Best VPN For HBO Max in 2023 [Guaranteed Access Worldwide]

Wondering Which VPN should I use for HBO Max? We got you covered.

If you’re looking for a way to watch HBO Max from outside the US, This guide will walk you through the 5 Best HBO Max VPN that guarantee access to the streaming platform so that you can enjoy your HBO Max subscription to its fullest no matter where you are. We have shortlisted them after testing 150+ VPN providers that claim to work with HBO Max.

HBO Max is the most popular on-demand streaming platform from Warner Bros, offering its own originals and content from other providers and studios, including CNN, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, and Sony Pictures. Though it has expanded its market, and now it is available in Sweden, Spain, Finland, and many other countries beyond the USA.

Despite this, it is still not supported in many countries, especially in Asia and Africa. Also, the content that HBO Max shows in each country differs due to content distribution policies.

So you must be wondering Will HBO Max work with VPN? with the best VPNs, you can easily overcome these restrictions and watch HBO Max anywhere without any buffering issues. Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN hails to its fast speeds, vast server network in the US, and unblocking capabilities. 

Why do I need a VPN with HBO Max?

HBO Max content is geo-restricted to viewers in the US and certain US territories to comply with content copyrights.

That’s why when you try to access HBO Max from anywhere without a reliable VPN service, you will get the following error message on your screen:

“Sorry, HBO Max isn’t available in your region yet.”

Connect to a VPN to bypass this error.

Using the HBO Max VPN is the only way to get around this error. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through an encrypted tunnel to a server in the US. Thus it changes your virtual location and tricks HBO Max into thinking you are trying to watch it from within the US.

This way, you can watch all the latest HBO Max shows, including West World, Hacks, Vistors, Barry, and more, from anywhere without any restrictions.

The Best VPN for HBO Max 2023 – In-Depth Analysis

Team VPNRanks conducted thorough research and extensive testing of 150+ VPNs to find the best HBO Max VPN. Based on our, these are the top 5 best VPNs for HBO Max as they provide an exquisite streaming experience.

Here is their in-depth analysis, so let’s discuss each one of them in detail.

1. ExpressVPN – The Best HBO Max VPN with Ultra HD Video

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for HBO Max with Ultra HD playback quality. For starters, ExpressVPN’s unblocking capability and fast speeds are unmatched. Moreover, it also offers an exclusive MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) feature that allows you to enjoy unrestricted access to HBO Max on devices that do not offer native support to VPNs.

Virtual server locations

Speaking of servers, there are 3000+ VPN servers in 94 countries, including multiple servers in 25 locations in the United States to Unblock HBO Max outside US. With so many American servers at your disposal, you can connect to any US server location to access HBO Max.

Speed:

During testing, we noticed that it instantly unblocked HBO Max on its US servers, thanks to ExpressVPN’s excellent speeds. We tested its New York server to find out how great the speeds of this VPN actually are.

The VPN delivered an average download speed of 87.78 Mbps and an upload speed of 52.13 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which was simply fantastic.

While streaming HBO Max, the speed we got on our 100 Mbps connection was fantastic.

As for other US servers, there are a few that are faster than the rest. Apart from New York, here are the three ExpressVPN HBO Max servers we highly recommend using for their incredible speeds:

Unblocking Capability:

Apart from watching HBO Max with ExpressVPN, you can also access other streaming services such as Hulu, Vudu, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Netflix and enjoy them easily. You can get a US IP address and unblock HBO Max outside US and all your favorite American sites using a reliable VPN service.

Device Compatibility:

The dedicated apps are available for multiple operating systems, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and FireOS.

ExpressVPN also offers a MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) feature that lets you access HBO Max on devices that don’t offer VPN support, such as PlayStation, Apple TV, and more. If you’re a streaming fanatic, then you even get ExpressVPN on Kodi.

Simultaneous Connectivity:

You can connect up to 5 devices on a single account, making it a great option for a small household. In addition, you have 24/7 customer support that’s always available to help you with technical issues.

Security Protocols:

ExpressVPN is also great for keeping you unidentified while streaming. With AES 256-bit encryption, it provides absolute anonymity. There’s also a kill switch and DNS and IP leak protection, which prevents streaming sites from determining your actual IP address.

Pricing:

It is available for $6.67/mo (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan) and comes with a no-question-asked 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans. All these features combine and make ExpressVPN the best VPN for HBO Max 2023.

Pros and Cons of ExpressVPN

2. Surfshark – Budget-friendly HBO Max VPN

Surfshark is the most affordable VPN for HBO Max to access the streaming service outside the US. It offers great service for only $2.05/mo (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan), along with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can even leverage a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices to test the service.

Virtual Servers Location:

If we talk about its server network, Surfshark offers 3200 servers in 100 countries with 600+ servers in 25+ US cities alone.

These servers are available in Los Angles, Boston, San Jos, San Fransisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Houston, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, New York, etc. So, you can choose from any of these servers to watch HBO Max abroad.

Speed:

Despite the cheap price tag, Surfshark delivers breakneck speeds for Ultra-HD streaming. When testing Surfshark HBO Max servers’ speed, we got an average download speed of 81.32 Mbps and an upload speed of 76.12 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection on our San Jose server.

We faced a speed drop of almost 19%, which didn’t cause any lags on our connection.

We found a variety of other US servers to be quite fast as well in our Surfshark speed results hence recommended for watching HBO Max:

Unblocking Capability:

Apart from HBO Max, you can also unblock other geo-restricted streaming services. You can watch YouTube, Netflix US, Apple TV+, Sling TV, and Hulu with Surfshark easily.

Device Compatibility:

Surfshark offers native apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and FireStick. There are Surfshack proxy plugins for Chrome and Firefox browsers and a custom DNS resolver for Roku, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Simultaneous Connectivity:

The coolest thing about Surfshark is that there is no limit on the number of devices you can connect as it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. So, you can stream on multiple devices with a single Surfshark subscription.

Security Protocols:

It has all the important security protocols such as AES256 encryption, kill switch, Wire Guard protocol, and OpenVPN. In addition, there is also a CleanWeb option that automatically blocks ads, trackers, and malware.

The multi-hop feature added an extra security layer to your online privacy.

Pros and Cons of Surfshark

3. NordVPN – Secure HBO Max VPN with Robust Encryption

NordVPN is the most secure VPN for watching HBO Max. It has robust privacy and security features like AES 256-bit encryption, CyberSec, Nordlynx protocol, DNS leak protection, and more.

Some of its servers are also equipped with obfuscation technology to help bypass HBO’s geo-blockers undetected.

Servers Location:

It offers around 5500 servers across 60 countries that are optimized for streaming and privacy.

There are over 1970+ servers in 15 American cities that offer IPs to help you unblock HBO Max abroad: Atlanta, Buffalo, Charlotte, Denver, Chicago, Los Angles, and New York. Connecting to these servers and enjoying HBO Max with them was easier.

Speed:

When testing NordVPN with HBO Max, we got reliable speeds on most of its servers for streaming in Ultra HD. To check out the speeds of our Atlanta server, we conducted a NordVPN speed test.

On our 100 Mbps connection, it delivered an average download speed of 83.82 Mbps and an upload speed of 44.64 Mbps.

With these speeds, streaming NordVPN was super-easy

We further tested out as many servers in the United States as we could, and here is the best VPN location for HBO Max streaming:

Unblocking Capability:

Other than HBO Max, NordVPN allows you to unblock 7Plus and Rai TV in USA without any hassles. Also, you can access popular streaming services like NBC, Hulu, Showtime, CW, Peacock TV outside the US, and Netflix with NordVPN.

Device Compatibility:

NordVPN apps are available for operating systems like Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and FireOS. There is also a Smart DNS feature for devices that don’t have native VPN support, like Apple TV, Xbox, Roku, Android TV, and more.

Simultaneous Connectivity:

You can use NordVPN on upto six devices simultaneously. Its customer support service is also available 24/7 for your help with any issue.

Pricing

This VPN is a great budget option with excellent unblocking power. It is available for $3.49/mo (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) backed by a 30-day refund policy.

Pros and Cons of NordVPN

4. CyberGhost – Optimized Streaming Servers to Watch HBO Max

CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN for HBO Max that offers dedicated streaming optimized servers. It features easy-to-use apps for various devices and operating systems. You can either connect to HBO Max dedicated server or a regular US server to unblock HBO Max.

Server Network:

Overall, CyberGhost has 9700+ servers in 91 countries. The count includes 1317 US servers in 11 cities for watching HBO Max

Speed:

During testing, CyberGhost gave an average download speed of 75.47 Mbps and an upload speed of 69.34 Mbps on a 100 Mbps base internet connection on the New York server.

Even while being slower than the VPNs above, its speeds were sufficient to stream HBO Max in HD quality:

We saw a speed drop of around 25% with CyberGhost on our New York server

That’s not all. We tested more US servers of CyberGhost to access HBO Max and other streaming services. Out of its vast collection, here are the three streaming servers we highly recommend when accessing HBO Max:

Unblocking Capability:

In addition to HBO Max, CyberGhost offers optimized servers for all major streaming services. Other popular streaming platforms that you can unblock with this VPN include SYFY, Hulu, WWE Network, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+. Furthermore, it offers you the US servers to unblock FOX News outside US as well and many others. Hence proving itself to be a good VPN for FOX News outside US.

Device Compatibility:

CyberGhost offers apps for various operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more. It can also be configured on home routers so you can stream HBO Max on your Fire TV Stick, Xbox, Roku, and other devices.

Simultaneous Connectivity

It supports 7 device connections simultaneously on a single subscription.

Security Protocols:

Considering security features, CyberGhost is packed with DNS leak protection, kill switch, military-grade encryption, zero-logs, and OpenVPN protocols.

Pricing

It costs around $2.03/mo . On subscription, you can also have a full 45-day money-back guarantee in case you want to try it risk-free with streaming.

Pros and Cons of CyberGhost

5. IPVanish – Unmetered Connections to Enjoy HBO Max on All Devices

IPVanish is a VPN provider known for offering unlimited device connections. This means that you can use a single subscription of IPVanish and enjoy its service on as many devices as you like. You can even share your account with your friends and family.

Servers Count:

It offers over 2000+ servers in 75+ countries with over 1000 servers in the US. So, you can easily unblock HBO Max anywhere outside the US using these servers.

During testing, we did encounter the HBO proxy error on a few occasions. However, after connecting to its Chicago server, it unlocked HBO Max with no issues or proxy errors.

After connecting to this server, the streaming experience was quite smooth

Speed:

We tested the speeds of the server we connected to, and believe it or not, they were Fast. In our IPVanish speed test, we got an average download speed of 86.75 Mbps and an upload speed of 73.67 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

Since IPVanish’s speeds were fast, they couldn’t meet ExpressVPN’s

We did test more US servers of this VPN to keep them as a backup in case our HBO Max VPN is detected again. Out of 1000+, here are the three servers we highly recommend to enjoy HBO Max in Ultra HD:

Unblocking Capability:

IPVanish isn’t only a great choice for HBO Max and a variety of other streaming services, such as NBC, Netflix, Comedy Central, Twitch TV, and more.

Device Compatibility:

There are apps for various operating systems such as Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS. Its apps are easy-to-use with all the advanced features and options.

You can also get IPVanish and enjoy its multi-login features on devices like FireStick, Roku, PS4, Xbox, and more. Let’s not forget that IPVanish is also a popular choice Kodi.

Security Protocols:

IPVanish offers all security essentials like kill switch, split tunneling, AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a zero-log policy.

Pricing:

It is available for only $3.99/mo and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee as well in case you want to test the service risk-free.

Pros and Cons of IPVanish

Best VPN for HBO Max: Side-by-Side Comparison

Here is a quick side-by-side comparison of the best HBO Max VPN:

VPNs
HBO Max Reliability	1	2	3	4	5
Streaming Video Quality	4K Ultra HD	HD and ultra 4k HD	4K UHD	UHD	4K UHD
Access to Streaming Platform	Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu Disney+, Amazon Prime.	YouTube, Netflix US, Apple TV+, Sling TV, and Hulu	Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, YouTube TV, Netflix, Crackle	Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Paramount Plus.	Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, CBC, Hulu.
Compatible Devices	Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, PS4&5 and more	iOS, Nintendo, Android, Windows, Xbox, Roku, routers, etc	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firestick, Roku, PS etc	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, PS4	Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, FireStick, Roku, PS4, Xbox,
Average Speed (Base: 100 Mbps)	86+ Mbps	85+ Mbps	80+ Mbps	75+ Mbps	85+ Mbps
Simultaneous Device Connections	5	Unlimited	6	7	Unlimited
Lowest Price	$6.67/mo (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan)	$2.05/mo (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan)	$3.49/mo (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan)	$2.03/mo	$3.99/mo
Detailed Review	ExpressVPN Review	Surfshark Review	NordVPN Review	CyberGhost Review	IPVanish Review

Best HBO Max VPN – Testing Methodology

Finding a VPN that efficiently bypasses HBO Max geo-restrictions and, at the same time, protects users’ online Privacy is not a simple task. To help, we have set the following criteria against which we tested VPN performance and assigned them ratings.

1. Server in the US:

To provide access to HBO Max, VPN must have servers in the US. All the VPN providers listed above have multiple servers in the US.

2. Fast Speed:

Fast and reliable speed is another important concern for streaming. We tested the VPNs above to assure that they offer super-fast speeds to unblock and stream HBO Max in HD quality without lags.

Since VPNs can actually improve your speeds, you can bypass ISP throttling with our listed best VPN for HBO Max and have a great streaming experience.

3. Ability to Bypass Geo-Block of Biggest Streaming Services

We consider the provider as the best VPN for HBO Max if it can easily unblock HBO Max geo-restricted content from any part of the world. The VPNs we recommended here enable you to access HBO Max quickly.

We further ensured that they work with other streaming services as well, including Hulu, American Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more.

4. Robust Security:

We analyzed VPN services to ensure that they equip strict privacy policies and surpass all our DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak protection tests. Along with that, we made sure that their encryption standards were high.

5. Privacy Features:

We ensured that all our VPNs offer useful streaming and privacy features to users. We looked for split tunnelling, kill switch, P2P compatibility, obfuscation, and more.

6. Compatible Apps:

We checked that the VPNs we list are compatible with all the popular mobile devices, PCs, as well as streaming devices, and gaming consoles. This ensured that you could download a VPN on any device you own and enjoy HBO Max on iOS, Android, Windows, FireStick, macOS, PS4, or more.

7. Number of Simultaneous Connections Allowed

The provider should allow at least five simultaneous connections so that you can share or use them on multiple devices at once.

8. Customer Support:

All VPNs on our list have 24/7 live chat and email support to answer your query. We used their live chat, email, and ticketing support and confirmed that they could be contacted any time of the day.

9. Refund Policy

We all need some assurance against our investment. All the 5 VPNs we recommended above offered a money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with their performance.

Though the best free VPN for HBO Max sound tempting, we would not suggest them because free HBO Max VPNs are infamous for their poor encryption standards, limited servers, and shady data theft and pilferage practices.

With a limited selection of servers, you’re less likely to be able to access HBO Max. Even if you get access, you’ll be quickly frustrated because of their poor connection speeds and even waiting in a queue for some servers.

It isn’t the only issue with free services. They also don’t offer unlimited bandwidth, so you cannot stream HD content.

The providers of free VPN services make money by mining user data to sell to third-party. As a result, they constantly flood you with annoying advertisements to interrupt your experience.

That’s why it is wise to invest a few monthly dollars for the best HBO Max VPN like ExpressVPN. Its 30-day money-back guarantee lets you enjoy a trouble-free and superior experience for watching HBO Max abroad for an entire month. You can cancel it before the trial ends to get a full refund.so you

HBO Max not working with VPN? Here’s How to Fix It

Even after connecting to a VPN, if you still encounter that dreadful geo-restriction error, you must wonder, does HBO work with VPN? Yes, it does! You just need to try the following troubleshooting tips if HBO Max isn’t working with your existing VPN:

1. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies: A great place to start when trying to fix the issue is to clear your cookies and try accessing HBO Max with an explicit means of blocking.
2. Restart VPN: Sign out and sign in is a proven tech support solution that can also apply to VPNs. Disconnect from the VPN server by sign-out, then signing in again to reconnect.
3. Switch to different Servers: Usually, VPN servers are overloaded with users, resulting in unstable performance. Switching to another server in the same country also helps to resolve the issue.
4. Upgrade to a better VPN service: If switching to another server doesn’t solve the problem, the best way is to upgrade to a VPN that is still compatible with the streaming service. Our top recommendation for HBO Max is ExpressVPN, as the service is known for frequently refreshing and updating its IP network. So, even if HBO Max decides to block one server, it will still have plenty of options to get you going!
5. Use the help function: If none of the abovementioned methods works, consider contacting your VPN’s customer support. All VPNs on our list have 24/7 live chat and email support.

HBO Max VPNs to avoid

While testing, we found the following VPNs totally incapable of unblocking HBO Max’s geo-restrictions. Not just that, we also found them risky to your online privacy and security:

1. HolaVPN

It is an Israel-based VPN service known for offering free services to internet users. Hola VPN was charged for stealing user data and fraudulently reselling it through its sister company Luminati.

In addition, it has also been found to inject notorious malware “Trojan horse” into its users’ devices. So, anyone can use your bandwidth and IP address, and you’ll be responsible for their criminal activities.

2. Hoxx VPN

Hoxx VPN may have US servers but has failed almost all the tests we have done. Their encryption and VPN protocols are outdated and easy to crack.

Furthermore, you will have a hard time connecting to the server through their application due to the slow internet speed. The provider has once discovered logging users’ personally identifiable information and selling it to third-party advertisers for revenue.

3. HideMyAss

HideMyAss security and privacy test results are pretty much disappointing, leaking our actual location when tested for IP leaks. It has insufficient servers and subpar encryption infrastructure.

In addition, HMA has a disturbing history of sharing customer data with law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Which Devices work with HBO Max?

HBO Max works with all sorts of streaming devices. Here are the standard devices on which you can stream HBO Max:

Smart TVs and Set-up Boxes

• Samsung TV (2016 models and later)
• LG Smart TV (2018 +)
• Vizio Smart TV(2016 models and later)
• Android TV
• Apple TV
• Xfinity X1 and Flex
• Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick (OS Android 6.0 or above)
• Roku (firmware version 8.1 or higher)
• Chromecast
• Cox Contour 2 and Contour Stream Player

Smartphones and Tablets

• Android
• iOS
• Amazon Fire Tablet

Computer & Web Browsers

• PC with Windows 7 or later
• Mac with macOS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or later
• Safari version 12 or later
• Chrome browser version 95 or later
• The latest version of Chrome or Firefox
• The latest version of Microsoft Edge for Windows

Gaming Consoles

• Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5

What should I Watch on HBO Max with VPN?

HBO Max content ranges from HBO classics to HBO Max Originals. Besides, new titles are continuously added to the streaming service soon after their release on HBO simultaneously by Warner Media.

Here is a list of the latest movies and shows you can watch on HBO Max with a VPN:

Best Movies on HBO Max in 2023

1. The Hobbit
2. All My Life
3. The Accused
4. American Pastoral
5. At Close Range
6. Blood ties
7. The 39 Steps
8. Anger Management
9. The Break-Up
10. Algo Azul
11. The Conjuring
12. The Death Zone
13. American Psycho
14. Annabelle
15. Alamba Snake

TV Shows to watch on HBO Max in 2023

1. The Vampire Diaries
2. The Climb Season 1
3. Games of Throne:
4. Selena+ Chef
5. House of Ho
6. Velma, Season 1
7. Pretty Little Liars
8. Adventure of the Ring
9. The Last of US
10. Adam Ruins Everythings
11. Abbot Elementary (Season 2)
12. Insecure
13. The Big Soirée
14. Living Single (Seasons 1-5)
15. Abbott Elementary (Season 2)
16. Gotham (Seasons 1-5)
17. Black and Missing
18. Total DramaRama

Best HBO Max VPNs- FAQs

Wrapping Up!

HBO Max is one of the biggest streaming platforms, competing with such giants as Netflix and Hulu. Sadly, it is currently unavailable outside the USA because of licensing agreements and copyright policies. Using the best HBO Max VPN is the only reliable option to unblock the platform from anywhere.

But, not all VPNs can bypass HBO Max’s geo-blocks and restrictions. The streaming service is getting stricter against VPNs and proxies, so finding a VPN that works with HBO Max is not easy.

150+ VPNs were tested for this guide to find the best VPN for HBO Max. Only 5 VPN services were found to be consistent at accessing HBO Max reliably.

ExpressVPN tops our list of best VPN for HBO Max, all thanks to based on its excellent streaming servers, fast speeds, and powerful unblocking functionality.