How to Watch HBO Max With a VPN (in-depth guide for 2024)

While Netflix still reigns supreme in terms of streaming content, HBO Max is another great source for movies and shows that often aren’t on Netflix. With the upcoming House of the Dragon series and already available Friends, the streaming service is still going strong.

However, many people are searching for a great VPN to be able to unblock the platform outside of the US. Namely, HBO Max is available only in the United States and a few surrounding countries, making it easy to miss out on its quality content.

That shouldn’t be a problem anymore, though. Today, I’ll show you how to watch HBO Max with a VPN and talk about the best services that will let you access the platform anywhere, with no issues.

The 5 best VPNs to use on HBO Max in 2024:

• NordVPN
• ExpressVPN
• CyberGhost
• Surfshark
• Private Internet Access

Best VPN for HBO Max: Top 3 for 2024

Before I show you how to watch HBO Max with a VPN, let’s first talk about the best providers that are working on this platform. This is very important given that only a fraction of Virtual Private Networks really work with this platform, so if you get the wrong one, you won’t be able to access it.

During my extensive testing, I found that these 3 providers will work flawlessly:

1. NordVPN

The best overall choice for HBO Max is NordVPN. This top VPN is extremely reliable for streaming thanks to its SmartPlay technology dedicated to this cause. Nevertheless, out of 6,400+ servers, NordVPN has nearly 2,000 of them in the USA.

This means that accessing HBO Max will be a breeze, no matter your real location. Besides, NordVPN is faster than ExpressVPN thanks to its NordLynx protocol based on WireGuard. Adding to the overall performance are stable connections.

Plus, its modern-looking applications are admirable even by the most demanding tech nerds. Not only are they easy to use but they’re also available for every platform, where NordVPN works with Netflix and other streaming services effortlessly.

Unlike ExpressVPN which offers 8, it gives you 10 simultaneous connections accompanied by advanced security features like Threat Protection, CyberSec, and Meshnet. A no-logs policy is here as well, so you can be sure that NordVPN stores no logs if privacy is your concern.

Admittedly, NordVPN is very affordable given its great performance, reliable support, and other stuff. I especially like its 2-year plan, the cheapest one, with a 30-day money-back guarantee that spans other subscription plans as well.

However, VAT might increase the price in some countries, which might be an issue for users on a budget. Also, occasional connection issues are bound to happen on Windows but that won’t be a problem thanks to NordVPN’s kill switch.

Visit NordVPN

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2. ExpressVPN

Regarding the best HBO Max VPN, ExpressVPN is just a notch below NordVPN. Overall, this is one of my favorite streaming VPNs due to its exceptional streaming capabilities coupled with servers in 160+ locations and blazing-fast speeds.

In the United States alone, ExpressVPN offers 20+ server locations, which makes it easy to unblock the platform. What’s more, every server works with HBO, granting access to the site in no time. Another thing worth pointing out is its ability to unblock Netflix.

I’m sure you already have a subscription and if you do, you can expect it to work with 15+ libraries. Moreover, ExpressVPN has applications for all platforms, so apart from your PC, you can use it in conjunction with the HBO app on iOS or Android.

ExpressVPN is easy to use and with one-click connections, getting a US IP address to watch HBO Max will be a 3-second job. Not to mention its top-grade security and a no-logs policy that make everything safe and anonymous.

Factoring in its 8 simultaneous connections and 24/7 support through live chat, ExpressVPN is a con-free package that you’ll surely like. Price-wise, its 49% discount and 3 months free for the annual plan make for the cheapest possible deal on this VPN.

Here, you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, which means that you can use it for 30 days without losing any money if you get a refund. And why would you, when you can watch HBO Max outside the US at any moment?!

Visit ExpressVPN

 

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3. CyberGhost

If you’re on a budget, CyberGhost is a great choice. I mean, you can’t go wrong with this VPN for HBO Max because it’s cheap, yet dependable. Its 12,000+ servers in 100 countries make for a pretty huge server fleet.

With 1,400+ servers in the US and dedicated streaming servers for US-based platforms, you’ll have no issues accessing this platform. Dedicated streaming servers aren’t only for this platform, though. They’re here for various platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and ESPN.

While CyberGhost isn’t as fast as NordVPN, it’s also no slouch. Streaming in 4K will be possible as well, plus, you get additions like P2P servers, an ad-blocker, and WireGuard support as useful quality-of-life improvements.

CyberGhost’s desktop app isn’t the most user-friendly for me. However, you get excellent device support with 7 simultaneous connections and round-the-clock 24/7 live chat support. Add to that top-level security and a no-logs policy and you get a pretty impressive VPN for the money.

This is one of the cheapest providers you can get right now. Its 2-year plan is the most affordable, with a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee that makes a 30-day refund period sound like a joke.

Granted, CyberGhost won’t work in China but if you live in this country, you can always go for NordVPN or ExpressVPN as great alternatives. For HBO Max, CyberGhost is a solid, yet affordable choice that won’t leave you stranded.

Visit CyberGhost

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How Can You Use a VPN on HBO Max?

Some people might say that HBO Max doesn’t work with a VPN, which can be true. But now that you know what is the best Virtual Private Network to use on this streaming service, chances are that it’ll work at least 99% of the time.

The question now is – can you use a VPN on HBO Max? And, of course, the answer is YES, but if you don’t know how, let me give you a step-by-step guide.

1. Subscribe to the VPN Provider of Your Choice

With plenty of choices above, the first step is to subscribe to a service. For this tutorial, I’ll use NordVPN and its 65+% discount for the 2-year plan. With this cheap deal, you’ll save a lot of money on a great HBO VPN.

To subscribe, just use the button on this page and it’ll lead you straight to the special deal. Make sure you remember your credentials because you’ll need them to sign in to the app once you download and install it.

Get NordVPN’s Discount

2. Download and Install the VPN on Your Device

Now that I mentioned it, subscribing to NordVPN gives you access to its apps.

It supports pretty much every device, so choose the one you’re planning on using to watch HBO. I watch movies on my Windows PC, so once I click on Windows, I’ll be able to download the setup file and install it.

This is pretty simple, as you just have to follow the on-screen steps, after which, the process will be complete in less than 10 seconds. Once you open the app, sign in using the credentials I mentioned and you’ll get to the dashboard that looks like this:

3. Get a US IP Address

Now, the only thing left to do is get a US IP address. Click on “More Connection Options” to open the server list and scroll down pretty much to the end.

You’ll see the United States right there, so click on it, and NordVPN will connect you to a US server, granting you a US IP address.

HBO will now see you as if you’re located in the US, so accessing it shouldn’t be a problem.

4. Watch HBO Max Anywhere!

What are you waiting for? Open your browser, go to HBO Max, and enjoy watching House of the Dragon, Friends, The Flight Attendant, or any other show you want – you deserve it!

Below is the proof that NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and, CyberGhost will be able to help you complete this mission.

NordVPN:

ExpressVPN:

CyberGhost:

HBO Max VPN: Our Criteria for Selection

You can clearly see that the VPNs we selected work properly with the platform. However, during our testing procedure, we took into account many factors that make the best VPN for HBO. Let’s talk about them in detail.

• Unblocking HBO Max. Of course, all providers from our list must perfectly work with the platform. This is the #1 criterion because, without the ability to unblock this service, the VPN is practically useless. As you see, we had no issues with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
• Unlimited traffic. Each provider on our list comes with unlimited monthly bandwidth. This is crucial for watching shows and movies without limits, at any time of the day. Compared to free VPNs that limit your traffic, paid VPNs like these are completely unlimited.
• Fast speeds. When watching HBO Max with a VPN, you want excellent performance and speed. Our VPNs offer 10 Gbps servers in the US that will satisfy your needs. With them, you can expect no buffering and slowdowns that will negatively impact your overall enjoyment.
• Safety and security. Although this isn’t an important factor for an HBO VPN, we still wanted providers that are safe and secure. This means providing AES-256 encryption, keeping no logs, and making sure you’re always anonymous.
• Ease of use. All three VPNs are easy to use, offering applications for mobile and desktop platforms. They also pack several simultaneous connections to ensure you can access HBO Max on a few devices at the same time.
• Affordability. As you can see, all three VPNs on our list are affordable. Instead of paying a ridiculous price for expensive but unreliable VPNs, our providers offer special discounts that you can take advantage of. Some of them will cost you a tad over $2 a month – pretty inexpensive.

Best Free VPN for HBO Max: Will It Work?

Let’s quickly address using a free VPN for HBO Max. Free services are known as cut-down versions of paid services and right from the start, they’re inferior to their paid brothers. This is especially prevalent when we’re talking about streaming.

For instance, none of the free VPNs will work with Netflix, and the same, unfortunately, applies to HBO Max. The streaming service is extremely good at detecting Virtual Private Network usage and free providers don’t have enough “firepower” to circumvent HBO’s anti-VPN measures.

Thus, in every case, free providers are immediately detected and you’re denied access to the site. Even if a free provider worked with HBO, you’ll face issues like limited monthly bandwidth and slow speeds, which aren’t ideal conditions for streaming.

When it comes to paid VPNs, not every paid service will work with HBO either. That’s why it’s important to pick a quality, reliable, and great Virtual Private Network known for exceptional streaming capabilities, such as the three providers I talked about.

As for free services, if that’s not enough to make you avoid them, I also suggest taking a look at their security. They indeed have poor security and privacy-infringing logging practices, which they utilize to sell your personal info to the highest bidder.

None of the issues I mentioned will plague NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost, and for a very small monthly fee, I see no reason to use a 100% free VPN for HBO Max instead.

Summary

Now that you know what is the best VPN for HBO Max, I think it’s time you do your part of the work. And by that, I mean getting a VPN, testing it out, and enjoying lots of quality content on this streaming platform.

Besides, services like these are known for offering a plethora of other benefits. You can use them for torrenting, saving money on online purchases, or simply browsing the web anonymously.

Best of all – you can use them basically for free thanks to a money-back guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about spending money if you’re dissatisfied. Although, I think that dissatisfaction is going to be the last thing you’ll feel in this case.

Visit NordVPN

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FAQ

Last but not least, let’s address some of the typical questions we often get regarding this topic.

VPN detected on HBO Max – what can I do?

As said, HBO is pretty efficient at detecting software for altering your IP address i.e. VPNs. Free VPNs are usually the main culprit here since they can’t unblock any geo-restricted streaming platforms due to their swift detection.

If your service is detected by HBO, chances are that you’re using a low-quality free provider or even a paid one that isn’t great for streaming. In that case, you need to change to a better VPN and use NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost.

Sometimes, one of these 3 providers may get detected. In this case, you should connect to a different server in the US or change the VPN protocol and that should fix the issue entirely.

Can you use a VPN on HBO Max legally?

Yes, you can use a Virtual Private Network on HBO with no issues. If you’re located abroad, just connect to a US server and you’ll be able to watch HBO no matter your location. In case your service gets detected, the streaming platform will block your access to the site.

On extremely rare occasions, they might delete your account, but so far, we haven’t heard of any users getting banned on HBO for using a VPN. Besides, even if this happens, you can’t end up in jail because VPNs are legal and you can use them as much as you want.

“Not in service area” or “VPN detected” HBO Max errors – what do they mean?

These two messages appear in two cases – when you’re not in the country where HBO is available or when your VPN is detected. In both cases, the solution is simple – get a better Virtual Private Network from the list above and bypass this geo-restriction.

Is HBO Max free?

No, it’s not free. HBO used to give a free trial not long ago but now, the only way to get its free trial is through Hulu or Amazon Prime. After that, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee to access its content. At the time of writing, HBO Max offers two subscription plans.

One is a monthly plan at $7.99 and there’s the annual plan at $79.90, paid upfront. The biggest savings are with the latter plan, as it’ll end up costing around $6.66 a month, albeit, you’ll need to make an upfront payment.

HBO Max also offers premium plans. The monthly one is $9.99, while the annual one costs $99.90, both allowing for UHD & Dolby Atmos quality, streaming on 4 concurrent devices and up to 100 downloads.