Best VPNs for Hotstar in 2023 – Watch from outside India

A VPN will allow the user to access Hotstar India from anywhere in the world. Here’s a roundup of the best VPNs for Hotstar in 2023.  

Hotstar is arguably the most popular streaming platform in India, but the service is geo-restricted if you try to access content from abroad without an Indian IP address. Fortunately, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) will allow the user to bypass streaming blocks, but only some providers will be able to access Hotstar from overseas.

VPNs encrypt all traffic sent to and from your device, assigning the user with a temporary IP address in the process. This temporary IP address will match whichever server location you’ve chosen. As such, an Indian VPN server will give you a temporary Indian IP address, which can be used to access services like Hotstar from anywhere on the planet. 

If you don’t have time to read through the entire review, here’s a brief roundup.

The best VPNs for Hotstar:

1. Surfshark: The best VPN for Hotstar India. Servers in 100+ countries, no device limits, strong security and privacy, excellent speeds, and affordable subscriptions. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. ExpressVPN: Works to access Hotstar India and much more. Servers in 105+ countries, proprietary Lightway protocol, and beginner-friendly apps for all devices. 
3. CyberGhost: Streaming-optimized servers for Indian content like Hotstar, fast speeds, and an extended 45-day money-back guarantee.
4. Proton VPN: Free server locations, various advanced features like port forwarding, Secure Core servers, and streaming support in India and elsewhere.
5. IPVanish: US-based VPN with speedy servers that are ideal for streaming via Hotstar. No-logs policy. 
6. PrivateVPN: Ideal for streaming and torrenting, physical Indian servers, and secure apps for all devices. 

Summary Table

If you’re in need of a VPN for Hotstar, there are a handful of services that will be able to get the job done. Here are some of the non-negotiable characteristics we looked for when picking out the best providers for India:

• Ideally no physical servers in India, although virtual servers are fine depending on where they are based. 
• Connection speeds will dictate how efficiently the user is able to perform any online task.
• Streaming access for Hotstar, as well as allowing the user to bypass any restrictions on sites from abroad. 
• Privacy and security, including everything from notable features to available protocols.
• In order to qualify for one of the top two 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 India, check out the testing methodology section found later in this article.

The best VPNs for Hotstar

Here’s a roundup with detailed information about each of the VPNs that have made it onto this list.

Surfshark is our top recommendation if you need a VPN for Hotstar. You’ll find high-speed servers in 100+ countries, including the US, UK, and India. The provider has opted for virtual Indian servers, which are physically located in Singapore, the Netherlands, and London.

It works out to be an especially affordable provider, further evidenced by the fact that it allows the user to connect with an unlimited number of devices at the same time. You'll be free to share an account with friends and family, without having to worry about any device limits. 

It’s a great option if you’d like to access blocked streaming sites from abroad, and Hotstar is no exception. Despite being marketed as a budget service, Surfshark can also access a long list of international sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu from overseas. 

AES 256-bit encryption is watertight, while it comes with a kill switch, leak protection, and an independently audited no-logs policy. Advanced features include split tunneling, MultiHop servers, obfuscation, rotating IPs, and more. CleanWeb is an ad, tracker, and malware blocker, while Smart DNS makes it easy to access US streaming services on devices like games consoles and smart TVs.  

Surfshark apps can be found for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux. It can also be configured to work with compatible routers, and there are browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

THE BEST VPN FOR HOTSTAR: Surfshark is our top recommendation for anyone aiming to stream Hotstar from abroad. Extremely affordable if you’re looking at longer subs, servers in 100+ countries including virtual Indian locations, unlimited devices, strong security features, and great speeds. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is always a viable solution if you’re aiming to stream blocked content from abroad. You’ll find RAM-only servers in 105+ countries, including coverage in India via numerous virtual locations.

Inarguably one of the best options for accessing services like Hotstar, it’s tough to think of many streaming platforms that can resist ExpressVPN. For example, it works with 24+ Netflix catalogs, which is a comprehensive result that you’re unlikely to see elsewhere. 

The service has a strict no-logs policy, while advanced features include split tunneling, a kill switch (Network Lock), obfuscation, and Smart DNS. Lightway is a proprietary protocol used to provide faster speeds with no loss of privacy, while Express averaged 175 Mbps during testing. 

This vastly exceeds the recommended minimum for Hotstar, which is 2 Mbps for VOD content and 8 Mbps for live content.

ExpressVPN has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV, and it can be used with up to eight devices simultaneously. You’ll also find custom router firmware, which includes a kill switch. 

The only real downside is that it’s more expensive than the likes of Surfshark, but it’s not like you’ll be left feeling short-changed if you opt for ExpressVPN instead. 

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY HOTSTAR VPN: ExpressVPN ticks every box if you need a quality provider for accessing Hotstar and much more. Reliable speeds, unblocks almost any service you can think of, Lightway protocol, and an independently audited no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost is another capable streaming VPN, going so far as to offer optimized servers that make it easy for novice users to get started. The provider has one of the largest networks on the market, with 10,000+ servers to choose from in 100+ countries. This includes roughly 30 virtual servers in Mumbai, allowing the user to stream, torrent, or access local sites from abroad. 

In terms of streaming access, it openly advertises the ability to bypass blocks with Disney+ Hotstar, while you’ll also be able to make payments with PhonePe, or use apps like ShareChat. You’ll find optimized servers to access Indian streaming platforms within the app.  

Features include anti-tracking and ad-blocking, while subscriptions are more affordable than much of the competition. It also comes with a kill switch, split tunneling, and Smart DNS support. 

You’ll find apps for Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux. CyberGhost allows the user to connect with up to seven devices at the same time. 

STREAMING-OPTIMIZED HOTSTAR VPN: CyberGhost makes it easy to stream blocked content from various locations and it has optimized Indian servers. Great value for money, fast speeds, Smart DNS, no-logs, and beginner-friendly apps for all devices. Extended 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

Proton VPN is a capable provider with a lot to offer for users aiming to stream via Hotstar. You’ll find virtual Indian locations in Mumbai and New Delhi, as part of a network containing 3,100+ servers in 69+ countries. 

There are free Proton VPN servers, but they’re only available in Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. As such, you’ll need a premium account for access to an Indian IP address, as well as for services like Hotstar. 

Streaming access is reserved for paid users, and the same is true for the fastest connection speeds (320 Mbps). Premium users also benefit from features like P2P support, Tor over VPN, and NetShield, which works to block ads, trackers, and malware.

A sister service to ProtonMail, it’s no surprise to find that the VPN comes with an audited no-logs policy. Premium accounts can be used with up to 10 devices, with apps and support for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and FireTV.

ADVANCED HOTSTAR VPN: Proton VPN has lots of notable features such as Secure Core servers, and it even has a limited selection of free locations. Virtual Indian servers for Hotstar, Tor over VPN, audited no-logs policy, and impressive speeds. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

IPVanish is perfect if you plan to use a VPN for watching content via Hotstar and is an excellent no-frills speedy streaming solution. You’ll find 2,200+ servers spread across 75+ locations, including virtual Indian locations that aren’t listed on its website.

IPVanish comes with secure AES 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and WireGuard support. Further features include split tunneling, a SOCKS5 proxy, obfuscation, and 24/7 live chat.

It works well with various streaming platforms, including popular services in the US and the UK. Speeds work out to roughly 250 Mbps, so it’s great for torrenting or anything that is reasonably intensive. 

As it’s based in the US, it might be off-putting for some users who would prefer to steer clear of any Five Eyes countries. IPVanish does come with a strict no-logs policy, but it’s worth being aware of where the provider is headquartered. 

IPVanish has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Firestick/FireTV, and Chrome OS, and a single account can be used with an unlimited number of devices at the same time. However, you’ll have to look elsewhere if you’re hoping for a lightweight browser extension. 

SPEEDY HOTSTAR VPN: IPVanish is a speedy streaming solution with solid security and apps for all devices. Virtual Indian servers, no connection limits, and a strict no-logs policy. Access to Hotstar from abroad and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

PrivateVPN is one of the few providers to offer physical servers in India. This can be seen as a privacy risk as of 2023, but the service has a strict no-logs policy, so there should be nothing to hand over to the Indian government in the first place. 

It works well with a long list of streaming services, whether it’s Hotstar, or free UK TV platforms such as BBC iPlayer, ITV X, and Channel 4. Speeds are quick enough for 4K streaming (40 Mbps), even if it’s not the most impressive result compared to many of the other VPNs listed above. 

PrivateVPN offers DNS leak protection, a customizable kill switch, and perfect forward secrecy. Advanced features include port forwarding, obfuscation (Stealth VPN), and access to a SOCKS5 proxy. 

You’ll find PrivateVPN apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. A single account can be used with up to 10 devices at the same time. 

SECURE HOTSTAR VPN: PrivateVPN has physical servers in India that are perfect if you’d like to stream Hotstar from anywhere in the world. Decent speeds, no-logs, WireGuard support, and live chat is available 24/7. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for Hotstar 

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. 

Our strict criteria mean that only providers dedicated to digital privacy, with 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 Hotstar.

• Streaming access: Streaming access is necessary, given you’re aiming to access Hotstar from abroad with a VPN. 
• Servers: For once, servers in the country aren’t a prerequisite, and we’d avoid any provider which has agreed to log the data of Indian users. Ideally, the provider will offer virtual Indian servers that can be used for an Indian IP address, as well as to access local sites and services like Hotstar from abroad.
• Speeds and performance: Fast connection speeds will ensure no lag, even if you’re connecting to Indian servers located halfway around the world. 
• 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 two 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 two 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 watch Hotstar abroad with a VPN

It’s easy to get started with a VPN for Hotstar, although it can be daunting if you’ve never used a provider before. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a VPN to watch Hotstar. 

Here’s how to watch Hotstar online outside India:

1. Firstly, you’ll need to pick a VPN. Surfshark is our top recommendation. 
2. Sign up with the service, and make a note of your login credentials. 
3. Download the VPN app to your device. 
4. Sign in with your credentials, and select an Indian VPN server. Wait to be connected.
5. Open Hotstar and stream your preferred content.

That’s all it takes to get started. You’ll be able to access content available in the region that you’ve connected to, and your data will be encrypted in the process.

Best VPNs for Hotstar FAQs

Should I use a free VPN for Hotstar?

It’s going to be exceptionally difficult to find a trustworthy free VPN that works well with Hotstar. The majority of free providers neglect to offer servers in India, preferring to stick with countries like the US and the UK. If you do manage to find a free VPN with Indian servers, the majority of IP addresses will have already been blocked by Hotstar, making them useless for streaming purposes.

Everything from speeds to performance can be a problem with free providers, causing endless buffering due to caps and other limitations. Free VPNs also tend to be a major privacy issue, whether it’s selling user data to third parties in an attempt to monetize the service, or lacking the basic encryption needed to keep you safe while connected.

Where is Hotstar currently available?

Hotstar is currently available in the following regions:

• Disney+ Hotstar is available in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand
• Hotstar is only available in Canada, the UK, and Singapore (limited) 

It’s worth noting that the content offered will differ depending on the region you’ve chosen. 

What else can I do with a VPN?

You’ll be able to do more than solely streaming via Hotstar with a VPN. It gives the user the ability to access everything from banking apps to international platforms like BBC iPlayer. All of your traffic will be encrypted in the process, keeping you safe from any prying eyes such as your ISP.

Why doesn't my VPN work with Hotstar?

Streaming services like Hotstar and Netflix are obliged to block users who try to access the platform from another country. This is due to international broadcasting agreements that only allow users from a specific region to watch content. For example, if Hotstar offers content in India, it might be licensed to a different broadcaster elsewhere.

Is it legal to watch Hotstar with a VPN?

It’s legal to use a VPN in most countries worldwide, including regions like the US, the UK, and much of Europe. There are some notable exceptions, including the likes of Russia, China, and Oman. Make sure to find out about the local laws before downloading a VPN to your device.

Why do some VPNs have no Indian servers?

NordVPN is the perfect example in terms of a provider which has completely withdrawn from India. 

In 2022, India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in) ordered numerous data-handling companies like VPNs to begin collecting and storing user data. It has to be stored for up to five years, which caused many providers to shut down their Indian servers in response. Some, like Surfshark, have opted to offer virtual servers found elsewhere. Others like NordVPN haven’t returned as of yet. 

Will Indian VPN servers slow down my connection speeds while streaming via Hotstar?

Indian VPN servers may slow down your connection to an extent, but the providers we’ve listed above have some of the fastest speeds on the market. Hotstar recommends minimum speeds of at least 2 Mbps for VOD content and 8 Mbps for live content.

If you’re connecting to a virtual Indian server for Hotstar, it will be physically located in a different country. For instance, Surfshark uses servers in Singapore, the Netherlands, and the UK for Indian IP addresses.