Hulu is a highly popular streaming service that is only available in the US and Japan. If you live anywhere else and want to watch Hulu, you won't be able to access it. That’s because the streaming service employs rigorous geo-blocks that check your location based on your IP address. However, there’s an easy solution to this problem: a Hulu VPN.
More precisely, if you try to access Hulu from outside the US or Japan without using a VPN, you'll get the following message: "Hulu isn't available to watch in your location."
So, how does a VPN help? Well, the best VPN has strong unblocking capabilities, so you'll be able to change your virtual location and display a US or Japanese IP address. This will trick Hulu into thinking you're located within its allowed geographical regions.
A quality VPN will also employ security and privacy measures that hide your online activity and identity. Furthermore, with the best VPN for streaming, you’ll be able to watch Hulu in 4K with no buffering or throttling.
In this article, we'll recommend the 5 best Hulu VPNs, provide a step-by-step guide on how to set up your Hulu VPN, explain why you need a VPN for Hulu, offer some troubleshooting tips, and much more.
Let's jump right in!
How to Watch Hulu with a VPN
To watch Hulu with a VPN, you need to subscribe to a powerful VPN and connect to its US- or Japan-based servers. Here's what to do:
- Subscribe to a VPN that works with Hulu (we recommend ExpressVPN).
- Download and install the VPN app on the device(s) you'll use to watch Hulu.
- Launch the app and sign-in to your VPN account.
- Connect to a server in the US or Japan.
- Log in to your Hulu account (it’s best to use Hulu’s website).
- Now you can watch any TV show and movie without restrictions!
To make sure Hulu cannot detect your true location, you must always be connected to your VPN before you open the streamer’s app or website. To learn more about unblocking Hulu, check out our article on how to watch Hulu outside the US.
Best VPNs That Work with Hulu
To find the best VPN that works with Hulu, look for a provider that offers a wide network of US and Japanese servers so that you have plenty of connection options. Strong content unblocking capabilities are imperative for bypassing Hulu’s geo-blocks. It’s also necessary that the servers support super-fast Internet speeds to watch Hulu in 4K with no buffering. To keep your real location from leaking and protect your identity, your VPN needs to offer strong privacy and security features. Furthermore, if you want to get your money back should you not like the VPN, make sure it offers a money-back guarantee.
Based on the criteria mentioned above, here are the top 5 best Hulu VPN providers:
- ExpressVPN – Our #1-Rated Hulu VPN
- NordVPN – Best VPN for Hulu with High-End Privacy Features
- CyberGhost VPN – Best Hulu VPN with 45-Day Guarantee
- PIA – Powerful VPN with Servers in All 50 US States
- Surfshark – Best VPN for Streaming with Unlimited Connections
1. ExpressVPN – Our #1-Rated Hulu VPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Hulu because it offers strong privacy and security features, lightning-fast speeds, and plenty of servers in the US and Japan. On top of that, this provider has superb content-unblocking capabilities, making it ideal for those looking to bypass Hulu’s geo-restrictions.
Additionally, ExpressVPN is easy to use with an app that allows you to connect to a server in a few simple clicks. Overall, it boasts more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries. Essential for unblocking Hulu, ExpressVPN has US servers in New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Arizona, Washington, Georgia, Texas, Colorado, Florida, and a few other states.
According to our tests, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN available, so you can enjoy buffer-free 4K streaming. In addition, it allows users to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously.
The provider also offers military-grade AES-256 encryption, data leak protection, and a no-logs policy. These features ensure that you're safe online and that no one can steal your data or access your online activity.
You can try out ExpressVPN's services risk-free and get a refund if you don’t like it thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition, the provider has 24/7 customer support, which you can access via live chat.
PROS
- Unblocks Hulu every time.
- Lightning-fast performance.
- Servers in many US states.
- Excellent for streaming.
- Military-grade security.
CONS
- 5 simultaneous connections.
2. NordVPN – Best VPN for Hulu with High-End Privacy Features
NordVPN is another capable VPN for Hulu that works on multiple devices - it supports up to 6 simultaneous connections. It's not as fast as ExpressVPN, but it's still fast enough for 4K media streaming.
Known for its high-end privacy, NordVPN offers military-grade AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, private DNS, leak protection, ad-blockers, anti-malware, and more.
NordVPN's double VPN service encrypts your data twice by routing your traffic through 2 VPN servers. This adds an extra layer of protection and privacy, so it's safe to say that no one will be able to see what you watch on Hulu or surf the internet.
NordVPN has over 5,400 servers in 60 countries. It has thousands of servers in the US, making it a great option for accessing Hulu. Some of the states it covers include Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, Utah, Virginia, and more.
You can try NordVPN risk-free and get a full refund within 30 days of your subscription if you don't like it. The provider offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, where you can request a refund or ask questions.
PROS
- Unblocks Hulu easily.
- Excellent security and privacy.
- Thousands of US servers.
- Double VPN feature.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Remote servers can be slow.
- Streaming servers aren’t labeled.
3. CyberGhost VPN – Best Hulu VPN with 45-Day Guarantee
CyberGhost is an excellent streaming-friendly VPN as it offers a large server network and unblocks dozens of streaming platforms, including Hulu. The provider has 9,500+ servers in 91 countries. You can choose from 1,300+ US servers spread across 11 cities.
In addition to excellent content-unblocking capabilities, CyberGhost VPN is also great for gaming and torrenting. The provider doesn't have any bandwidth limits or data caps, allowing its users to enjoy their favorite Hulu content with no restrictions.
You can use CyberGhost on 7 devices simultaneously, including phones, PCs, laptops, routers, and more. The provider also has a no-logs policy, ensuring your data isn’t tracked or shared with anyone. Other security features you'll get with CyberGhost VPN include leak protection, an ad-blocker, anti-malware, and more.
CyberGhost VPN isn't the fastest VPN out there, but you can expect medium-to-fast Internet connection speeds while using this provider.
Users can also enjoy a 45-day money-back guarantee on CyberGhost's longer-term plans and a 14-day money-back guarantee on its monthly option. You can request a refund via the provider's 24/7 live chat.
PROS
- Wide server network.
- More than 1,300 US servers.
- Unlimited bandwidth and data.
- 45-day money-back guarantee.
- 24/7 customer support.
CONS
- Some specialized servers cost extra.
- Slower Internet connection.
4. PIA – Powerful VPN with Servers in All 50 US States
PIA is another robust Hulu VPN solution, as it offers servers in all 50 US states. To accompany that, the provider allows unlimited server switches, so you can switch your VPN server from one location to another whenever you feel like it.
With more than 35,000 servers worldwide covering 83 countries, PIA has the largest server network on the market.
In addition to unlimited server switches, PIA also offers unlimited bandwidth, unlimited data, leak protection, an ad-blocker, anti-malware, and AES-256 encryption. It collects no connection or activity logs.
You can use PIA on 10 devices simultaneously, including phones, tablets, laptops, and routers. That said, the provider isn't as easy to use as other VPNs, but you can still learn the ropes with a bit of effort.
If you max out your security settings on your PIA VPN, your Internet connection speed will suffer. In general, it will be slower compared to ExpressVPN and some other providers. In other words, you can expect a medium-fast Internet connection speed.
PIA also has a 30-day money-back guarantee which you can use to test the provider. Also, it offers 24/7 customer support via live chat.
PROS
- Servers in 50 US states.
- Works with Hulu every time.
- Plenty of customization.
- Large server infrastructure.
- 10 simultaneous connections.
CONS
- Requires some VPN knowledge.
- Medium-fast performance.
5. Surfshark – Best VPN for Streaming with Unlimited Connections
Surfshark is a great Hulu VPN that allows you to connect from an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, so you and all your family members can use it to watch any streaming services you’d like. Its network covers 100 countries worldwide and has more than 3,200 servers.
Being one of the fastest VPN providers, Surfshark comes close to ExpressVPN in speed. It also offers unlimited bandwidth, so you'll be able to enjoy streaming Hulu in 4K with no buffering or other interruptions.
The provider has more than 600 VPN servers in US cities, including LA, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Houston, Detroit, and Miami.
Surfshark also uses AES-256 encryption and features a no-logs policy, leak protection, unlimited server switches, unlimited data, and many other excellent features. It's easy to use and allows you to connect to a US server with just a few clicks.
Lastly, since Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, you'll be able to try out its services risk-free. You can cancel your subscription and ask for a refund within those 30 days via the provider's 24/7 live chat option.
PROS
- 600+ US servers.
- Great for media streaming.
- Very fast performance.
- Very easy to use.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Can take a while to connect.
Why Do I Need a VPN for Hulu?
You need a VPN for Hulu as the service is only available in the US and Japan, in a slightly different form. If you try to access it outside those countries, you’ll encounter Hulu’s geo-block unless you use a VPN.
Other reasons why you need a VPN for Hulu include the following:
- Change Your Location – To access Hulu, you need to make it seem like you're in the US or Japan, so you'll have to change your virtual location. You can do that by using a Hulu VPN to connect to a server in a US city or Japan.
- Stay Anonymous – Changing your virtual location is only one part of the job. You also need to keep your actual location from leaking. The best Hulu VPN will protect you from data leaks and secure your identity online.
- Protect Your Data – With the best VPN for Hulu, you'll be able to stream your favorite content even on unsafe public, hotel, or restaurant Wi-Fi networks without worrying about your privacy, as your data will be encrypted.
- Avoid Bandwidth Throttling – ISPs slow down your Internet when they notice large amounts of bandwidth usage, which happens when you're streaming movies or TV shows. However, if you use a VPN, your online activity will be hidden, and your ISP won't be able to see what you're doing. So, they won’t throttle your Web connection.
Why Is Hulu Blocking a VPN?
Hulu blocks VPNs due to licensing issues. Like all other streaming services, Hulu provides content from a vast array of distributors who all have their own restrictions. Thus, Hulu must abide by those licensing contracts.
VPNs allow people from all over the world to access Hulu's content. Thus, Hulu strives to block VPNs in an effort to prevent its content from reaching unlicensed markets.
Hulu wants to make sure that only the residents of countries that have purchased the required content licenses can access their programming. Most streaming services like Hulu want to expand to other markets themselves to reap all the benefits that might bring, but there won’t be as much demand if people can already access the platform by using a VPN.
How to Fix Hulu VPN Error BYA-403-011?
To fix the Hulu VPN error “BYA-403-011,” you need to reboot or reset your router. The “BYA-403-011” error indicates that Hulu has stopped working because it detected that you're using an anonymous proxy tool (a VPN).
If rebooting or resetting your router doesn't resolve this issue, try disabling your VPN. If the issue is fixed, you'll know that your VPN isn't doing a good job of hiding your location. So, you'll need to find a better VPN.
Hulu Not Working with a VPN – How to Fix?
If Hulu isn't working with your VPN, it might mean that your VPN isn't powerful enough to bypass Hulu's blocks. To fix this, choose a different VPN. Other fixes you can try include:
- Connect to a Different Server – If your VPN isn't working, you can try to connect to another US-based server to fix this issue. Your current server might be having some technical issues causing your VPN to have difficulties working with Hulu. That's why finding a VPN with multiple US servers is so important.
- Clear Your Cache – Cookies and cached data reveal your previous (real) location. By clearing those types of data, you'll remove potential geo-traces that Hulu can use to determine your real location.
- Contact Customer Support – If none of the above-mentioned tips turn out to work, contact your VPN's customer support team to ask for help.
Can I Use a Free VPN for Hulu?
No, you can't use a free VPN for Hulu. Hulu has superb firewalls and other VPN-detection mechanisms that even many paid VPNs can’t bypass, so there is no way a free VPN would be able to.
Free VPNs are not nearly as powerful as paid ones. They don't offer many features, and don't do a very good job of protecting your data from leaking. Sure, you can use them to change your location, but Hulu is powerful enough to detect them immediately and block your access.
Additionally, free VPN providers don't have many servers, so when your first IP address gets blacklisted, you won't be able to find another suitable server with an IP that hasn't been blacklisted yet.
Final Thoughts
The only way for people outside the US and Japan to access Hulu is with a powerful Hulu VPN. This will help them change their virtual location and trick Hulu into thinking that they're located in a country where the service is available.
However, Hulu has strong firewalls and VPN-detection technology in place, so you'll need a powerful VPN provider with the ability to bypass geo-restrictions.
We recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for Hulu because it is proven to be able to bypass Hulu’s firewalls and VPN-detection technology to unblock its library of content. It has a large network of blazing-fast servers with plenty to choose from in the US. With this impressive VPN, you can watch all the TV shows and movies you’d like from Hulu or any other streaming service (including Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and countless more).
That's all for our guide on the best Hulu VPN providers. If you have any questions, feel free to share them via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!