The Best VPN for HBO Max in 2021: How to Watch it Abroad

What are the best VPNs for HBO Max in 2021? Check out our top 5 best VPN list and learn how to unblock HBO Max from anywhere in the world!
This guide will show you the best VPNs for HBO Max and how to watch it from anywhere in the world! Ready to experience the thrill of action movies and all the latest hits? Then keep reading!

HBO Max

You’ve probably grown up watching HBO or heard of it at some point in time, well HBO Max is the one stop solution to everything HBO. It’s one of the more famous streaming services that bunches together all the latest or old-timey classic movies, TV shows and more.

However, HBO Max is only available within the US, and even if you have a paid subscription and travel outside the country, you still won’t be able to access it. When you try to log in to your account from anywhere outside the US, you’re going to see this sign:

Yes, that’s real sad! But, who said you can’t find another way to access it? A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the best way to bypass these geo-blocks. When I tested all the best VPNs for HBO Max mentioned on my list above, I was automatically able to see the page in the pic below, than compared to the one above, when I wasn’t using a VPN:

 

All the VPNs for HBO Max on the list have not only been tested for their unblocking abilities, but to heighten the overall streaming experience. I will be showing you how and why I chose these top 5 providers, but first, let’s dive into a quick tutorial.

How to watch HBO Max from abroad

As mentioned above, HBO Max is only available to the people living within the US and its territories. You won’t be able to access them from anywhere else unless you connect to the best VPN for it. So, here’s how you get started:

It’s just that simple. However, for those of you who don’t have an account or haven’t signed up with HBO Max, you’ll need to do so. To sign up for HBO Max, you’ll either need to use a US credit card or a HBO Max gift card.

The gift card makes more sense in this situation since you can’t actually use a US credit card if you aren’t a resident or don’t own one.

The best VPNs for HBO Max in 2021

To use a VPN for HBO Max doesn’t only mean that the provider should offer US servers. That’s beside the point. There are other factors to look into that make a VPN the best for this service. So, take a look below to see how they were chosen:

How to choose a VPN for HBO Max

All this and more make up each of the top 5 providers on this list. For a wider look, I’ve created short reviews on each VPN, showing you why they’re the best choice for HBO Max. We’ll first start with:

1. Surfshark – Top choice for HBO Max

Surfshark is recognized worldwide for being one of the fastest and most advanced VPNs. There’s a lot that this provider can offer, which also includes access to HBO Max from anywhere in the world. With it, you won’t have any issues getting access to HBO Max and other US streaming services, regardless of where you’re located, and here’s why:

Firstly, Surfshark covers around 3200+ servers in 65 countries, out of which includes numerous servers in 20+ US locations. That’s more US coverage than all the VPNs on this list. However, they say you need to run a few tests of your own to ensure the VPN lives up to your liking. And, you can do so by using the Surfshark free trial period. You can also run the tests on multiple devices since Surfshark supports unlimited device connections.

The Surfshark speeds at the time of testing weren’t as desirable as I’d hope they’d be. However, this is mostly because my local internet speeds were slow. A VPN is made to stabilize your speeds and bypass ISP throttling, and Surfshark does just that. If you were to use a faster internet, Surfshark will help keep the speeds consistent when streaming on HBO Max.

Other than that, Surfshark operates using AES 256-bit encryption, has a Kill Switch, and many other unique features. A few of them that will give you the best and most secure experience on HBO Max include its NoBorders and Camouflage mode. These will help you access any geo-restricted streaming service in a location that encourages geo-blocks.

Not that HBO Max comes with any ads, but the Surfshark CleanWeb feature will get rid of them. Other than that there’s a lot more to this provider, which is what makes Surfshark a favorite among users.

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2. NordVPN – SmartPlay technology over 1970+ US servers for HBO Max

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs in the industry. This strong and user-friendly VPN is what makes it a top choice to unblock HBO Max from anywhere in the world. It usually tops the list also because of its Smart DNS feature called SmartPlay, which heightens your access to HBO Max. Think of it as a booster to jet you past all the HBO Max geo-blocks with great ease.

Within its list of 5500+ servers in 59 countries, you will have access to over 1970+ servers in 15 US locations. You can connect to any of these servers to unblock HBO Max. This is great considering that you won’t experience any lagging or overcrowded servers.

You can run a few tests on the NordVPN app to check whether or not this solid provider works for you. It also offers up to 6 multi-device connections and supports apps for HBO Max supported devices, like Firestick, PS4, or Roku.

The plus side is that NordVPN comes with great security features that protects your online privacy or anonymity. It is especially important to bypass ISP or other surveillance bodies. Some of the more advanced features apart from SmartPlay, include a Kill Switch, and a CyberSec feature. Again, with that you’ll be able to get rid of annoying ads.

All this and more, are what puts NordVPN on the best VPNs list for HBO Max.

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3. ExpressVPN – great speeds & unblocking abilities

ExpressVPN combines some of the fastest speed results, great security, app support, and most of all it unblocks HBO Max. Most users won’t even consider ExpressVPN for the sole purpose that it’s a little on the pricy side. However, if you test the VPN and take a look at everything ExpressVPN has to offer, you’ll change your mind.

To begin with why ExpressVPN makes one of the best choices to watch HBO Max, it offers a great network coverage of 3000+ servers in 94 countries, which also includes a good number of servers in 14 US locations. I don’t doubt that all of the US servers will work for unblocking HBO Max, considering that I was able to access it using multiple attempts.

When you test ExpressVPN with HBO Max, you should try testing it with multiple devices to see how you feel about its performance. ExpressVPN supports apps for numerous devices that are compatible with HBO Max. This provider also allows up to 5 multi-device connections.

There’s another unique advantage that ExpressVPN offers. If you’re planning on streaming HBO Max on your Apple TV or use a gaming console for it, you should know that these devices don’t support native VPN apps. For this reason, ExpressVPN offers its Smart DNS MediaStreamer service that can be used on these devices. However, it doesn’t come with the same encryption as the VPN itself.

Other key advantages that ExpressVPN comes with is a strict no logs policy, and TrustedServer technology. It means that with every session, your logs or data will be wiped clean. The ExpressVPN apps come with AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, and leak protection.

Combining all the features, speeds, and unblocking abilities, this is why ExpressVPN is considered as a robust and versatile VPN app.

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4. CyberGhost – Optimized servers for HBO Max

CyberGhost is great for unblocking geo-restricted streaming services. Turns out that it’s just as good to unblock HBO Max and several other platforms from anywhere in the world. The VPN allows you to test the app, using its free trial and 45-day money-back guarantee. That’s a lot of time for you to use it for HBO Max.

With CyberGhost, you have access to around 6000+ servers in 59 countries, out of which 1413 servers are within 11 US locations. What’s more, CyberGhost labels its servers with the streaming service or torrenting platform it unblocks. You can use the HBO NOW server to unblock HBO Max. It works immediately.

Other than HBO Max, you will be able to unblock other popular and in-demand platforms. A few of them include, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and, Amazon Prime. The speeds weren’t as fast at Surfshark or NordVPN, but it was good enough for 4K and UHD streams. The CyberGhost subscriptions also allows up to 7 multi-device connections.

If you’re worrying about online privacy, CyberGhost offers a strict no-logs policy, and is located in Romania, away from the 14-eyes regions. Other than that, the CyberGhost apps come with AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and DNS/IP leak protection.

CyberGhost is no doubt popular among users, but you need to test it out for a glimpse of its overall performance.

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5. PrivateVPN – Simple, fast, unblocks HBO Max

PrivateVPN is an extremely simple provider that covers a smaller network compared to the other VPN providers on this list. However, it still makes one of the best VPNs for HBO Max. Why? Because it works!

Where its network coverage is concerned, PrivateVPN offers only 150+ locations in 60 countries, out of which includes servers in 9 US locations (Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, New Jersey, New York, and Phoenix).

Apart from HBO Max, I was able to unblock other platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime and a couple others. The speeds were fast, even on the US servers. However, the speeds can go faster if you have a higher internet package.

The good thing about PrivateVPN is that, just like CyberGhost, it too offers dedicated servers to unblock particular services. It even includes an HBO server that works for HBO Max. That will save you a lot of time looking for the best server.

There isn’t really a free trial, but technically you can use PrivateVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee for that. The service allows connections up to 6 devices. Where security is concerned, PrivateVPN offers AES 256-bit protection, has a Kill Switch feature, Ipv6 leak protection for tougher security, and Port Forwarding.

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FAQs

Why can’t I unblock HBO Max with my VPN?

HBO Max isn’t an easy nut to crack. It, along with several other streaming services are subjected to copyright laws and license agreements, which is why it’s geo-restricted to only the US and its territories. Yes, to access HBO Max, you’re going to need a VPN.

However, there are situations where the VPN itself isn’t strong nor capable enough to unblock it. This is why I rounded up only 5 of the best VPNs for HBO Max that work against all odds. There are other providers that might be great for Netflix or Hulu, but not all work the same with every platform.

On the other hand, there are simpler issues like poor internet connection, or an overcrowded server. Sometimes a fix is just as simple as disconnecting and reconnecting to the VPN.

Can I use a free VPN for HBO Max?

You could, but, it’s not something I’d recommend. HBO Max is already a tough platform to access with a paid VPN. So, how would a free VPN work in this circumstance? There are a couple free trial VPNs that work great, but it always lacks proper network coverage, has poor speeds, and lack of encryption and other security features. It’s always wise to use a paid VPN, like the ones mentioned on the list (Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PrivateVPN). In fact, you could try the hack and use them for free during the money-back guarantees.

Is HBO Max different from HBO Now and HBO Go?

Let’s just say that HBO Max is the combined service of both HBO Now and HBO GO. With HBO Max, you’ll have access to a larger content base rather than just HBO originals. Even if you have an HBO Now or HBO Go account, you can use HBO Max free of charge.

How much does HBO Max cost?

You can get a monthly subscription to HBO Max at $14.99/mo.  Yes, that’s way more expensive than other popular streaming services, but the content is worth the price. Plus, if you’re already using HBO Now or HBO Go, you don’t have to pay to use HBO Max, and that’s the best part. Neither HBO Go nor Now are cheaper in comparison. So why not pay for HBO Max and get a combination of both platforms and more!

To conclude

You will be able to unblock HBO Max with the best VPNs mentioned on my list, regardless of where you are in the world. They all off a great number of US IP addresses for you to connect to and access the service with ease. All you need to do is see which one suits you perfectly, subscribe to them, and follow the tutorial to unblock HBO Max.