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 12 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.
The problem is that HBO Max is only available to subscribers in the United States, so anyone attempting to access the service from outside of the US will be restricted from accessing it and met with a notice stating that they’re not in the ‘service area’. In this guide, we’ll show you how you can circumvent this geographic restriction 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, so you access the service with ease. But not all VPNs will work, so read on to see which VPNs are the best for unblocking HBO Max.
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.
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ExpressVPN
– The best VPN for HBO Max. Lightning-fast, super-secure, great apps, and 23 US server locations! -
CyberGhost VPN
– A low-cost VPN for HBO Max. It’s an exceedingly user-friendly VPN that unblocks HBO Max with ease. -
Private Internet Access
– A great VPN with SOCKS5 proxies. it’s incredibly secure, with over 11,000 blazing-fast servers throughout the US. -
Surfshark
– The cheapest HBO Max VPN. This budget-friendly option is loved by it’s users and it works perfectly with HBO Max. -
VyprVPN
– A great all-round HBO Max VPN. It boasts a wholly-owned network of fast, secure, and reliable servers and great apps.
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 cream of the crop when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content, including HBO Max. Its proprietary Lightway protocol promises unbelievable speeds and world-class security.
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Pricing
From
$6.67 –
$12.95 -
Available on
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
ExpressVPN is a provider based out of 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 23 locations across the US, 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.
CyberGhost is a great value for money VPN for HBO Max. This VPN offers slick VPN apps for all platforms and servers optimized for streaming.
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Pricing
From
$2.81 –
$13.47 -
Available on
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
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 1,349 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.
Private Internet Access is perfect for unblocking HBO Max. It’s fast and has tons of servers in the US to ensure you’re never blocked from watching your favorite HBO Max content.
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Pricing
From
$2.84 –
$11.00 -
Available on
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
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 over 11,000 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 light on the wallet yet heavy with premium features. It also just happens to be one of the best VPNs for unblocking HBO Max.
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Pricing
From
$2.21 –
$12.95 -
Available on
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
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 out of. 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. And 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.
VyprVPN owns its entire network of servers, including servers in 8 different cities across the US, guaranteeing smooth and reliable streaming on HBO Max.
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Pricing
From
$1.66 –
$12.95 -
Available on
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
-
Unblocks
- Netflix
- iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
- Hulu
VyprVPN is a provider based out of Switzerland that guarantees users top-notch security, excellent reliability, and insane speeds thanks to the fact that it fully owns its entire network of servers, including servers spanning 8 US cities that are all perfect for unblocking HBO Max. Because VyprVPN owns all of its servers, it never has to rely on any third-party server provider for the maintenance or management of its servers. This helps guarantee your security and privacy when using the service and also helps ensure you get first-rate speeds for streaming as well.
VyprVPN’s security features include DNS leak protection, NAT firewall, military-grade encryption standards, kill-switch, and a strict no-logs policy. And VyprVPN can give you the ability to unblock all kinds of awesome streaming content from around the world like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Videos, in addition to HBO Max. Slick, user-friendly apps are available for all platforms, allowing you to unblock HBO Max on virtually any device you own, and wherever you may be. You’ll also be able to test the service completely risk-free thanks to its generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
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.
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!
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
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!
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.