Sky Go is a lite online version of the popular UK cable subscription service. It’s available on a range of operating systems and platforms, including smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles.
You’ll be able to find a host of premium channels and content. We’ll list some of the most popular channels and programs below.
- Sky Atlantic – American shows including new episodes of Game of Thrones and Last Week Tonight
- Sky Sports Channels – Coverage includes live Premier League games, as well as WWE Smackdown and Raw
- Fox – The latest Fox shows, including The Walking Dead
- Sky Cinema – Numerous film channels in a range of genres
- Comedy Central – South Park
Of course, this is just a small selection compared to the entire range of on offer. It is one of the most popular streaming services in the UK, and the best way to catch up on your favorite shows.
In This Article –
If You Live Outside the UK, You Can’t Access Sky Go
It’s great if you’re located in the UK, but you’ll only be able to use Sky Go abroad with a VPN.
Otherwise, you’ll get the following error message:
“Sky go is only available to users connecting from within the UK or Republic of Ireland. You appear to be outside of these territories.”
As for the reason why; rights restrictions are the problem. From GoT to the WWE, shows are only allowed to be broadcast on certain channels in specific regions (due to copyright restrictions), and Sky doesn’t have the right to broadcast the content outside of the UK with the Sky Go app.
In other words, to watch Sky Go abroad you’ll need to use a VPN
Watch Sky Go Online with a VPN
Watching UK TV with a VPN and Sky Go is easier than you might have expected.
A Virtual Private Network (commonly known as a VPN) is a service that helps you to stay anonymous while you’re online. Once you connect your device to their secure servers, data is encrypted both ways to create a secure way to browse.
When you select a server to connect to, you’ll be given a relevant IP address for the region. This means that when you connect to a UK server, you should be able to access Sky Go streams.
As an added bonus, you’ll also benefit from the security provided by a VPN, which is great if you’re planning to use public WiFi, or if you want to keep your browsing history private from your ISP.
How We Select the Best VPN for Sky Go
We went through a range of criteria to find the best VPN for Sky Go.
The best Sky Go VPN will need a variety of high-speed servers in the UK, as the encryption process can often be taxing in terms of connection speeds.
A faster VPN should have little to no impact on your stream, so it’s worth paying a little extra for a solid provider. On that note, we also considered pricing and customer service, as well as any guarantee on offer.
#1 ExpressVPN – The Ultra Fast VPN Service
ExpressVPN is a premium pick that is always great for watching UK streams. They have some of the best speeds that money can buy, with several UK servers to choose from to access Sky Go. It’s reliable and dependable, with 24/7 live chat support in case you run into any issues along the way.
Overall, it’s a top pick with no flaws to speak of, making it a great candidate if you’re in the market for a new Sky Go VPN.
Price:
- One month: $12.95
- Six months: $9.99
- 15* months: $6.67 *Three months free
Try Now ExpressVPN – Risk Free – 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
For more information on ExpressVPN features, read our extensive ExpressVPN review.
#2 NordVPN – Optimal Speed and Security Mix
NordVPN offers a service that is perfect for watching UK streams, with a whopping 332 servers in the region. There’s no chance of NordVPN and Sky Go not working, and speeds are comparable to the very best on the market. The client app is simple to use, connecting to servers instantly with no difficulties.
Overall, we’d strongly recommend checking out NordVPN if you’re interested in a multi-purpose provider. Security is top-notch, and it has everything you need to ensure a smooth experience.
Price:
- One month: $11.95
- 12 months: $5.75
- 24 months: $3.29
Try Now NordVPN – Risk Free – 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
For more information on NordVPN features, read our extensive NordVPN review.
#3 VyprVPN – Value for Money
VyprVPN has something a little different when compared to the rest of our list. They split their service into two packages, with a ‘Premium’ version of their software that’s slightly more expensive than the normal version.
In terms of Sky Go, they only have server locations in London, and their refund policy leaves a lot to be desired:
“No refunds will be given under any circumstances. No refunds will be considered for accounts deleted for violation of our Terms of Service.”
It’s not exactly ideal if you run into any problems, and a 3-day trial is a scant consolation.
Price:
- Basic: 12 months: $5.00
- Premium: 12 months: $6.67
Try Now VyprVPN – Risk Free – 3 Day Money Back Guarantee
For more information on VyprVPN features, read our extensive VyprVPN review.
#4 IPVanish – Fair Speed for a Fair Price
With a host of servers located across the UK, IPVanish is another capable provider when it comes to watching Sky Go content. They have coverage in England and Scotland, with decent speeds throughout their network. They have a strict no-logs policy, it’s highly affordable, and the client app is simple and easy to use. While we had no real problems during testing, we did have a few issues with their overall service.
Additional Features:
One flaw is that their money-back guarantee is only valid for seven days, so you’ll have to be quick when making your final decision. Their customer support isn’t great either, as you’ll have to send an email to get in touch with their team, which could leave you waiting a couple of hours for a response.
Price:
- One month: $7.50
- Three months: $6.75 per month
- 12 months: $4.87 per month
Try Now IPVanish – Risk Free – 7 Day Money Back Guarantee
For more information on IPVanish features, read our extensive IPVanish review.
#5 Windscribe – The Best Free VPN For Sky GO
Windscribe is another provider with a free VPN service to go along with the premium option. Their unpaid coverage is better than most, with a cap of 10GB of data per month before you’ll be cut off. However, 10GB isn’t going to be enough if you plan to stream Sky Go content regularly, so it’s best to look at their paid service if you want a long-term solution.
Additional free features:
Windscribe doesn’t have the most extensive range of UK servers, and they’ve been cut off from Sky streams in the past. Overall, it’s arguably the best free VPN for Sky Go, and the unpaid version is a great way to trial the service.
If you choose to upgrade, this is the pricing:
One Month: $9.00
12 months: $4.08
Try Now Windscribe VPN – Completly Free – No Credit Card Needed
For more information on Windscribe features, read our extensive Windscribe review.
How to Install a VPN for Sky Go
We’ve prepared a quick guide to help you with the installation process, which should take roughly 5-10 minutes overall depending on your download speeds.
*If you don’t have a Sky account, it’s worth checking out Now TV for the same shows and sports for a flat monthly rate.
- Open the VPN provider’s website and sign up.
- Go to the Downloads page, and select the one that works with your OS, (ie Mac, Windows).
- Once the download is complete, open the client app and sign in.
- Choose a UK server when prompted for a British IP address.
- You should now be able to open the Sky Go app and login with your details.
If your Sky Go VPN is unable to stream, try selecting a different server, or reconnect to a UK server to test a different IP address.
Can I Watch Sky Go with a Free VPN
You can, but you’ll always be hamstrung in some shape or form. The best free VPN for Sky Go still won’t be good enough for heavy use, and most come with speed, bandwidth and server restrictions, as well as lots of ad popups.
Windscribe’s 10GB cap is generous in comparison to other free VPN providers. But 10GB won’t get you very far if you want to stream Sky Go regularly. If you want to use Sky Go to catch a match, it is a good option. But if you want to binge your favorite show or use it as your primary television service, it won’t be the best option.
The providers we’ve listed above offer some form of money-back guarantee, so it’s often easier to use that if you’re aiming to trial a service before committing to a longer deal.
Watch Sky Go Now with a VPN
With Sky Sports and movies, and a great mix of US and UK content, it’s hard to ignore Sky Go if you’re looking for a streaming service to rival Netflix and the like.
If you’re wondering how to watch Sky Go abroad, a VPN is always going to be ideal. For many expats, it’s the only way to watch content from home, and a VPN will ensure that you won’t receive any error messages while you’re trying to sign in.