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The Best VPNs That Beat HBO Max VPN Blocks
Simon Migliano
Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of apps and his research has been featured on the BBC, The New York Times, and more. Read full bio
The most effective way to bypass HBO Max geo-restrictions is to use a VPN that works consistently, and ExpressVPN is that VPN. It’s by far the most reliable at evading HBO Max VPN blocks around the world, delivering excellent streaming quality from any country. Windscribe is good free alternative albeit slower, less stable, and limited by a 10GB monthly data cap.
HBO Max is available in the US and in select Latin American, Caribbean, and European countries. Surprisingly, it’s still not present in countries like Canada.
What’s more, HBO Max serves different content in each of its countries, with popular movies and TV shows only available in certain regional libraries.
For instance, in Mexico you can watch shows like ‘The Office (US)’ or ‘House, M.D.’, or Anime such as ‘Jujutsu Kaisen,’ which you can’t view in the US library.
These differences are the result of licensing agreements struck with local streaming services, and HBO Max restricts what you can see based on your IP location.
But there’s an easy way around these IP location blocks, whether you’re in a country with or without HBO Max: a virtual private network (VPN).
A VPN makes you appear online in a different country, so that you can sign up to HBO Max in the first place or, if you’re already subscribed, stream ‘hidden’ titles from other countries.
There’s a problem, though: HBO Max blocks a LOT of VPN traffic, now more than ever. Only the best-in-class VPNs can bypass the platform’s infamous VPN errors.
The honest truth is that very few VPNs give you that smooth and consistent access that you seek, no matter your location or device.
Summary: The Best VPNs for HBO Max
Of the 59 VPNs we’ve tested, these three will meet all your streaming requirements:
We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our ratings are based on our own testing results and are unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.
VPNs Tested
59
Total Hours of Testing
30,000+
Combined Years of Experience
50+
We’ve gone to great lengths to produce the most helpful guide for watching HBO Max with a VPN. We’ve outlined which VPNs to use, how to use them on different devices, and even listed fixes in case your existing VPN is getting blocked.
🔄 Recent Updates
We’ve updated key information on our chosen VPNs, content differences between HBO Max libraries around the world, and we’ve enhanced our testing methodology.
The Best HBO Max VPNs Compared & Reviewed
You can quickly compare our three VPN choices side by side using the table below:
Extremely fast & reliable international connections
Well-designed & user-friendly apps for popular devices
Browser extensions & Smart DNS proxy
3-day free trial via iOS & Android
More expensive than Surfshark
Smart DNS only works with USA & UK libraries
Pricing Plans
$15.99/mo
$4.99/mo over 15 months
$2.49/mo over 28 months
Servers
13,360
Countries with Servers
109
Simultaneous Connections
10
Support
24/7 Live Chat
Compatible with
Windows
Mac
iOS
Android
Linux
Amazon Fire TV
Android TV
Apple TV
Router
Chrome
There is no better VPN to unblock HBO Max wherever you are, full stop.
So many websites recommend NordVPN, but that’s nonsense, quite frankly. ExpressVPN unblocks HBO Max more consistently, is easier to use, and it works on more devices.
ExpressVPN’s servers connected almost instantly to access the most popular HBO Max libraries around the world, including the US, Brazil, and Mexico.
And, through its current promotion, it’s even cheaper than NordVPN. You better believe it when we say that ExpressVPN is the best VPN you can get for HBO Max right now.
We watched HBO Max USA smoothly from abroad.
High Speed Streaming Worldwide
ExpressVPN has one of the largest VPN server parks in the world, covering 109 countries.
Thanks to its focus on unblocking streaming services, the VPN has become the one to beat when it comes to HBO Max.
Its ability to get round VPN blocks is simply astounding. Its 6,050 US VPN servers and thousands of international servers all bypassed HBO Max geo-blocks without issue.
ExpressVPN’s US server list in the iPhone app.
Whether it was to access content titles only available in the US, Brazil, Mexico, France, Spain or Australia, each server location we tested worked first time round.
And the streaming speeds were simply fantastic. As one of the fastest VPNs available, ExpressVPN didn’t disappoint when we put it to work with HBO Max, too.
Even when connecting to distant servers, our speeds remained fast and consistent, with an average slowdown of only 15%.
We lost a tiny 10% of our speed accessing US content, 13% hitting South American servers, and 13% European ones.
These are elite-tier results that guarantee you won’t deal with annoying buffering or choppy frame rates.
You’ll also enjoy the same premium experience using the VPN with Netflix, Disney+ and many more international content platforms.
Excellent Speeds on Enjoyable Apps
ExpressVPN excels in both device compatibility and intuitive app design.
The apps are remarkably user-friendly with very few distractions. They feature a clean UI and clearly labeled buttons to find and connect to a server in under three seconds.
The VPN’s compatibility with streaming devices is also unmatched. In particular, its Apple TV and Fire TV Stick apps really stood out from the pack for their high responsiveness and design tailored for the big screen.
And for devices that don’t natively support VPNs, ExpressVPN’s workarounds worked like magic. On Roku devices, we used the service’s unique VPN router, while on PlayStation and Xbox we used its Smart DNS proxy (MediaStreamer).
MediaStreamer is incredibly convenient, but it’s limited to US and UK streaming services only, so it’s perfect for accessing the American and British HBO Max libraries, but not for other regions.
If ExpressVPN’s costs a little too much for your liking, then you should really consider getting Surfshark, instead.
The VPN works with HBO Max on most of its 24 US servers (but not all of them), and its international servers didn’t perform badly, either.
While it’s not as consistent as ExpressVPN, and slower over longer distances, it’s 2-year pricing plan is meaningfully cheaper.
Most Surfshark US servers unblocked HBO Max.
Affordable Option with Compromises
While Surfshark doesn’t quite match the “plug-and-play” reliability of ExpressVPN for HBO Max, or for unblocking other platforms like Peacock, it remains a great choice for more frugal streamers.
At just $2.49/mo over 27 months, Surfshark comes in at a much lower price than ExpressVPN’s $2.49/mo over 28 months. It’s a price gap hard to ignore as long as you’re willing to make some trade offs.
We noticed a slight drag in streaming speeds, a few extra beats while waiting for our IP address to change, and the occasional VPN error message that warranted a server switch.
The most striking difference lies in the unblocking success rate, particularly when we tried to access the deep selection of HBO Max’s international libraries.
Using ExpressVPN we enjoyed a flawless 100% success rate over months of testing, but with Surfshark we unfortunately hit a few IP roadblocks on the way.
While not ideal, it didn’t take us very long to find a server that eventually bypassed detection.
Slower Connection Times & Speeds
Surfshark is no slouch, but winning the VPN race comes down to fine margins, and those margins still lean in ExpressVPN’s favor.
The table below compares the two VPN brands for speeds connecting into various regions of the world:
As you can see, Surfshark isn’t a million miles away from ExpressVPN, but it does lose out in almost every region.
Where we also noticed a sizable gap was in the interface responsiveness. While ExpressVPN feels smooth and almost “instant,” there’s a slight delay with Surfshark, especially connecting to certain server locations.
Don’t worry, it doesn’t make the product unusable, but those extra seconds of waiting time can be the difference between a seamless experience and a frustrating one.
We felt this most on our Fire TV, a device already notorious for moments of sluggishness. When you factor in Surfshark’s connection lag and the occasional blocked server, it’s enough to make most of us lose our cool.
That being said, we still view Surfshark’s apps as user-friendly and better designed than the majority of products on the market.
Device coverage is almost as good as ExpressVPN’s, but it is missing a Smart DNS proxy.
A small detail, but there is no limit to the number of devices you can use Surfshark on, whereas ExpressVPN imposes a maximum of 10 simultaneous connections on its standard plan.
Asian & European servers unblock regional libraries
Surprisingly good international speeds
Easy to use apps & browser extensions
10GB per month
No free serves in Latin America or Australia
Connection speed instability
No Smart DNS proxy or VPN router app
No human live chat support
Servers
10
Countries with Servers
10
Simultaneous Connections
Unlimited
Support
Email & Online Resources Only
Compatible with
Windows
Mac
iOS
Android
Linux
Amazon Fire TV
Android TV
Apple TV
Router
Chrome
Finding a safe, free VPN that bypassed HBO Max IP restrictions was a challenge. Windscribe was the rare exception, offering a free app that regularly sidestepped VPN blocks in a number of regions.
Remarkably, Windscribe’s free VPN servers in France, Germany, and the US all worked with the streaming platform — something even some premium rivals struggle with.
That being said, Windscribe is not suitable for binge-watching. Its 10GB per month bandwidth cap will severely restrict your viewing time, and streaming quality can experience wild swings.
Windscribe’s free US servers still work with HBO Max.
Cost-free Choice for One-off Streaming
Windscribe remains a top-tier free VPN for cracking streaming geo-blocks, in the US and around the world.
While the UI is starting to look jaded after years without a glow-up, the apps remain straightforward to use, with the list of free servers easy to find.
In our tests, its American, German, and French servers bypassed VPN detection effortlessly. The downside is that there aren’t any free servers in Latin America to unlock content in Mexico or Brazil.
The real catch, however, is Windscribe’s 10GB monthly data cap. That’s about four hours of HD video time, which works to watch a movie or two, but not if you’re planning to marathon-watch The Pitt.
Inconsistent Speeds Lower Quality
In addition to the free data constraints, Windscribe suffers from unstable speeds caused by spikes in user activity on its free servers.
The high volume of free users it has amassed over the years often leads to congestion during peak times, causing lag and blurry video.
While this is to be expected from a cost-free product, serious streamers will need to choose either ExpressVPN or Surfshark to enjoy a true high-definition experience.
With the right VPN, you’ll be able to access content titles only available in other HBO Max regions such as Brazil, Mexico or Spain.
In the video below we show you just how easy it is to use a VPN (in this instance, ExpressVPN) to bypass HBO Max’s geo-blocks:
Using ExpressVPN to unblock HBO Max's American video library.
If you’re having issues streaming with your VPN, try our troubleshooting tips, which often do the trick, as long as your VPN can actually unblock HBO Max.
Desktop & Laptop
Unblocking HBO Max on your PC or Mac is by far the most straightforward of methods.
Instructions: How to Unblock HBO Max on a Computer
Subscribe to a VPN that works with HBO Max. We recommend ExpressVPN, which offers a three-day free trial on mobile and a 30-day refund guarantee.
Download and install the VPN software onto your computer.
Launch the VPN app and sign in.
Check that the kill switch is enabled in the app’s settings.
Find and connect to a VPN server in a country where HBO Max is available, or a dedicated Max server if there is one.
Go to HBO Max, select a subscription plan, and create an account and sign up to HBO Max.
Once you’ve created an HBO Max account, keep your VPN running and stream your chosen content.
To access content from another country’s library, search for country in the VPN’s server list and connect to one of the server locations available.
Mobile & TV Streaming Devices
Once you’ve downloaded the HBO Max app, follow the instructions below:
Instructions: How to Unblock HBO Max on Mobile & TV Streaming Devices
Sign up to one of our recommended VPNs. On Apple TV, Android TV or Fire TV, you’ll have to subscribe via the website or mobile app first.
On TV streaming devices, search for the VPN in the app store.
Download and install the VPN onto your device.
Open the VPN app and sign in.
In the VPN’s settings, ensure the kill switch is activated to prevent accidental IP leaks.
Go to the ‘Server List’ and connect to your chosen VPN server location.
Install and launch the HBO Max app, choose a plan, and subscribe.
Once you’re logged in, stay connected to the VPN server and start streaming.
To access international content titles, go back to the VPN’s server menu, search for the right country, and switch VPN server locations.
If you’re trying change HBO Max region on your Roku Stick, you’ll hit a wall: the device doesn’t allow you to add a VPN app, or to change DNS settings.
This leaves you with only two workarounds: either setting up the VPN at the router level to bypass the restriction, or AirPlaying HBO Max from an iPhone or Mac that has the VPN running.
How to Fix Your HBO Max VPN Not Working
HBO Max tries to detect VPNs and block access outside permissible regions. You’ll know your VPN isn’t working if you get error messages like: “HBO Max is Not Available in Your Region” or “Not in Service Area.”
There are solutions to get your VPN working again, although if all of your VPN’s IP addresses have been blacklisted then there’s nothing you can do other than getting a VPN that works.
Change VPN Server
Changing the VPN server you’re connected to is the quickest way to regain access to HBO Max.
It’s possible that HBO Max has blacklisted some your VPN’s IP addresses, but not all of them.
The more servers the VPN offers, the better, as this gives you a greater chance of finding one that still flies under the radar.
That being said, top-rated VPNs for HBO Max work most of the time without you having to spend time cycling through servers until you find one that works.
Switch VPN Protocol
If the VPN protocol your VPN app is using isn’t working with HBO Max, try switching to a different one from your VPN’s settings.
Because HBO Max also uses DPI technology to sniff out VPN traffic, it’s worth trying out your VPN’s stealth protocols, if it offers them.
Stealth protocols are designed to bypass stricter VPN detection methods, such as DPI, in high censorship countries.
Some VPNs, like ExpressVPN, automatically use stealth technology in these circumstances without you needing to tweak settings.
Get a Dedicated IP
Typical VPN IP addresses are shared among many users, sometimes hundreds or thousands.
If many HBO Max customers are found using the same IP address, there’s a strong chance it will be flagged and blacklisted.
The issue with dedicated IP addresses is that they cost extra, and they still belong to data centers. If they get blocked by HBO Max, you’ll have to use a standard (shared) VPN IP address once again.
Check for IP or DNS Leaks
If your VPN is leaking your real IP address, HBO Max will see it and block you from signing up or watching the content you’re after.
Use our VPN leak test tool to understand if your real IP location is being exposed or not.
If your VPN is leaking your IP data, then check that you have both the kill switch and IPv6 protection settings enabled.
If that doesn’t solve the issue, then you’ll need to switch to a more secure VPN service.
Change Account Password
After using a VPN with HBO Max for some time, we’ve experienced the platform blocking us from logging in, saying that our login details are incorrect even though we hadn’t changed them.
This is as a security measure HBO Max employs when it detects a number of different IP addresses logging into the same account.
We easily fixed this by resetting our password in our HBO Max account settings.
Change VPN Service
If all else fails, you have no choice but to get to a better VPN that actually gets round HBO Max geo-blocks.
The reality is that many VPN services lack the necessary technology and resources to unblock HBO Max. This is why most free VPNs simply don’t work.
As we’ve established, different HBO Max regions offer different TV shows and movies.
The table below shows where you can watch popular titles such as Yellowstone, The Office (US, and Shameless (US) on HBO Max by changing your IP location with a VPN:
Analyzing each library’s content we’ve realized that if you want to watch 90s/00s American sitcoms, or Anime, then Mexico and Brazil offer a wider choice than the US catalog.
How Test VPNs for HBO Max
To find the best VPNs for streaming Max from anywhere, we identified VPNs that matched the following criteria:
The table below shows how each VPN scored in each testing category:
We test each VPN with HBO Max over many months to see if it can evade VPN detection consistently, not only in the US but also in other HBO Max regions, such as Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, and Spain.
Speed (20%)
Fast and stable download speeds allow you to stream content at the maximum resolution without buffering, blurriness, or pixelation.
We collect download speed results from multiple locations around the world, on an ongoing basis, to determine each VPN’s average international speed slowdown.
US Servers (15%)
Having hundreds, if not thousands, of US servers helps to prevent server congestion (and IP blocks) while using HBO Max USA.
It also allows you to switch to a new server that works, if HBO Max suddenly identifies and blocks your current VPN IP address or range of IP addresses.
International Servers (10%)
Since HBO Max is available in many countries, each with its own selection of content, it’s important that a VPN unblocks these other regions, too.
Offering servers in countries like Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico and Spain gives you an even wider choice of movies and TV shows to watch.
Device Compatibility (5%)
A good VPN for HBO Max has to be easy to use on most devices, including Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV Stick. This allows you to stream HBO Max however you want.
The most streaming-optimized services cover all popular devices, and offer web browser extensions, a Smart DNS proxy and the option to use the VPN on your home router.
Data Cap Penalty
We apply a penalty to the VPN’s overall rating for HBO Max depending on its data cap:
Unlimited bandwidth: No deduction to the overall rating
10GB per month: -20% to the overall rating
500MB per day: -25% to the overall rating
5GB per month: -30% to the overall rating
1GB or 2GB per month: -35% to the overall rating
200MB per day: -40% to the overall rating
500MB per month: -50% to the overall rating
FAQs
Which HBO Max Region Has the Most Titles?
HBO Max displays different catalogs based on your geographical location. This location is determined by your IP address.
The table below lists the number of content titles available in 12 of the countries where HBO Max is available:
HBO Max Region
Number of Titles
USA
3,577
Mexico
3,506
Brazil
3,463
Argentina
3,406
Spain
2,009
Sweden
1,801
France
1,716
Netherlands
1,677
Germany
725
Italy
528
As the table shows, the most content-rich libraries are those in the USA, Mexico and Brazil.
On the other hand, catalogs in European countries like Germany and Italy have significantly fewer titles available.
Why & How Does HBO Max Block VPNs?
HBO Max blocks VPNs to comply with strict regional licensing agreements it has made with local content platforms like Sky in the UK or in Germany.
If HBO Max fails to stop its customers from bypassing its geoblocks, it could lose some of the deals it has struck. It could also lose of the content it hosts from other content owners, too.
In order to block VPN traffic, HBO Max uses a combination of automated detection layers:
IP Blacklisting: HBO Max cross-references IP addresses against databases (like MaxMind) that list known VPN and proxy server addresses. If there is a match, the IP is flagged and blocked.
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): The service analyzes the metadata of your connection. VPN traffic often uses specific “headers” or protocols (like WireGuard) that look different from standard home internet traffic.
Shared IP Traffic: Most VPNs share individual IP addresses with hundreds of users. If HBO Max sees 500 different accounts using the exact same IP, it blacklists it.
DNS Mismatching: If your VPN hides your IP address but fails to route your DNS requests through the same tunnel, your real location will be exposed. When your IP says you’re in New York but your DNS server says you’re in London, you’ll see the “Not in Service Area” error.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN with HBO Max?
Yes, using a VPN to watch geo-restricted HBO Max content is legal. VPNs are allowed in most countries, including the UK, US, Canada, and most of Europe.
HBO Max’s terms of use don’t mention VPNs, so there’s no explicit rule against using one. This means your account won’t be deactivated if you use a VPN.
We’ve been using VPNs with HBO Max since it launched in 2020, and our original account is still active. We’ve also not encountered any legal issues for using a VPN during this time.