How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in the UK for FREE

You probably already know that Hotstar is available in the United Kingdom, but that doesn't include any Disney content. Moreover, if you’re after Indian movies and TV shows, you’ll want to access Disney+ Hotstar, which is reserved for India only. Even if you already have an Indian Disney Plus Hotstar account, you won't be able to use it while traveling in the UK.

There are many differences between them, so bypassing that geo-block comes with plenty of rewards. The trick to unblocking Disney+ Hotstar in the UK is to use a capable VPN. That will give you access to plenty of free content that isn’t available on the UK version. Moreover, if you’re an Indian citizen living in the UK, you can use a VPN to watch both Disney Plus titles and Hotstar Specials.

In this article, we'll explain how to watch Disney+ Hotstar in the UK and why you need a VPN, plus recommend the best providers. You'll also learn how much Disney Plus Hotstar costs, how to pay for it, what to watch on the streaming service, and the differences between the UK and Indian versions. Plus, we offer troubleshooting tips if you can't access Disney+ Hotstar and much more.

How to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in the UK 

You'll need to get a VPN if you want to stream Disney+ Hotstar in the UK. It needs to work with the streaming service and offer servers in India. Here are the exact steps to take: 

1. Subscribe to a capable VPN that unblocks Hotstar (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your computer. 
3. Open the VPN app and log in to your account.
4. Connect to a server in India.
5. Visit Disney+ Hotstar’s website or download the app.
6. If you just want to stream free content with ads, no need to go any further.
7. If you want to get Disney+ Hotstar Premium and avoid ads, you'll have to subscribe.
8. Click "Subscribe" on Hotstar's home page.



9. Pick the plan that works for you and click the blue "Continue" button.



10. Enter an Indian phone number and verify via text message.



11. Input your payment details (Indian debit/credit card or Paytm).



12. That's it! Find a movie or TV show to watch and enjoy!

You can watch Disney Plus Hotstar for free, but you want to get a Premium subscription, this requires a form of payment with a valid Indian billing address (either an Indian debit or credit card or a Paytm wallet). You'll also need an Indian phone number for text verification, which can be difficult unless you know someone with one who can help. If so, you can also pay with a Google Play gift card.

Do You Need a VPN for Streaming Hotstar in the UK? 

Yes, if you want to access the Indian version of the streaming service, you need a VPN to get Hotstar in the UK. Disney+ Hotstar is available in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand - but the most complete library is exclusive to India. Then there's Hotstar UK, which doesn't include any Disney titles, as Disney Plus is a separate service there. Plus, Disney+ Hotstar has more Indian content than the UK version.

Sometimes, when you try to use Disney+ Hotstar in certain regions where it's not supported, it might fail to load content:

On the other hand, if you try to access Disney+ Hotstar from anywhere other than India, this error message will often appear: "An error occurred while processing your request."

You have to use a VPN to get an Indian IP if you want to watch Hotstar from outside India. Connecting to an Indian server will make it look like you're located there, so that Hotstar India (aka Disney+ Hotstar) will allow you to stream its content. That said, Disney+ Hotstar blocks a lot of VPNs, so there aren't many that will work - and most don't have Indian servers to begin with.

Only the best Hotstar VPN will be able to successfully unblock Hotstar India in UK locations. Based on our hands-on tests, the best VPN for the job is NordVPN. It has incredibly fast streaming speeds and virtual Indian servers. It can easily unblock the Indian version of Disney+ Hotstar from anywhere, all while safeguarding your digital privacy.

The Best VPNs to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in the UK

The best VPN to choose needs to have several key features. First, it must allow you to unblock Disney+ Hotstar in the UK without a fuss. It also needs to have plenty of servers both in India and worldwide. Many providers have withdrawn from India due to their new data collection policies, so that’s harder to come by nowadays. Obfuscation is also important to keep your VPN use hidden.

Naturally, the VPN should offer fast speeds and reliable performance anywhere in the world. It also needs a kill switch, so Hotstar doesn’t detect your location during VPN disconnections. Security-wise, look for trusted encryption and secure protocols to protect your data, plus a strict no-logs policy to ensure privacy.

Otherwise, choose a VPN that is compatible with every popular device, from computers to mobiles and smart TVs. Plenty of simultaneous connections should be allowed for various activities besides streaming. Also make sure the VPN isn't too expensive. Finally, 24/7 live chat and a generous money-back policy are musts.

Based on these criteria, here are the best VPNs to stream Disney Plus Hotstar in the UK:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in the UK
2. Surfshark – Stream Disney+ Hotstar in the UK with Blazing-Fast Servers
3. ExpressVPN – Fully Obfuscated VPN for Unblocking Hotstar in the UK
4. CyberGhost VPN – Budget VPN to Access Hotstar in the UK

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in the UK

NordVPN is the best VPN for watching Disney+ Hotstar in the UK for a few simple reasons. Obviously, it can easily unblock Disney+ Hotstar thanks to virtual Indian servers in Mumbai. It also works with any other streaming services because it has 6,300+ servers in 111 countries. Its SmartPlay feature makes it easy to get around geo-restrictions, and many of its servers are obfuscated, too.

You'll enjoy blazing-fast speeds and reliable performance with NordVPN regardless of what server you connect to or where you're located. We were able to stream in 4K without any issues when we connected to servers both nearby and more remote.

NordVPN comes with an impressive security package, including a customizable-per-app kill switch and an audited no-logs policy. You can choose from 3 protocols: NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. The former is paired with ChaCha20 encryption and the latter 2 are encrypted with AES-256-GCM. For streaming, we prefer NordLynx.

You can use NordVPN on all your devices as its compatible with all popular systems - computers, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, routers, and more. It offers a generous 10 simultaneous connections, so you can protect a whole household.

NordVPN is quite affordable - you can get a 2-year plan for as low as $3.09 per month. It also offers a 30-day refund period so you can thoroughly test the service. Lastly, it comes with 24/7 live chat support in case you need any help.

2. Surfshark – Stream Disney+ Hotstar in the UK with Blazing-Fast Servers

Surfshark is an excellent choice for streaming Disney+ Hotstar for a few simple reasons. First, its smart DNS and Nexus features make it easy to unblock Disney Plus Hotstar, along with other streaming services from around the world. This is also thanks to its 50+ virtual servers in Delhi and Mumbai (and a total of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries). It supports obfuscation on its entire network, too.

At baseline, Surfshark delivers high-speed, stable connections. On top of that, its proprietary Nexus technology boosts speed and performance by making use of the entire Surfshark network. It optimizes your speed depending on what you’re doing, whether it’s downloading, browsing, or streaming Hotstar in the UK or abroad—all without affecting privacy.

Surfshark’s kill switch prevents any IP leaks if the VPN happens to disconnect. This VPN’s strict no-logs policy has been independently audited, guaranteeing that Surfshark never tracks your online behavior. It’s also equipped with all the industry-standard encryption and protocols: OpenVPN and IKEv2 with AES-256-GCM encryption, as well as the lightweight WireGuard with ChaCha20.

Surfshark works on a wide variety of systems, including Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and many more. What’s also exciting is that you get unlimited simultaneous connections per subscription. It's pretty cheap, too - just $2.29 monthly for a 2-year plan. And, as expected, it offers 24/7 customer support and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.

3. ExpressVPN – Fully Obfuscated VPN for Unblocking Hotstar in the UK

ExpressVPN is a great option if you want to access Hotstar in the UK while staying under the radar, as its entire network is obfuscated. That includes virtual Indian servers in Chennai and New Delhi. You can also choose from thousands of stealth servers in 105 countries, making it easy to unblock any other streamers.

Moreover, you’ll get blazing-fast speeds and consistent performance regardless of the location you’re streaming from. Even better, our tests revealed that ExpressVPN’s obfuscation has little to no impact on streaming performance.

ExpressVPN includes a kill switch that will shut off traffic in case the VPN connection drops. And as with any VPN worth their salt, it maintains a strict no-logs policy, with frequent audits to confirm their claims.

By default, ExpressVPN uses its own in-house encryption protocol called Lightway. It’s a nice alternative to OpenVPN and IKEv2 (which are also included), as it uses the lightweight WolfSSL encryption library for enhanced performance without sacrificing security. The other protocols use AES-256 keys.

ExpressVPN is supported on most devices nowadays, from Windows to smartphones and even Apple TV. A single subscription comes with 8 simultaneous connections, so you can watch Hotstar and have plenty leftover for other uses.

This VPN is one of the more expensive ones, with its cheapest option being an annual subscription for $6.67 per month. Luckily, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind. Have any issues? Feel free to contact ExpressVPN’s support teams through their live chat available 24/7.

4. CyberGhost VPN – Budget VPN to Access Hotstar in the UK

With CyberGhost VPN, you’ll not only be able to unblock Hotstar India but also 80+ other streaming sites from around the world. It boasts a massive network with thousands of servers in 100 countries. This includes 30+ virtual Indian servers in Mumbai.

While CyberGhost does not include any obfuscation, it does offer medium-fast speeds. This is especially impressive when you consider their budget-friendly subscriptions. During our tests, performance remained steady on Disney Plus Hotstar in the UK and overseas.

CyberGhost has an always-on kill switch. That way, you don’t run the risk of leaking your IP by accident. It also includes all the tried-and-tested encryption and protocols out there, whether you prefer using AES-256-GCM with OpenVPN or IKEv2/IPsec, or if you want to stream more efficiently with WireGuard and ChaCha20. And, of course, it has an audited no-logs policy.

CyberGhost comes with 7 simultaneous connections, which is usually enough for most users. The provider’s apps work on every popular gadget out there, whether you’re running Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, or a smart TV.

This provider is an excellent option if you're on a tight budget. You can get a 2-year plan for as little as $2.03 monthly (depending on the promotion they're running). As always, CyberGhost users benefit from a hefty 45-day money-back guarantee, letting you get a good feel for the service before committing. Last, but not least, 24/7 live chat customer support is ready to assist with any issues.

How Much Does a Disney+ Hotstar Subscription Cost in the UK?

It's quite affordable to get a Disney+ Hotstar subscription in the UK. 3 different plans are available. First off, there’s the Mobile plan, which costs ₹149 (£1.42) per quarter or ₹499 (£4.76) per year. Then there's the Super plan, which is ₹299 (£2.85) quarterly or ₹899 (£8.57) annually. Meanwhile, you get 3 choices with the Premium plan: ₹299 (£2.85) per month, ₹499 (£4.76) per quarter, or ₹1499 (£14.29) per year.

Here is a handy table with the breakdown of prices and features for both plans:

Subscription	Price in INR	Price in GBP	Features
Disney Hotstar Mobile	₹149/quarter; ₹499/year	£1.42/quarter; £4.76/year	- HD video (720p) - Only works on mobile devices - Single login
Disney+ Hotstar Super	₹299/quarter; ₹899/year	£2.85/quarter; £8.57/year	- Full HD video (1080p) - Dolby Atmos on select titles - 2 simultaneous logins
Disney+ Hotstar Premium	₹299/month; ₹499/quarter; ₹1499/year	£2.85/month; £4.76/quarter; £14.29/year	- 4K video (2160p) - Dolby Atmos on select titles - 4 simultaneous logins - Ad-free content (except sports)

How Can I Pay for Disney+ Hotstar in the UK?

There are a couple of ways to get Hotstar in the UK (the Indian version), including paying with an Indian credit card or Paytm wallet or signing up with a Google Play gift card. In the latter case, you’ll need a new Google account with an Indian address. Both methods require an Indian phone number. There's no way around this. You'll find more details below.

Using an Indian Credit Card or Paytm

If you’re an expat or have friends or family who can provide an Indian credit card or Paytm wallet, it shouldn’t take long to sign up for Disney+ Hotstar in the UK. Here’s what to do:

1. Get a VPN that works on Indian Hotstar in the UK (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Install the VPN on your streaming device.
3. Launch the app and connect to a server in India.
4. Access the Disney+ Hotstar website and click “Subscribe.”



5. Choose a plan and click the blue button to continue.



6. Provide an Indian phone number to proceed.



7. Enter your Indian credit card or Paytm wallet to pay for your Hotstar subscription.



8. Pick a TV show or film and start streaming!

Using a Google Play Gift Card

Another way to get Hotstar in the UK is to register a separate Google account (with an Indian billing address), then fund your account with a Google Play gift card. Full guide below:

1. Grab a VPN that can unblock Indian Hotstar in the UK (we recommend NordVPN). 
2. Install the VPN on your Android device.
3. Open the VPN and connect to an Indian server.
4. Create a new Google account and set the region to India.
5. Buy an India Google Play gift card and redeem the funds.



6. Download the Disney+ Hotstar app from the Google Play Store.



7. Launch the app and subscribe with your Indian phone number and Google Play funds.
8. That’s it! Now, you can start streaming your favorite Hotstar content.

What to Watch on Hotstar in the UK

Disney+ Hotstar is home to a host of popular and lesser-known Indian movies and TV shows, including Dance+ Pro, Hungama 2, and Chhichhore. There are also Disney classics, Star Wars shows and flicks, beloved Pixar animation, popular Marvel properties, National Geographic documentaries, and Hotstar Specials like School of Lies and Karmma Calling.

Hotstar users can also enjoy extensive live sports coverage. Whether you’re into ICC cricket, Premier League football, Wimbledon tennis, MMA, or MLB there’s something here for everyone.

Here’s a little sample of what you can expect to watch on Disney Plus Hotstar in the UK:

Disney+ Hotstar Movies	Disney+ Hotstar Shows	Disney+ Hotstar Specials	Disney+ Hotstar Live Sports
Encanto	WandaVision	Lootere	Big Bash League
Avatar: The Way of Water	The Mandalorian	Aarya	Premier League
Shiddat	Rain or Shine	Criminal Justice	Pro Kabaddi League
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse	Moon Knight	Special Ops	Wimbledon
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back	Modern Family	Crakk	Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Salaar	Obi-Wan Kenobi	The Freelancer	NFL

Disney+ Hotstar India vs Hotstar UK: What's the Difference?

Content libraries are the main difference between Disney+ Hotstar India and Hotstar UK. If you’re looking to get your fix of Indian soaps and movies, Disney+ Hotstar India has the better library. Moreover, it also offers Disney+ content like Marvel and Star Wars titles, whereas Hotstar UK users need a separate Disney+ subscription to watch those.

There are also different subscription prices and payment method requirements. Disney+ Hotstar is the cheaper option of the two. However, we should note that you need an Indian payment method and phone number to subscribe, which is fortunately not a requirement on Hotstar UK.

Here’s a quick rundown of the differences between the services:

Disney+ Hotstar India	Hotstar UK
Massive library of Indian content	Missing many Indian titles
Includes both Disney+ and Star Network titles	No Disney Plus content (only available on the separate Disney+ service in the UK)
Extensive live sports coverage (e.g., Premier League, ICC Cricket, kabaddi)	Fewer sports options available
Cheaper subscription, especially if you’re only looking for Indian titles	More expensive overall
Requires Indian payment option and phone number	No such requirements

Why Isn't Disney+ Hotstar Working with a VPN in the UK?

You might have trouble getting Hotstar to work in the UK with a VPN for numerous reasons. In general, VPNs should be easy to use, as they're powered by fully automated operations. However, things can go wrong at times. So, if you’re having trouble watching Disney+ Hotstar in the UK, you can try the following:

• Restart Your Device – Sometimes the simplest solution is the best option. By restarting your device and VPN, it will often solve a number of issues and get things working again so you can stream Disney+ Hotstar.
• Check Your Connection – If your Internet is too slow or unstable, it will impact the performance of your VPN. This can prevent it from being able to unblock Disney+ Hotstar. Reboot your modem and/or router if there are connection issues to see if your streaming problems go away.
• Try Another Server – If the server you connect to is slow, it might be overcrowded. That can cause performance issues and other technical problems. Try connecting to another server in India and see if the issues resolve. 
• Change Protocols – Most VPNs will try to find the best protocol, but you can manually choose OpenVPN, which works great for streaming Disney+ Hotstar in the UK, but it can be slow at times. There's also WireGuard, which should be pretty fast and capable.
• Delete Your Cache – If you’ve been using the UK version of Hotstar, locally stored data will reveal your actual location. To force Hotstar to read your VPN IP address, delete your browser’s cache files.
• Update Your VPN – Some VPNs will not function properly unless they're updated to the latest versions. This is because each update usually contains patches and bug fixes that help the app operate smoothly. Make sure your VPN is updated at all times to avoid this issue.
• Temporarily Disable Your Firewall – Firewalls can interfere with VPN operation. Try disabling the firewall on your device and see if you can unblock Disney+ Hotstar then. If you can, then you'll need to add a firewall rule to make your VPN an exception.
• Uninstall Other VPN Apps – Having multiple VPNs installed at once can cause issues because they may interfere with one another. Ensure the VPN you want to use is the only one on your device.
• Ask Your VPN for Assistance – If nothing else helps, turn to your VPN for assistance. One of the reasons we recommend NordVPN is its 24/7 customer support. What's more, you can chat with its agents live (via its website), which is the quickest way to get some actionable tips. 
• Switch VPNs – The VPN you're using might just be incompatible with Disney+ Hotstar. Only thing left is to try a different one.

Want to check additional solutions? If you do, here’s our central guide to troubleshooting VPN apps. Also, if you see an error code while trying to use your VPN, here’s how to deal with VPN error codes.  

Final Thoughts

Hotstar may be available in the UK, but it’s missing a load of interesting content, especially Indian-exclusive shows and movies. Disney+ Hotstar is the Indian version with a very different library, but you can't use it if you travel to the UK. Fortunately, you can use a reliable VPN to change your IP to India and unblock Disney+ Hotstar, allowing you to access these geo-restricted titles from anywhere.

We highly suggest using NordVPN because it's the best VPN to watch Disney+ Hotstar in the UK. Why? Well, it has virtual servers in Mumbai and offers amazing tools like SmartPlay to evade geo-blocks. Best of all, it has blazing-fast streaming speeds.

That’s all on how to watch Disney+ Hotstar in the UK. If you have any questions or doubts, share them via the comments section below. Finally, thanks for reading!