How to watch Hotstar abroad (outside India) with a VPN

Hotstar is available in India as well as the US and Canada, although content can vary by country. However, if you’re trying to watch Disney+ Hotstar from other countries (such as from Europe), you’ll find all the content to be region-locked. Fortunately, if you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can unblock and live-stream Disney Hotstar shows from anywhere in the world.

So, how can a VPN help you watch Hotstar online while abroad? First off, a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, sending it through a server in a location of your choosing. In doing so, it hides your actual IP address while providing you with a new, temporary IP address. If you connect to a server in India, you’ll receive an Indian IP address. This makes Hotstar think that you’re accessing it from within India and, as such, allows you to access its geo-restricted content.

In this article, we’ll talk you through how to use a VPN to watch Hotstar outside India and also list some of the best VPNs for the job. We’ll go into more detail about each of the VPNs later on, but in case you’re short on time, here’s a summary.

The best VPNs to help you watch Hotstar abroad:

1. Surfshark: The best VPN for Hotstar. Fast servers in 3 Indian cities plus plenty in the US. Works with Hotstar and Netflix. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. No-logs VPN with 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. ExpressVPN: Is a fast and reliable provider that unblocks Hotstar. Servers in 94 countries, including India. High-speed servers and very user-friendly apps. Highly secure with 24/7 support.
3. CyberGhost: Vast network of servers in 90+ countries. Access Hotstar India, Netflix US, and more. Strict no-logs policy and up to 7 simultaneous connections.
4. IPVanish: Connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Servers in two Indian cities, good speeds, and includes a zero-logs policy.
5. PrivateVPN: Unlimited bandwidth for streaming Disney Hotstar. Also works with Netflix. User-friendly apps. Protects your privacy with its no-logs policy.

How to watch Hotstar abroad with a VPN

Here, we’ll take you through the process of using a VPN to watch Hotstar India abroad. Don’t worry, it’s surprisingly easy and should only take a few minutes. Just follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be streaming in no time.

Here’s how to watch Hotstar abroad with a VPN:

1. First of all, you’ll need to sign up with a VPN provider. We particularly recommend Surfshark.
2. Next, download one of the VPN’s apps or browser extensions. Make sure you’re installing the correct version for your device.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in India, the US, or Canada to watch Hotstar abroad.
4. Now, you can go to Hotstar and select your preferred content. When you click play, it should load as normal.
5. If you’re still encountering geographic restrictions, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies before refreshing your browser.

Best VPNs for watching Hotstar abroad: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with Surfshark – our #1 choice for watching Disney+ Hotstar abroad.

Best VPNs for watching Hotstar outside India

With so many VPNs on the market, finding the right VPN can be a challenge. We were able to come up with a shortlist of the best VPNs for Hotstar by recommending only those that meet the following key criteria:

• Servers in India, the US, and Canada for unblocking Hotstar
• Unlimited bandwidth for uninterrupted, lag-free streaming
• Strong security with encryption and a strict no-logs policy
• Easy-to-use apps for a variety of operating systems
• Live chat and email support, ideally available 24/7
• Money-back guarantee for you to try it out risk-free

You can read more about how we test and rank our VPNs in the methodology section of this article. But for now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching Hotstar India abroad:

1. Surfshark

unblocks hotstarTested Nov 2024

Surfshark is our top choice VPN for accessing Hotstar from outside India. It’s a budget-friendly VPN that doesn’t compromise on service. It states that you can watch Hotstar India and Bollywood movies anywhere with its VPN. Indeed, it has servers in three Indian cities: Chennai, Indore, and Mumbai, which is ideal for gaining an Indian IP address. Overall, it has around 3,200 servers in almost 100 countries. Offering strong, consistent streaming and download speeds, Surfshark also works well with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Better still, you can use it on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

If you’re looking to improve your online security, Surfshark ticks many boxes. In particular, there’s 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy. You’re also protected from DNS leaks. There’s even the option to connect to Surfshark’s MultiHop (Double VPN) servers for twice the level of encryption. Yet another feature is CleanWeb, which keeps you safe online by blocking ads, malware, and trackers.

Surfshark’s user-friendly apps are offered for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are available. Routers require manual setup.

BEST VPN FOR HOTSTAR:Surfshark lets you secure all of your devices. Budget-friendly VPN with fast servers across three cities in India. Very user-friendly apps and browser extensions. 24/7 live chat support. No-logs service with Double VPN servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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2. ExpressVPN

unblocks hotstarTested Nov 2024

ExpressVPN offers servers in an impressive 94 countries — far more than most VPNs. This includes servers in India as well as the US and Canada for unblocking all versions of Disney Hotstar. Notably, this VPN has servers in the Indian cities of Chennai and Mumbai, as well as a virtual Indian server located in the UK. ExpressVPN is a particularly good choice for streaming due to its high-speed servers, excellent download speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and excellent unblocking ability. Indeed, it also works with Netflix.

Another reason to consider ExpressVPN is that it’s a very beginner-friendly VPN. It offers a wide range of easy-to-use apps and browser extensions, as well as fast and friendly customer support. This is available 24/7 via live chat and email. You’ll be able to browse securely as this VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection. Furthermore, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any identifying logs of its users.

An ExpressVPN subscription provides you with access to apps for desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS). You can download Chrome and Firefox browser extensions, and there’s even custom firmware for routers.

STRONG ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN provides both speed and security. Servers in 94 countries including India for streaming Hotstar. Very good, consistent speeds. Live chat support, 24/7 and secure with encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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3. CyberGhost

unblocks hotstarTested Nov 2024

CyberGhost is one of the faster VPNs available, offering unlimited bandwidth and traffic for uninterrupted streaming. It has an extensive network of servers with over 9,000 in some 90+ countries worldwide. There are almost 30 servers in India to choose from, making it simple to gain an Indian IP address. This means you can watch Hotstar in India, the US, or Canada. It’s also worth knowing that CyberGhost lets you access Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu with high-speed servers that allow you to stream free from lag or buffering.

This VPN service provides both 24/7 live chat and email support. What’s more, it lets you secure up to seven devices simultaneously per account. CyberGhost is known for its strong security: it has a strict no-logs policy and uses 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch. For even greater protection, connect to the privacy-focused NoSpy servers, which are independently operated by CyberGhost.

You can secure your devices via CyberGhost’s apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. There’s also the option of Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. However, manual configuration is required for use with routers.

UNLIMITED STREAMING:CyberGhost is fast and offers unlimited bandwidth for streaming. Unblocks Hotstar. 30+ Indian servers. Also works with Netflix US. Secure up to seven devices simultaneously. A strict no-logs policy protects your online privacy. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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4. IPVanish

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IPVanish lets you unblock geo-restricted content from all around the world, as it has servers in dozens of countries. You can watch Disney Hotstar abroad thanks to this VPN’s servers in the Indian cities of Mumbai and New Delhi. There’s no shortage of options in the US (servers in approximately 20 cities) and Canada (three cities) either. If you have lots of devices to secure, you’ll be pleased to know that IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections per account.

An IPVanish subscription includes access to 24/7 support via live chat. You’re also protected by its various security features. These include AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. It’s also important to note that IPVanish operates a zero-logs policy, ensuring your privacy is protected at all times.

IPVanish provides apps for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. In order to use IPVanish with Linux and compatible routers, you’ll need to follow manual setup instructions.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish is ideal for sharing with family as it lets you secure all of your devices at once. Good server speeds for lag-free streaming of Disney+ Hotstar and Netflix US. Security includes a zero-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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5. PrivateVPN

unblocks hotstarTested Nov 2024

PrivateVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming, thanks to its unlimited bandwidth and very high speeds. It has a server presence in 60+ countries worldwide. This includes servers in Bangalore and Mumbai, India, for unblocking Disney Hotstar from anywhere. You can also use it to access US streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO. Plus, a PrivateVPN subscription means you can connect up to ten devices at once.

This is one of the easiest VPNs to use. The apps offer simple and advanced menus, catering to users of all experience levels. There’s also live chat support as well as remote help and installation. PrivateVPN follows a strict no-logs policy, stating it doesn’t know what its users are doing online. Your privacy is further protected through 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch feature. There’s even the option to pay for the service in Bitcoin.

Unblocks Hotstar via the PrivateVPN apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. To use PrivateVPN with Linux and routers, you’ll need to follow manual setup instructions.

STRONG UNBLOCKING:PrivateVPN unblocks Hotstar, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and more. Very fast speeds for streaming and torrenting. User-friendly with live chat support. No-logs policy and encryption for your security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

How to sign up for Indian Hotstar from anywhere

If you want to sign up to Hotstar from outside of India you can follow the steps below:

• Choose a VPN for Hotstar. We recommend Surfshark.
• Head to the VPN’s website to subscribe. Thanks to our coupon code, if you follow our link, you will get the VPN for the lowest possible cost.
• Download the VPN app onto your streaming device. Install the VPN and log in using your credentials.
• Connect to a VPN server in India. Check with your VPN provider’s support to find out which server is better for streaming Hotstar.
• Head over to the Hotstar website and create an account. You can get a basic account for free or upgrade by paying.

A paid Hotstar subscription costs ₹1499/year (₹299 per month), which is the equivalent of US$17.95 per month. Remember that you may need a valid Indian payment method for your account. You can find virtual payment services online or hire someone on Fiverr to purchase the subscription on your behalf.

Finding the best VPNs for watching Hotstar abroad: Our methodology

Want to know more about how we chose the best VPNs for Hotstar? Below, we outline our methodology, which provides further insight into what we look for in a VPN for use with Hotstar:

• Servers worldwide: Hotstar is available in India, the US, and Canada. So as a starting point, the VPNs we chose had to offer servers in these countries! This allows you to unblock the streaming service with ease. The VPNs in this post also have servers in dozens of countries, offering you flexibility.
• Speed: While it’s important that a VPN has servers in a wide range of locations, it’s equally important for these servers to be fast. After all, you want to be able to download Hotstar and stream in high resolution without performance issues. Unlimited bandwidth ensures you can do so without having to contend with lag or buffering. We test all our VPNs to ensure their speeds are suitable.
• Unblocking: Whether it’s Disney+ Hotstar or another streaming service such as BBC iPlayer, a news site, or an online banking service, chances are you’ll encounter further geo-restricted content. Having tested a wide range of VPNs against various websites and services, we’ve found those that are most consistent and suitable for traveling abroad.
• Security: Everyone knows that there are some security risks that come with being online. Hackers and snoopers pose some threats to your browsing data. However, a VPN encrypts your internet traffic and protects you from compromising leaks. We look for these key security features in any VPN we recommend.
• Privacy: Some VPNs are best avoided due to the fact that they don’t protect your privacy. In some cases, they keep logs of your browsing data and sell the information to third parties! Don’t want others to know what you’re doing online? We’ve studied 140 VPN logging policies to find those that help you stay anonymous online.
• Ease of use: Any quality VPN should be user-friendly. Connecting to a server or adjusting your settings should be quick and easy to do. As such, we’ve identified VPNs that offer beginner-friendly apps, 24/7 live chat, and email support, and plenty of additional help, such as setup guides.
• Value for money: If your budget is limited, don’t worry. The best VPNs for Hotstar offer both long-term and short-term subscription plans to suit. Indeed, they also come with money-back guarantees, providing you a chance to try them risk-free. With our VPN discount coupons, you can also save a little extra.

Looking for the above is just part of our VPN testing methodology, which involves hands-on testing of each VPN.

Watching Hotstar with a VPN: FAQs