The Best VPN for HBO Max

Ben Patterson Read more May 1, 2023

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HBO Max is an American subscription video-on-demand over the top streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Over the top services refer to any type of streaming media that provides access to movies or TV shows by sending the media through the internet. HBO Max offers libraries of HBO, Warner Bros., Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and their related brands.

Understandably, most people around the world want to watch HBO Max. However, this streaming platform is only available in specific regions. If you want to watch it in an unsupported country, you need to use the best VPN for HBO Max.

Although there are many VPN services available in the market, not all of them are capable of bypassing region-based restrictions. To help you out, we will review several VPN services for their unblocking ability, speed, and compatibility with streaming devices. Here’s our list of the best VPNs for HBO Max.

At A Glance – Best VPNs for HBO Max

This article will enumerate the best VPNs for HBO Max. But if you are short on time, here’s a quick summary of our top choices:

Best VPNs for HBO Max

Why Use a VPN to Watch HBO Max

HBO Max is only available in some countries because of licensing agreements and restrictions on how it can be shown. This means you won’t be able to watch shows if you’re not in one of the licensed areas. The platform looks at your IP address to figure out where you are and then decides whether or not to let you in.

A VPN changes your real IP address to one from another country, making it look like you are in that country. For instance, when you connect to a US server, it looks like you’re using HBO Max from the US. So, even if you travel outside your home region or to a place where HBO Max isn’t available, you can still watch it wherever you are.

Best VPN for HBO Max: Top 5

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our best VPN for HBO Max because of its excellent unblocking capability and fast speeds. This VPN provider has 3000+ servers in 94 countries, including plenty of servers in the USA. You can connect to any US server to access HBO Max.

Besides HBO Max, you can also use ExpressVPN to access other streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, and many more.

ExpressVPN has a MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) feature that will let you access HBO Max on devices that don’t natively offer VPN support like PlayStation, Apple TV, and more.

A single subscription allows you to connect up to five devices simultaneously. If you encounter technical issues, you can rely on its 24/7 customer support for assistance.

If you want to remain anonymous while watching content online, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. ExpressVPN’s 256-bit AES encryption helps ensure your data is safe. Meanwhile, the kill switch, along with DNS and IP leak protection, prevent streaming sites from discovering your true IP address in the event of a connection drop.

ExpressVPN is simply the best all-around VPN. To save money on this premium VPN, we recommend that you avail of the annual plan.

PROS

Unblocks HBO Max and other streaming services
HD streaming with fast servers
Compatible with most devices
Strong security features and no logs-policy
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Above average prices

Get ExpressVPN now!

2. CyberGhost

The runner-up for the title of best VPN for HBO Max is CyberGhost. CyberGhost has more than 9,700 servers in 91 countries. It is an easy-to-use VPN that has servers optimized for streaming. To unblock HBO Max, you can connect to either a dedicated server for HBO Max or a regular US server. You can find the optimized servers when you click on the “For streaming” tab and typing “HBO Max” in the search bar.

In addition to HBO Max, CyberGhost offers optimized servers for all major streaming services. Aside from HBO Max, CyberGhost has servers that you can use to unblock Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and many other streaming sites.

Speeds are better than average and should be enough for HD streams. You can connect as many as 7 devices at the same time on a single subscription. CyberGhost has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It can also be set up on home routers so that you can stream HBO Max on your Fire TV Stick, Roku, Xbox, and other devices.

When it comes to security features, CyberGhost offers military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, zero-logs, OpenVPN protocols, and a kill switch.

This VPN service comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the longest refund period in the VPN industry. You just have to answer a few questions and you’ll get your money back in a few days.

PROS

Works with HBO Max
Reliable speeds for streaming
Dedicated streaming mode
Budget-friendly VPN
45-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Less suitable for advanced VPN users

Get CyberGhost now!

3. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) has the largest server network (30,000+ servers in 80+ countries), including servers in all US states. You can almost always find a server that’s not overcrowded. This VPN offers fast speeds for buffer-free streaming.

This VPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It also offers support for Fire Stick, Roku, and more. This means you can stream HBO Max on almost any device.

Waiting for streaming sites to load is a non-issue with PIA, thanks to its unlimited bandwidth allowance. You can use this VPN on up to 10 devices simultaneously with just a single subscription.

One selling point of Private Internet Access is its affordability. Right now, you can subscribe to its 2-year plan (with 3 months free) for only $2.11 per month. It’s a budget-friendly option if you want to unblock HBO Max libraries, as well as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and more.

PROS

30,000+ servers in 84 countries
10 simultaneous device connections
Works with HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more
Affordable price
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Based in the USA (5 Eyes member)

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4. NordVPN

NordVPN boasts fast speeds, useful streaming features, and an abundance of servers located in key areas. Its rapid VPN service makes streaming high-quality video a breeze, while its robust security measures and exceptional customer support provide peace of mind.

Fast speeds can be achieved thanks to its upgraded version of the popular WireGuard tunneling protocol, called NordLynx. This VPN also ensures your data privacy with AES-256 encryption and an audited no-logs policy.

This VPN offers the SmartPlay feature, enabling seamless access to HBO Max, even on devices without VPN support. Additionally, NordVPN has a dedicated Amazon Fire TV app and is compatible with other streaming devices.

PROS

Provides secure access to HBO Max from abroad
Fast connection speeds
Excellent security and encryption standards
Smart DNS technology
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

A few unreliable servers

Get NordVPN now!

5. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is another fast VPN for streaming. When combined with its ability to bypass restrictions, this VPN becomes an excellent choice for travelers abroad. Not only does it support HBO Max, but it also works with other streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Whether you have multiple devices to protect or intend to share your VPN with family, Atlas VPN is a great option because it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. This secure service offers 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and even an ad, malware, and tracker blocker. MultiHop servers, meanwhile, add an extra layer of encryption for your peace of mind.

Atlas VPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS allow you to secure all your devices simultaneously. However, if you want to use this VPN with Linux or your home Wi-Fi router, manual configuration is necessary. The VPN also supports Android TVs and Amazon Fire TV devices and comes equipped with streaming-optimized servers for a smooth, buffer-free experience.

If there’s anything negative to say about Atlas VPN, it is that it has a small server fleet. It only has 750+ servers in 38 countries – the smallest number of servers of all the VPNs in this list.

PROS

Unlimited simultaneous connections
Streaming-optimized servers
Supports WireGuard
Affordable price
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Relatively small server fleet

Get Atlas VPN now!

Best VPN for HBO Max FAQs

How to watch HBO Max if it’s not available in your location?

To access HBO Max from a country where it is unavailable, all you need is a VPN to bypass geographical restrictions. Simply subscribe to a VPN service, connect to a US server, create an HBO Max account, and you’re good to go.

What devices can you watch HBO Max on with a VPN?

With the help of a VPN, it is possible to watch HBO Max on any device that supports the platform, including smartphones and tablets, desktops/laptops, Smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles.

Although some smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles may not support native VPN apps, there are still ways to install a VPN on these devices. One way is to configure the VPN on your router. Another option is to use your VPN’s Smart DNS feature, like ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer.

Is it possible to use a free VPN to access HBO Max from abroad?

It’s highly unlikely that a free VPN will provide satisfactory results. Most free VPNs are too slow to stream high-quality video and often have data caps or bandwidth limits. Moreover, some free VPNs may invade users’ privacy by monitoring their online activity and may even contain malware.