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How to watch Sky Go abroad with a VPN in 2024

Sky Go is arguably the best way to view U.K.-based television content. If you subscribe to a cable or satellite service that includes Sky-owned channels, you’re missing out if you don’t make use of the provider’s apps or web access.

Unfortunately, however, the service’s excellent content is only available to subscribers inside the U.K. and Ireland.

Users who attempt to access the service outside of either country will see an error message that reads, “Rights restrictions mean that this programme is not currently available.”

Happily, if you are a Sky TV subscriber who is currently outside of the U.K. or Ireland, there is a way to access your favorite movies and television shows carried by the network. By using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), viewers can make it appear that they are still inside the service’s designated countries.

When you’re considering which VPN provider is the right one to unblock Sky Go while outside its usual viewing area, do the following: Make sure that the provider has VPN servers stationed inside the U.K. or Ireland, that it offers excellent multi-platform support and that it has been tested to confirm that it does open access to Sky Go.

How to Watch Sky Go Using a VPN

If you’re longing to catch up on your favorite programs while visiting other countries, follow these steps to open up access.

  1. Subscribe to your VPN of choice. I recommend NordVPN.
  2. Download the software for your device of choice. Enter your login information.
  3. Select a VPN server located in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
  4. Connect to the Sky Go website or use the Sky Go app on your device. If you don’t already have an account with Sky, create one. (You are required to be a U.K. or Irish citizen, as Sky Go is part of your Sky cable or satellite subscription.)

Things should work great from here on in. However, if Sky Go doesn’t allow you to connect, do the following: Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, then refresh the page or restart the app. If that doesn’t work, disconnect from your VPN provider, select another server and reconnect.

Best Sky Go VPNs

We tested all of our favorite VPN providers, and the results proved the following 6 VPNs worked best to unblock Sky Go:

  1. NordVPN: My #1 VPN for Sky Go. NordVPN’s speeds are the fastest I’ve ever measured, and with comprehensive multi-platform support, it’s the best choice for enjoying Sky Go.
  2. Surfshark: Available at a low price, this service delivers fast connections and great security and privacy features. An unlimited simultaneous connections allowance means you can watch Sky Go on as many devices as you want at once.
  3. ExpressVPN: The service provides fast connection speeds, as well as top-notch privacy features and multi-platform support. It offers reliable servers located in the U.K. and Ireland.
  4. IPVanish: The provider owns and maintains its servers, ensuring top-notch performance and security. The company doesn’t impose any data caps or bandwidth limitations, meaning viewers can stream to their heart’s content.
  5. PrivateVPN: Fast connections and apps for all of the popular device platforms. Allows up to 6 connections at once and has an excellent record of unblocking streaming services.
  6. VyprVPN: Owns and operates its VPN servers. The service provides excellent speeds, top-notch privacy protections and above-average customer support.

I evaluated and ranked the top 6 Sky Go VPNs by the following criteria:

  • Servers located in the United Kingdom and Ireland
  • Reliable unblocking of Sky Go
  • Fast connection speeds
  • Good multi-platform support
  • Top-notch security and privacy protections

Here’s my list of the best VPNs for Sky Go:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is my top choice for VPNs to use to unblock your favorite shows and movies on the Sky Go service.

NordVPN offers 5,500+ servers in 59 countries. Two of those 59 countries are the United Kingdom and Ireland. Those servers deliver high-speed connections, which makes NordVPN the logical choice for streaming video content – especially HD and 4K content, like what Sky Go delivers.

NordVPN has users covered when it comes to apps for their devices, providing native support for iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Windows. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

NordVPN also offers a SmartDNS service, which allows gaming consoles and some set-top boxes to access international streaming services like Sky Go. However, the service doesn’t encrypt your connection.

All of the provider’s apps protect your connection with military-grade encryption and kill switch protection.

Privacy is an important consideration with any provider, and NordVPN doesn’t let you down there. The provider keeps no logs of any kind of their customers’ online travels while they’re connected to their servers. Bitcoin is accepted for subscription payments, adding another layer of privacy protection.

Pros

  • Great server coverage in the U.K. and Ireland
  • Powerful content-unblocking ability
  • High-speed connections
  • Top-notch multi-app support
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Selecting specific servers is more involved than with other providers

BEST VPN FOR SKY GO:NordVPN is my #1 choice for use with Sky Go. The provider offers servers inside both the U.K. and Ireland, all supplying fast connection speeds. NordVPN also breaks through blockades for other streaming services. You can try NordVPN risk-free with their 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • FireTV

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark placed high on this list, as it also does well at unblocking Sky Go from outside of her majesty’s borders, and for a bargain price.

Surfshark has 3,200+ servers stationed across the world in 65+ countries, including the U.K. and Ireland, giving you plenty of access to Sky Go. The speeds that the provider delivers are more than enough to enjoy HD viewing of your favorite shows and movies.

When it comes to multi-platform support, Surfshark has you covered. The provider offers apps for the Android, macOS, iOS, Windows, Linux and Amazon Fire device platforms. Extensions for the Chrome and Firefox browsers are available.

Thanks to the provider’s unlimited simultaneous connections allowance, you can connect as many devices as you like to the provider’s service at the same time.

Surfshark’s security measures are optimal, including a kill switch, military-grade encryption and an ad blocking feature. As for privacy, Surfshark keeps no usage logs and welcomes Bitcoin as a subscription payment method.

Pros:

  • Price is very reasonable
  • Connections are fast
  • Unlimited concurrent connections
  • Ideal security and privacy protections

Cons:

  • Apps could use more advanced options

BEST FOR BUDGET:Surfshark is a great choice if you want solid VPN protection that won’t break the bank. The provider’s fast speeds, excellent app support and unlimited simultaneous connections policy make it a top-notch option for streaming Sky Go. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Surfshark.

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • FireTV

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN is a great all-around option for protecting and enhancing your Sky Go viewing sessions.

This provider, based in the British Virgin Islands, has multiple VPN server farms located inside both the U.K. and Ireland. The service reliably unblocks Sky Go, along with numerous other streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu and others.

ExpressVPN’s speedy connections mean there’s little wait before your favorite Sky Go show begins streaming.

Sky Go is available on most of the popular device platforms, making multi-platform support an essential factor to consider. ExpressVPN is available on all of the major device platforms, offering native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, Linux and iOS devices. There are also browser extensions for Safari, Chrome and Firefox.

The provider also offers a MediaStreamer DNS service that allows devices incompatible with VPN apps, such as game consoles and set-top boxes, to connect to Sky Go. However, the service doesn’t encrypt your connection like the VPN service does.

Military-grade encryption protects your online activities from prying eyes, and a kill switch is available on the provider’s desktop apps to kill your internet connection if your device loses its connection to the ExpressVPN servers. In addition, the provider follows a zero-logs policy.

Although the provider limits simultaneous connections on the same login to 5 connections, you do have the option of using the provider with a long list of makes and models of routers. This allows you to protect multiple devices via a single VPN connection.

Pros

  • Speedy connections
  • Excellent global server coverage, with servers located in the U.K. and Ireland
  • Kill switch protection and military-level encryption
  • Unblocks both Sky Go and other popular streaming services

Cons

  • Charges higher price than other providers
  • 5 simultaneous connections limit

GREAT OVERALL OPTION:ExpressVPN performs highly in multiple categories, making it a well-rounded VPN. The provider’s speedy connections, comprehensive app support, wide global server coverage and excellent security and privacy protections make it a great all-arounder. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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4. IPVanish

IPVanish

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • FireTV

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish snagged 4th place in this roundup thanks to its easy-to-use apps, making it a good choice for first-time VPN users.

In addition to delivering reliable access to Sky Go, the provider offers an app that’s simple to figure out, which is available for macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick and Windows devices.

The apps include a handy obfuscation feature that disguises your VPN traffic, making it look like normal internet traffic. Privacy is not an issue, as the provider keeps no user activity logs of any kind.

IPVanish offers above-average global server coverage, including servers in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The provider owns its own servers, allowing for quicker responses when a server goes down and increased protection against outside parties gaining any access to users’ data.

Those company-owned servers offer fast connection speeds, making it an excellent option for streaming users. There are no bandwidth or data caps, allowing video lovers like you to stream your pants off.

The service offers an unlimited simultaneous connections allowance. In addition, IPVanish is compatible with numerous makes and models of routers.

Pros

  • Easy-to-use apps
  • Owns their VPN servers
  • Fast connection speeds
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons

  • No browser extensions
  • Lacks a Bitcoin payment option

BEST FOR BEGINNERS:IPVanish delivers an easy-to-use, fast and secure way to access Sky Go from outside of Ireland and the U.K. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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5. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN logo

PrivateVPN‘s inclusion on this list is thanks to its reliable ability to access Sky Go and its ability to work well from inside China, which is a plus for users who are regular visitors behind the Bamboo Curtain.

While this provider hasn’t been around quite as long as some of the other providers on this list, it has gained a good reputation in a relatively short period of time.

While PrivateVPN doesn’t offer the same global server coverage numbers as its competitors, it does cover the U.K. and Ireland, providing reliable access to Sky Go.

I should mention that PrivateVPN is located in Sweden, where the government has shown an unsettling interest in its citizens’ online activities. However, the provider has a strict no-logs policy, meaning there are no logs to examine if the government does get nosy.

The provider may have a limited number of servers, but those servers do deliver fast connections, meaning they won’t come up wanting when it comes to streaming quality. Apps for the Windows, macOS, Android and iOS platforms have the major devices covered.

The apps protect users’ connections with military-grade encryption. Users can connect up to 6 devices at once to the VPN.

Pros

  • Servers located in the U.K. and Ireland
  • Fast connection speeds
  • Top-notch privacy protections

Cons

  • Global server coverage needs improvement
  • Doesn’t have 24/7 live chat

GREAT SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is an attractive option for global travelers, especially those who visit China, where VPNs don’t have a good performance record. Fast connections and top-notch privacy protections add to the value. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.


6. VyprVPN

VyprVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.VyprVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

VyprVPN grabs the final spot in my top 5 thanks to its sterling reputation, which it earns from owning and operating its own server farms, which are located in the U.K., Ireland and nearly 70 other countries.

Providers that own their own server farms can respond more quickly when customers experience issues, and the fewer third parties that are involved, the more secure things are.

VyprVPN logs a minimal amount of information about their customers’ connections to the service, and doesn’t log any information connected to their online travels. Sadly, they don’t accept Bitcoin or any other encrypted form of payment.

As another plus for streaming fans, the provider not only unblocks Sky Go, but it also does a good job of unblocking Hulu and Netflix in the United States. And, once you’re connected, buffering won’t be an issue, thanks to VyprVPN’s speedy connections.

VyprVPN delivers support for the most popular device platforms, with native apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android devices. The app offers military-grade encryption, keeping your data safe.

The provider does limit the number of simultaneous connections to 3. However, the service works well with certain makes and models of routers, making it easy to protect all of your devices through one connection.

Pros

  • Provides access to Sky Go
  • Reliable connections
  • Owns and operates VPN servers

Cons

  • Slightly pricey
  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin

OWNS ITS OWN RELIABLE SERVERS:VyprVPN delivers excellent access to Sky Go and other streaming services. Owning and operating their VPN servers adds a layer of security to the service. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of VyprVPN.

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Can I Use a Free VPN to View Sky Go?

Yep, you can most likely gain access to Sky Go content by using a free VPN provider, but it’s not going to be a satisfactory experience. Well, unless you like bandwidth limits and long waits, that is.

“Free” VPN providers often place bandwidth and data limits on their users. And you may have to wait in a queue before connecting to their servers. The servers you’re allowed to connect to are also generally limited when using free VPNs.

Plus, remember one important thing: If you’re getting a free service on the internet, you are likely the product that service is selling. In this case, free VPNs have a tendency to collect information about their users’ online travels for sale to advertisers and other interested parties.

In addition to tracking you while online, free VPNs have also been known to inject ads and tracking cookies into your browsing sessions.

It’s up to you, but I would rather blow a few bucks a month for a VPN provider that doesn’t track me online or limit my bandwidth and data. But like I said, totally up to you.

Roundup - best VPNs for speed

Position Our Score Verdict
1.
4.5/5
Verdict: Our top rated VPN
Get NordVPN »
2.
4.5/5
Verdict: Best budget option
Get Surfshark »
3.
4.0/5
Verdict: Great privacy options
Get ExpressVPN »
4.
4.0/5
Verdict: Highly versatile
Get CyberGhost »
5.
3.0/5
Verdict: Up to 10 devices
Get PrivateVPN »

PRIVACY ALERT: Websites you visit can see these details about you:

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

By using a VPN you can hide these details and protect your privacy.

I recommend NordVPN - the top provider in my testing. It offers outstanding privacy features and there is currently a discounted rate available through this link.

Visit NordVPN

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