HBO Max is available in an increasing number of countries, but its coverage is still far from being worldwide. This means that if you visit a country where the service isn't supported, you won't be able to access your existing HBO Max account and watch your favorite TV shows unless you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
In this guide, we'll show you how you can circumvent geographic restrictions by using a VPN. Using a VPN for HBO Max will allow you to trick the site into thinking you're actually located in the US (or any other country where the platform is available), so you access the service with ease. But, not all services will work, so read on to find out which HBO Max VPN will work for you in 2024.
What are the best HBO Max VPNs?
We have listed the HBO Max VPNs below. For more detailed information on the providers listed here, continue scrolling to see our in-depth summaries.
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for HBO Max. Lightning-fast, super-secure, slick apps, and plenty of US servers, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN - The best buy HBO Max VPN. Offers thousands of fast servers and user-friendly apps with some of the most advanced privacy features.
- Private Internet Access - The most secure HBO Max VPN. Comes with a court-proven zero-logs policy and reliable servers throughout the US.
- Surfshark - Great all-around HBO Max VPN. This budget-friendly option is loved by its users and it works perfectly with HBO Max.
- CyberGhost VPN - An easy-to-use VPN for HBO Max. Offers exceedingly user-friendly apps, for all platforms, that unblock HBO Max with ease.
5 best VPNs for HBO Max – In–depth analysis
Below, you'll find an in-depth list of the best VPNs for HBO Max. Check the summaries for each provider here to see which one will work best for you.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for unblocking geo-restricted services, including HBO Max. Offers chart-topping speeds, world-class security, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN is a provider based in the British Virgin Islands that has long been one of the very best in the business. And it's no different when it comes to unblocking HBO Max. This VPN is the best of the best for anyone wanting to stream HBO Max from abroad. With blazing-fast servers in 94 countries
across the globe, world-class security, and reliable unblocking capabilities, ExpressVPN is difficult to top. Besides that, ExpressVPN is a feature-rich provider that is easy to use on all platforms, including routers, smart TVs, and various streaming devices. What's more, you'll be getting robust security features like military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, kill-switch, and a no-logs policy to ensure your online activity remains private and inaccessible to anyone looking to snoop on what you're up to online. ExpressVPN is a service that ticks all the right boxes for anyone looking for a reliable way to unblock HBO Max from abroad and protect their digital privacy in the process. You can try it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN is the best budget VPN for HBO Max. Easy HD streaming thanks to a large selection of servers, lightning-fast speeds, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. Nord Demo NordVPN is a well-known, and well-respected, name in the VPN sphere – and a superb pick for anyone looking to unblock HBO Max. The service boasts coverage in 60 countries
worldwide, so you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to geo-spoofing your location, and has no trouble unblocking the world's most in-demand services. With one subscription, users will have reliable access to HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and even Netflix. This unblocking power, and NordVPN's consistently impressive speeds, mean that you'll be able to keep up with your favorite shows in HD regardless of where you are! Plus, NordVPN is super-secure, thanks to its OpenVPN encryption. This prevents anyone (like your ISP, workplace, or even government) from keeping tabs on your browsing habits. NordVPN's automatic kill-switch is a nice bonus feature, too, and will prevent your original IP from leaking if your VPN connection drops – and I also like that the service can banish those annoying ads and pop-ups. With apps for all platforms, NordVPN is well-suited to beginners, and offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Private Internet Access is perfect for securely unblocking HBO Max. It keeps no logs, offers advanced security features, tons of servers in the US, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. PIA Demo Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most secure providers on the market today, and it is also one of the best options for unblocking HBO Max. With a plethora of super-fast and super-secure servers across the US, you'll always be able to unblock HBO Max and stream in full HD without any buffering issues whatsoever. Thanks to its strong commitment to privacy and security, PIA is consistently regarded as the top VPN provider in Reddit privacy circles. And it's no wonder that it is because PIA has proven its no-logs claim in court on multiple occasions, so you can rest assured that your activity on the PIA network is never logged and remains completely private. PIA's excellent security features include OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, SOCKS5 proxy, malware and ad blocker technology, and a kill-switch. The apps are easy to use, yet highly-customizable, so it's a provider that appeals to both beginners and experienced VPN users alike. Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously and protect all your devices while streaming all the HBO Max content you want with PIA! Surfshark is an all-around VPN for HBO Max. It's light on the wallet yet heavy with premium features. It can be tried and used on unlimited devices, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark Demo Surfshark is another provider that is based out of the British Virgin Islands, a location that is perfect for a privacy service to be based. Though Surfshark is indeed an incredibly secure and privacy-focused VPN service, it is also a feature-rich service that offers top-notch speeds that will let you stream HBO Max from anywhere in full HD quality. Don't let Surfshark's budget price fool you into thinking that it's a budget service though. Surfshark is packed with all kinds of awesome premium features that firmly cement the service as a top-tier player in the industry. On top of providing excellent speeds and reliable unblocking capabilities for HBO Max, Surfshark provides robust security features like AES 256-bit encryption, malware and phishing protection, DNS leak protection, and a kill-switch. Besides giving you the ability to unblock HBO Max, you'll be able to unblock tons of other streaming content from all over the world like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and much more. Plus, you'll be able to connect an unlimited number of devices all at the same time and have access to some of the best 24/7 live chat support in the business. CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly HBO Max VPN. Comes with slick apps for all platforms and servers optimized for streaming – all with a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost is a perfect companion for streaming HBO Max outside the US. This Romanian provider offers perhaps the slickest set of apps in the industry, that are all incredibly user-friendly on all platforms. One of the features that really makes CyberGhost stand out for HBO Max subscribers is that it has a set of servers optimized specifically for streaming purposes. This means that you will be guaranteed a fast and reliable connection for streaming HBO Max at all times. On top of that, CyberGhost maintains a vast number of servers across the United States, so you know you won't have trouble accessing a fast server from the US no matter where you are located. With CyberGhost, your privacy will be secured with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. You'll also be able to connect up to 7 devices at the same time and have access to friendly and knowledgeable 24/7 live chat support. And the best part is – CyberGhost offers an amazingly generous 45-day money-back guarantee on subscription plans longer than one month. 1. ExpressVPN
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Why these are the best VPNs for HBO Max
The VPNs listed above are the best VPNs for HBO Max because they all have fast VPN servers across the US that work perfectly for unblocking HBO Max regardless of where you as the user connect from. HBO Max actively blocks access to its service from VPN connections, so the vast majority of VPNs will not be able to help users unblock the content and access movies and shows on the platform. The best VPNs for HBO Max, recommend in this guide, have successfully developed workarounds to this issue and reliably work to unblock HBO Max on their US servers.
On top of that, these VPNs are all best VPN services that can unblock all kinds of other content from all over the world in addition to providing top-notch online security and digital privacy. These VPNs are all superb all-around providers that are excellent at unblocking streaming content, hiding your internet activity from prying eyes, and generally keeping you safe and secure as you browse the web.
How does ProPrivacy review VPNs?
Finding the best VPN for a specific job is not an easy task, and nobody knows that better than our dedicated team of researchers at ProPrivacy. There are a plethora of VPNs on the market nowadays – and the vast majority of them just don't do what they say on the tin.
Luckily, we've been putting VPNs to the test since 2013, and are well aware of their capabilities and development paths. However, the secret to the accuracy of our guides and comparisons lies in consistency – we've tested these services thousands of times already, and we'll test them thousands of times more, to evaluate their capabilities, speeds, security features, and commitment to privacy. Besides, the VPNs we recommend are the services we use at home, too, so what you get from us is honest, first-hand experience.
Still, before completing this comparison page, I took the time to test all of the VPNs listed here once again. Before any of these providers claimed a spot on this list, they had to meet the following criteria:
- Security - this means robust VPN encryption that's well-implemented, and with multiple protocol options.
- Privacy features – most of the VPNs on this list come with a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, stealth servers, and other important privacy features.
- Large server network - I like to have multiple server options to be able to access online content, and I am sure our readers do too.
- Great speeds - a good VPN will allow you to stream in HD, and enable a seamless gaming and torrenting experience.
- Cross-platform compatibility - we only recommend user-friendly services with easy-to-use apps for as many platforms as possible.
- Value for money - a good VPN doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, and our top 5 VPNs for HBO Max list are living proof.
- Money-back guarantee – these handy guarantees allow users to test a service themselves before committing to a long-term subscription.
What is on HBO Max?
With HBO Max, you'll get access to all the movies and shows that are available on HBO, plus access to tons of additional exclusive HBO Max original programming, more movies, and more classic TV shows. What's more, HBO Max subscribers will be able to stream brand-new blockbuster movies on the very same day that they're released in theaters!
Of course, everyone is currently talking about the new Game of Thrones spin off - House of the Dragon. The prequel to Game of Thrones, is coming to HBO and HBO Max on August 21. Based on George R.R. Martin’s "Fire & Blood,” is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. It's going to be one of the hottest shows of 2024, so this alone is agreat reason to get yourself and HBO Max subscription and grab one of the VPNs listed above.
Here's a list of some of the most popular movies and shows available for streaming right now on HBO Max:
- The Flight Attendant
- Close Enough
- Game of Thrones
- The Sopranos
- The Undoing
- Raised by Wolves
- Expecting Amy
- Godzilla vs. Kong
- Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults
- Looney Toons Cartoons
- Suicide Squad
- Sesame Street
- Doom Patrol
- The Witches
- An American Pickle
- Let Them All Talk
- Charm City Kings
- Class Action Park
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
- The Boondocks
- South Park
- Wonder Woman
- The Matrix
- Rick and Morty
- Friends
- The Big Bang Theory
- And much, much more
More about HBO Max
HBO Max is the latest on-demand streaming service offered by HBO. The service is a premium offering that basically elevates the standard HBO streaming service to new heights. With HBO Max, users get access to all the content offered on the standard HBO service, plus tons of additional exclusive moves and shows.
Essentially, it's HBO on steroids, and over 48 million users have already flocked to the service to enjoy all the awesome content and to stream movies on the same day they're released in theaters.
Can I use a VPN to access HBO Max in Europe?
Yes, one of the most popular uses for a VPN is for unblocking geo-restricted content. Because you can use a VPN to pretend to be in a different country, you can easily use a VPN to access HBO Max in Europe, even though the service is only available to subscribers located in the United States. Whether you live in Europe, or you're a US resident vacationing in Europe and want to access your HBO Max account from abroad, you can use a VPN to do so in a flash.
When you connect to a VPN, your internet connection is routed through a secure server located in a country of your choosing. As a result, your IP address also changes to that of the remote server you are connecting through, effectively hiding your real IP address, and therefore your true location. Any website you visit online will register the IP address of the VPN server you are connecting through rather than your actual IP address. Since the website you are accessing only sees the IP address of the VPN server, it will think that you are connecting from the country in which the VPN server is located.
So when you connect to a VPN server in the US using one of the providers recommended in this guide, HBO Max will think that you're actually located in the US, even if you're across the pond in Europe (or any other country for that matter). This means that, with a VPN, you can unblock HBO Max and gain access to all the awesome content on the platform regardless of where you are in the world!
How to pay for HBO Max outside the USA?
There is, unfortunately, a bit of an additional hurdle to overcome if you're not from the US and you want to purchase an HBO Max subscription from outside the US. To sign up for HBO Max, you will be required to enter a valid US card number including a ZIP code.
But don't worry if you don't have a US credit or debit card, because you can use a virtual credit card to purchase HBO Max from abroad. A virtual credit card is a super convenient way to shop for goods and services from the US even if you don't have a US credit card. All you'd need to do is simply sign up for a service like US Unlocked, load funds onto a virtual credit card provided by the service, and purchase an HBO Max subscription just as if you were a US resident. Virtual card services like US Unlocked will provide you with a valid virtual credit card, complete with a valid US billing address and ZIP code, so you have all that you need to purchase an HBO Max subscription even if you're not from the US.
It is one extra step in the process of unblocking HBO Max from abroad, but it really is a simple step to complete and totally worth it considering the unbelievable amount of awesome shows and movies you'll be able to access on HBO Max.
What devices can I unblock HBO Max on?
In addition to unblocking HBO Max on your Mac, Windows PC, Chromebook, Apple TV, Chromecast, Playstation, Xbox, and Android TV, you can stream on various other devices such as:
Amazon Firestick
HBO Max recently launched an Amazon Fire TV Stick app, so you can easily unblock HBO Max on your Firestick. All you'd need to do is download your VPN onto your Amazon Firestick device, connected to a VPN server located in the US, and launch the HBO Max app to start streaming your favorite content immediately. The HBO Max app is also available on Fire tablets, Fire TV, Fire Cube, Fire TV Edition Smart TVs.
Smart TVs
Though HBO Max doesn't offer an app for LG Smart TVs, you'll be able to load the app onto Samsung Smart TVs manufactured in 2016 or later, along with the aforementioned Amazon Fire TV Edition Smart TVs, which include Insignia HD, Insignia 4K UHD, Toshiba HD, and Toshiba 4K UHD. If you have an LG Smart TV, you can still unblock HBO Max on it, but you'll need to access the platform through a compatible third-party streaming device connected to your LG Smart TV like Apple TV, Firestick, Chromecast, Playstation, or Xbox.
Note that the best way to unblock HBO Max on a smart TV is to run your VPN connection through a VPN-compatible router. For more information on how to do this and which routers we recommend, check out our in-depth guide outlining the best VPN routers.
Smartphones
You can also download the HBO Max mobile app onto smartphones like your iPhone running iOS 12.2 or later, or your Android device running Android OS 5 or later. To unblock HBO Max on a smartphone, once you've downloaded the HBO Max app to your smartphone, simply download your VPN app to your device and connect to a server located in the US. Then, just fire up your HBO Max mobile app and start streaming on your phone to your heart's content!
Unblock other HBO services
A VPN service will also enable you to unblock other HBO services such as HBO Max or HBO Go. See the pages below for more information on unblocking these services.
FAQ
Here you'll find some of the most common questions about unblocking HBO Max with a VPN. If you have any other questions, feel free to drop us a message in the comments section below.