPN you can get right now. With unrivaled unblocking excellence and over 6,000 servers in 111 countries, including 440 in the UK alone, NordVPN gives you access to ITVX and other British streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and Channel 4, no matter your own location.
It also unblocks just about every other streaming library you can think of, including Netflix UK, US, Canada, and Australia, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, YouTube, 9Now, 10 Play, and loads more. There's also a handy SmartPlay feature, which is automatically enabled in all NordVPN apps and combines Smart DNS with your base VPN connection. This allows you to stream safely with no extra steps and bypass streaming services' VPN-blocking tools.
> Sign up to my top-rated ITVX VPN
In addition to spoiling you for choice when it comes to streaming content, NordVPN is also ridiculously quick. It clocked in at over 950 Mbps in our latest tests, cementing its place as one of the fastest VPNs around. This means you won't have to worry about lag, buffering, and ping in the slightest, irrespective of whether you're streaming ITVX from a remote location far from the UK or engaging in high-octane multiplayer games online.
NordVPN also knocks it out of the park when it comes to protection against threats. It offers an all-in-one security package with built-in malware protection and ad-blocking, a password manager, a data breach scanner, and cyber insurance, as well as a couple of unique extras such as Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Of course, VPN essentials such as a strict and audited no-logging policy, a flawless kill switch, and leak protection are all available and top-notch, too.
A minor gripe I have with NordVPN is that its map-based interface isn't as fun to operate on the smaller screens of mobile phones, where it's not very thumb-friendly and can be a bit overwhelming for beginners. Those looking for very simple and easy-to-use apps on all platforms will like ExpressVPN better.
Overall, though, NordVPN boasts strong unblocking performance, and its position at the top of our Netflix VPN and BBC iPlayer VPN guides prove that. Even better, it delivers on all other counts as well: security, connection speeds, gaming, etc., plus it's cheaper than ExpressVPN. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN: the easiest to use ITVX VPN
✔️ You're a beginner. ExpressVPN is a delight for newbies thanks to easy-to-use apps on all devices, auto-connect, and class-leading support.
✔️ You want to stream everywhere. With servers in 160 locations in 105 countries, ExpressVPN can unblock content from anywhere, including UK's ITVX and iPlayer.
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life. ExpressVPN undergoes frequent audits and has a password manager, rock-solid encryption, and a reliable kill switch to ensure complete privacy.
❌ You're on a strict budget. ExpressVPN is worth the splurge, but those pinching for pennies will like Surfshark and PIA better.
❌ You want a full security suite. ExpressVPN doesn't offer an all-in-one solution with built-in antivirus and other extras like NordVPN.
ExpressVPN is a close runner-up to NordVPN and brilliant for ITVX unblocking thanks to its wide server network, great speeds, and a unique MediaStreamer tool to stream on virtually every device. Try out its easy-to-use apps and experience its fantastic security risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is among the very best VPNs if you're looking for a triple whammy of unblocking, security, and ease of use. It boasts a handsome collection of over 3,200 servers which are all nicely spread out in 160+ locations around the globe. So, whether you're halfway around the world looking for a local UK server to stream Euro 2024 on ITVX or BBC iPlayer or you're in Europe wanting to watch Asian content and K-dramas, ExpressVPN’s wide international coverage has you covered.
In my ExpressVPN review, I mention how the service also unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and tons of local content, too. It's also well worth noting ExpressVPN’s own SmartDNS tool, MediaStreamer. It's streaming-focused and spoofs your location to allow you to access geo-restricted content on devices that don't natively support VPNs, like smart TVs and gaming consoles.
> Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN's compatibility and ease of use are simply outstanding. It offers intuitive and well-designed apps on a wide variety of devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. It's also our top pick for a router VPN and it's one of the very few services to offer a dedicated router with built-in VPN, Aircove. This goes a long way in making up for Express's just eight simultaneous connections.
Clean apps with one-click and auto-connect functionalities, class-leading 24/7 customer support, and an in-depth knowledgebase together mean that ExpressVPN is probably your best choice if you're a beginner still learning the ropes around using a VPN and would want a straightforward VPN experience.
ExpressVPN doesn't scrimp on security, either. You get industry-standard data encryption, independently audited no-logs policy, a rock-solid kill switch, and RAM-only servers, as well as valuable add-ons such as Threat Protection and a built-in password manager.
Next, although not the speediest, Express's 750 Mbps WireGuard speeds are easily more than enough for streaming, gaming, torrenting, etc. Speaking of torrenting, ExpressVPN is one of the few services to offer P2P support on all of its servers, making it one of the best torrenting VPNs.
ExpressVPN is very close to a perfect VPN service, held back primarily by its steep pricing. Those on a tight budget will admittedly be happier elsewhere. However, the provider tries to make up for its premium prices by offering 3 months of extra protection and 1 year of cloud storage for free. Unsure? Take a risk-free trial with its 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.
Surfshark: the best cheap ITVX VPN
✔️ You're a bargain hunter. Surfshark offers the best combination of streaming performance, security, ease of use, and price.
✔️ You want the fastest ITVX VPN. Surfshark is hands down the fastest provider in my testing, thanks to peak speeds of over 950 Mbps.
✔️ You want to protect a lot of devices. Just one Surfshark account is capable of covering all the devices you wish to secure.
❌ You need a reliable kill switch. Rigorous testing showed some issues with Surfshark's Windows kill switch, although that's unlikely to happen in the real world.
❌ You want to torrent. You can torrent with Surfshark, but ExpressVPN and PIA are a lot better.
Surfshark is an extraordinary value-for-money VPN, offering low-cost subscriptions and a premium-level experience, including no-quibble streaming performance, the fastest speeds, and simple and secure apps on all platforms. Try it out, and be rest assured that its 30-day money-back guarantee will cover you if it's not for you.
Surfshark is a Netherlands-based provider and offers the best combination of premium features and low prices in the entire VPN industry. As the best cheap VPN, Surfshark is almost always priced under the $2.50/month mark, making it more than twice as cheap as some of its top rivals.
Despite its budget-friendly prices, Surfshark comes with a huge amount of unblocking power. With over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, it performed a clean sweep of streaming services in our latest tests, where, in addition to ITVX, it also effortlessly unblocked Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and YouTube libraries.
> Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee
A truly standout Surfshark offering is unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can install a single Surfshark subscription to install the VPN app on as many devices as you want. This will allow all your family members and friends to stream their favorite content on their individual devices, and you don't have to fret about the number of logins.
Surfshark is also the fastest VPN we've tried thanks to top speeds of over 950 Mbps on the WireGuard protocol. Even its OpenVPN speeds at 640 Mbps are some of the very fastest we've seen.
Surfshark comes with a very handy GPS spoofing feature, which allows you access to even those sites and streaming apps that request your physical location before granting access. What's more, the provider also has an excellent camouflage mode, which hides the fact that you're using a VPN so that ISPs and streaming services can't hinder your experience.
There's more than enough to secure your online activities, too. Along with RAM-only servers that wipe data at every boot, Surfshark comes with a clear-cut no-logging policy that's backed up by third-party audits, 256-bit AES encryption, private DNS on each server, and multi-hop, as well as split tunneling and dedicated IP. However, it's worth noting that Surfshark's kill switch on Windows showed potential leaking when we tested it under extreme stress.
All in all, Surfshark offers a well-rounded VPN with world-class UK and global content unblocking, blazing speeds, sleek apps, good security, and unbeatable value for money. The best part is that you can take it for a test run before committing thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Other quality ITVX VPNs I've tested
✔️ You want an ITVX VPN you can trust. Proton VPN's audited and open-source apps, Secure Core servers, and Swiss lineage ensure complete peace of mind.
✔️ You want blazing speeds. Recent tests prove that Proton VPN is now tied with NordVPN and Surfshark for the speediest service around.
✔️ You're a Linux owner. Proton VPN is one of the few VPNs to offer a dedicated graphical user interface (GUI) for Linux distros.
❌ You're on a tight budget. Proton's excellent package asks for a premium, and bargain hunters will be better off with Surfshark or PIA.
❌ You want to unblock ITVX for free. Proton VPN Free offers unlimited bandwidth but no unblocking capabilities.
Proton VPN now competes with the big guns thanks to more servers and class-leading speeds, unblocking, and privacy and security. It also offers a free plan, but that's without any of its paid tier's unblocking powers, which you can get a taste of risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN is hands down one of the most improved VPN services in recent times. Not only has it beefed up its server network to 5,200+ servers, but recent testing showed that it's now also among the quickest VPNs, thanks to top speeds of over 950 Mbps.
For this guide, I tested Proton VPN with various UK streaming sites and I'm happy to report that it passed with flying colors, effortlessly sidestepping the geo-restrictions on ITVX, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and Netflix UK. What's more, other Netflix regions, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, 9Now, and 10 Play were all made available, too.
Proton VPN's strongest suite, though, is its privacy and security. It's one of the most secure VPNs around, headquartered in Switzerland, which is a country known for its privacy laws and for being outside the EU and US jurisdiction.
Proton's Secure Core servers, which are a unique implementation of multi-hop VPN, route your traffic through ultra-secure locations like Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland before connecting to your chosen destination. This completely obfuscates your online activity.
In addition to its Stealth protocol, which helps you bypass VPN blocks by making the VPN traffic look like regular traffic, all Proton VPN apps are open-source, meaning anyone can inspect its code and verify its claims. You also get a robust kill switch, strong AES-256 encryption, and a proven no-logs policy, so you can rest assured that your browsing/streaming history and personal data will be kept safe from prying eyes.
It's also worth noting that although Proton offers one of the best free VPNs, which is honestly very decent with unlimited data, great speeds, and robust security, it doesn't have any of its paid brethren's unblocking powers, nor does it offer any real choice of servers. If you're looking for a free streaming VPN, I'd point you towards PrivadoVPN Free.
Coming back to Proton VPN's paid-for service, it's getting difficult to find downsides with it. However, it's admittedly not as cheap as the competition, but if you're a privacy purist looking for an all-around VPN, it can be worth a serious look. Even better, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee to take it out for a test run before committing.
✔️ You want budget-friendly prices. PIA is among the cheapest VPNs around, with its multi-year package priced at around $2 per month.
✔️ You want a proven track record of security. PIA has proven its no-logs policy in court twice, so you can rest assured that it'll keep your online activities private.
✔️ You're a Linux user. PIA makes it easy to stream on Linux, thanks to a graphical user interface (GUI).
❌ Speed is a priority for you. PIA is fairly quick, but it's nowhere as fast as Surfshark or NordVPN.
❌ You're a beginner. PIA apps pack a lot of configuration, meaning they're not as great for rookies as ExpressVPN.
Private Internet Access is perfect for privacy purists on a tight budget. It unblocks everything from ITVX to 10 Play, offers unlimited simultaneous connections, and has the biggest server network I've seen. While it's meant for experts, you can try it out with a 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.
Private Internet Access (PIA) boasts a massive fleet of over 20,000 servers in 100+ locations, making it easy to access local UK content on BBC iPlayer and ITVX, as well as overseas Netflix or Prime Video libraries. Apart from its massively improved streaming performance – it unblocked every location we threw at it – PIA stands out for its very affordable prices of around $2 a month, putting it right beside Surfshark as a delight for bargain hunters.
Another thing to love about PIA is how seriously it takes user security and privacy. It's perhaps the only VPN to have proved its no-logging policy in court, twice. Next, you get a choice of AES-128 or AES-256 encryption, access to integrated ad and tracker blockers, proprietary DNS servers, and a rock-solid kill switch that works perfectly on both desktop and mobile VPN apps. Just like Proton VPN, all PIA apps are open source, too.
PIA is the only other top-ranking VPN, besides Surfshark, to offer unlimited simultaneous connections, so if you want to be able to stream on more than just one device, PIA is perfect for that. It's also a superb Linux VPN, as it's one of the very few services to offer a graphical user interface (GUI) for Linux distros.
While PIA has a lot of positives that set it apart from its peers, it lags behind in a couple of key areas: speed and simplicity. I agree that peak speeds of 330 Mbps aren't sluggish by any means and would offer a smooth experience on most home connections, but the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark are just so much faster that there's hardly an argument to be had here.
Next, PIA is not as geared towards beginners as, say, ExpressVPN or Surfshark. It offers tons of customization options, which can be a big plus for techies but intimidating for newbies.
Overall, though, Private Internet Access, especially if you put its price point in perspective, is just an excellent service that scores full marks on streaming, security, and global coverage, making it a reliable ITVX VPN. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee and see how it compares to the top dogs.
How to pick a ITVX VPN
A lot goes into choosing the best VPN for streaming ITVX from around the world, and while every factor deserves a closer look, these are admittedly the most important things to consider:
Servers: the idea is to always pick a VPN with tons of servers everywhere around the world, as that will allow you to unblock regions with ease. If there's a particular location whose content you wish to access (the UK, for example), make sure your VPN has servers there.
Speed: powerful unblocking capabilities and easy access would mean very little if the VPN is slow and throws up lag and buffering issues. All the VPNs on my guide here boast excellent speeds, but NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN are the quickest.
Security: look for a VPN with a strong and proven no-logging policy, AES-256 encryption, a bulletproof kill switch, and leak protection. I'd also suggest prioritizing obfuscated servers, as these hide VPN usage, enhancing your security and helping you bypass VPN bans.
Ease of use: a simple and intuitive VPN app will allow you to secure your connection and start streaming in just a few seconds. It'll also make setting up and troubleshooting easier, as opposed to apps crammed with customization options – these are made for experts.
Price: you can get excellent privacy and no-quibble streaming performance without burning a hole in your pocket thanks to the best cheap VPNs, such as Surfshark and PIA. Even better, almost all VPN services come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try them out without risking a single penny.
How we test ITVX VPNs
We always get hands-on with the VPNs we review. Our VPN testing begins at the provider's website where we examine its privacy policies, support options, any claims it makes, and if & when it uses tracking cookies.
Next, we sign up for the VPN service anonymously and install its apps on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. Then we examine the apps' features, performance, and usability to make sure they're capable of providing a smooth experience and keeping users secure.
We test the VPN's unblocking performance by trying to access region-restricted libraries from ITVX, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and other streaming sites from different locations around the world.
For testing VPN speeds, we use two systems: one in the US and one in the UK. Next, we run multiple rounds of tests on every single provider and then take the average of the best session as the VPN's peak speed.
Check out Tom's Guide's VPN testing methodology page for more info on our procedures.
ITVX VPN FAQs
Which is the best VPN to watch ITVX with?
NordVPN is not just the best at getting past geo-restrictions on ITVX when you're outside the UK, but it's also the very best streaming VPN overall. With over 6,000 servers in a massive 111 countries, NordVPN can unblock everything under the sun, including both popular and niche libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, 9Now, 10 Play, and loads more.
NordVPN is also the speediest service in our testing, meaning you'll enjoy a smooth streaming experience, no matter your own location. Another major highlight is its all-in-one security package, which comes with extras such as built-in malware protection and ad-blocking, a password manager, and even cyber insurance.
Despite packing so much, NordVPN continues to be one of the most reasonably priced VPNs out there, and you can also try it out without risking a single penny, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Will ITVX work with a VPN?
While the VPNs recommended on this list have unblocked ITVX in testing, it's worth noting that ITVX does keep a record of IP addresses linked to VPN services and may block you from viewing their site if you attempt to access it from one such IP address.
A few other scenarios where a VPN might not work with ITVX include when there's a mismatch between your IP address and GPS location and issues with the VPN itself, such as failure to sidestep geo-restrictions or IP address leaks. However, so long as you stick to the best streaming VPNs, unblocking ITVX and other UK services shouldn't be a problem.
How can I watch ITVX outside the UK?
First things first, make sure you have an ITVX account. Next, pick a VPN with servers within UK borders. It should also offer great speeds and excellent unblocking powers; our top VPN recommendations are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark.
All you have to do now is open the VPN app, find and connect to a server in the UK, and then try playing a video on ITVX. By spoofing your location, you make ITVX believe that you're in the UK, even though you're really not.
