Best VPN for Sky Go – watch Sky Go from abroad in 2024

Sky Go is a streaming app available to Sky TV subscribers and exclusive to the UK and Ireland. As such, it’s impossible to access the service while traveling abroad. Unless, you have a high-quality VPN for Sky Go, which can unblock the app anywhere abroad.

The Cybernews research team and I tested around 43 VPN services to find out which work best with Sky Go. When picking testing parameters, I prioritized speed, unblocking effectiveness, price, and other factors influencing the streaming experience. Ultimately, I decided that the following 5 VPNs are best for watching Sky Go abroad.

Best VPNs for Sky Go in 2024: shortlist

1. NordVPN – best VPN for Sky Go to stream abroad in 2024
2. Surfshark – best Sky Go VPN with unlimited connections
3. Norton Secure VPN – affordable VPN for Sky Go with robust security
4. ExpressVPN – reliable Sky Go VPN for lag-free streaming abroad
5. CyberGhost – cheap VPN for Sky Go with streaming-optimized servers

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Why do I need a VPN for Sky Go?

Due to geo-restrictions, Sky Go is only available in the UK and Ireland. As such, viewers abroad cannot access this streaming service. They will instead be welcomed with this message:

“Sky Go is only available to users connecting from within the UK or Republic of Ireland, unfortunately we cannot confirm that you are within these territories at the moment. Please try later.”

Luckily, a UK or Irish IP address will help you unblock Sky Go anywhere. You get one using a high-quality VPN service with many servers in those regions. Plus, a virtual private network grants other excellent benefits.

For example, the same VPN that unblocks Sky Go abroad can bypass geographical restrictions on other online services. That means you’ll also have access to other UK-specific streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer and Channel 4.

Personally, my favorite benefit of a VPN is that it grants privacy and hides my activities from my ISP. This also makes it less likely that I’ll experience internet speed throttling.

Expert comment

Akvilė Tamašiūnienė

Content editor and security expert

To bypass geo-restrictions with a VPN, you need access to multiple UK servers in different regions, as many restrictions are state-specific. The VPN should also use modern tunneling protocols for fast connection speeds, which are crucial for HD streaming.

When choosing a VPN, I also look for features like a kill switch to prevent IP leaks and Dynamic IP addresses, which change each time you log in. These make it harder to track you and provide better security, as streaming services often block VPNs.

Thus, you need a reliable VPN with great speeds and useful features. NordVPN has worked well for me.

How to watch Sky Go from abroad with a VPN

You can easily watch Sky Go anywhere with a Sky TV account and a reliable VPN. Here’s a quick guide showing how to enjoy your favorite movies outside the UK and Ireland:

1. Choose a reliable VPN for Sky Go. I tested NordVPN, which now comes with a 74% discount
2. Install the VPN app and register an account. The standard plan works just fine
3. Connect to the UK or Ireland server
4. Open the Sky Go app, log in, and watch your shows anywhere

Watch Sky Go with NordVPN

Note: This method only works if you already have a Sky TV account. Registering one requires a relevant postcode, credit card details, and other information proving you live in the UK or Ireland.

Best VPN for Sky Go streaming abroad – detailed list

I selected the best VPNs for Sky Go in 2024 to help you access this streaming platform anywhere worldwide. The list is based on the criteria I set out, which includes servers in the UK and Ireland, capabilities to bypass content restrictions, performance, security features, and value-to-price ratio. Below, I will describe each provider in more detail.

1. NordVPN – overall best VPN to watch Sky Go abroad

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NordVPN is an excellent choice for unlocking Sky Go outside the UK and Ireland. With 440+ servers in the UK and 50+ in Ireland, advanced security features, and first-class customer support, NordVPN is my top choice for streaming Sky Go overseas.

NordVPN offers over 490 servers in the UK and Ireland in total. To put that into perspective, the entire server fleet spans 6300 servers across 111 countries, which is one of the most diverse selections on this list. Regarding security, NordVPN offers the unique Threat Protection feature to keep your streaming activities free from trackers and ads.

During my tests when reviewing NordVPN, the VPN showed impressive speed results with the proprietary NordLynx protocol. It retained around 90% of my original speed, which is the best retention rate of all the Sky Go VPNs I tested.

I had no trouble unblocking Sky Go abroad while using NordVPN. Its UK servers consistently granted me swift and stable connections while testing the service on my PC.

NordVPN is compatible with all major OSes, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also works on routers and even has an app for tvOS. My favorite feature is Smart DNS, which makes it possible to unblock content even on devices that don’t support VPN software. NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat customer support. You can also resolve issues using email support, a knowledge base, and how-to guides.

If you like what NordVPN has to offer, you can get a subscription from only $3.09/month for 10 devices. Each plan also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to try it risk-free.

2. Surfshark – best Sky Go VPN with unlimited connections

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Surfshark is another excellent VPN for Sky Go, especially if you want to watch your favorite shows on multiple devices. Unlike other VPNs on this list, Surfshark VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for large households.

Surfshark has over 212 servers across the UK and Ireland to help you unblock access to Sky Go. In total, customers can choose from over 3200 servers in 100 countries. Meanwhile, you’ll be kept secure by CleanWeb, which, similar to NordVPN’s Threat Protection, blocks ads and trackers.

When I tested Surfshark servers, the performance results were excellent. With WireGuard, the speed retention was around 86%. Such speeds ensured I had no buffering issues while watching in HD quality.

Using its massive server fleet, Surfshark has no trouble unblocking Sky Go anywhere. Plus, it can give access to many other popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube TV.

The provider has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux and can also be set up on a router to have your whole network encrypted. I appreciate that Smart DNS is available to unblock content without a VPN app.

All of these Surfshark perks come at a really affordable price, starting from as low as $2.19/month. There are no limits to how many devices you can connect, and you can use a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our Surfshark vs NordVPN analysis to see which one suits you better.

3. Norton Secure VPN – affordable Sky Go VPN with a strong security suite

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Norton Secure VPN is a great VPN option for unblocking Sky Go and accessing content abroad. It offers a combination of security and streaming features that allow you to enjoy your favorite sports or other content without breaking the bank.

Norton VPN offers 5000 servers in 28+ countries, including the UK. However, this is the smallest server network in this list, making it subpar for granting diverse IP addresses. Also, Norton VPN offers an ad blocker to provide an ad-free streaming experience.

During my speed tests of Norton VPN, it managed to keep a retention rate of 74%. Although not the fastest, Norton VPN offers above-average speed test results with Sky Go.

This provider successfully unblocked Sky Go and other popular streaming services for me. These include BBC iPlayer, Max, and YouTube TV. However, it couldn’t unblock Netflix, which is a shame because it’s my most used streaming service.

Norton Secure VPN works seamlessly on a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, letting you stream Sky Go on your preferred device. Disappointingly, it doesn’t include Smart DNS, making it inferior to NordVPN and Surfshark.

You get the best value for money with Norton VPN if you choose the 1-year subscription, which costs $3.33/month and supports up to 10 simultaneous connections.

4. ExpressVPN – versatile Sky Go VPN to bypass geo-restrictions

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ExpressVPN boasts a huge server fleet, similar in size to Surfshark's. In addition, this VPN is famous for working wonderfully with unblocking streaming platforms, so accessing Sky Go with ExpressVPN will be easy.

ExpressVPN no longer discloses how many servers it has, but the last known number was over 3000 servers in 105 countries. Unique security features include Threat Manager, which blocks app trackers for improved privacy.

My ExpressVPN tests with the UK server showed that the VPN can retain 77% of the original speed. Although the VPN is slower compared to NordVPN or Surfshark, its proprietary Lightway protocol ensures lag-free streaming with Sky Go, even in HD.

ExpressVPN easily bypassed Sky Go geo-restrictions and worked well with other media entertainment services while I was testing it. Suitable streaming services include Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video.

Like other providers on this list, ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Apple TV, Android TV, and can be manually set up on a router. If you want an excellent router VPN experience, you can buy their router with ExpressVPN built in. Even better, ExpressVPN offers MediaStreamer, a feature similar to Smart DNS for unblocking content without a VPN app.

ExpressVPN's main drawback is its price point. Subscriptions start at $6.67/month, and it supports up to 8 simultaneous connections. Luckily, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. CyberGhost – secure Sky Go VPN with streaming-optimized servers

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CyberGhost VPN is an excellent Sky Go VPN with a vast server fleet that includes streaming-optimized servers. Besides unblocking capabilities, it offers many features to help you improve your security and privacy online.

CyberGhost offers 1134+ servers in the UK and 117+ in Ireland, which is the most extensive number among my selected providers. For reference, CyberGhost’s entire fleet spans X servers across Y countries. On top of that, it offers crucial security features like a kill switch, customizable encryption, and a strict no-logs policy.

CyberGhost supports the WireGuard tunneling protocol, which I tested by connecting to the UK server and accessing Sky Go. During my tests, the VPN retained up to 86% of the initial speeds.

When I researched CyberGhost, there were no issues with unblocking Sky Go outside the UK and Ireland. If you’re interested in more entertainment, it can also help you watch global movies and shows on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming platforms.

CyberGhost is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and some smart TVs. Plus, you can set it up on your router. Plus, Smart DNS is available to unblock movies and TV shows without a VPN app.

CyberGhost pricing starts from $2.03/month for 7 simultaneous connections. Each plan includes an extra long 45-day money-back guarantee in case you decide it’s not for you.

Best VPNs for Sky Go streaming abroad: feature comparison

Winner

Get NordVPN, now 74% OFF!

How we tested Sky Go VPNs

The research team and I tested around 43 VPN services to learn which are best for Sky Go. The main VPN selection criterion was servers in the UK because that’s the bare minimum a VPN needs to unblock Sky Go abroad. After that, the VPN testing process was as follows:

1. The first step was opening the VPN app, judging its interface, and evaluating its overall ease of use. Our primary testing devices were Windows and Mac laptops.
2. Once the VPN app is open, we connect to the nearest available UK server and measure our connection speeds to see whether there’s a significant speed reduction. Naturally, we used the fastest available protocol (usually WireGuard) for the best possible speeds.
3. We then check whether our IP address changed to a UK one and whether there are any DNS leaks that could make unblocking Sky Go more difficult.
4. If everything is solid, we can open the Sky Go app and check whether it works as if we are currently in the UK.
5. We spend some time watching some content on Sky Go to see if the connection is stable and if there are any lagging issues.
6. We repeat the process multiple times with different UK server and device combinations to see if performance is consistent with other variables.

How to choose a VPN for Sky Go

I recommend considering a few things before picking a VPN for Sky Go.

The first criterion is UK server availability because you’ll need those to unblock Sky Go abroad. Secondly, you should ensure the VPN has what it takes to guarantee swift connection speeds, namely, modern tunneling protocols like WireGuard. I also suggest checking a few third-party VPN speed testing results to see whether their findings match. After all, fast connections are essential to ensure smooth streaming on Sky Go.

Next, it’s paramount to check if the VPN is compatible with your preferred Sky Go device. Most VPNs offer desktop and mobile apps, but smart TVs and other obscure devices are trickier. On that note, you should also see if the service supports enough simultaneous connections for your household. Lastly, you should consider whether the service’s price is worth it.

Can I watch Sky Go abroad?

Yes, you can watch Sky Go abroad with the help of a VPN. To watch Sky Go outside of the UK and Ireland, you’ll need a reliable streaming VPN, especially while traveling and wishing to stream shows and movies only available on this platform. This way, you can change your IP address location to one in the UK or Ireland and connect to Sky Go.

The entire content library will be available for you to stream, even while traveling outside of the country, and you won’t face the error message suggesting that your Sky content cannot be viewed in this country.

Sky Go not working with a VPN? Here’s how to fix

I noticed that on rare occasions, Sky Go did not work with a VPN. If that happens, the website displays an error message. This can happen for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it could be that your actual location and IP address are leaking because of a faulty VPN connection. Or, you accidentally connected to the wrong server location. Another suspect is your browser’s stored cache and cookies, which can inadvertently expose your location. Finally, there’s a chance your chosen VPN service simply can’t bypass geographical restrictions imposed by Sky Go.

If Sky Go VPN is not working, there are a few easy fixes you can try:

• Try reconnecting to the VPN to change your UK VPN server
• Make sure you’re connected to a server in the UK or Ireland
• Clear history, cookies and cache from your web browser
• Set English as your OS language and change the time zone to UTC +0
• Disable all services that use your location
• Update your OS to the latest version
• Switch to a premium VPN with a proven ability to unblock streaming sites, like NordVPN

NordVPN for Sky Go

NordVPN offers over 490 servers in the UK and Ireland, so you can easily unblock Sky Go from anywhere. In addition, this VPN has blazing-fast speeds for lag-free streaming, reliable security features, and other tools to enhance your browsing experience.

cybernews® score

4.9 /5

• Vast list of servers in the UK and Ireland
• Lag-free streaming experience
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit NordVPN

Can I use a free VPN to watch Sky Go?

I don’t recommend using a free VPN for Sky Go. Free VPN providers have limited server options, meaning that you might not even get a UK or Ireland server. Even if a server is available, it can be overcrowded and lead to constant lags.

In addition, using a free VPN can cause more harm than good since free providers may distribute malware or collect private user information to share with third parties.

Instead of picking a free VPN, I recommend choosing a premium solution with a free trial or a money-back guarantee. This way, you can test the service before committing to a long-term subscription plan. These are my favorite solutions:

1. NordVPN. You can get many servers in the UK and Ireland for watching Sky Go from anywhere and top-class security features with a free 7-day trial for Android. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee that you can use to enjoy the services free of charge for even longer. If you like the services, subscriptions start from only $3.09/month.
2. Surfshark. Unlimited simultaneous connections, a variety of UK and Ireland servers, and great streaming possibilities – all available with a free 7-day trial on macOS, iOS, and Android or the 30-day money-back guarantee. The price of premium plans is also very affordable, starting from as low as $2.19/month.

How to watch Sky Go using Smart DNS

Smart DNS is a feature that enables unrestricted access to streaming content on a smart TV and other devices. How does it differ from a VPN? Instead of encrypting all traffic, Smart DNS only encrypts your DNS requests. In short, Smart DNS can unblock access to Sky Go, but you will not be able to use all the amazing security and privacy features offered by a reliable VPN.

Moreover, using Smart DNS is less stable than using a VPN. Most popular streaming providers now block proxy services, which means you have lower chances of unblocking geo-restricted content than if you use a VPN. The good news is, such great VPNs as NordVPN and Surfshark have Smart DNS built-in already, you just need to enable the feature in the settings.

Here’s how to use SmartDNS on NordVPN:

1. Disable active VPN connections and proxies
2. Visit https://my.nordaccount.com/dashboard/nordvpn/ and enable SmartDNS in the Services menu
3. In the You have successfully activated SmartDNS email from NordVPN, you will receive primary and secondary DNS server addresses
4. In your router’s control panel, enter the DNS server addresses and click Apply
5. Restart your device
6. Enjoy Sky Go!

Pro tip: if you have trouble setting up NordVPN’s SmartDNS feature, you can take advantage of the provider’s professional 24/7 support.

Try out NordVPN for Sky Go

What is Sky Go?

Sky Go is a streaming app for Sky TV subscribers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It allows users to watch live TV and recorded media on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices via an internet connection.

The cheapest 18-month Sky Stream subscription starts from £26/month and includes Sky Q, Sky TV, and Netflix. You get to watch the basic channels, like Channel 5, BBC One, ITV, and Sky’s original ones, like Sky Sports News, Sky History, Sky Showcase, and all Netflix content.

It’s worth mentioning that Sky Go allows streaming on two different devices simultaneously. There are also other services that include Sky Go (Sky Q Multiscreen and Sky Glass/Sky Stream Whole Home), which allow up to 4 simultaneous connections. Either way, any VPN on our list will be OK with this, as they all allow more than 5 devices connected at once.

However, since Sky TV services are only available in the UK and Ireland, subscribers can’t access the Sky Go app when traveling abroad. Note that EU portability regulations no longer apply to the UK, so it’s impossible to watch Sky Go overseas, outside and within the EU. Luckily, if you have an active Sky TV account, you can use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and watch your regular content from any country.

What can I watch on Sky Go?

Depending on which Sky TV subscription plan you choose, you can watch a wide variety of content provided by popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and others. On top of that, depending on your chosen cable plan, you can watch up to 72 channels: E!, Cartoon Network, etc.

Here is a quick summary of the most popular content you can watch on Sky Go:

Watch Sky Go with NordVPN

Conclusion

Sky Go shows a wide variety of popular content, but it’s only available for users in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Anyone wanting to stream content from abroad needs to use a reliable Sky Go VPN. Using a trusted VPN, you can change the IP address location and access Sky Go, along with other streaming services.

Based on my testing, NordVPN is the best Sky Go VPN. This provider offers over 490 servers in the UK and Ireland, blazing-fast speeds for lag-free streaming, excellent security features, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service out risk-free.

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