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Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.
Hulu is one of the most popular streaming services, but it comes with a big catch: it’s only available in the US and Japan. If you try to sign up or stream from another country, you’ll quickly hit restrictions; Hulu even requires a U.S.-issued form of payment to subscribe. On top of that, ISPs often throttle streaming speeds, making it harder to enjoy smooth HD playback.
This is why you need a VPN for Hulu. A reliable VPN masks your real location, giving you an American or Japanese IP so you can unblock Hulu from anywhere. Otherwise, as per Hulu Terms and Conditions, you won't see the full content library.
It also lets you keep watching while traveling abroad, bypasses ISP throttling, and protects your privacy from digital tracking. Even better, the right VPN lets you stream safely on public Wi-Fi, hide your IP address, and block ads and trackers for smoother streaming.
However, Hulu is also notorious for its VPN blocks. Hulu is very smart now and can detect when that you are using a VPN. If you’ve ever seen the dreaded “anonymous proxy error” message, it means Hulu detected your VPN or proxy and blocked access. But don’t worry, the right VPN can stay one step ahead of Hulu’s detection systems, ensuring you stream without interruptions.
In this guide, we’ll break down the 5 best VPNs for Hulu, show you how to set them up, explain what to do if you run into errors, and answer the most common questions about streaming Hulu securely from anywhere.
Yes, Hulu blocks VPNs. It is mainly 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. Additionally, Hulu needs to verify the Geographical location.
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 ensure that only residents of countries that have purchased the required content licenses can access its programming. Most streaming services like Hulu want to expand to other markets 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.
A top VPN for Hulu should reliably unblock the platform from anywhere while offering fast, stable performance. Beyond just bypassing geo-restrictions, the best Hulu VPNs provide robust security, privacy, and user-friendly apps across multiple devices. Key features to look for include:
With these criteria in mind, VPNs that combine streaming-optimized servers with reliable performance stand out for Hulu users. Based on these standards, here are the 5 best VPNs for Hulu in 2025:
NordVPN is the best VPN for Hulu in 2025, bringing an endless list of features to make streaming as easy as possible. It unblocks Hulu in an instant, as well as dozens of other streaming apps. Out of 7,400+ servers in 118 countries servers, you will find around 2,000 US-based servers and 130+ in Japan.
On top of that, NordVPN is among the fastest VPNs available today - offering extra-fast speeds across nearby and remote servers. Much thanks to NordVPN's obfuscated servers and a built-in kill switch, you won’t have to worry about Hulu’s VPN blocks or data leaks interrupting your binge-watching.
Known for its high-end privacy, NordVPN offers military-grade AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 encryption, VPN protocols such as NordLynx, NordWhisper, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN, and an often-audited no-logs policy, which implies that what you see on Hulu, that remains your business only.
You can get NordVPN for only $3.09 per month, which applies to its 24 months plan. Be sure to check out other subscription options too, as you can save even more with exclusive NordVPN coupons. Plus, every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you peace of mind if the service isn’t right for you. For a completely risk-free start, try the free trial before committing.
NordVPN also offers strong customer support. In addition to 24/7 live chat. Learn how to set up NordVPN on all devices.
Maximize NordVPN for Streaming Hulu Like a Pro:
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Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Hulu, giving you reliable access to the platform with smooth streaming performance. It offers 600+ servers in the United States and 60+ servers in Japan, perfect for unlocking Hulu’s full library, including Hulu + Live TV and Hulu Japan. Globally, it has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, so you’ll never run out of fast and secure connections.
In our tests, Surfshark consistently delivered fast speeds, making it great for streaming Hulu in HD or 4K without buffering. It also includes obfuscation to bypass Hulu’s VPN blocks and a kill switch to keep your connection safe if the VPN drops.
For security, Surfshark relies on WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 encryption, and a strict no-logs policy, so you can stream Hulu privately. Its IP rotation feature further helps avoid detection by Hulu’s anti-VPN systems.
With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can stream Hulu on multiple devices at once. Apps are available for all major platforms, and plans start at $2.19 per month for 24 months. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test whether it suits you or not risk-free. Plus, 24/7 live chat support is always there if you need help.
How to Maximize Surfshark for Streaming Hulu:
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ExpressVPN is a long-standing and exceedingly reputable VPN that works with Hulu and dozens more streaming apps and sites. It covers all the locations in the US, as well as 4 in Japan, while offering an undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries, featuring one of the biggest networks out there.
All servers are obfuscated, so Hulu won’t detect your VPN use. Plus, features like a kill switch, AES-256 and ChaCha20/Poly1305, OpenVPN, Lightway, and IKEv2, and leak protection keep your connection secure while you stream.
With ExpressVPN, you get 8 simultaneous connections and apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and routers. This is perfect for watching Hulu on any device.
Plans start at just $4.99 per month for 24 months, all backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. A major benefit is 24/7 customer support, ensuring help is always just a click away. Before you choose a subscription, it’s worth trying the free trial to see everything the service can do.
Set up ExpressVPN quickly and effortlessly on any device you own.
How to Unlock Streaming with ExpressVPN:
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CyberGhost is an excellent streaming-friendly VPN that offers a large server network and unblocks dozens of streaming apps, including Hulu. If you subscribe, you'll gain access to a whopping 2,000+ servers in the US, 230+ in Japan, and an undisclosed number of servers in 100 countries.
CyberGhost VPN isn't the fastest VPN out there, but you can expect medium-to-fast Web connection speeds while using this provider. So, we recommend a fast baseline connection. Also, there's no obfuscation, but you do get a powerful kill switch that works in the background.
Let's not forget that you also get OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, paired with AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 ciphers, which means that your data will remain perfectly safe and private. There's also an audited no-logs policy and RAM-based servers, eliminating any chance of data logging.
CyberGhost offers 7 simultaneous connections and user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, streaming devices, and even routers. It's currently priced at $2.19 per month for its 24 months plan, which also has a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. In terms of customer support, you get 24/7 live chat support, installation guides, and more.
How to Unlock Streaming with CyberGhost
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Private Internet Access (PIA) is another robust VPN that manages to unblock Hulu every single time, as well as other major US-based streaming services. What's interesting about PIA is that it has servers in all 50 US states, as well as in Japan. It offers an undisclosed number of servers in 91 countries.
You can expect medium-fast speeds from PIA. We highly recommend taking your time to optimize this VPN, as it brings a wealth of customization options. You'll find obfuscation here, as well as several types of kill switch, making PIA suitable for more advanced users.
This VPN is based on protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPsec (IKEv2), paired with AES-128-GCM, AES-256-GCM, AES-128-CBC, AES-256-CBC, and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers. It also has a court-proven no-logs policy, open-source apps, and more. In terms of privacy protection, few VPNs can match what Private Internet Access offers.
Another plus is PIA's support for unlimited simultaneous connections. It's priced at $2.19 per month for its 24 months plan. To prove that it has nothing to hide, it also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. It's also no surprise that 24/7 live chat is on offer, in addition to several other customer support resources.
How to Unlock Streaming with PIA (Private Internet Access)
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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:
When Hulu doesn't work with a VPN, you need to check if your connection works properly, followed by trying other VPN servers and protocols. Here's everything you can try:
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.
Many people ask if free VPNs can unblock Hulu, but the truth is that they rarely work. Free VPNs usually don’t have reliable servers in the US, which is essential for accessing Hulu’s content library. Even if you manage to connect, streaming Hulu in HD is nearly impossible because free VPNs put strict caps on bandwidth and speeds.
This means constant buffering, interruptions, and an overall frustrating experience instead of smooth binge-watching. And what if you are watching your favourite movie and then the bandwidth ends? What would you then? The other option is to watch in the lowest quality, but is it any good?
Now some free VPNs like Proton VPN work but you'll need a US-based credit card or at least a PayPal account. In fact, Hulu is truly onto blocking many VPNs, let alone the free ones.
Hence, the smarter alternative is to use a VPN free trial. That's how you'll get premium-level features for a limited time without any risk. We recommend NordVPN's free trial, which is a 7-day trial that needs to be activated on Android. You can use your credentials on other devices as well, and there's also a 30-day money-back policy for all its supported platforms.
Once you've gone through a few trials, check our guide to the best VPN providers. You'll find a lot of amazing options there, offering plenty of value for their low price.
Hulu is available in the US and Japan only, without any future plans to expand internationally. You'll also face Hulu's geo-blocks while traveling, which will force you to wait until you get back to watch your favorite content. On top of that, selective ISP throttling is an issue around the world. However, a capable Hulu VPN can provide a handy solution to all those issues - all at once!
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for Hulu because it is proven to be able to bypass Hulu’s firewalls and VPN-detection technology. It brings servers in 60+ countries in total, ultra-fast speeds, and works on any device. With this impressive VPN, you can watch all the TV shows and movies you’d like from Hulu or any other streaming service.
Surfshark also delivers fast streaming, unlimited device connections, and reliable global access. ExpressVPN ensures ultra-secure and private Hulu viewing with blazing speeds and excellent geo-unblocking. CyberGhost VPN offers thousands of optimized servers for smooth, buffer-free streaming, while Private Internet Access (PIA) provides a large server network, deep customization, and dependable performance for advanced users.
Some Additional Guides to Help You:
That's all for our guide on the best VPN for Hulu in 2025. If you have any questions, feel free to share them via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!