As you’ve surely noticed, HBO Max isn’t available in every country, and Max, for now, is only available in the US. Moreover, you are restricted to a specific HBO catalog, depending on your country.
Fortunately, a good VPN can help you bypass the unpleasant restrictions mentioned above! Based on our extensive testing of dozens of VPN providers, these are the best VPNs for HBO Max, as of now:
- NordVPN: The all-around best VPN for HBO Max
- Surfshark: Max VPN with incredible speeds
- CyberGhost: Watch Max US with a dedicated streaming server
- ExpressVPN: HBO Max VPN for many devices
- PIA: An extremely affordable VPN for HBO Max with 30,000+ servers
The best VPN for HBO Max is NordVPN. This provider offers access to virtually any Max catalog, thanks to its many servers and advanced unblocking features. It also boasts very solid streaming speeds.
Check out the complete article below to learn more about the best VPNs for HBO Max above and how to use a VPN with Max.
Are you addicted to Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Succession, or one of the other 2,500+ shows and movies on HBO Max? Then you might have noticed you can lose access to your favorite Max shows when abroad.
Or maybe you want to get into the shows above, but you’re in a region where Max isn’t available (yet). Fear not! In this article, we’ll tell you all about the best VPN for HBO Max and how it can help you unblock your favorite shows! We will also take a deep dive into the privacy features of each VPN provider that will allow you to stream HBO Max safely.
We tested dozens of VPNs to find the best VPN for HBO Max, and we can confidently say that NordVPN is your best bet to bypass any and all (HBO) Max restrictions and access this great streaming service.
Always Check Your User Agreement:
Using a VPN provider is legal, however, you may find a streaming platform’s privacy policy advising against the use of a VPN. Max may restrict the use of your account if you access it with a VPN, so ensure to check its user agreement frequently.
Top 5 Best HBO Max VPNs
Below, you’ll find the very best VPNs for Max and HBO Max. We present them in a handy table, so you can quickly compare their main features.
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | CyberGhost | ExpressVPN | PIA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | 5,000+ | 3,200+ | 9,000+ | 3,000+ | 30,000+ |
| Server locations (countries) | 60 | 100 | 91 | 94 | 84 |
| Dedicated IP addresses | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Dedicated streaming servers | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx (WireGuard) | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, WireGuard |
| Simultaneous connections | 6 | Unlimited | 7 | 5 | 10 |
| Price | $3.99 | $2.30 | $2.11 | $6.67 | $2.03 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Download | Get NordVPN | Get Surfshark | Get CyberGhost | Get ExpressVPN | Get PIA |
Below, we’ll discuss the key features of these VPNs in a bit more detail.
1. NordVPN: The best VPN for streaming HBO Max
What We Like
- Robust streaming speeds
- Unblock Max with 1,970+ US servers
- Server Refresh feature and dedicated IPs to circumvent VPN blocks
- RAM-only servers that allow you to stay anonymous
- Available for Windows, MacOS, Android (TV), iOS, Linux, and other devices
What We Don't Like
- Android free trial is only for seven days
NordVPN is, without a doubt, the top VPN for watching the best HBO Max movies and TV shows. This provider’s huge server network, consisting of 5,000+ servers in 60 countries, will give you access to plenty of HBO Max catalogs.
Moreover, NordVPN’s reliable 1,970+ US servers will allow you to stream the best HBO Max shows in the US effortlessly. We used several US servers to watch Game of Thrones. They all worked seamlessly and gave us great speeds. We also did not experience any lag with any of NordVPN’s servers.
While testing NordVPN, we also liked the handy VPN Server Refresh option (look for another server if yours is blocked) and dedicated IP addresses. Both of these helped us circumvent VPN blocks with no issues at all.
Additionally, with NordVPN, you don’t have to worry about the privacy of your data. The VPN provider has a robust no-logs policy and RAM-only servers that do not keep any of your personal information.
NordVPN is reasonably priced and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
2. Surfshark: Max VPN with incredible speeds
What We Like
- Super-fast speeds (ideal for streaming)
- Unblock Max with over 500 US servers
- No-logs VPN that's great for your privacy
- Camouflage Mode to hide your VPN use
- Dedicated IPs
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
What We Don't Like
- No dedicated streaming servers
Surfshark is another outstanding HBO Max VPN that will give you access to both the HBO Max app and the website. What sets this provider apart is its lightning-fast streaming speeds. In fact, during our Surfshark review, the VPN provider came out on top as the fastest VPN during our speed test comparison.
Surfshark’s blazing speeds were on full display when we used the VPN to watch a super smooth-running episode of South Park on Max US. Accessing the latter was an effortless endeavor thanks to Surfshark’s outstanding 500+ US servers.
Surfshark offers a staggering 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. This will allow you to unblock HBO Max catalogs from around the world! The best part is you can do so on any of your devices, as Surfshark allows for unlimited simultaneous connections.
Just like NordVPN, Surfshark offers dedicated IP addresses to circumvent any potential VPN blocks Max might throw at you in the future.
Moreover, Surfshark doesn’t record any logs of your private data and has a Camouflage Mode feature that stops your internet service provider (ISP) from detecting that you are using a VPN. These are some of the reasons why we have included it in our best VPN for HBO Max list.
Additionally, it offers an automatic kill switch that cuts off your connection to the internet to stop your data from leaking online when the VPN stops working.
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
3. CyberGhost: VPN for HBO Max with a dedicated streaming server
What We Like
- Dedicated streaming servers for Max US and many other streaming platforms
- Many options to unblock content with 9,000+ servers in 91 countries
- Automatic kill switch to prevent leaks
- Dedicated IPs
- Option to try it out with a 45-day money-back guarantee
What We Don't Like
- Fewer features for Apple users
If you want to watch Max from anywhere without any issues and unexpected VPN blocks, we recommend checking out CyberGhost. This VPN offers tons of servers that are optimized for different streaming services. Among these is a special server for Max US.
While testing CyberGhost, we accessed Max US from overseas easily and watched one of our favorite movies: Avatar.
CyberGhost is also a great option for those who’re looking to access various HBO Max catalogs from all around the globe. This is thanks to the great unblocking opportunities offered by its 9,000+ servers in 91 countries, which make it a strong contender in our best VPN for HBO Max list.
If all of this isn’t enough, CyberGhost has another great way to get around (HBO) Max restrictions: dedicated IP addresses. These will help you out if (some of) the provider’s regular VPN servers are blocked by HBO. Moreover, its kill switch will protect you from exposing your private data online.
CyberGhost offers several reasonably priced plans and has a very generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Very user-friendly
- High quality for a low price
- Torrents and Netflix possible
4. ExpressVPN: HBO Max VPN for a wide range of devices
What We Like
- User-friendly interface
- Access to many HBO Max libraries
- Obfuscation technology to hide VPN use
- High level of security with AES-256 encryption
- Smart DNS service (MediaStreamer)
- Connects to fast servers automatically
What We Don't Like
- Pricey subscription plans
ExpressVPN has been around for many years and is renowned for its stability, reliability, and user-friendly interface. This makes accessing Max or HBO Max with ExpressVPN an absolute breeze, as you can see below.
Thanks to ExpressVPN’s stable servers, we were able to watch Succession, one of our favorite Max shows, without issues or lag. We also used ExpressVPN to access the Brazilian, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, and Vietnamese versions of HBO Max.
Through our ExpressVPN review, we also discovered that the provider offers a Smart DNS service called MediaStreamer. This allowed us to watch HBO Max on Apple TV, which doesn’t support VPNs, and it took us just under five minutes to get going. You can also use ExpressVPN on other devices, on your Smart TV, router, and Amazon Fire TV stick.
Additionally, like all premium VPN providers, ExpressVPN has a robust no-logs policy to keep your sensitive information away from prying eyes. This is further enforced by its strong AES-256 encryption that makes it nearly impossible for malicious actors to decrypt your data.
Although ExpressVPN is relatively expensive, it’s an excellent provider that you can count on.
- Very easy-to-use VPN
- Perfect for anonymous browsing, downloading, and streaming (i.e., Netflix)
- Thousands of servers in 105 countries
5. PIA: An affordable VPN for HBO Max with a huge server network
What We Like
- Very affordable subscription packages
- Easily unblocks Max with over 30,000 servers worldwide
- Strict no-logs policy (Great for your privacy)
- AES-128 and 256-bit encryption
- Option to get a dedicated IP for streaming
- Optimized streaming servers
What We Don't Like
- Connection to servers can sometimes be slow
For those looking for affordability and the possibility of unblocking tons of content, PIA might be the best VPN for HBO Max. It’s incredible at unblocking Max and offers great features similar to the other providers on this list.
PIA’s huge network of 30,000+ quality servers in 84 countries will make short work of HBO’s geographic restrictions.
During our PIA tests, we discovered that its speeds are more than decent. This allowed us to watch our favorite superheroes in smooth action on Max in Justice League Unlimited. We were also able to stream HBO Max from different locations across Europe, Asia, and Africa. We tested some of PIA’s streaming-optimized servers, too, and didn’t experience any lag or other issues.
Additionally, PIA has a strict privacy policy and offers you the choice between two types of encryption. The AES 128-bit cipher is faster compared to the 256-bit, but some may consider it a bit less secure. However, you have the opportunity to choose between the two before you start using the VPN.
The only downside of this HBO Max VPN is its odd interface. Although there are many customization options, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out if you’re not as tech-savvy.
PIA is the most affordable VPN on this list, together with CyberGhost, and offers a 30-day free trial in the form of a money-back guarantee.
- Strong focus on privacy and security
- Good price
- Fast and stable servers
How Did We Choose the Best VPNs for HBO Max?
We created our best VPN for HBO Max list based on our extensive experience with and testing over 80 VPNs. We verified through first-hand experience that the VPNs above are compatible with Max and many foreign HBO Max catalogs.
Specifically, we paid attention to the following criteria in our search for the best VPN service for Max and HBO Max:
- Compatibility with (HBO) Max: This goes without saying, but we verified that all of the VPNs on our list could unblock Max and HBO Max.
- Streaming speeds: We checked if we could use the VPNs above to watch some of our favorite Max shows without stuttering and long loading times. We also considered their overall (streaming) speeds.
- Server network: We made sure only to choose VPN providers whose large server networks will give you access to many different HBO Max catalogs.
- Dedicated IP addresses: While not essential for streaming, dedicated IP addresses are great for bypassing online censorship and circumventing potential VPN blocks. That’s why four out of five HBO Max VPNs on this list offer them.
- Device compatibility: We understand many like to stream Max on different devices. This is especially true if you stream at home and while on the road. That’s why we only chose VPNs that, at a minimum, are available on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Access HBO Max?
HBO can’t show you your favorite shows in every country, so that is why you need a VPN to watch HBO Max movies and TV shows you don’t normally have access to.
You see, in order to show media that wasn’t produced specifically for HBO (non-HBO originals), the company needs to acquire content distribution rights. These rights aren’t cheap and often have to be paid for each country where HBO wants to show its content.
The above means that non-original shows and movies on Max generally aren’t available in every country. Also, note that some shows are originals in some regions but not in others. Moreover, although this is rare, some originals are not available in all countries for unclear reasons.
As a result of the above, HBO created different streaming catalogs. They make sure users can only access “the right catalog” for them by blocking IP addresses from other countries. Fortunately, you can watch HBO Max from anywhere with a good VPN and access your favorite shows.
Get the Best HBO Max VPN for More Privacy Online
Maybe, you already have access to everything you want to see on (HBO) Max. Did you know that even in this case, it’s smart to use a VPN?
A VPN doesn’t just give you access to Max and other (streaming) services. In fact, VPNs were originally invented to create a secure network between different parties. They also afford users much more privacy by hiding their real IP address.
Many online parties that like to uncover your browsing history rely on your IP address to do so. By tracking this address, they keep track of the pages you visit and your search queries.
Do you want complete privacy while streaming HBO Max and during other online activities? Then we recommend using a solid VPN like NordVPN to hide your IP.
VPNs to Avoid for Max
There are some excellent VPNs for Max, as we’ve seen above. Unfortunately, as with anything, there are also some options you’d better avoid. Below, you’ll find some VPNs we don’t recommend for use with HBO Max.
| VPN | Reason to avoid |
|---|---|
| VPN Master | This free provider’s connections are very unstable. This can cause your Max video to suddenly stop playing. |
| Speedify VPN | Ironically, Speedify VPN is one of the slowest VPNs we’ve ever tested. If you get access to Max in the first place, getting acceptable streaming speeds with this VPN will likely prove next to impossible. |
| Hoxx VPN | This VPN showcases issues when trying to install the app on Windows or Mac. This means many Max streamers won’t find this VPN helpful at all. |
Final Thoughts: The Best VPN for HBO Max
There are some great VPNs for Max and HBO Max. These tools can give you access to HBO if it’s unavailable in your region. Alternatively, they can even help you to unblock a Max catalog different from the one that corresponds to the country you’re in. The best HBO Max VPN will also keep your private information safe and away from prying eyes.
Choosing the right HBO VPN is crucial. This will determine whether your streaming experience is smooth or stuttery, if you can watch HBO Max on your preferred device, and whether you’ll have access to your favorite shows to begin with.
If you ask us, the best VPN for HBO Max is NordVPN. This provider offers a huge server network with plenty of excellent US servers to access Max US. NordVPN also features advanced unblocking options and good streaming speeds to enjoy Max no matter what.
Did you know a VPN isn’t just a valuable tool to unblock HBO Max worldwide? A VPN can also help you to unblock a host of other streaming services. Check out the articles below to learn about the best VPNs for other streaming platforms.
Do you have a specific question about the best VPNs for HBO Max or Max use with a VPN in general? Check out our FAQ below to see if we’ve already answered your question.
We strongly recommend our number one overall VPN, NordVPN, for HBO Max use. That’s because this provider allows you to unblock plenty of HBO catalogs, thanks to its huge server network and solid unblocking features.
Moreover, its speeds are definitely good enough for streaming your favorite shows, as you’ll read in our NordVPN review.
You can’t just use any VPN with Max or HBO Max. Some VPNs won’t be able to unblock the Max catalog of your choice. Alternatively, they might be too slow to actually enjoy your show without constant lag.
We recommend going with one of the options from the best VPNs for HBO Max list we created.
If you’re looking for the fastest VPN for Max, we recommend going with Surfshark. This is one of the fastest VPNs on the market today and it gave us the smoothest streaming experience when testing it with HBO Max.
PIA is the cheapest VPN for HBO Max. Moreover, this provider offers 33,000 servers worldwide, which will make it easier to watch HBO Max from anywhere in the world.
