How to watch Channel 4 On Demand (All 4) from anywhere

Like many popular streaming services, All 4 (previously 4oD) geo-restricts its digital On Demand service. This geo-blocking means that only users in the UK can watch All 4 content. Overseas users attempting to access All 4 will see the following message: “The service is not currently available in your area.”

However, by using a VPN, you can connect to a server in a different location and trick sites into believing you’re actually located somewhere else. This bypasses All 4’s regional restrictions and enables you to watch live channels, recent programs and on-demand content no matter where you’re physically located; perfect for watching Channel 4 abroad if you are traveling.

How to stream Channel 4 On Demand with a VPN

New to streaming with a VPN? It’s actually relatively simple to unblock geo-restricted platforms, just follow the steps below.

Here’s how to watch Channel 4 or All 4 from abroad for free:

1. Sign up to one of the VPN services listed below (we recommend ExpressVPN).
2. Download and install the client software. There will be a few different versions, so be sure to get the right one for your operating system.
3. Connect to a server in the appropriate country. For All 4, you’d use a British server.
4. Try watching available content on the Channel 4 site. It should load quickly with minimal, if any, buffering. Note that you may have to reload the page to see any changes.

HOW TO GET A PREMIUM VPN FREE: VPNs usually only offer their lowest prices to customers willing to subscribe for several years at a time. However, if you only need a VPN for a short time, for instance, if you’re on vacation, you can use ExpressVPN’s free 30-day trial instead. While you will have to pay upfront, you can cancel at any point within 30 days and receive a full refund.

The best VPN for watching All 4

The first step is choosing a suitable VPN. Every service is slightly different, so it pays to consider your online habits before committing to a particular VPN. For example, some services prioritize speed above all else, while others make it easier to create highly sophisticated security setups. To find the best VPNs for accessing All 4 from abroad, we looked for services which met the criteria below:

1. Capable of unblocking All 4 and similar services
2. Has several British servers to choose from
3. Offers stable connections and has minimal impact on your connection speed
4. Includes strong encryption and additional security features
5. Logs no personally identifiable information or ideally, logs nothing at all

1. ExpressVPN

Aug 2020 Unblocks Channel 4Tested Aug 2020

ExpressVPN is excellent for streaming: it currently boasts more than 3,000 servers in 160 locations spread throughout 94 different countries, including five server locations in the UK. Further, it can beat all but the most stringent geo-restriction measures; you’ll be able to stream content from All 4, and other major digital TV services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

ExpressVPN offers excellent security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IPv6 leak protection. It doesn’t log any data that could identify you and even allows you to pay using bitcoin to anonymize yourself as much as possible. You can reach customer support 24/7 via live chat, and they’ll usually respond in seconds.

ExpressVPN has user-friendly apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. It also works on select wireless routers, although these must be configured manually.

BEST VPN FOR CHANNEL 4 - ALL 4:ExpressVPN is our #1 Choice. Reliably unblocks All 4 as well as nearly all UK streaming sites. Exceptional speeds for buffer-free HD viewing along with total security and privacy. Try it risk-free with the 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

2. NordVPN

Unblocks Channel 4Tested Aug 2020

NordVPN leads the way when it comes to network size. This VPN provider has almost 5,700 servers across 60 countries, and 654 to choose from in the UK alone. It’s fast enough to stream live HD video from sites like All 4 without any problems, and can even unblock more popular services including Netflix and Hulu.

This veteran provider puts a huge emphasis on security. 256-bit encryption is enabled by default, but users can also take advantage of DNS/IPv6 leak protection, an application-specific kill switch, Tor over VPN functionality, and the ability to use multiple VPNs at once. This service stores no personally identifiable information and accepts cryptocurrency payments, so you can browse entirely anonymously.

This VPN offers apps for MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. NordVPN can be manually installed on Linux-based systems and supported network routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:NordVPN is a good value all-rounder. A great value option which unblocks most UK streaming services, including Channel 4. Great privacy and security credentials. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

3. Surfshark

unblocks channel 4Tested Aug 2020

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that nevertheless has a lot to offer. It has servers in 60+ countries including the UK, and unblocks not just All 4, but even platforms like ITV Hub and BBC iPlayer. Unlike most VPNs, which allow up to six simultaneous connections, Surfshark has no connection limit, making it ideal for families or homes with lots of devices.

Of course, security is just as important as unblocking ability. Luckily, Surfshark excels here too: it uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection to keep your activities safe from prying eyes at all times. There’s even a feature that automatically blocks ads and scans for malware. Surfshark has a strict no-logging policy so your privacy is guaranteed. 24/7 customer support is available over live chat, should you need it.

Surfshark has apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It can be manually installed on home routers.

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

STREAM ANYWHERE:Surfshark has excellent unblocking abilities and no device limit, so you can stream anywhere, anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. CyberGhost

Unblocks Channel 4Tested Aug 2020

CyberGhost works a little differently than most: it allows you to choose either a specific server to use (there are 486+ in the UK and more than 5,700 worldwide) or have one assigned based on its suitability for a given task like torrenting or browsing safely. CyberGhost allows you to unblock All 4 and many other websites with a single click, making it ideal for novice and Smart TV users.

Despite its simple, user-friendly design, CyberGhost has some powerful security features built-in. For instance, you can have it automatically block ads and scan for malware. There’s also 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and port forwarding leaks. It doesn’t log any session or traffic details, so cannot divulge details of your activities to anyone.

CyberGhost has dedicated Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux and iOS apps. With manual configuration, you can install it on some home routers too.

Beginner friendly:CyberGhost is easy to use. A well priced solid performer. Good at unblocking All 4 but some servers struggle with other streaming sites. Comes with a 45-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

5. IPVanish

Unblocks Channel 4Tested Aug 2020

IPVanishhas 89 British servers to choose from (1,300+ worldwide), and speeds high enough to stream HD video flawlessly, it is an excellent VPN to use with All 4. It’s capable of unblocking platforms such as ITV Hub, Sling TV, and Acorn TV effortlessly, so All 4 doesn’t pose any threat. Further, this service permits up to ten simultaneous connections where many of its rivals allow six at most.

Although its apps are lightweight, they include plenty of advanced functionality. 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch are enabled by default, but users can also choose to obfuscate their OpenVPN traffic, switch IP addresses at timed intervals, and block all LAN traffic. IPVanish does not log any personally identifiable information, so your activities remain private at all times.

IPVanish is one of the few major VPNs with an app in the Amazon Fire TV store. Additionally, it has dedicated versions for Android, Windows, iOS, and MacOS. This service can be manually configured to work with Linux and select routers.

UP TO 10 DEVICES:IPVanish is great for families and multiple connections. Unblocks Channel 4 – video On-Demand service – All 4 but can’t unblock as many streaming services as rivals higher on this list. 7-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

Unblocks Channel 4Tested Aug 2020

PrivateVPN has fewer servers (just four in the UK, and 78 worldwide) than similar services, but offers higher speeds. In fact, it’s fast enough to stream live HD video with no noticeable buffering. Better still, in addition to All 4, this VPN can unblock streaming platforms many others can’t, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and PlayStation Vue.

This service enables IPv6 and DNS leak protection by default. It uses 256-bit encryption coupled with a kill switch to ensure your traffic is hidden at all times, and with no personally identifiable information stored, your activities can’t be traced back to you. PrivateVPN really shines when it comes to customer support: its team is available 24/7 via live chat, and they’re even capable of installing and configuring the software for you remotely, with your permission.

PrivateVPN comes with specific apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS systems. Manual installation is required for Linux-based platforms and wireless routers.

GREAT SPEED:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Unblocks All 4 and generally suitable for browsing and torrenting. Allows up to 6 devices. Could do with more servers. 30-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Can I watch Channel 4 On Demand with a free VPN?

Although you might be tempted to use a free VPN, there are several reasons we recommend avoiding them. Despite having more users than premium services, free VPNs usually don’t have the network infrastructure required to support them. In practical terms, this means you’re more likely to encounter long buffering times, stuttering video playback, and possibly even random disconnection from the VPN. These factors all point to a poor streaming experience, but when you consider that free VPNs are the first to be blocked by major platforms, their viability is reduced even further.

While free VPNs don’t charge you directly, they aren’t truly free: you just pay with your personal information instead of money. These services can profit from you in many ways, from placing ads on the pages you visit, to tracking you over a longer period of time using cookies. This allows them to build a highly detailed profile of your browsing habits which can then be sold to the highest bidder without your knowledge. VPNs are supposed to keep your activities anonymous, not share them with third parties, so this is simply unacceptable.

Lastly, consider the security risk that free VPNs pose. In 2016, researchers surveyed more than 200 free Android VPN apps and found that almost 40% contained some fort of malware. Additionally, many of these purported VPNs didn’t actually encrypt anything. Even using a high-profile service doesn’t guarantee your safety; we’ve seen a major free VPN facilitate a botnet with its users’ bandwidth before.

You can’t be too careful when it comes to online security. To protect yourself, your devices, and your personal information, we recommend using a reputable VPN with a tried and tested no-logging policy.

How do you sign up for All 4?

While All 4 is free-to-use, you will have to create an account beforehand. This is a relatively straightforward process: just go to the registration page and enter your email address, password, and date of birth. You’ll also be asked for a UK postcode; the service uses this to find your address, but there are no further verification measures in place. In fact, there isn’t even common-sense postcode filtering; it’s even possible to create an account using Buckingham Palace’s postcode.

Once registered, you can immediately log in and start streaming. However, you should note that UK law requires you to have a TV License to watch content as it’s airing on TV. All 4 doesn’t make users aware of this before loading the live stream, so it’s easy to overlook. A TV License isn’t necessary for watching on-demand content, unlike with the BBC iPlayer, to which different rules apply.

What can I watch on Channel 4 oD?

Channel 4 has a wide variety of content available including themed collections & entire series. Below, we’ve listed some of the channel’s most popular tv series titles:

1. Hollyoaks
2. Father Ted
3. Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA
4. The IT Crowd
5. Peep Show
6. The Great British Bake Off
7. Come Dine with Me
8. 8 Out of 10 Cats
9. First Dates
10. Supernatural

All 4 FAQs

See also:

• How to watch ITV abroad
• How to watch Sky Go abroad