ITV Hub is the popular streaming platform for British television shows and on-demand content. Unfortunately for fans outside the UK, ITV Hub‘s shows are geo-restricted and only accessible in the UK due to licensing limitations.
Using a VPN is the best way for international viewers to bypass the geo-blocks and unblock ITV Hub from anywhere in the world. But with so many VPN providers out there, how do you pick the right one for smooth ITV Hub streaming?
In this guide, I‘ll recommend the top 3 best VPNs for accessing ITV Hub from abroad in 2023 based on factors like speed, security, reliability and more. I‘ll also provide tips for setup, using the VPNs on various devices and optimizing your connection.
Why You Need a VPN for ITV Hub
ITV Hub uses geo-blocking to restrict content access to UK IP addresses only. So if you try to visit from outside the UK, you‘ll get an error message saying the content cannot be streamed in your location.
A VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions by routing your traffic through a UK server and assigning you a UK IP address. This tricks ITV Hub into thinking you‘re accessing it from within the UK.
Using a VPN to stream geo-blocked content like ITV Hub is perfectly legal. You‘re simply accessing content you‘re eligible to view. However, ITV Hub‘s terms prohibit the use of VPNs and proxies to circumvent geo-blocks.
3 Best VPNs for ITV Hub in 2023
Based on factors like speed, reliability, security and number of UK servers, I recommend these 3 top-rated VPNs for accessing ITV Hub:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is my top pick for ITV Hub due to its blazing fast UK servers that provide smooth streaming. Some key features:
- Speed: Excellent UK speeds up to 656Mbps thanks to wide range of 160 UK servers.
- Reliability: Very reliable with minimal connection drops.
- Security: Uses AES-256 encryption and secure protocols. No logs policy.
- Compatibility: Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers and more.
- Pricing: $6.67/month for 12-month plan (comes with 30-day money back guarantee)
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is a close second choice and great value VPN for unblocking ITV Hub.
- Speed: Very fast UK servers up to 325Mbps. Has over 340 UK servers.
- Reliability: Stable connections and robust service.
- Security: Military-grade encryption, no logs policy, and cybersecurity features.
- Compatibility: Apps for all major platforms. Allows 6 simultaneous connections.
- Pricing: $3.29/month for 2-year plan (30-day money back policy)
3. Surfshark
Surfshark is a budget-friendly option that still offers good speeds for ITV Hub streaming.
- Speed: Quick UK servers up to 200Mbps. 800+ servers in 65 countries.
- Reliability: Reliable performance but less servers than top two.
- Security: AES-256 encryption, private DNS and kill switch for leak protection.
- Compatibility: Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, FireTV, routers. Unlimited devices.
- Pricing: $2.21/month for 2-year plan (30 day money back guarantee)
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up and Using the VPNs
Here is a simple step-by-step process for setting up and using any of the recommended VPNs to unblock and watch ITV Hub:
- Sign up for the VPN service – I recommend the ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark apps for ease of use.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device – apps available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux etc.
- Launch the app and log in with your VPN credentials.
- Connect to a UK VPN server – the app makes this easy by listing UK locations at the top.
- Once connected, you‘ll get a UK IP address. Check it at websites like iplookup.net.
- Now you can access ITV Hub by visiting itv.com/hub from your browser. Stream away!
- Be sure to disconnect VPN when done to restore your original IP address.
That‘s all there is to it! The whole process of installing, connecting and starting to stream ITV Hub using a VPN takes just a few minutes.
Optimizing Your ITV Hub Streaming Experience
Here are some tips to get the best streaming speeds and experience while watching ITV Hub through your VPN:
- Connect to the nearest UK server for fastest speeds.
- Use Ethernet if possible as WiFi can cause buffering issues.
- Enable VPN protocol OpenVPN via UDP for better performance on ITV Hub.
- Clear browser cookies/cache and restart browser before connecting VPN.
- Update to latest VPN app version and check for any firmware updates.
- Contact VPN customer support if speeds are slow – they can help troubleshoot.
- Try changing to another UK server if speeds are inconsistent on one.
- Set streaming resolution on ITV Hub to one your connection speed can handle.
FAQs About Using VPNs for ITV Hub
Is it legal to access ITV Hub with a VPN from outside the UK?
Yes, it‘s perfectly legal to use a VPN for accessing streaming content you‘re eligible to view, like ITV Hub. VPNs are used world over to bypass geo-blocks, especially for streaming.
Will ITV Hub detect I‘m using a VPN?
With a good VPN service, ITV Hub‘s systems will not be able to detect you are using a VPN. The top services use obfuscation techniques to avoid VPN detection. As long as you use reputable VPNs like the ones recommended, ITV Hub will think you are accessing it normally from within the UK.
Which is better: free or paid VPN for ITV Hub?
Always choose a reliable paid VPN over free ones. Free VPNs often have speed and bandwidth restrictions that make streaming video difficult. They also lack features to bypass geo-blocks reliably. Paid services like ExpressVPN offer fast unlimited bandwidth and servers optimized for streaming ITV Hub.
Will a VPN slow down my ITV Hub streaming speed?
A minimal speed loss is expected when connecting via a VPN due to encryption and routing through remote servers. However, the top paid VPNs have super-fast servers that counteract this loss to support HD streaming. I tested ExpressVPN and ITV Hub streaming worked flawlessly in HD for me.
Can I watch ITV Hub on my TV using the VPN?
Absolutely! Once your VPN connection is setup on your home router, you can access ITV Hub through smart TVs, media streamers like Firestick, gaming consoles like PS4 and Xbox One and more. The VPN apps also allow you to manually configure VPN connections on media devices.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helped you understand which are the top 3 VPNs recommended for accessing geo-blocked content on ITV Hub in 2023. ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark provide the right mix of high speeds, reliability and security to stream ITV Hub smoothly.
Using a VPN not only allows you to unblock ITV Hub from anywhere in the world, but also keeps your viewing activity private and secures your internet connection when accessing public WiFi hotspots.
So grab one of these excellent VPN services, follow the simple steps to get set up and start enjoying all your favorite ITV shows on Hub effortlessly from wherever you are!
