Streaming

5 Best VPNs for HBO Max in 2024

By Novak Bozovic / March 25, 2024

HBO Max (known as 'Max' in the US) is a US-based streaming platform that offers close to 8,000 titles - but not in all of its markets. It's available in 60+ countries, but each country has a different content library. Aside from that, there are still countries without access to HBO Max.

Plus, if you sign up for HBO Max in another country, you can’t stream it if you travel to the US, and you can’t access Max outside the US. There's also the issue with ISP-induced throttling, as many Internet providers cut their costs by throttling those who stream plenty of content every day.

However, with a VPN for HBO Max, you can unblock the streaming app from any country, as well as experience other countries' content libraries. You'll also bypass geo-blocks when traveling and even bypass bandwidth throttling, as VPNs hide your activities from your provider.

In this article, we’ll present the 5 best VPNs for HBO Max and explain how to watch HBO Max with a VPN. We’ll also discuss why you need an HBO Max VPN, how to choose the best one, talk about where HBO Max is available, and give you some streaming recommendations. We'll finish with some troubleshooting tips and a round of helpful FAQs.

Best VPNs for HBO Max - Our Shortlist

  1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for HBO Max in 2024
  2. Surfshark – Streaming-Friendly HBO Max VPN with Many Servers
  3. ExpressVPN – Privacy-First VPN to Unblock HBO Max from Anywhere
  4. CyberGhost VPN – Beginner-Friendly VPN with Specialized Servers
  5. Private Internet Access – Advanced VPN for Streaming on Any Device

How to Watch HBO Max with a VPN

To watch HBO Max with a VPN, you should first find a VPN that works with both Max and HBO Max. Then, download and install it on your streaming device. Here are some easy steps to follow:

  1. Sign up for a VPN that can unblock HBO Max (we recommend NordVPN).
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your streaming device(s).
  3. Launch the VPN app and sign in with your account.
  4. Connect to any server in a region that supports HBO Max
  5. That’s it! Now you can open HBO Max and start streaming

If you want to bypass geo-restrictions to access the most extensive Max library from outside the US, just connect to a server in the US. This will give you a US IP address so you can watch all the HBO Max US content from wherever you are—including the exclusive Discovery+ titles.

The Best VPNs for HBO Max in 2024

To find the best VPN that works with HBO Max, stick to the criteria we established in our best streaming VPNs article. First, your chosen VPN should easily unblock HBO Max and Max, as well as other streaming apps. It needs a vast server fleet covering the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and some European countries, so you can get access to different libraries.

Furthermore, your chosen VPN must have fast speeds and top-notch performance because streaming requires strong and stable connections. Obfuscated servers and a kill switch are musts, as are other robust security features like AES-256 encryption, strong VPN protocols, and a strict no-logs policy. 

In addition, the provider should support many different devices and offer native apps for them. Multiple simultaneous connections are important, too. Last but not least, your VPN needs to offer a good price, a money-back guarantee, and knowledgeable customer support for an issue-free experience.

Based on the criteria above, these are the 5 best VPNs for HBO Max in 2024:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN for HBO Max in 2024

Editor's Pick
Servers
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Windows
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Chromebook
Kindle
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Apple TV
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
All game consoles
Chromecast
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

NordVPN is the best VPN for HBO Max in 2024, offering an extensive server network with 6,250+ servers in 111 countries, so this VPN can easily unblock HBO Max and Max US. By using one of its servers in the US, Latin America, or Europe, you will be able to access regional HBO Max libraries, including the US Discovery+ content.

We'll also add that NordVPN is among the fastest VPNs. Even its remote servers seem suitable for streaming, as they feature ultra-fast performance. Also, your privacy will be front and center, as it offers obfuscated servers and a kill switch. This VPN also comes with an audited no-logs policy, a NordLynx protocol built around WireGuard, and military-grade encryption. 

What’s more, you’ll get an app for whatever iOS, macOS, Android, or Windows device you want to use. NordVPN's apps are highly polished and modern-looking, and they seem suitable even for complete beginners. With this VPN, you can enjoy streaming with up to 10 simultaneous connections.

NordVPN is priced at $3.39/month for its 2-year subscription plan. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee that grants refunds if you don’t find the VPN’s services appealing. Last but not least, you can contact NordVPN’s 24/7 customer support, which is available via live chat.

PROS

  • Plenty of reliable US servers.
  • Numerous HBO Max–friendly servers.
  • Robust security and privacy features.
  • One of the fastest VPNs.
  • 24/7 live chat customer support.
  • 30-day money-back policy.

CONS

  • Not all servers are obfuscated.

2. Surfshark – Streaming-Friendly HBO Max VPN with Many Servers

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
Amazon Fire TV
All game consoles
All smart TVs
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

Surfshark is a streaming-friendly HBO Max VPN with 3,200+ servers in 100 countries that can make HBO Max unblocked with ease. It also works smoothly with other streaming platforms. There are servers in the US, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe, so you can access their regional libraries. You can even watch Discovery+ content in the US.

Surfshark provides blazing-fast speeds and consistent connections, essential for streaming. It also comes with obfuscation to hide that you’re using a VPN and a reliable kill switch feature. What’s more, you’ll benefit from AES-256 encryption, protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, as well as an independently audited no-logs policy. 

In addition, it comes with dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, meaning you can install Surfshark on any smart device like phones, computers, and more. You’ll also get unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect your entire household at once.

Surfshark is priced at $2.29/month (2-year plan), and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee that makes your purchase risk-free. Like other top-rated VPNs, this one also has reliable customer support, including 24/7 live chat, installation guides, FAQs, and more.

PROS

  • Incredibly fast speeds.
  • Over 3,200+ servers in total.
  • Servers in Max-friendly countries.
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • 30-day money-back policy.

CONS

  • Takes a while to connect.

3. ExpressVPN – Privacy-First VPN to Unblock HBO Max from Anywhere

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chromebook
Kindle
Nook
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Apple TV
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
All game consoles
All smart TVs
Chromecast
Roku
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

ExpressVPN is another trusty option to unblock Max and HBO Max from everywhere, as well as dozens of other streaming services. It has a huge fleet with thousands of servers in 105 countries and covers the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. This means you can easily access the exclusive Discovery+ content of the US Max library. 

ExpressVPN delivers lightning-fast speeds and reliable performance, crucial for a smooth streaming experience. There are obfuscated servers, and you will also benefit from its kill switch, which will jump in immediately in case of a connection failure. Moving on, this VPN has AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and various protocols like Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. 

This provider is compatible with many devices, such as smartphones, computers, tablets, routers, and more. It comes with dedicated apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. In total, you can connect up to 8 devices at once. 

The lowest you can pay for this VPN is $6.67/month (1-year plan). ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to cancel your plan if you’re not satisfied and get a refund. There's also 24/7 live chat support, which can solve any issue that may arise.

PROS

  • Works with HBO Max.
  • Extensive server fleet.
  • Impressive streaming speeds.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • 30-day money-back policy.

CONS

  • Limited customization.

4. CyberGhost VPN – Beginner-Friendly VPN with Specialized Servers

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
Samsung Smart TV
All game consoles
All smart TVs
Roku
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

CyberGhost has an extensive network with thousands of servers in 100 countries, allowing you to unblock HBO Max & Max from everywhere. You can connect to its servers in the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, or Europe to bypass all geo-restrictions. It effectively unblocks exclusive Discovery+ content in the Max US library, as well as other streamers.

With this VPN, you get medium-fast speeds and consistent overall performance. While CyberGhost doesn’t have obfuscation, it comes with NoSpy servers that work similarly to allow you to hide your online activities. Moreover, this VPN has a kill switch and additional security features, such as AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard.

Another benefit is that you can connect using up to 7 simultaneous connections and download its apps for smartphones, PCs, tablets, routers, and more. CyberGhost's apps are very user-friendly, and they work without any fine-tuning, making them suitable even for beginners.

This VPN is priced at $2.19/month (2-year plan), and it offers a 14-day money-back guarantee for its monthly plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee for all other plans. Lastly, you can contact the VPN’s 24/7-available customer support for any type of issue.

PROS

  • Many servers for HBO Max.
  • Unblocks US-exclusive Discovery+ content.
  • Beginner-friendly option.
  • 45-day money-back guarantee.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

CONS

  • Not the fastest VPN provider.
  • No obfuscation present.

5. Private Internet Access – Advanced VPN for Streaming on Any Device

Servers
Countries
Apps
Windows
Android
Mac
iOS
Linux
Router
Chrome
Firefox
PlayStation
Xbox
Amazon Fire TV
Nintendo Switch
Parallel Connections
Live Chat

Private Internet Access (PIA) has thousands of servers in 90+ countries and lets you bypass all geo-restrictions to unblock Max and HBO Max from everywhere, along with other streaming apps. This VPN has servers in all 50 US states, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe, enabling access to any libraries blocked in your region. 

When it comes to streaming, fast speeds are a must. Luckily, PIA has decent speeds and performs reliably. That said, it's somewhat slower than its competitors. On the plus side, it's a top choice for privacy due to its obfuscated servers. Other security features include a kill switch, AES-265 encryption, an audited no-logs policy, and different VPN protocols (WireGuard and OpenVPN).

Furthermore, PIA comes with native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, allowing you to enjoy streaming on different mobile and desktop devices. But that’s not all! You will even get unlimited simultaneous connections.

PIA offers a 2-year subscription for $2.19/month, and its 30-day money-back guarantee protects your purchase. Lastly, PIA offers 24/7 customer support, installation guides, explainers, FAQs, an active blog section, and more.

PROS

  • Many HBO Max servers.
  • Servers in all US states.
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections.
  • 24/7 live chat support.
  • 30-day money-back policy.

CONS

  • Slower than its competition.
  • Requires some optimization.

Best HBO Max VPNs - Compared

NordVPN Surfshark ExpressVPN CyberGhost PIA VPN
Unblocks HBO Max YES YES YES YES YES
Server Network Size 6,250+ servers
111 countries
3,200+ servers
100 countries
N/A
105 countries
N/A
100 countries
N/A
90+ countries
VPN Protocols OpenVPN
IKEv2/IPsec
NordLynx
OpenVPN
IKEv2/IPsec
WireGuard
OpenVPN
IKEv2/IPsec
Lightway
OpenVPN
IKEv2/IPsec
Lightway
OpenVPN
IKEv2/IPsec
Lightway
No-Logs Policy YES (audited) YES (audited) YES (audited) YES (audited) YES (audited)
Obfuscated Servers YES YES YES NO YES
Kill Switch YES YES YES YES YES
Performance Ultra-fast Fast Ultra-fast Medium Medium
Simultaneous Connections 10 Unlimited 8 7 Unlimited
Supported Devices Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS/iPadOS
Apple TV
Android TV
Fire TV
routers
Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS/iPadOS
Android TV
Fire TV
routers
Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS/iPadOS
Apple TV
Android TV
Fire TV
routers
Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS/iPadOS
Android TV
Fire TV
routers
Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS/iPadOS
Android TV
Fire TV
routers
Customer Support YES (24/7) YES (24/7) YES (24/7) YES (24/7) YES (24/7)
Money-Back Guarantees 30 days 30 days 30 days 45 days 30 days
Get NordVPN Get Surfshark Get ExpressVPN Get CyberGhost Get PIA VPN

Why Do You Need a VPN for HBO Max?

You need a VPN for HBO Max to access it from outside its 60+ supported countries as well as reach regional content libraries. A VPN is the best way to watch HBO Max outside the US, whether you want to unblock the service or simply access more content.

If you try to stream Max from anywhere outside the US, you'll encounter a geo-block, and the following message will pop up on your screen: “Max is Not Available in Your Region Yet.”

Max error message when you access outside the US.
HBO Max Geo Block Error Message
HBO Max Error Message when you access from countries where it isn't available.

Other reasons why you need an HBO Max VPN include:

When you use a powerful VPN to unblock HBO Max, like NordVPN, it tricks the streamer into thinking you’re located in a supported country. Simply connect to a server in any location where HBO Max is available. Obfuscation comes in handy for this because it will help bypass any VPN detection measures.

How to Choose the Best VPN for HBO Max?

To choose the best VPN for HBO Max, you need to ensure that your VPN can unblock the streaming app every single time. It should also have plenty of servers and fast speeds. Here's everything to keep in mind when looking for the best HBO Max VPN:

Where is HBO Max Available?

HBO Max is available in many Latin American, Caribbean, and European countries. Max is only available in the US. Here is a full list of available locations:

What Can You Watch on HBO Max?

HBO Max offers around 8,000 titles in total supplied by HBO, Discovery, and Warners Bros. The streaming service focuses on movies and TV shows that are produced by third parties, as well as the streaming platform itself. It also delivers live sports in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

HBO Max sources its content from DC, TCM, Discovery, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Magnolia Network, Food Network, TLC, Adult Swim, Discovery ID, and Travel Channel. That means you'll find something new to watch every single day, as most episodes are available right after they air on their home network.

Here's a handy overview of the most popular titles in March, 2024:

Title Year Genre
Succession 2018 - 2023 Drama
Game of Thrones 2011 - 2019 Fantasy; Action
The Sopranos 1999 - 2007 Crime; Drama
And Just Like That... 2021 - Comedy; Drama
Starstruck 2021 - Comedy
Peacemaker 2022 - Fantasy; Action
Property Brothers 2011 - Reality
House Hunters 1999 - Reality
Fixer Upper 2013 - Reality
Chopped 2009 - Cooking show
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives 2007 - Reality
Rick and Morty 2013 - Sitcom; Animated
Robot Chicken 2005 - Sitcom; Animated
Ghost Adventures 2008 - Reality; Paranormal
Evil Lives Here 2016 - Documentary

Why Is HBO Max VPN Not Working?

Your HBO Max VPN might not work because you're trying to connect to an overcrowded server. Also, you'll want to check your baseline connection and update your VPN software. Here's what you can try:

Can You Use a Free VPN for HBO Max?

Yes, you can use a free VPN for HBO Max, but we don’t recommend it. Free VPNs usually come with severe risks, especially the less reputable ones. Due to this, they are unreliable and can leak your real location, which could result in a VPN block. 

Additionally, free VPN providers don’t offer advanced security features. Some even sell your data to third parties, as this is their primary source of revenue. Furthermore, they have limited unblocking capabilities and can easily cause disruptions while you stream. Free VPNs also have limited bandwidth, making them unsuitable for streaming that requires fast and consistent speeds.

A better option is to go for a free VPN trial, which is how you'll get premium-level features without any risk. For example, go with NordVPN's free trial, which can be activated on Android and then used on other devices for 7 days.

Finally, you can also check our guide to the best VPN providers, which will come in handy once you go through a couple of trials. You'll see that many of them offer very affordable plans.

Final Thoughts

HBO Max is very popular worldwide, but its access is limited to some Latin American, Caribbean, and European countries. Also, Max (and its Discovery+ content) is only available in the US. Even residents of the supported countries can’t access it while traveling to restricted locations, and that's also the issue with ISP throttling. Luckily, an HBO Max VPN will allow you to bypass all restrictions.

We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for HBO Max because it has strong unblocking capabilities, advanced security features, ultra-fast and stable speeds, and many servers in Max-supported countries. With NordVPN, you’ll be able to unblock any HBO Max library, including exclusive Discovery+ content on Max in the US.

FAQ

What's the Best VPN for HBO Max?

The best VPN for HBO Max is NordVPN. That's because NordVPN can easily unblock HBO Max, offers an army of servers, works on any device, and offers high-end security and privacy features. In other words, it provides everything you need in one place.

Is It Legal to Use a VPN for HBO Max?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN for HBO Max. However, you should choose a VPN with obfuscated servers, such as NordVPN, so you can keep your real location and IP address properly hidden. 

Does HBO Max Work with a VPN?

Yes, HBO Max works with a VPN. However, some VPNs aren’t powerful enough to unblock HBO Max, so you need to choose carefully. All the VPNs on our list, NordVPN being our #1 pick, can easily give you access to HBO Max content that is blocked anywhere.

Does HBO Max Detect and Block VPNs?

Yes, HBO Max detects and blocks VPNs. If it detects traffic as coming from a VPN, it will blacklist the VPN server's IP. This is why obfuscation is so important to disguise your VPN traffic as regular browser traffic, which is why we recommend NordVPN.

Can You Use HBO Max in Multiple Locations?

Yes, you can use HBO Max in multiple locations, but the number of simultaneous connections is still limited to three. Furthermore, HBO Max is available only in some countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Max is only accessible from the US.

Does HBO Max Have Region-Locked Content?

Yes, HBO Max has region-locked content. All its content libraries are unique to each region. Plus, you can only access Discovery+ content on Max in the USA. Any of the VPNs in this article will allow you to access HBO Max in different countries.

Does NordVPN Work with HBO Max?

Yes, NordVPN can unblock HBO Max. It covers over 111 countries in total, so you can access all kinds of different content libraries. Plus, its US servers can unblock US-based Max.

Does ExpressVPN Work with HBO Max?

Yes, ExpressVPN works with HBO Max. It offers thousands of servers in 105 countries, so accessing HBO Max will never be an issue. It works with many other streaming apps as well.

That's all for our guide to choosing a VPN for HBO Max. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!



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