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Discover new British shows with the best VPN for STV Player outside the UK!

STV Player is a UK-based video-on-demand service that is accessible for free on all major TV platforms, the internet, and mobile devices. Here, people can watch binge-worthy drama box sets, entertainment, documentaries, news, current affairs, and soaps, including popular titles like Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The Sounds, and Sanditon.

But, is STV Player available outside the UK? No, STV Player is unavailable outside the UK since it’s a geo-restricted UK-based streaming platform accessible to British and Scottish viewers. However, we’ve got some good news for you. You can access STV Player and enjoy its bucketful of amazing content using the best VPN for STV Player outside the UK.

We tested 40+ VPNs on an extensive list of factors and came up with a list of the most reliable VPNs that offer a UK IP address for the streaming platform. However, amongst all, we highly recommend using ExpressVPN due to its multiple UK servers in 4 locations, fast speeds, and excellent unblocking.


Quick Overview – Best VPN for STV Player outside the UK

Following are the best VPNs for STV Player outside the UK in 2022:

  1. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for STV Player outside the UK.
  2. Surfshark – Budget-Friendly VPN for STV Player GB£ 1.97/mo (US$ 2.49/mo) .
  3. NordVPN – Largest Server Network for STV Player.

STV Player VPNs – Testing Methodology | FAQs


Why Do I Need to Use a VPN for STV Player outside the UK

Since STV Player is a geo-restricted streaming platform available only in the UK and Scotland, you need a VPN to bypass these geo-blocks and access its content outside the UK.

If you try accessing STV Player’s website from outside the UK, this error will appear on your screen:

stv-player-geo-restriction-error-in-us

“This programme is not available as you are located outside of the STV Broadcast Licence Region”

To get over these regional restrictions and watch the STV, a VPN is the key. How? Through a VPN’s servers in the UK, you can have a UK-based IP address for spoofing. This way, STV Player would be tricked into believing that you’re accessing the service from the UK, and will allow you to enjoy the streaming platform easily outside the UK.


Best VPN to Watch STV Player outside the UK 2023 [In-Depth Analysis]

Getting the best VPN is difficult, and even more so, finding one that easily unblocks STV Player outside the UK. We examined 40+ VPNs in order to identify the best 3 which are suitable for STV. These are as follows:

1. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for STV Player outside the UK

ExpressVPN

Key Features:

  • 3000+ servers in 105 countries, 4 server locations in UK
  • Ultra-HD streaming on STV Player with unlimited bandwidth
  • MediaStreamer feature
  • Fast speeds of 89.17 Mbps on 100 Mbps
  • Compatible with all major operating systems, devices, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for STV Player outside the UK. That’s because the VPN offers blazing-fast speeds, excellent unblocking capabilities, and robust security. Moreover, you also get an exclusive MediaStreamer feature, so you can watch STV Player on devices that do not offer native VPN support.

ExpressVPN offers 3000+ servers in 105 countries, among with 4 servers locations are in the UK – East London, Wembley, Docklands, and London. Additionally, it offers unlimited bandwidth, allowing us to uninterruptedly binge all of our favorite series.

During our tests, the London server produced the fastest results. We were able to watch the new episodes of The Sounds on STV Player in just a few seconds.

expressvpn-unblocked-stv-player

We could stream all our favorite shows on the streaming platform with this VPN.

Recommended Servers: Wembley and London

There were no buffering or delays on our connection while streaming STV Player’s content outside the UK. So, we conducted an ExpressVPN speed test on its London server. On a 100 Mbps connection, it offered 89.42 Mbps download speed, and 84.64 Mbps upload speed.

Expressvpn-speed-test-on-100-mbps

Using these speeds, we didn’t even notice VPN usage on the connection.

While connected to its UK server, we could also access various other British streaming services. We could easily unblock BT Sport, Channel 4, Britbox, UK Netflix, Sky Sports, and BBC iPlayer in the US. For Spring Champion Stakes fans that reside outside UK, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Spring Champion Stakes 2023 outside UK, ensuring access to ITV and other UK platforms with ease.

Moreover, 5 devices can be connected to ExpressVPN at once. This VPN offers dedicated apps for Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS. You can also manually configure ExpressVPN to FireStick, routers, Smart TVs, Apple TVs, and gaming consoles.

ExpressVPN is likewise built around user security. With this VPN, there are no traffic or connection logs. What’s better is that it prevents DNS blocking with its DNS leak protection and AES 256-bit encryption.

If you are a MotoGP fan and looking for seamless streaming of MotoGP Thailand and other global sporting events, ExpressVPN stands out among the best VPNs for MotoGP Thailand outside UK. Enjoy fast, secure access to live races and immerse yourself in the excitement of motorsports from anywhere in the world.

Lastly, ExpressVPN costs only GB£5.28/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. You can also make the most of the service through its mobile-friendly ExpressVPN free trial in UK and 30-day money-back guarantee for a limited time.

For more details about the VPN, go through our in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

Pros
  • Offers a MediaStreamer feature
  • Unblocks STV Player and other UK platforms outside the UK
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Fast speeds
  • Compatible with all popular operating systems and devices

Cons
  • 5 multi-logins


2. Surfshark – Budget-Friendly VPN for STV Player

SurfShark

Key Features:

  • 3200+ servers in 100 countries, 4 server locations in UK
  • Ultra-HD streaming on STV Player with unlimited bandwidth
  • MultiHop feature
  • Fast speeds of 81.32 Mbps on 100 Mbps
  • Compatible with all major operating systems, devices, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks

Surfshark is the most affordable VPN for STV Player outside the UK. If you’re on a tight budget but want to access STV outside the UK, sign up to Surfshark at GB£1.97/mo (US$ 2.49/mo) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee, and enjoy the streaming platform!

Sursfshark has over 3200 servers spread over 100 countries. It features multiple UK servers in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester, so you can easily access British channels like STV Player outside the UK. We connected to its Edinburgh server and accessed STV Player’s content within seconds.

surfshark-unblocked-stv-player

Using this VPN, we unblocked the platform without getting our IP address detected.

Recommended Servers: Edinburgh and Glasgow

With Surfshark, we faced no lags while streaming outside the UK. Our Surfshark speed test also revealed that the VPN delivered a swift download speed of 81.32 Mbps and upload speeds of 76.12 Mbps.

surfshark-speed-VR

We faced a speed drop of only 19% using this VPN.

In our accessibility tests, Surfshark also worked with other UK streaming platforms. We could unblock UK Netflix, Disney+, BT Sport, Channel 4, BBC iPlayer, and Sky Sports outside UK.

Moreover, Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connection deserves praise. Users can use the Surfshark account on as many devices as they own. You can download Surfshark’s app on a variety of operating systems, including Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, and Linux. You can also install Surfshark on a router and enjoy its connection on all devices.

Surfshark offers multiple security features as well. Whitelister, no-log policy, AES 256-bit keys, and Camouflage Mode help ensure privacy and online anonymity outside the UK.

Lastly, its subscriptions come with a free 7-day mobile trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee for testing the service out.

For more details about the VPN, go through our in-depth review of Surfshark.

Pros
  • Affordable VPN service
  • Multiple servers in 4 UK locations
  • MultiHop feature for security
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons
  • Some servers take a few seconds to connect to


3. NordVPN – Largest Server Network for STV Player

NordVPN

Key Features:

  • 6000+ servers in 61 countries, 440+ servers in 4 cities of UK
  • Ultra-HD streaming on STV Player with unlimited bandwidth
  • Obfuscated servers
  • Fast speeds of 83.82 Mbps on 100 Mbps
  • Compatible with all major operating systems, devices, gaming consoles, and streaming sticks

NordVPN offers the largest server network to stream STV Player. The VPN offers over 3000 servers spread across 61 countries, among which 440+ servers are present in 4 UK cities.

These cities include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and London. We connected to its Manchester server and faced no hindrances in unblocking STV Player outside the UK.

nordvpn-unblocked-stv-player

There were no issues enjoying STV Player live with NordVPN.

Recommended Servers: Manchester and London

This VPN streamed all our favorite STV Player shows without delays. Our NordVPN speed test on a 100 Mbps connection delivered a download speed of 83.82 Mbps and an upload speed of 44.64 Mbps.

nordvpn-speed-test-results

We faced no issues while streaming STV Player with these speeds.

NordVPN’s extensive UK server network allowed us to access various other British streaming platforms as well. We could unblock Britbox, UK Netflix, Amazon Prime, BT Sport, BBC iPlayer, and Channel 4 in US.

Moreover, NordVPN offers 6 simultaneous connections, so you can connect more than a single device to the account. While offering dedicated apps for all major OSes, we could also set up NordVPN on Roku, Kodi, FireStick, routers, PS4, and more.

Additionally, NordVPN safeguards your data with the best security features outside the UK such as Threat Protection and DoubleVPN.

All these features and much more are available for just GB£3.16/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend with a 30-day risk-free guarantee. It also offers a 7-day free trial to Android users.

For more details about the VPN, go through our in-depth review of NordVPN.

Pros
  • Extensive UK server network
  • Compatible apps for all major OSes and devices
  • Unblocks STV Player and other British platforms outside the UK
  • Robust security features

Cons
  • Live chat support can be improved


How to Choose the Right VPN to Watch STV Player outside the UK

For the best VPN for STV Player outside the UK, we have set a standard that the VPN provider must meet. Let’s look at all the factors in the criteria to understand what we tested the VPNs on:

  1. Speed and reliability of service: Speed is a prominent factor in streaming, and that’s why we ensured to jot down the fastest VPNs outside the UK on our list. The VPNs mentioned in this post provide fast servers and unlimited bandwidth.
  2. Servers in the UK: Multiple UK-based servers are required by STV VPNs so that users can connect to one another in case one is congested or unavailable. If a VPN offers only one UK server, it cannot ensure continuous streaming for its users outside the UK.
  3. Robust encryption standards to prevent data leakage: When streaming STV outside the UK, the VPN must protect the user’s identity. The user’s IP address, data, and online activities should always be kept secret and confidential. Therefore, we ensured that the VPNs we list down offer military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and a DNS/IP leak protection feature.
  4. Value for money: What stands out is how a service provider cherishes its clients’ payment. Is their customer support top-notch? Are they as excellent as they claim? Our tests led us to conclude that ExpressVPN provides exceptional service that’s worth the price.
  5. Compatibility: The VPN must be compatible with all major operating systems and devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, FireStick, Roku, Kodi, and more. The best VPNs for STV Player above support all OS and device types like game consoles and routers.
  6. Works with STV Player and other UK streaming services: The UK servers of a VPN shouldn’t be limited to accessing STV Player outside the UK. Instead, you should also be able to access other UK platforms, such as BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, Britbox, BT Sport, Sky Sports, etc while outside the UK.

VPN Not Working with STV Player outside the UK

Firewalls, blocked ports, obsolete VPN software, and broken routers can interfere with a VPN connection. Find out below how to resolve different “VPN not working outside the UK” issues.

1. Check your network settings:

Your VPN won’t connect correctly if your network connection is unstable. Additionally, your VPN connection may become unstable if you frequently move between WiFi and mobile data. Don’t panic if your VPN keeps disconnecting due to an erratic internet connection.

To preserve your privacy outside the UK, ExpressVPN’s built-in Kill Switch will instantly turn off all of your devices. Here are 4 things you can do:

  • Reconnect to your Wi-FI network.
  • Start your router again.
  • Ensure your router is connected, and check its Ethernet wire.
  • If you need assistance in restoring your connection, get in touch with your ISP.

2. Change your server:

If a server is overcrowded, it may reject new connections. So, for example, if you’re having trouble connecting to a VPN for surfing UK sites, try disconnecting first, then choosing the UK server again. Your connection will be changed to another VPN server, which might fix the issue.

3. Make sure the right ports are opened:

To check if the proper ports are open for a VPN, consider adjusting your default port settings since your provider may be able to prohibit connection on a particular port. Open ports significantly increase the dangers associated with your internet connection, making your STV streaming safer outside the UK.

4. Reinstall your VPN software:

An updated version of your VPN will resolve any bugs and safety holes impairing its performance. Try reconnecting after updating your VPN app to the most recent version.

5. Upgrade to a better VPN service

You may face connectivity and speed issues more frequently if you use a free VPN service outside the UK. Unfortunately, free VPN services are unreliable or underfunded, with insufficient VPN servers and poor customer assistance.

Furthermore, these VPNs also collect your data without giving you the privacy you deserve outside the UK. This is why you need to upgrade now to a premium VPN service for STV streaming outside the UK, and you’ll be in safe hands.


VPNs to Avoid while Accessing STV Player outside the UK

Online security starts with a click. And so do online risks. Here are the VPNs to avoid for STV Player streaming outside the UK:

  1. Hola VPN: You may have stumbled across Hola VPN if you seek a free VPN service outside the UK. But, the fact that this provider is not actually a VPN is the most crucial thing to understand. It is a peer-to-peer (P2P) proxy service instead. There are no requirements for a good VPN that Hola VPN meets. It does not secure your connection and logs all of your online activity. It was also caught selling user bandwidth for botnets. Read more about this Hola Review.
  2. Hoxx VPN: Another VPN to avoid is Hoxx VPN due to DNS leaks, particularly from its Chrome extension. And forget about using TOR to get a very deep undercover because Hoxx VPN is incompatible with the TOR network. Unfortunately, we were unable to access STV outside the UK using Hoxx VPN. Check more of its details in our Hoxx VPN review.
  3. HideMyAss: Since Hide My Ass (HMA) is a UK-based VPN service, it is subject to all UK laws and rules. The problem is that despite being a UK VPN, HMA fails to access some channels in the UK when traveling overseas. For instance, during our tests, HMA disconnected with STV and Quest TV several times. Read more about this VPN in our detailed HideMyAss review.

FAQs – Best VPN For STV Player outside the UK

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for STV Player outside the UK for years now. It has built a reputation of trust among its users due to its privacy features, access capabilities, and fast servers.

STV is blocked outside the UK due to location-specific restrictions and licensing contracts. It is only available in Scotland. Thus, if you try to view the latest episodes and live shows outside the UK, STV Player will recognize your IP address and prohibit access.

Many streaming websites, including the STV Player, use robust IP-detection technologies to reject access from outside sources. In order to access the STV outside the UK, you should use the best VPN for STV Player outside the UK like ExpressVPN.

Yes, you can stream STV outside the UK by using a free VPN. However, because of their poor performance and lack of security outside the UK, we advise against using them. The majority of free servers have few servers but plenty of users, which clogs the network. A free VPN for STV outside the UK also limits your bandwidth, which causes continuous buffering.

Conclusion

On STV Player, you can watch various hit British series and live programs. But if you’re outside the UK and want to catch up on the streaming platform’s content, you can only do it using the best VPN for STV Player outside the UK. Connecting to its UK servers allows you to have buffer-free viewing outside the UK.

However, not every VPN provides you access to STV Player outside the UK. After testing dozens, we highly recommend ExpressVPN due to its multiple UK servers, excellent unblocking abilities, and blazing-fast speeds.

That’s all for this guide. Feel free to leave any questions you may have about the STV Player and VPN in the comments area below. Enjoy STV streaming!