5 Best Free VPNs for Hotstar — Tested and Working in 2024

Most free VPNs don’t have what it takes to work with Hotstar. Free services usually cut costs with severe bandwidth limits and slow speeds, adding buffering and interruptions to your streams. That’s if you’re lucky enough to find a VPN offering servers in any of the Hotstar-streaming countries in the first place.

All hope is not lost, though, and there are a few VPNs with the features you need to watch Hotstar from your location, whether you’re in India, Canada, or another licensed country. Theoretically, you could also use a VPN to watch Hotstar from outside of its licensed regions. However, this goes against Hotstar's T&Cs and could constitute copyright infringement, so I don’t recommend it.

From the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN is my top choice for Hotstar. Admittedly, it’s not entirely free, but it doesn’t limit you like the free options and offers a money-back guarantee. So I’ve included it in this list for you to compare. It has unlimited data, unbeatable speeds, and reliable servers for every Hotstar region, including India. If it’s not for you, you have 30 days to claim a refund.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.Stream in HD With ExpressVPN

Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free Hotstar VPNs in 2024

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Best Free VPNs for Hotstar — Full Analysis (2024 Update)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best Hotstar VPN With Fast Speeds

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested April 2024

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

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Try ExpressVPN >

www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN is the fastest Hotstar VPN I tested, making it a solid choice for lag-free streaming in India. On its virtual Indian servers, I recorded an average download speed of 121Mbps, which is a speed drop of only 7%. I watched Taaza Khabar from Mumbai on Hotstar India in HD with no buffering or slowdowns.

I used ExpressVPN’s India via Singapore connection to watch Taaza Khabar in Mumbai

These fast speeds are thanks to ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol. This protocol is designed to provide stable connections and keep speed loss to a minimum. Plus, it’s lightweight and consumes less battery, so it’s suitable for binge-watching Hotstar on mobile, while you’re on the go within the country.

It’s super consistent when it comes to watching Disney+ Hotstar, too. Unlike free VPNs that often require trial and error with different servers and security protocols, ExpressVPN let me watch Hotstar in India with ease in my tests. I didn't even have to go through the hassle of switching servers or contacting support for assistance.

The only problem with ExpressVPN is that it’s not 100% free. That said, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. To put this guarantee to the test, I contacted support via 24/7 live chat and asked for a refund. The agent approved my request right away — no questions asked. I saw the money back in my account after 3 days.

Useful Features

• Works with other streaming services. Using ExpressVPN’s India via UK server, I could watch Voot, Zee5, and SonyLiv. I could also enjoy many global services with libraries for India, including Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, and more.
• Easy to use. I’m a fan of ExpressVPN’s simple and sleek interface. To watch Hotstar India in the country, simply select one of its virtual Indian servers, click the “Power” button to connect, and you’re all set. You can even add a server location to “Favorites” for easy access in the future.

2. CyberGhost — Specialty Server Optimized for Watching Hotstar in India

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost is one of my go-to VPNs for Hotstar because of its optimized server for the platform. When I connected to this server in India, I had a reliable connection for the platform within seconds. I didn’t have to hunt around for this server, either – it’s clearly indicated and listed in a specific “For streaming” tab in the app.

It never took me more than 2 seconds to connect to its dedicated Hotstar server from Mumbai

The CyberGhost team regularly tests and fine-tunes its optimized servers to ensure they consistently work with your favorite streaming platforms. This includes continuous maintenance to allow for faster streaming speeds and to prevent slowdowns and buffering from interrupting your Hotstar viewing.

On that note, CyberGhost’s speeds really don't disappoint. I experienced a speed drop of only 11% on its Hotstar-optimized server – a far cry from the 40%+ drop I had when testing free VPNs. As I streamed Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo in HD from Mumbai, I didn't encounter any lag or buffering.

Similar to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost isn’t exactly 100% free either. But it offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try CyberGhost risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can get a refund. I tested its refund policy and got my money back in 4 days.

Useful Features

• Multiple simultaneous connections. CyberGhost offers 7 device connections. Whether you prefer to watch Hotstar in India on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, CyberGhost will accommodate all your devices under one subscription.
• Split-tunneling. With CyberGhost, you can control which sites use the VPN connection and which ones don’t.

3. Avira Phantom VPN — Unlimited Connections to Stream Hotstar Without Interruptions

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome More

Try Avira Phantom VPN >

www.avira.com

Avira Phantom VPN offers unlimited device connections, so you can watch Hotstar on any device without disrupting any of your other online activities. Most free VPNs only allow one device connection at a time, so I found this particularly impressive. To put this to the test, I connected 7 devices to the VPN and could still watch Hotstar without slowdowns in India.

My colleague in the UK sent me screenshots showing how easy it was to stream Hotstar UK with Avira

However, it doesn’t work with Hotstar India. Avira exited the country after the recent government regulations requiring VPNs to store user data. It doesn’t even offer virtual Indian servers with regional IP addresses, unlike ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. However, it’s ideal for watching Hotstar if you’re located in another one of its licensed regions.

Although the mobile app offers 49+ server locations, the desktop app only allows 1 — which is the closest connection to you. Luckily, you’re covered by its free plan if you watch Hotstar from Singapore, the UK, and Canada. My international colleagues confirmed that the Singapore, UK, and Canada locations work reliably for watching Hotstar within these countries.

Useful Features

• Decent speeds. My colleague in Singapore recorded a speed loss of just 27% on its Singapore server, which isn’t bad for a free VPN. If you have a fast baseline connection, you should have no problem streaming Hotstar in HD.
• No signup required. You don’t need to sign up using an email to start using the service. Simply download the VPN app and start streaming. Just bear in mind that you’ll only get 500MB/month if you don’t use your email.

4. hide.me — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection for Hotstar

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

The reason I like hide.me is that you can customize your connection for Hotstar streaming. For instance, you can choose between 4 VPN protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, and SoftEtherVPN. In my tests, IKEv2 was the fastest protocol of the four, making it a good choice for streaming. But this might not be the same in every Hotstar region.

The free version offers servers in 3 Hotstar locations: Canada, Singapore, and the UK. However, my overseas colleagues confirmed that it wasn’t so reliable for Hotstar CA or UK. After consulting another teammate in Singapore, I can confirm that hide.me only works with Hotstar Singapore.

Like Avira, hide.me doesn’t offer servers in India. These servers aren’t even available on the paid plan, which I was disappointed by. This means you can’t use it to watch Hotstar India, which has the largest content library. However, you can watch some Indian content on Hotstar Singapore, if you’re within the country.

Useful Features

• 10GB data limit. With hide.me’s free plan, you get 10GB of data, which is pretty generous for a free VPN. That said, it’s only enough for about 6 hours of HD streaming.
• SoftEtherVPN. This protocol disguises your internet traffic as normal traffic, letting you watch Hotstar, even on restrictive networks such as airports and other public hotspots that limit or block streaming.

5. TunnelBear — Free Hotstar VPN With a Large Server Network for Fast Connections

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome More

Try TunnelBear VPN >

www.tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear’s free plan grants you access to its complete server fleet, so you won’t have to worry about overcrowded servers or slowdowns while streaming Hotstar in your licensed country. Plus, unlike Avira, this isn’t limited to mobile devices; you can connect to any of TunnelBear's servers on a desktop as well.

My London correspondent got a speed loss of 23% while testing its servers from the UK. Another colleague recorded similar results from the Singapore location. This makes it the fastest truly free VPN I tested. While it’s still not as fast as ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, you’ll have no problem streaming in HD.

While the speeds are pretty good, its servers are not reliable for using Hotstar. My colleagues confirmed that it didn’t work with Hotstar in the UK, Canada, or Singapore either. However, while testing from India, I have had luck watching Hotstar India with TunnelBear previously, so it may be worth trying.

Useful Features

• Easy to install and use. I found its interface really intuitive. The animated world map feature is easy and fun to use.
• Unlimited connections. TunnelBear also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can watch Hotstar on any device, providing you can get it working with the platform.

Quick Comparison Table: Hotstar VPN Features

The table provided below offers a comparative analysis of the features of the chosen VPNs. It examines elements like connection speeds, the number of servers, the amount of data allocated monthly, and whether it stream with Hotstar India.

Tips on Choosing the Best Free VPN for Hotstar

Below are the standards I utilized to determine my top selections. You can reference this list when deciding on a VPN for Hotstar.

• Risk-free. I made sure that each VPN on this list is either completely free and doesn’t require payment info, or is backed by a trustworthy money-back guarantee. That way, you can try it out without risking your hard-earned cash.
• Works with Hotstar. My international colleagues and I thoroughly tested each VPN to determine which Hotstar locations they work in. Only the premium VPNs work with Hotstar India; free VPNs were limited to Hotstar UK, Canada, and Singapore.
• Fast speeds. Look for a free VPN that has fast speeds — it should ideally have a speed loss of less than 40%. This way, you can watch Hotstar in top quality without lag. Each free VPN on this list can stream Hotstar in HD without slowdowns.
• Enough data. The VPNs on this list offer enough data to cover 1-2 hours of streaming. The top 2 VPNs in this list have unlimited data, so you can binge-watch Hotstar without limitations.
• Compatible with your device. All VPNs on this list work with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, and you can watch Hotstar on each.

Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs for Hotstar Aren’t Safe

VPNs promoted as free can be very enticing, but they aren't consistently secure. Identifying those that won't jeopardize your privacy and security calls for thorough testing and research.

So, to make sure I only recommend the safest free VPNs for Hotstar, I put all of the above-mentioned ones through various tests. These include IP/DNS leaks, malware checks, researching their privacy policies, and past practices. In short, they passed all my tests, and that’s how they deserved their place in this article.

In case you’re planning on using another free VPN, here are a couple of risks to keep in mind before deciding whether to use it or not.

• Free VPNs can sell your data. Many free VPNs make money by collecting and selling your data to third parties. This can put your privacy at risk. Be sure to read each free VPN’s logging policy to keep your data safe. All the VPNs in this list have strict no-logs policies.
• Free VPNs usually have weak security. Free VPNs often don’t have the resources to upgrade their service to keep up with the latest security features. This can result in unwanted data leaks. Be sure to use a free VPN that has strong security features, such as military-grade encryption, leak protection, and an automatic kill switch.
• Free VPNs can expose you to malware. There have been cases where free VPN apps had malware embedded in their apps. In addition, many free VPNs bombard you with malicious ads. This can infect your device and compromise your online security.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.

FAQs on the Best Free VPNs for Hotstar

Can I watch Hotstar for free?

Yes, but with ads. Hotstar India allows you to watch select movies and shows completely free. But it’s only available to viewers in India. You can also try our top 2 VPNs without risking your money since they both have reliable money-back guarantees.

It’s worth noting that the free version of Hotstar is pretty limited. For example, you can only watch live sports (like IPL) for 5 minutes. If you want access to the complete Hotstar library and to watch IPL without limitations, you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version.

Is there a free VPN extension for Chrome that works with Hotstar?

No. During my tests, I didn’t find any free VPN Chrome extension that works with Hotstar India. Even though CyberGhost does offer a free proxy extension, it doesn’t have servers in India.

The best way to watch Hotstar in India is by using a reliable premium VPN from within the country. The reason I recommend using a premium VPN is that none of the truly free VPNs offer servers with Indian IP addresses, which means you can’t use them to watch Hotstar in India. You’ll only be able to watch Hotstar UK, Canada, or Singapore from within those countries.

Where is Hotstar available?

Hotstar is available in India as part of a Disney+ subscription. Aside from India, Hotstar is also available as a standalone service in Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the UK. Note that you can find Indian content only with its Indian, Canadian, Singaporean, and UK libraries. The rest of the countries where it’s available (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand) offer their own local content.

Due to licensing agreements, you cannot watch Hotstar outside of these permitted locations. So, if you travel somewhere Hotstar isn’t supported, you won’t be able to watch anything. However, it’s easy to sign up and watch Hotstar if you’re in a country where the platform is available.

What if my free VPN is not working with Hotstar?

First, it’s important to choose a free VPN that consistently works with Hotstar. If your free VPN usually works well with Hotstar but isn’t working now, try the following:

• Switch to a different server — The IP address of the server you’re connected to may be blocked by Hotstar. In that case, the app won’t show you any content — it just keeps on loading endlessly. Switching to a different server should help.
• Clear your browser’s cookies — Many websites use cookies that can contain conflicting and unnecessary data. Simply clearing your cache and cookies can provide a cleaner interaction with your VPN and Hotstar. This can be easily prevented by clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or using incognito/private mode.

Is watching Hotstar with a VPN legal?

That depends. Using a VPN to keep your online activities private is perfectly legal, even if you do so while streaming a service such as Hotstar. However, this only applies if Hotstar is available in your region. For instance, using a VPN to change your location to hypothetically access Hotstar from regions where it’s unavailable violates copyright laws and Hotstar's terms of use.

At vpnMentor, we don’t condone illegal activities. So take the time to familiarize yourself with the local laws regarding VPN use and ensure that you comply with them to avoid any potential violations.

Watch Hotstar With a Free VPN Today

Most free VPNs aren’t great options for watching Hotstar due to limited speeds, data, and server availability. However, there are a few decent free options. Which is best for you depends on which Hotstar-streaming location you’re in and the amount of streaming you plan to do. Unfortunately, none of the free options were reliable for watching Hotstar in India.

That’s why I recommend ExpressVPN. It has unlimited data, great speeds, and works with Hotstar in India, so you can stream in HD for hours without interruptions. Even though it’s not 100% free, you can test ExpressVPN out risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund.

To summarize, the best VPNs for Hotstar with money-back guarantees are…

Rank

Provider

Our Score

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1

9.9 /10

9.9 Our Score

Save 49%!

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2

9.7 /10

9.7 Our Score

Save 84%!

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3

9.5 /10

9.5 Our Score

Save 83%!

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