How to Watch HBO Max Anywhere in 2024!

HBO Max is finally here! Who can’t wait to get sucked in to HBO Max Originals and every episode of Friends, Game of Thrones, and The Big Bang Theory?

But HBO Max is only available to streamers in the US.

What do you do if you’re outside of the US? The solution is simple: a VPN – software that lets you mask your location and virtually transfer it to anywhere in the world. With a VPN, you can make your location look like you’re in the US, so you can stream HBO Max from wherever you are.

I’ve tested 300 VPNs to find the best ones with guaranteed unblocking powers, super-fast speeds, and of course, advanced security features. I even have a way you can try any of my VPN recommendations for FREE.

NOTE: If you’re already signed up for HBO Now, you'll automatically be upgraded to HBO Max at no additional cost.

Why You Need a VPN to Watch HBO Max

Due to licensing restrictions and company interests, HBO Max geoblocks its service, so only users with a US IP address can access its content. Try to connect to HBO Max with a non-US IP address and an error message confirms your access is blocked.

HBO Max error message when trying to connect outside the US.

With a premium VPN, you can connect to a US server. The VPN replaces your real IP address with a US one. This tricks HBO Max into believing you’re in the US and lets you stream from its library. It’s simple, legal, and gives you instant access, hiding your location from your ISP. It also blocks ISP tracking, many cyber attacks, and data thieves.

The Best VPNs for Watching HBO Max – Full Analysis (April 2024 Update)

To reliably connect to HBO Max every time, you need a VPN that can beat geoblocks and anti-VPN technology. After thorough research, I’ve chosen the best VPNs for watching HBO Max.

1. ExpressVPN – Fast VPN for Streaming HBO Max

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ExpressVPN is often top of my list when it comes to US streaming, and it's not hard to see why. With its super-fast speeds and superb unblocking abilities, you can get your fix of Rick and Morty in vibrant HD within minutes.

ExpressVPN has an impressive US server network, with servers spread across 20+ locations. All three US servers I tested were able to sail past HBO Max’s geoblocks with ease.

Using the built-in speed test for Mac and Windows devices, I connected to the recommended US server. I experienced blazing speeds of 55.14 Mbps, which is more than the 5 Mbps needed for HD streaming, and just a fraction lower than my starting speed.

Even when using Quick Connect to get a US IP address, my download speed dropped by just under 11%. The speed loss wasn't at all noticeable and the quality of my HD stream remained unchanged. I double-checked my speeds with two third-party speed tests and the results were consistent with ExpressVPN's measurement.

While streaming Game of Thrones, I didn't experience any lag or buffering. There was no sign of frozen pixels, even during a busy battle scene. The picture was crystal clear; I could see every ounce of anguish in Jon Snow’s eyes.

Test out ExpressVPN's speed for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can get a full refund if you cancel during the guarantee term, no questions asked.

You can connect 8 devices at once across a wide range of operating systems. I connected my smartphone, tablet, and laptop at the same time and didn’t experience a dip in streaming performance. Thanks to unlimited bandwidth, there were no dropped connections and my whole family could stream HBO Max at their own pace, hassle-free.

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature is great for streaming HBO Max on devices that don’t usually support VPNs, like game consoles. I tested it out on my Samsung Smart TV using one of ExpressVPN’s helpful tutorials and was streaming Friends in minutes. MediaStreamer doesn't encrypt your data, though, so it's best to use the regular VPN app if you can.

There are many helpful tutorials on the ExpressVPN website, and the 24/7 live chat support team were extremely friendly and helpful.

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2. CyberGhost – Great VPN for First-time Users

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Of all the VPNs I’ve tested, CyberGhost is the easiest to use. That's why I regularly recommend it for beginners. Its apps are intuitive to use, and I had it set up in under five minutes.

CyberGhost labels its streaming-optimized servers with the service they're best at unblocking. All I needed to do was type "HBO Max" into the search field, it directed me to the best server for me.

When I tested it, my download speed hit 15.81 Mbps. It was slower than the other VPNs on this list, but it still provided a crisp, sharp picture and no lag when watching South Park.

Thanks to unlimited bandwidth, I streamed several episodes back-to-back without interruption.

Its specialty servers beat HBO Max's geoblocks every time. But if you’re struggling to connect to an optimized server, CyberGhost has 1,000+ US servers that can bypass geoblocks. I found that they all provide comparable speeds that are good enough for HD streaming.

CyberGhost supports up to 7 simultaneous connections. If you install it on your VPN-compatible router, you use it with every device on your network. I shared my CyberGhost account with my entire household. Even when we were all connected at the same time, we were able to stream at high speeds, hassle-free.

You can try out the beginner-friendly VPN for yourself and see if it’s the service for you with its 45-day money-back guarantee. That’s plenty of time to investigate its features. Plus CyberGhost’s live chat support team is happy can talk you through any additional help you may need.

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Stream HBO Max with CyberGhost!

3. PrivateVPN – Small But Reliable Server Network

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PrivateVPN is a great budget-friendly VPN, offering fast speeds and great unblocking powers at a low price.

The US network is smaller than my other top recommendations, but I skipped past HBO Max’s geoblocks with each server I tried. There's even a designated HBO server.

You can put the unblocking abilities of PrivateVPN to the test with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Just be sure you stay under 100 GB of data, which is the limit to get a refund.

That's enough for around 30 hours of streaming – you could watch the entire Rick and Morty collection and then some. Once the money-back guarantee is up, your PrivateVPN subscription includes unlimited data and bandwidth.

The US servers' speeds varied during my test, particularly at peak times where the speeds dropped to less than 25 Mbps. This is likely due to the small number of US servers being clogged with users.

However, when I tested the designated HBO server, I enjoyed smooth streaming with speeds of just over 48 Mbps. It dropped by only 20% during busy periods. I found it is fast enough to avoid buffering and lag.

You can connect 10 devices at once with PrivateVPN. So, you can keep your whole family entertained with their favorite shows on their own devices while you stream.

PrivateVPN supports most major devices and operating systems. I found the apps very simple to use. It's easy to get started, and navigation is intuitive. You don't need to spend lots of time setting it up; you can start streaming right away.

Live chat support is only available during business hours in Sweden, but when it is open, you get a quick response. If you need help outside live chat hours, email support is available. I received a helpful response within 24 hours of sending an email. There's also a large selection of guides and FAQs on its website.

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FAQs

 What else can a VPN do?

Being able to access geo-restricted streaming sites from anywhere is a major perk of premium VPN, but there are many other benefits a quality VPN provides, including:

• Top-shelf security features, including unbreakable military-grade encryption.
• Anonymous surfing and streaming, even in countries with online surveillance and harsh censorship laws.
• Freedom to connect to unsecured public WiFi networks safe in the knowledge your sensitive data is protected.
• Built-in ad and malware blockers.
• The ability to bypass local network congestion and ISP throttling for faster speeds.

 Why can’t I access HBO Max with my VPN?

Sometimes, HBO's anti-VPN software will match your IP address with a known VPN IP. This is rare when you're using a premium VPN because they refresh their IPs routinely to avoid detection.

But don't worry; it's easy to fix. Simply disconnect from your VPN and reconnect with a different US server. You'll be assigned a new IP address that isn't blocked.

Will my VPN impact my streaming speeds?

Not if you use a premium VPN. Low-quality and free VPNs have small server networks that are clogged with users, which will drastically reduce your streaming speeds.

All of the VPNs I recommend are fast enough to stream in high definition without any lag or buffering.

Should I use a free VPN to stream HBO Max?

There are very few free VPNs that have the power to overcome HBO Max's geoblocks. 

Most free VPNs are quite limited, too: they restrict your data, bandwidth, server access, and speeds. This makes for a terrible, slow streaming session.

Plus they often monetize their services through ads and selling your personal data to third parties. It's not worth risking your privacy when you can use a money-back guarantee to try a premium VPN for free. 

Bottom Line

Watch HBO Max from anywhere by using a top-notch VPN like ExpressVPN to overcome geoblocks.

I put each of my VPN recommendations through rigorous testing to ensure that they can beat HBO Max’s geoblocks and are fast enough for smooth, HD streaming. You can test all of them for free using their money-back guarantees.

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To summarize, the best VPNs for HBO Max 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

9.2 /10

9.2 Our Score

Save 85%!

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