How to watch HBO Max overseas with a VPN

Anyone aiming to watch HBO Max from abroad will benefit from the use of a VPN. Here’s everything you need to know to get started with a HBO Max VPN. 

Max (or HBO Max outside of the United States) offers a selection of popular movies and TV series, as well as exclusive originals. However, if you try to access the service from outside of the US and Latin America, you’re likely to see the following error message:

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

A VPN is the easiest way to avoid geo-restrictions, allowing the user to mask their IP address, while encrypting all traffic in the process. VPNs work by allowing you to connect to a server in a location of your choice. In this instance, you would select a US VPN server, which will give the user a temporary US IP address. This can be used to stream HBO Max from anywhere in the world, as though you were actually in the US. 

We’ve taken the time to put together a detailed list of the best VPNs for the job. We’ve also included a brief roundup for each provider below.

The best VPNs for HBO Max:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for watching HBO Max from abroad. Perfect for accessing multiple geo-restricted streaming services while on your travels. Unique features, fast speeds, and an audited no-logs policy. Offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: Our top budget VPN for watching HBO Max. No-logs, affordable subscriptions, unlimited simultaneous devices, speedy connections, and powerful security features. 
3. ExpressVPN: Unmatched in terms of streaming access, beginner-friendly apps, Lightway protocol, RAM-only servers in 105+ countries, and industry-leading customer support. 
4. CyberGhost: Streaming optimized servers that are designed to work with HBO Max and many more geo-restricted services. User-friendly apps available for all devices, audited no-logs policy, and fast speeds. 
5. Proton VPN: Advanced provider offering features like port forwarding and support for streaming with HBO Max. Some of the fastest speeds on the market. 
6. IPVanish: No device limits, streaming support for US platforms, fast connection speeds, and a zero-logs policy. 
7. PrivateVPN: Offers a strong combination of privacy and security while accessing HBO Max streams from abroad and a strict no-logs policy. 

Comparison Table

If you’re in need of a VPN for HBO Max, it can be difficult to identify the best provider for the job. Some VPNs only work with a few US streaming services, and others won’t be able to access HBO Max whatsoever.

We’ve narrowed the field with our inclusion criteria. Here are some of the non-negotiable characteristics we looked for when picking out the best providers for HBO Max:

• Servers in the US are necessary for watching TV from the region while overseas, whether it’s via HBO Max or another platform. 
• Connection speeds will dictate how efficiently the user is able to perform any online task, and are especially important for streaming content with HBO Max.
• Good streaming access, as well as allowing the user to bypass HBO Max restrictions, means the provider should work with other US sites and services from abroad. 
• Privacy and security need to be tight, including everything from notable features to available protocols.
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third-party.

For more information about the specific criteria we used for picking the best VPNs for HBO Max, check out the testing methodology section found later in this article.

Best VPNs for watching HBO Max abroad

So, without further ado, let's take a look at the best VPNs for watching your favorite HBO Max TV shows and movies while traveling overseas.

NordVPN is ideal for accessing HBO Max from abroad, with a selection of 5,800+ servers found in 60+ countries. Almost 2,000 of these servers are located in the US, spread across 16+ different cities. If you’d prefer, NordVPN also offers dedicated IP addresses in the US, via locations in Buffalo, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Seattle, and Miami. 

In terms of streaming, it’s compatible with a long list of US-based services. As well as HBO and Netflix, NordVPN will work with Prime Video, Peacock, ESPN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Hulu. The same goes for countries like the UK, as it works with BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITV X. That’s a reasonably comprehensive result. 

As for features, there’s leak protection, a customizable kill switch, and 256-bit AES encryption. SmartPlay is a bundled Smart DNS service that you can use to access streaming services on smart TVs, game consoles, and other devices that don’t support the VPN app.

Average speeds work out to roughly 200 Mbps on the custom NordLynx protocol, making it one of the fastest VPNs available. 

Meshnet is another notable feature, allowing users to create private, encrypted tunnels between trusted devices. Best of all, you don’t need a NordVPN subscription to use Meshnet.  

You’ll find further advanced features like split tunneling, obfuscated servers, and Double VPN. The provider allows torrenting, and it has an audited no-logs policy for peace of mind. 

NordVPN comes with apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire devices. You’ll be able to use a single account for up to six simultaneous connections. 

THE BEST VPN FOR HBO MAX: NordVPN is perfect for streaming via HBO Max from abroad. Unique features like SmartPlay and Meshnet, speedy connections for accessing content, custom protocol, and an audited no-logs policy. Comes with a simple risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is another capable HBO Max VPN. It has 3,200+ servers to choose from in 100+ countries, 600+ of which are found in the US. These servers are split across 25+ major cities, including the likes of Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Houston, Detroit, New York, and Miami. 

Despite a lower asking price, it’s compatible with a long list of popular streaming services. This includes Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, BT Sport, Hotstar, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV, ABC, Peacock, and CBS.

Your data is kept safe by leak protection, a kill switch, and 256-bit encryption. Notable features include split tunneling, MultiHop connections, and rotating IPs. CleanWeb is great for ad, tracker, and malware blocking, while NoBorders ensures that Surfshark works in countries that otherwise block VPN traffic.

Smart DNS is helpful for streaming on devices that don’t work with the VPN app. It works with game consoles, smart TVs, and set-top boxes, which don’t have traditional VPN support. 

You’ll find Surfshark apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. Unlike many services, there are no device limits. You’ll be able to share an account with others, without any caps. Average speeds amount to 190 Mbps, and it comes with an audited no-logs policy. 

THE BEST BUDGET VPN FOR HBO MAX: Surfshark allows the user to connect with an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, it’s affordable, and it works well with various streaming services in the US and elsewhere. Decent speeds and an audited no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is arguably the best provider for streaming, using a wealth of experience to great effect. The VPN was launched in 2009, morphing into a beginner-friendly service with industry-leading customer support in the present day. 

It has servers in 105+ countries, including 24+ locations in the US. ExpressVPN can be used to access a long list of streaming services, whether it’s 24+ Netflix catalogs, or platforms like HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Sky TV, YouTube, ITV Hub, Disney+, and Paramount Plus from abroad.  

The proprietary Lightway protocol is an alternative to WireGuard which boasts similar speeds. ExpressVPN apps come with a kill switch, split tunneling, and obfuscation. Smart DNS (MediaStreamer) works well to access US streaming services from abroad on a wide range of devices. Average speeds of 175 Mbps ensure no slowdown while the VPN is connected.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. You’ll also find custom router firmware, which works with various VPN-compatible models. The provider can be used with up to eight devices at the same time.  

The only real downside is that it’s more expensive than the top two options. It also lacks port forwarding and an ad-blocker. In any case, it’ll work well with HBO Max from anywhere in the world. 

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY HBO MAX VPN: ExpressVPN should definitely be on your radar if you’re in need of a provider for HBO Max. No-logs, strong encryption, reliable servers, Lightway, and more. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers are specifically designed for HBO Max. In fact, its streaming servers will work with different versions of HBO Max in the US, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. 

You’ll find further options for accessing Netflix US, YouTube, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, NBC, Fox, Sling TV, Comedy Central, ESPN+, Crunchyroll, Peacock, Disney+, Paramount Plus, and NFL+. That’s just US-based services, with more support for major international platforms found within the app.

As well as impressive streaming capabilities, CyberGhost has one of the largest networks on the market. There are 10,000+ servers in 100+ countries, including 11+ locations within the US. 

CyberGhost logs no user data. Features include an always-on kill switch (Secure Connect), split tunneling, and the ability to block malicious websites, tracking scripts, and adverts. Smart DNS is ideal for unblocking US streams from abroad.  

On that note, you’ll find apps for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux, along with browser extensions and router guides. A single CyberGhost account works with up to seven simultaneous devices. 

STREAMING OPTIMIZED SERVERS: CyberGhost makes it especially easy to stream HBO Max content from anywhere in the world. Fast speeds, optimized servers, and no logs. Extended 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

Proton VPN can access HBO Max streams while ensuring your privacy. Initially released as a sister service to ProtonMail, it’s an optimal solution if you’re looking for advanced privacy features. 

Let’s start with streaming support. It works well with HBO Max, accessing additional content from the US such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. The same goes for the likes of BBC iPlayer and ITV X in the UK. 

Proton even has a selection of free locations, which are found in the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. However, the free servers don’t come with streaming support, so you’ll need to pay for a subscription to access HBO Max. 

Premium users get access to Secure Core servers, port forwarding, and some of the fastest connection speeds (320 Mbps) in the industry. There’s a permanent kill switch, split tunneling, and rotating IPs. NetShield protects against malware, ads, and trackers, and StealthVPN provides obfuscation. 

Proton VPN has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire devices. It can be used with up to 10 simultaneous connections. The only negative is a slightly higher asking price. 

ADVANCED HBO MAX VPN: Proton VPN will be able to handle streaming HBO Max, and it’s packed with advanced features. Port forwarding, Secure Core servers, and some of the fastest speeds on the market. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

IPVanish is a sleek streaming VPN with lots to offer for anyone aiming to watch HBO Max from abroad. 

Average speeds in excess of 250 Mbps ensure you won’t have to worry about lag. It works with a selection of US-based streaming services including Prime Video USA, Disney Plus, CBS, and NBC.

Unlike the others, IPVanish is headquartered in the US, so there’s extensive coverage within the region. You’ll find over 1,100 servers in 20+ American cities. 

Being based in the United States does cause a jurisdictional headache, but IPVanish’s no-logs policy states it never stores any identifying information about you or what you do while connected.

As with Surfshark, you’ll be able to connect with as many devices as you like using a single account. IPVanish comes with live chat-based support that is available 24/7, along with a sturdy kill switch, split tunneling, and a SOCKS5 proxy. 

You’ll find IPVanish apps for macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows.

SPEEDY HBO MAX VPN: IPVanish works well with multiple US streaming sites, including HBO Max. Unlimited device connections, speedy connections, SOCKS5 proxy, and secure servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

PrivateVPN is a capable provider with roughly 200 servers to pick from in 63+ countries. In a case of quality over quantity, it does work to access Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, CBS, and NBC from abroad. It's great if you're hoping to watch Warner Bros. Discovery content, including Max originals, the Food Network, and South Park. 

A clear drawback is that connection speeds averaged 40 Mbps during testing, which is far slower than any of the providers we’ve mentioned above. However, it’s still fast enough for HD streaming, but only just. 

Features include a kill switch, port forwarding, and Stealth VPN (obfuscation). A solid no-logs policy and reliable AES encryption keep your data safe and private. Live chat support is available 24/7.

PrivateVPN has a selection of apps available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. The provider also offers a seven-day free trial, which is a great way to test it out for yourself with HBO Max.

SECURE HBO MAX VPN: PrivateVPN can handle streaming HBO Max from anywhere in the world. Strong security, apps for all devices, Stealth VPN, no-logs, and a seven-day free trial is available. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for HBO Max 

Rather than picking out providers at random, we’ve compiled a comprehensive VPN testing methodology. We test and compare the best VPNs in the business. 

Only providers dedicated to digital privacy, excellent usability, and optimal performance can make it onto our list. Below, you can see the criteria we used to pick the best VPNs for HBO.

• Servers: Servers in the United States are necessary if you’d like to access streaming services like HBO Max securely with a VPN. As well as US locations for streaming, we’ve factored in the strength of the entire network. This helps if you’d like to access services in other countries too.
• Speeds and performance: No matter what you plan to use a VPN for, connection speeds will have an impact on almost any online task. Of course, speeds are always important when streaming video at high resolutions. 
• Privacy and security: How does the VPN perform in terms of security and privacy? We look at features, their implementation, and everything from leak protection to encryption and protocols. 
• Third-party audits: Trust is the foundation of the value that VPNs provide. You are essentially placing more faith in your VPN provider than you are in your ISP. Almost every provider says they are a ‘no logs' VPN. The only ways to test this claim are either through the courts or through audits. We will only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. While this isn't foolproof, it's the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.
• Diskless infrastructure: Again, this is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions on BleepingComputer. While the data stored on a VPN server should be minimal, it could, theoretically, be accessed if the servers were seized or hacked. Moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. It can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.

How to use a VPN to watch HBO Max online from anywhere

It doesn’t take long to get started if you want to set up a provider to work with US TV platforms like HBO Max. We’ve put together a quick guide to take you through the necessary steps. 

Here’s how to set up a VPN to watch HBO Max abroad:

1. Select a VPN that works with HBO Max. We’ve listed several top recommendations above. 
2. Sign up with the provider, and make a note of your login details.
3. Download the relevant VPN app to your device.
4. Open the VPN app, and sign in. Connect to a server location in the US for HBO Max. 
5. Head to the HBO Max website, and sign in. If you’re attempting to stream with a new subscription, you will need a valid credit or debit card linked to an address in the country you’ve selected.
6. You should now be able to watch any HBO Max content that was previously unavailable. If you do run into any issues, clear your cookies and refresh the page.

HBO Max VPN: FAQs

Can I stream HBO Max with a free VPN?

It’s going to be exceptionally difficult to find a free VPN that offers reliable access to HBO Max from abroad. Most free providers use IP addresses that have already been blocked by the streaming service. Performance is also likely to be an issue, with dismal speeds and capped bandwidth. 

Free VPNs are often a privacy risk, whether it’s due to selling user data or lacking the basic encryption that is necessary to prevent leaks. As such, we’d strongly recommend sticking with a trustworthy service that has been independently audited. 

Is it illegal to watch HBO Max abroad?

It’s not illegal to watch HBO Max from abroad, although it could go against the terms of service set out by the streaming platform. Some countries have banned VPNs entirely, such as Russia and China. Make sure to check out the local rules before downloading a VPN to your device. 

We are not lawyers and nothing in this article should be taken as legal advice.

What is the minimum speed required to stream HBO Max?

HBO Max says you’ll need the following speeds for streaming:

“To stream HD video, you need a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps. For the best 4k streaming experience, we recommend a download speed of 50+ Mbps.”

Will HBO ban the user if it detects a VPN?

It's unlikely that HBO Max will ban the user if it detects a VPN. Instead, you’ll be greeted with an error message, as streaming platforms tend to block VPN IP addresses rather than paying users. Even so, there is a slight chance that you could be banned if you access the service from abroad.

Where is HBO Max available?

As well as the US and Mexico, HBO Max is available in Latin America, the Caribbean, and a selection of European countries. These include:

Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

That’s reasonably comprehensive, although countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia have no access to HBO Max. 

What shows are on HBO Max?

There’s a long list of content that can be accessed via HBO Max. We’ve included some of the more popular releases below: 

• Succession
• Peacemaker 
• The Sopranos
• Game of Thrones 
• House of the Dragon 
• Killing Eve 
• Interview with the Vampire
• Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
• Project Greenlight: A New Generation
• Barry 
• Perry Mason