The Best VPN for HBO Max in 2022: How to Watch it Abroad

This guide will help you find the best VPN for HBO Max. How to watch it from anywhere in the world will become easy! Ready to experience the thrill of action movies and all the latest hits? Then keep reading!

HBO Max

You’ve probably grown up watching HBO or heard of it at some point. Well, HBO Max is the one-stop solution to top-notch movies and TV shows.

It’s one of the most famous streaming services that bunches together all the latest or old-timey classic movies, TV shows, and more.

However, HBO Max is only available within the US. Even if you have a paid subscription, but travel outside the country, you still won’t be able to access it.

When you try to log in to your account from anywhere outside the US, you’re going to see the message shown below:

Yes, that’s really sad! But, who said you can’t find another way to access it?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the best way to bypass these geo-blocks. However, selecting a VPN that works perfectly to unblock such geo-restrictions can be a hassle. Keeping this in mind, allow me to saver you the trouble of looking the Best VPN for HBO Max in 2022.

When I tested each provider on the best VPN for HBO Max list mentioned above, I was able to access HBO Max with great ease and access the website as seen in the image below: 

All the VPNs for HBO Max on the list have not only been tested for their unblocking abilities but to heighten the overall streaming experience. You can easily unblock and watch HBO Max in Philippines, Germany, Australia, and all the countries where it’s unavailable because of geo-restrictions. I will be showing you how and why I chose these top 5 providers, but first, let’s dive into a quick tutorial.

How to watch HBO Max from abroad

As mentioned above, HBO Max is only available to the people living within the US and its territories. You won’t be able to access it from anywhere else unless you use a VPN.

A step-by-step guide on how to watch HBO Max from abroad:

It’s just that simple. However, for those of you who don’t have an account or haven’t signed up with HBO Max yet, get a subscription asap. To sign up for HBO Max, you’ll either need to use a US credit card or an HBO Max gift card.

The gift card makes more sense in this situation since you can’t actually use a US credit card if you aren’t a resident or don’t own one.

The Best VPN for HBO Max in 2022

There are only a few of the best VPNs for HBO Max, but a lot that makes them a reliable choice. They are:

1. ExpressVPN –#1 Best VPN for HBO Max in 2022

ExpressVPN is currently the absolute best VPN for HBO Max in 2022. It combines some of the fastest speed results, great security, app support, and most of all it unblocks HBO Max. Most users won’t even consider ExpressVPN for the sole purpose that it’s a little on the pricy side.

However, if you test the VPN and take a look at everything ExpressVPN has to offer, you’ll change your mind.

To begin with, the reason why ExpressVPN makes the best choice to watch HBO Max, is because it offers an extensive network coverage of 3000+ servers in 94 countries. Within that list, there are servers in 22 US locations. 

We tested these servers are almost all unblocked HBO Max on the very first go. Questions like ‘does HBO Max work in Mexico’ or in any other country are now answered with the top-notch unblocking ability of ExpressVPN.

You can watch HBO Max on multiple popular devices. With that said, this provider allows up to 5 multi-device connections, which can be less for many users but its high-level security makes up for it.

There’s even a unique feature called the Smart DNS MediaStreamer. You can use that on your Apple TV or Xbox since they don’t support native VPN app installations.This proves that ExpressVPN with HBO Max is the best combo you can get.

Other key advantages that ExpressVPN comes with are a strict no-logs policy, and TrustedServer technology. It means that with every session, your logs or data will be wiped clean. The ExpressVPN apps come with AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, and leak protection.

Combining all the features, speeds, and unblocking abilities, it is clear why ExpressVPN is considered the best and versatile VPN app.

Get ExpressVPN for HBO Max Now

2. Surfshark – Most affordable HBO Max VPN with unlimited device connections

Surfshark doesn’t fall too far behind being number 1. It’s one of the best VPNs for HBO Max that is also one of the more affordable options.

With it, you won’t have any issues getting access to HBO Max and other US streaming services, regardless of where you’re located, and here’s why:

Firstly, Surfshark covers around 3200+ servers in 95 countries, out of which includes numerous servers in 20+ US locations.

You can test the VPN with HBO Max using the Surfshark free trial period. You can also run the tests on multiple devices since Surfshark supports unlimited device connections.

The speeds were desirable and I didn’t encounter any buffering issues while trying to unblock HBO Max among other streaming services. 

Other than that, Surfshark operates using AES 256-bit encryption, has a Kill Switch, and many other unique features. A few of them that will give you the best and most secure experience on HBO Max include its NoBorders and Camouflage mode.

These will help you access any geo-restricted streaming service in a location that encourages geo-blocks.

Not that HBO Max comes with any ads, but the Surfshark CleanWeb feature will get rid of them. Other than that there’s a lot more to this provider, which is what makes Surfshark a favorite among users.

Get SurfShark VPN for HBO Max Now

3. NordVPN – SmartPlay technology over 1970+ US servers for HBO Max

• 5500+ servers in 59 countries, with over 1970+ servers in the US
• Streaming and P2P
• Multi-connections up to 6 devices
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Extremely fast speeds
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Xbox, Apple TV, Firestick, Linux etc.
• SmartPlay, Obfuscated servers, CyberSec feature, Leak protection
• Unblocks Sky Sports, Netflix, Kodi, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ESPN, Amazon Prime
• Best price – $3.09/mo.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs in the industry. This strong and user-friendly VPN is what makes it a reliable working VPN to unblock HBO Max from anywhere in the world. It makes it to the list also because of its Smart DNS feature called SmartPlay. With this DNS proxy, you create a VPN connection on devices that don’t support VPN app installation. With it, you can access HBO Max in countries high rates on censorship and restrictions.

Within its list of 5500+ servers in 59 countries, you will have access to over 1970+ servers in 15 US locations. You can connect to any of these servers to unblock HBO Max. This is great considering that you won’t experience any lagging or overcrowded servers.

You can run a few tests on the NordVPN app to check whether or not this solid provider works for you. It also offers up to 6 multi-device connections and supports apps for HBO Max supported devices, like Firestick, PS4, or Roku.

The plus side is that NordVPN comes with great security features that protect your online privacy or anonymity. It is especially important to bypass ISP or other surveillance bodies. “Does HBO Max work outside the US using NordVPN” is a question asked by many and all of them have been satisfied with its performance.

Some of the more advanced features apart from SmartPlay, include a Kill Switch, and a CyberSec feature. Again, with that, you’ll be able to get rid of annoying ads, which will make your streaming experience so much better.

All this and more, is what makes NordVPN one of the best HBO Max VPNs.

Get NordVPN for HBO Max Now

4. CyberGhost – Optimized servers for HBO Max

• 8000+ servers in 90+ countries, including over 1413 servers in 11 US locations
• Great for streaming and P2P
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
• Good speeds
• Simultaneous connections up to 7 devices
• Kill Switch, Military-grade encryption, DNS / IP leak protection
• Unblocks HBO Max, Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Sky go
• Best Price – $2.29/mo.

CyberGhost is great for unblocking geo-restricted streaming services. Turns out that it’s just as good to unblock HBO Max and several other platforms from anywhere in the world.

The VPN allows you to test the app, using its free trial and 45-day money-back guarantee. That’s a lot of time for you to use it for HBO Max.

With CyberGhost, you have access to around 6000+ servers in 59 countries, out of which 1413 servers are within 11 US locations. What’s more, CyberGhost labels its servers with the streaming service or torrenting platform it unblocks. You can use the HBO NOW server to unblock HBO Max. It works immediately.

Other than HBO Max, you will be able to unblock other popular and in-demand platforms. A few of them include BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.

The speeds weren’t as fast at Surfshark or NordVPN, but it was good enough for 4K and UHD streams. The CyberGhost subscriptions also allow up to 7 multi-device connections.

If you’re worried about online privacy, CyberGhost offers a strict no-logs policy and is located in Romania, away from the 14-eyes regions. Other than that, the CyberGhost apps come with AES 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and DNS/IP leak protection.

CyberGhost is no doubt popular among users, but you need to test it out for a glimpse of its overall performance.

Get CyberGhost VPN for HBO Max Now

5. PrivateVPN – Simple, fast, unblocks HBO Max

• 200 server in 63 countries, including servers in 9 US locations
• Supports streaming and torrenting
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Firestick, Linux, Xbox, Apple TV etc.
• Good speeds
• Simultaneous connections up to 6 devices
• IPv6 leak protection, Kill Switch, Military-grade encryption
• Unblocks HBO Now, Netflix, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, HBO Now, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Sky go
• Best Price – $2.00/mo.

PrivateVPN is an extremely simple provider that covers a smaller network compared to the other VPN providers on this list. However, it still makes one of the best VPNs for HBO Max. Why? Because it works!

Where its network coverage is concerned, PrivateVPN offers only 200+ locations in 63 countries, out of which includes servers in 9 US locations (Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, New Jersey, New York, and Phoenix).

Apart from HBO Max, I was able to unblock other platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and a couple of others. The speeds were fast, even on the US servers. However, the speeds can go faster if you have a higher internet package.

The good thing about PrivateVPN is that, just like CyberGhost, it too offers dedicated servers to unblock particular services. It even includes an HBO server that works for HBO Max. That will save you a lot of time looking for the best server.

There isn’t really a free trial, but technically you can use PrivateVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee for that. The service allows connections up to 6 devices.

Where security is concerned, PrivateVPN offers AES 256-bit protection, has a Kill Switch feature, Ipv6 leak protection for tougher security, and Port Forwarding.

Get PrivateVPN for HBO Max Now

How to choose the best VPN for HBO Max

Currently, there are hundreds of VPNs in the market that can make it difficult for you to choose the best VPN to unblock HBO Max outside the US. You need a VPN with specific features such as vast server network, robust security, and top-notch privacy.

To make things easy for you, we tested more than 50+ VPNs and rounded up the best 5 for you where ExpressVPN tops the list. Below we have discussed how the 5 VPNs we chose for our list were picked for HBO Max.

• Large or decent coverage of US servers that will help with bypassing the geo-restrictions on HBO Max. The VPNs we included were chosen based on their vast server network.
• Supports apps for numerous devices. HBO Max can only be watched on certain streaming devices. This is why we ensured to include VPNs that worked just fine while running on multiple devices such as macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.
• Bypass ISP throttling and stabilize fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth.
• We believe in strong security which helps you stay safe on the internet. Consider this an added benefit that all your online activities stays hidden from everyone on the internet.
• No-logs policy has to be one of the many aspects in a VPN you are looking for. This is why the VPNs mentioned in this guide are selected keeping in mind how they handle your data. There are no logs kept of your online activity when you are connected to the VPN.

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

HBO Max isn’t an easy nut to crack. It, along with several other streaming services are subjected to copyright laws and license agreements, which is why it’s geo-restricted to only the US and its territories. Yes, to access HBO Max, you’re going to need a VPN.

However, there are situations where the VPN itself isn’t strong nor capable enough to unblock it. This is why I rounded up only 5 of the best VPNs for HBO Max that work against all odds. There are other providers that might be great for Netflix or Hulu, but not all work the same with every platform.

On the other hand, there are simpler issues like poor internet connection or an overcrowded server. Sometimes a fix is just as simple as disconnecting and reconnecting to the VPN.

Can I use a free VPN for HBO Max?

You could, but, it’s not something I’d recommend. HBO Max is already a tough platform to access with a paid VPN. So, how would a free VPN work in this circumstance?

There are a couple of free trial VPNs that work great, but it always lacks proper network coverage, has poor speeds, and lack of encryption and other security features.

It’s always wise to use a paid VPN, like the ones mentioned on the list (Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PrivateVPN). In fact, you could try the hack and use them for free during the money-back guarantees.

To conclude

You will be able to unblock HBO Max with the best VPNs mentioned on my list, regardless of where you are in the world. They all off a great number of US IP addresses for you to connect to and access the service with ease. However, out of every VPN mentioned above, we recommend ExpressVPN as it never disappoints its users. 

The fast-streaming servers it offers with powerful unblocking ability and unlimited bandwidth makes it top our list for the best VPN for HBO Max in 2022.

FAQs – HBO Max VPN

Does HBO Max work with VPN?

Yes, HBO Max works perfectly with a VPN. With the help of a reliable VPN such as ExpressVPN you can watch HBO Max anywhere in the world. All you have to do is to subscribe to a VPN, download and install it then connect to a US server.

Why doesn’t a VPN work with HBO Max?

HBO Max works hard to detect the VPN users and blocks them off. This is why not every VPN works with HBO Max. For this reason, you should always go with a premium VPN service provider such as ExpressVPN. The VPNs mentioned in our list will help you access HBO Max from anywhere in the world with great ease.

Is using a VPN with HBO Max legal?

Yes, using a VPN with HBO Max is totally legal. You can be a paying subscriber and travelling outside the US on holidays, this should not stop you from watching your favorite TV shows and movies. A VPN only makes it look like you are still in the US and enables you to continue watching your TV shows and movies right where you left off. However, you should be using the best VPN for HBO Max such as ExpressVPN to avoid any hassle in unblocking it from anywhere in the world.

How many devices can be logged into HBO Max?

You can log into HBO Max with 5 devices simultaneously. However, only three devices can stream different shows at the same time. This means your household can stream the TV shows and movies they love on three different devices at the same time. ExpressVPN allows up to 5 multi-device connections, making it a reliable option.

Is HBO Max region-blocked?

HBO Max is region blocked and can only be accessed by those in the US. However, if you want to access HBO Max anywhere outside the US, you would need a reliable VPN such as ExpressVPN.                                              

Is HBO Max different from HBO Now and HBO Go?

Let’s just say that HBO Max is the combined service of both HBO Now and HBO GO. With HBO Max, you’ll have access to a larger content base rather than just HBO originals. Even if you have an HBO Now or HBO Go account, you can use HBO Max free of charge.

How much does HBO Max cost?

HBO Max costs around $9.99/mo. that comes with ads. There’s also the ad-free monthly plan that costs $14.99/mo. If you’re going for something long-term, you can get the HBO Max yearly plan that costs $69.99/year with ads, and $104.99/year without ads and other perks.