Best VPN Indian TV abroad

Are you an Indian expat feeling disconnected from home, unable to view the dramas on Hotstar, or catch the cricket on Sony Liv? Perhaps you’re on holiday, yearning for a slice of home with Eros Now or Jio Cinema, but facing the ‘access denied’ roadblock? These platforms need to confirm you’re in India, which is tough when you’re not. But there’s a workaround: a VPN designed for watching Indian TV can be your ticket back to your entertainment.

VPNs aren’t just about unblocking content; They cloak your online activities with encryption, making it impossible for ISPs, intrusive eyes, or digital eavesdroppers to trace your steps online.

The catch? A recent mandate requires VPNs in India to maintain logs, prompting many to pull their servers out of the country. But don’t worry. Our exhaustive research and rigorous testing have uncovered a few VPNs that still offer virtual server routes to India, allowing you to indulge in anonymous streaming of your Indian shows. Dive into our guide to find out which VPNs can bridge the distance, keeping you connected to your home securely and privately.

In a hurry? Here are the best VPNs to watch Indian television shows online from outside India:

  1. CyberGhost: The best VPN for watching Indian TV channels from anywhere. Great connection speed and well-designed apps make this VPN suitable for internet streaming and unblocking. Suitable for beginner users. Has a 45-day money-back guarantee.
  2. IPVanish: Robust location-evading technology means your internet activity will stay private. Works with Indian television and most major streaming platforms.
  3. Hotspot Shield: A fast and user-friendly VPN that’s ideal for streaming Indian channels and services securely. Watch news networks, cricket, and more with this VPN.
  4. PrivateVPN: Popular service that punches above its weight. It’s good for streaming, but having physical Indian servers means it’s unsuitable for remaining anonymous while doing so.
  5. PureVPN: A solid choice for streaming Indian TV abroad. Very easy to use, with impressive speeds and strong security. Chat directly with support staff, day or night.
  6. ProtonVPN: A fast and reliable service that works with Hotstar and many other popular platforms. Lots of advanced security tools, 24/7 support, and a generous connection limit.

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Criteria for Indian TV VPNs

Of course, there are lots of VPN options out there, but not all of them cut the best. The best VPNs to watch Indian television shows and channels abroad are based on the following qualities:

  • Servers in India for a local Indian IP address
  • Capable of unblocking platforms like Hotstar, Tata Play, and Zee5 from anywhere
  • Fast and reliable speeds for streaming, torrenting, and more
  • Strong encryption and security standards
  • No logging of personal information
  • Consistent customer support, including live chat
  • Great value for money, including a money-back guarantee

Best VPNs for Indian TV shows – Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. If you prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with CyberGhost – our #1 choice for Indian TV Shows.

No valueCyberGhostIPVanishHotspot ShieldPrivateVPNPureVPNProton VPN
WebsiteCyberghost.comIPVanish.comHotspotshield.comPrivateVPN.comPureVPN.comprotonvpn.com
Ranking for Indian TV123456
Devices SupportedWindows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, AndroidWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Chrome, Smart TVs, RoutersWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TVWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Chromebook, RoutersWindows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook
Avg Speed (Europe)100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps20 Mbps324 Mbps100+ Mbps
Popular Sites Unblocked85%85%85%85%80%87%
Simultaneous Connections7UnlimitedUp to 101010Free: 1, VPN Plus: 10
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Best VPNs to watch Indian television shows online

Don’t miss out on your favorite Indian TV shows and channels while traveling abroad. Here’s our list of the best VPNs you can use to watch Indian TV shows from anywhere:

1. CyberGhost

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is very easy for beginner users to get acquainted with as it offers a simple user interface and allows you to select servers optimized for a specific purpose. It offers exceptionally high speeds and has virtual Indian servers that allow you to get an Indian IP address to stream Hotstar, Netflix, and more securely.

This VPN is packed with security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, an internet kill switch, anti-malware defense, and an ad-blocker. It doesn’t store logs of any nature.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. A single account allows for seven devices to connect concurrently, and customer support is available 24/7.

Pros:

  • It provides a secure, encrypted connection
  • Operates a network of more than 8,000 servers in 90+ countries
  • Top-tier speeds
  • Apps are great for beginners

Cons:

  • The lack of configuration options will frustrate power users

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST VPN FOR INDIAN TV SHOWS:CyberGhost offers very fast speeds, a well-designed user interface, and virtual servers in India that won’t compromise your privacy. Try it with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth CyberGhost review.

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2. IPVanish

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish has around 2,000 servers globally, with a few virtual servers in India for anyone who’s interested in getting an Indian IP address or watching their favorite shows from abroad. Notably, all of these servers are owned outright, so there’s next to no chance of outside interference. This VPN even lets you connect as many devices as you like, meaning it’s ideal for sharing with family.

This service uses 256-bit encryption along with perfect forward secrecy and DNS leak protection. It doesn’t log any user data and recently added WireGuard support, though users can also choose to scramble OpenVPN traffic if they’d prefer.

You can make use of dedicated apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Customer support is available around the clock via live chat.

Pros:

  • Keeps no logs whatsoever
  • Owns rather than rents its servers
  • Impressive 4K streaming speeds achieved during testing

Cons:

  • Customer support can be a little slow

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

GOOD FOR STREAMING:IPVanish is a popular choice for those who want to keep their internet connection private. Fast speeds and strong unblocking capabilities give it further value. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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3. Hotspot Shield

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Hotspotshield.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

Editor’s Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech’s parent company.

Hotspot Shield is an extremely versatile VPN that offers access to around 1,800 servers in 80+ countries around the world. It even has virtual servers in India, making it a strong choice for anyone looking to stream Voot or Disney+ Hotstar while traveling abroad. With consistently high speeds, no bandwidth throttling, and a five-device limit, this service is a great option for almost any task.

What’s more, it takes your security seriously. Users are protected from DNS and IPv6 leaks, and their connections are secured with uncrackable encryption, tracker-blocking, and a kill switch. This VPN doesn’t keep any logs either, so there’s no need to worry about privacy. If you need help, reach out using the free, 24/7 live chat service.

Hotspot Shield has its own Linux, Android, iOS, MacOS, and Android apps. It can also be manually installed on supported routers.

Pros:

  • Fast, reliable speeds
  • Good range of security settings
  • Strong unblocking potential

Cons:

  • Doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

Check out our full Hotspot Shield review.

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4. PrivateVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PrivateVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

PrivateVPN has around 200 servers globally, two of which are physically located in India. While these are perfect for accessing services like NetflixAmazon Prime Video, and Hotstar abroad, they are subject to India’s new data-logging requirements. In other words, we wouldn’t use these servers for anything you’d want the government to know about.

The good news is that all of the servers outside of India can be relied upon for privacy. These keep you safe with 256-bit encryption, a customizable kill switch, leak protection, and a stealth mode capable of beating even the toughest online restrictions. Also, PrivateVPN follows a zero-logs policy, so as long as you choose servers in privacy-friendly countries, there’s no need to worry about having your activities traced back to you.

You can use PrivateVPN on Android, Windows, iOS, and MacOS. A single account allows for up to 10 devices to connect at the same time while customer support is available during European business hours.

Pros:

  • Strong security and privacy protection features
  • Works with Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar
  • Very fast speeds

Cons:

  • Still uses physical Indian servers instead of virtual
  • Live chat is not around the clock

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

QUICK SPEEDS:PrivateVPN delivers express speeds and is a reliable performer with several streaming platforms. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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5. PureVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.PureVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS

PureVPN operates more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries, including India. As such, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to stream their usual channels while on vacation abroad. This platform works with just about every streaming app we’ve tested and boasts average download speeds of around 400 Mbps. You can connect 10 devices at a time and with performance like this, you shouldn’t have any problems even if you’re streaming 4K video on all of them simultaneously. Need help? Support staff are on hand 24 hours per day via live chat.

One of the best things about PureVPN is that it doesn’t overcomplicate things. By default, your traffic is secured using unbreakable encryption, IPv6 and DNS leak prevention, and a kill switch which makes sure that unexpected outages won’t leave you browsing the web unprotected. It also follows a strict zero-logs policy, a fact backed up by multiple external audits. If you’re on the Plus or Max plan, you’ll also be able to block trackers automatically (though we’d prefer if this option were available to those on the standard subscription too).

PureVPN has its own Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS apps. Additionally, it can be manually configured to work with just about any router.

Pros:

  • Perfect for watching Indian TV while traveling
  • High level of security with minimal setup required
  • Impressive performance

Cons:

  • Tracker-blocking is not included as a standard
  • Doesn’t accept any anonymous payment methods

Our score:

4 out of 5

EASY TO USE:PureVPN is designed to be as simple as possible but despite this, it offers some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen and exceptional streaming ability. Boasts a no-logs policy, a high connection limit, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Take a look at our in-depth PureVPN review.

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6. ProtonVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.protonvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ProtonVPN has an expansive network, with 3,800 servers in 85 countries (roughly three dozen of which are in India). It provides exceptionally high speeds, averaging more than 300 Mbps in our latest tests, and works with a huge range of streaming platforms from Disney+ Hotstar to Amazon Prime Video. The service even includes an automatic ad-blocker meaning you’ll spend more time watching and less time waiting for shows to start. Support staff are available 24 hours per day over live chat, and in our experience, they usually reply in seconds.

When it comes to security, ProtonVPN is one of the best. It includes a wide array of features such as split tunneling and port forwarding functionality, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and of course, uncrackable encryption. There are even specially-optimized Secure Core servers that route your traffic through multiple countries for the highest level anonymity possible. Most importantly, ProtonVPN follows a proven no-logs policy and allows you to sign up anonymously by paying with Bitcoin or cash.

ProtonVPN has apps for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. If you’d prefer to secure an entire network, you can manually install it on most types of router.

Pros:

  • High-speed servers in India
  • Plenty of security and privacy features
  • Securely access a huge range of streaming apps

Cons:

  • Could be slightly cheaper
  • Novice users won’t need some of the more advanced options

Our score:

4 out of 5

FAST INDIAN SERVERS:ProtonVPN is quicker than many of its rivals and provides an exceptionally high degree of security. Works with most region-locked streaming services and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid subscriptions.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

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VPN for Indian TV testing methodology

Choosing a VPN to watch Indian TV shows abroad requires it to have specific features. Unfortunately, not all VPNs have fast Indian servers that work with TV streaming platforms like Hotstar. 

In this guide, we used our VPN testing methodology to pinpoint the best VPNs for watching Indian TV channels abroad. Here are some of the most important features we look for:

  • Fast Indian servers. Slow servers cannot provide HD video without buffering and diminishing quality. Unfortunately, most VPNs do not invest in fast servers capable of streaming Indian TV shows abroad. We tested our recommendations to ensure they are fast enough to let you play games, torrent, make video calls, and watch TV streams.
  • Apps for all devices. For a VPN to be useful and versatile, you should be able to install and use it on any of the devices you own. We have recommended VPNs that will let you watch Indian TV abroad on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone device. Plus, our recommendations let you use the VPN on multiple devices simultaneously so that you and the kids can access different channels or shows. 
  • Ease of use. Despite providing a wealth of online protection and security features, we have only recommended VPNs that are easy to use. The apps have been designed to be straightforward, and each provider has setup guides to help you set up and use the VPN.
  • Outstanding support. Besides having useful guides for their apps, we have recommended VPNs that have email and live chat support. So, if you experience confusion when trying to watch Indian TV abroad, head over to the website to ask for help.
  • Robust privacy measures. A VPN is primarily designed to give you online privacy. With this in mind, we have only recommended VPNs that provide advanced security features like AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Ideally, they’d use virtual Indian servers too, to protect you against the government’s new data-logging requirements.
  • Excellent accessibility. A useful VPN will not only provide access to Indian TV from abroad but also to international services from India or elsewhere. We thoroughly test our recommendations to check they work to bypass online restrictions and censorship – no matter where you are in the world – or what you want to access. This includes Netflix, for example.
  • Value for money: The most expensive VPN isn’t always the best, and the cheapest VPN isn’t always a great deal. We assess several criteria when calculating value for money, including subscription cost, device limits, money-back guarantees, and a free trial. We only recommend VPNs that we consider great value for their price.

How do I stream Indian TV shows and channels with a VPN?

There are lots of streaming platforms that host Indian content. Some of these are Hotstar, Jio Cinema, Sony Liv, Eros Now, and Zee 5. You will need to sign up for these providers before trying to log in from anywhere. Most of them require an Indian payment method, but it’s recommended that you check with the individual service before any attempts.

Once you have access to an Indian streaming service, follow these simple steps to access it anywhere in the world:

How to use a VPN to stream Indian TV shows and channels 

  1. Settle on one of the VPNs we’ve recommended in this list. Our favorite is CyberGhost.
  2. Proceed to download and install the native VPN app directly from your chosen provider’s site or an official app store.
  3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in India. Wait for the connection to be established.
  4. Navigate to your provider’s website — so if you’re trying to log in to Hotstar, go to its site and log in with your account credentials.
  5. Congratulations. Now you should be able to stream all the TV shows you want.

Indian TV VPN FAQs

Is it legal to watch Indian TV with a VPN?

Yes, it is legal to watch Indian TV with a VPN in most countries. Indian TV channels are geo-restricted due to distribution rights and licensing restrictions, so if you want to watch Indian channels from overseas, you’ll need to use a VPN to connect to a VPN server that makes it look like you’re in India.

Should I use a free VPN to stream Indian TV shows and channels online?

Free VPNs are a tempting option as they offer a frictionless sign-up process without any upfront payments. But we advise that you refrain from going down this route. Lots of streaming services, such as Hotstar, have invested in rigorous internal security to prevent VPN usage. This means only the best providers are able to overcome restrictions, and free services don’t make the cut.

In our research, we noticed that free VPNs don’t usually offer servers in India. Since you need an Indian IP address to stream TV shows and channels online, we don’t think that you’ll be able to obtain a stable one through a free provider.

What’s more, free VPNs are known to shortchange users. They rely on invasive tactics to earn money, such as bombarding their users with advertisements, injecting tracking cookies to investigate browsing habits, or even bundling together idle user bandwidth for use in botnets.

To protect your digital footprint, we maintain that you should invest in a VPN provider that’s known for its high standards of security and privacy, such as the ones we’ve recommended in this article.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Indian TV Channels Outside of India?

Online streaming platforms in India use geo-restrictions to prevent people from accessing their content abroad. They do this to comply with the licensing agreements they have made with content producers and copyright holders. 

These legal obligations compel online streaming platforms to track each user’s IP address. If a user is discovered attempting to stream content from an IP address outside of India, the TV streaming platform will automatically serve them an error message.

Due to these regional locks, the only way to stream Indian TV abroad is to use a VPN. VPNs let you conceal your IP address from websites. By connecting to an IP address in India, users can digitally appear to be back home to watch Indian platforms like Hotstar, Zee5, Viu, and Voot outside of India.

Does a VPN slow down Internet streaming from India?

It’s not uncommon for a VPN to slow down your internet streaming, be it in India or any other country. The reason for this is that a VPN encrypts your internet traffic and re-routes it to its own server. As such, some slowdown is to be expected.

However, the best VPNs for watching Indian TV from abroad are fast and have unlimited bandwidth. It’s likely you won’t notice slow streaming speeds as a result. Furthermore, there are cases in which a VPN can actually improve your connection speed, particularly if you’re suffering from bandwidth throttling from your ISP.

Why do so few VPNs have Indian servers?

In April of 2022, the Indian government released new regulations that force companies to store logs for servers located in India. The new regulations, which were published by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), require detailed logs to be stored for 180 days, with other identifying data needing to be stored for 5 years. The rules came into effect on June 27.

Due to these new regulations, the vast majority of no-log VPNs have had to withdraw their servers from the country. This is because, under the new regulations, it is impossible for VPN providers to provide a no-logs service while complying with the surveillance law.

As it has become impossible for VPNs to maintain servers in India while also promising their users watertight privacy levels, it is likely to become much more difficult for VPN users to get an IP address within India. As a result, VPNs may seek to offer virtual servers in the country as an alternative way of providing access to Indian services, such as TV platforms.

It is also worth noting that the new regulations published by CERT-In increase the potential for security risks in India. Forcing companies to store data about their customers for 5 years will increase the opportunity for hackers to steal that customer data. NordVPN commented:

“From what it seems, the amount of stored private information will be drastically increased throughout hundreds or maybe thousands of different companies. It is hard to imagine that all, especially small and medium enterprises, will have the proper means to ensure the security of such data.”

See also: 7 Best VPNs for India