How to watch Pokémon online for free

Stream 'Pokémon Horizons,' 'Pokémon Journeys,' 'Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl,' and more without spending anything.
 By 
Joseph Green
 on 
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Screenshot from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl on BBC
Credit: The Pokémon Company / BBC

TL;DR: Watch Pokémon for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


There are literally millions of Pokémon fans around the world, some concerned with collecting trading cards, some inspired by video games, and some dedicated to every aspect of the franchise. If you fall into the latter category, you should know that BBC iPlayer has a dedicated streaming channel for Pokémon. And better yet, it's possible to access this bank of content without spending anything.

If you're interested in watching Pokémon for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.


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How to watch Pokémon for free

Pokémon is available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer. The lineup includes Pokémon Horizons, Pokémon Journey, Pokémon: Sun and Moon, Pokémon: Black and White, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, and Pokémon: XY.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to watch Pokémon from anywhere in the world.

Stream Pokémon for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Stream Pokémon for free from anywhere in the world

Credit: ExpressVPN
$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Pokémon without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to binge everything on offer before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free streams on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Pokémon for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Global Shopping Editor

Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.

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