Best VPNs for Hotstar so you can access it from outside India in 2026

Hotstar is arguably the biggest Indian streaming service and it’s actually available in several countries outside of India, including the UK, Canada, Singapore, and Thailand. However, if you try to access Hotstar from abroad, you’ll simply see an error saying “Service not available in your location.” The good news is that it’s easy to unblock Hotstar while traveling; you just have to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPNs work by sending your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server somewhere else in the world. This changes your IP address, severing any link between you and your previous online identity, while ensuring nobody can see which sites you visit. The VPN’s encryption also means that you’re less likely to be impacted by ISP throttling or website-blocking systems or so they’re not just great for streaming Hotstar abroad, they’re also powerful privacy tools.

The problem is that not every VPN works with Hotstar. Here’s a quick rundown of some that do and why each is worth your time.

The best VPNs for Hotstar:

1. NordVPN My top VPN pick for streaming Hotstar. A fast and versatile service boasting extremely strong privacy and streaming ability. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
2. Surfshark: Best budget Hotstar VPN. Plenty of speedy servers to choose from. No connection limit. Top-notch security and privacy features. Works with just about any major streaming platform.
3. Total VPN: Servers in India and 84+ other countries. Works well with Hotstar as well as Netflix. Affordable one-year subscriptions. Strong on security.
4. ProtonVPN: High-speed provider with plenty of servers in India. Exceptional reputation for privacy, but also great for streaming and torrenting. 24/7 live chat.
5. ExpressVPN: A veteran provider that has no issues with platforms like Hotstar, Disney+, or Netflix. Strong privacy focus and newcomer-friendly apps.
6. IPVanish: This speedy, logless VPN has no connection limit and works flawlessly with most streaming sites including Hotstar. Very easy to use.
7. CyberGhost: A versatile and security-conscious VPN boasting servers optimized for streaming. Customizable privacy settings and 24-hour support.
8. PrivateVPN: Small VPN provider with a few servers in India that can access Hotstar from anywhere. Very strong on privacy, with a strict no-logs policy.
9. Private Internet Access: Ideal for tinkerers, this VPN lets you customize various privacy features. Works with Hotstar, ITVX, and more. High speeds.

TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Hotstar.

How to watch Hotstar abroad with a VPN

VPNs are actually easier to get the hang of than you might expect. Just follow the instructions below, and you’ll be streaming Hotstar abroad in no time.

Here’s how to watch Hotstar online outside India:

1. Download and install a VPN that works with Hotstar. I particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Open your VPN and pick a server in India. This will grant you an Indian IP address. Select this location and double click to get connected.
3. Clear your browser cache and cookies to delete old location information from previous sessions.
4. Open Hotstar and stream your favorite content from any country in the world!
5. If you’re still having problems or if you see an error reading “Looks like you’re connecting through a VPN, proxy or ‘unblocker’ service. Please turn off any of these services and try again, ” I’d suggest reaching out to your VPN’s customer support team, though you may have to try a different provider.

Top Hotstar VPNs: Compared

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – the #1 choice for Hotstar.

Criteria for finding the best Hotstar VPNs

There are plenty of VPN providers available, but they don’t all offer the same level of service. I carefully evaluated every service, noting down how it performed in the five key areas below. This way, you can trust that whichever you choose, you’ll get a well-rounded, security-focused VPN, instead of one that simply unblocks Hotstar.

• Speed: I ran multiple speed tests while connected to each VPN’s servers in India. Note that I used a 250 Mbps connection as that’s the US broadband average and most accurately reflects the kind of speeds readers can expect.
• Streaming ability: Next, I scored providers on how many server locations they had in India, as well as the number of countries they supported. Most importantly of all, I made sure they worked with Hotstar and other popular streaming platforms.
• Security and privacy: Providers were assessed on more than a dozen security-related criteria to ensure that only VPNs with strong security credentials and adequate safeguards make this list.
• Ease of use: In my professional opinion, the best VPNs are those that make day to day operation as simple as possible. That’s why I rewarded VPNs for including streaming-optimized servers, 24/7 customer support, a total lack of connection limits, or just intuitive, newcomer-friendly apps.
• Value for money: Nobody wants to spend more than is necessary on a VPN subscription. As such, I carefully considered each service’s price, how often it goes on sale, how versatile it is, and whether there’s a student discount.

You can read more about how I tested the VPNs in this list in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

The best VPNs for Hotstar

Here is my list of the best VPNs for Hotstar:

1. NordVPN

Jan 2026 Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

NordVPN is best VPN for Hotstar. It operates over 8,000 servers in over 120 countries, including India, making it a strong choice for unblocking Hotstar abroad. Of course, it also works flawlessly with Netflix, Sony LIV, and BBC iPlayer, giving you plenty of options for things to watch. Users can connect up to 10 devices at the same time, and support staff are available 24 hours per day over live chat, just in case you need them.

Even more impressive, NordVPN’s Indian servers were the fastest I tested. After a full day of testing (using a base speed of 246 Mbps), NordVPN had an average speed of 230.42 Mbps. In case you’re wondering, that’s quick enough to stream over a dozen 4K videos simultaneously. Suffice it to say, you’re not going to have any issues, even if lots of people are sharing your home internet connection. The chart below shows the results of NordVPN’s speed testing at three different times of day:

NordVPN is known for its powerful privacy tools. For instance, it has obfuscated servers that can beat the world’s toughest online censorship, automatic tracker and ad-blocking, and a customizable kill switch. There’s also unbreakable encryption, protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks, and an audited no-logs policy. NordVPN even accepts gift cards and crypto so you can sign up anonymously.

NordVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Alternatively, you can follow manual configuration instructions to get it running on most routers.

BEST VPN FOR HOTSTAR:NordVPN is the top Hotstar VPN. It’s a versatile, speedy service that’s great at protecting your privacy. Works anywhere in the world and includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

For more info, check out the full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

Surfshark is the best low-cost Hotstar VPN. With roughly 4,500 servers spread across 100 countries including the UK, India, and Canada, you’ll be able to access multiple Hotstar libraries and plenty of other streaming services to boot. It’s a very newcomer-friendly service, with easy to use apps and 24/7 access to customer support. Best of all, unlike most of its rivals, Surfshark allows you to connect as many devices as you like.

Surfshark is more than up to the task of streaming Hotstar abroad. There are two Indian server locations to choose from: Mumbai and Delhi. These are extremely quick, with an average overall speed of 201.21 Mbps – well above what you’ll need for uninterrupted playback. It was extremely consistent, too, with less than 1 Mbps of variance across all three of my tests.

Security is one of Surfshark’s biggest strengths. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks, and a kill switch (which stops all traffic if your VPN connection drops suddenly) to keep your activities private at all times. You can sign up anonymously with cryptocurrency and a disposable email address, but as Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs, you can’t be traced either way. This service recently introduced a content blocker, allowing you to stop adult content, gambling sites, hate speech, phishing sites, and a whole host of other topics from showing up while browsing.

Surfshark has apps for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux. Its website provides detailed setup guides explaining how to install this VPN on your router.

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR HOTSTAR:Surfshark is my top low-cost option for streaming Hotstar. It has excellent unblocking capabilities, no connection limit, and solid speeds, not to mention a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full review of Surfshark here.

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3. Total VPN

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

Total VPN is perfect for anyone looking to try a VPN for the first time. It offers access to 1,800 servers in 85 countries around the world and is able to access stubborn geo-blocked platforms like Hotstar, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video abroad. Not only that, but it offers 24/7 support so that you’re covered in the unlikely event that anything stops working. Total VPN permits up to five simultaneous connections, which is lower than we’d like but still more than enough for most users.

I decided to see what Total VPN’s Indian servers were really capable of by testing them at different times of day using a 250 Mbps connection. This service delivered an average speed of 189.62 Mbps, making it one of the faster VPNs I’ve seen. There was around 14 Mbps of fluctuation throughout the day but that’s not a concern when the average speed is so high. You’ll be able to stream, chat, and torrent in India, or anywhere else, with no noticeable slowdown.

Total VPN’s apps are straightforward to use, with much of the key functionality happening behind the scenes. By default, it protects you using unbreakable 256-bit ChaCha20 encryption, leak prevention, and a kill switch that stops sending data if your connection drops suddenly. There’s a no-logs policy in place though Total VPN hasn’t proven this via an independent audit as yet. This service does, however, offer a custom protocol called Hydra that’s capable of beating the world’s toughest online censorship: China’s Great Firewall.

Subscriptions are great value, costing the equivalent of $1.59 a month for a one-year plan. Subscribers get free access to the Total AdBlock ad-blocking software and TotalAV antivirus software.

Total VPN has its own apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. There’s no support for Linux systems or routers at the time of writing.

USER-FRIENDLY APPS:Total VPN is highly-secure and very easy to use. It works well with Hotstar and many similar platforms, plus you don’t have to configure any settings yourself. Long-term plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

ProtonVPN is a reliable and versatile service with a stellar reputation on privacy. It’s best known for its freemium offering but upgrading to a paid plan will get you access to 15,000+ servers in 120 countries, India included. It’ll also increase your connection limit to 10, let you speak directly with customer support staff over live chat, and access major  streaming sites like Amazon Prime Video and JioHotstar abroad.

ProtonVPN’s paid plans give users access to unrestricted speeds, so I thought it important to see what exactly you’re paying for. In my tests, it delivered an average speed of 147.27 Mbps, though there was a fair bit of variance between tests. All the same, ProtonVPN remains fast enough for streaming Hotstar, even at its slowest. Here are the full results:

Of course, this doesn’t mean much if the service can’t keep you safe. Luckily, ProtonVPN uses uncrackable encryption, prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks, and automatically stops sending data if your connection drops. There’s also a toggleable feature that blocks ads and trackers outright. ProtonVPN refuses to log any data that could identify you. To enhance its privacy credentials even further, it allows anonymous registration, has been independently audited, and operates Secure Core servers that are stored far from the reach of the Indian government.

ProtonVPN apps are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. It’s also possible to run this service directly on a router, though you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

STREAM AD-FREE:ProtonVPN takes the stress out of streaming Hotstar safely. Boasts automatic ad-blocking, high-speed connections, and lots of security features, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

ExpressVPN is another fantastic option for anyone hoping to stream Hotstar from abroad. It has servers in roughly 105 countries, with its virtual Indian servers routing data through Singapore and the UK. This VPN works perfectly with most geo-blocked platforms, including Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, and can even block ads automatically. Basic plans let you connect 10 devices at a time and include 24/7 customer support over live chat.

This service usually does quite well in speed testing, but I wanted to see how fast its Indian servers were, specifically. That’s why I tested these three times, once in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. ExpressVPN delivered an average speed of 114.77 Mbps — that’s a competitive result and one that’s significantly higher than most people will need. Here’s a breakdown of my test results:

ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs of your online activities or user IP addresses, plus it has been audited more than a dozen times, so it’s safe to say that it takes your privacy seriously. It uses unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, alongside a kill switch, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Crucially, this VPN obfuscates your data automatically as needed, allowing you to rely on it in countries like China or the UAE.

ExpressVPN’s main drawback used to be its higher price compared to competitors. To deal with that, the company recently introduced tiered pricing so users can pick the right mix of features and security for what they can afford. And if you’d rather not pay anything, their new free service, EventVPN, is available to try (though this is more for security and privacy, not for streaming Hotstar).

ExpressVPN offers apps for both Android and iOS, as well as a desktop client for Windows and macOS. There’s also custom router firmware, making it easier than ever to secure every internet-connected device you own at the same time.

SECURE AND PRIVATE:ExpressVPN is a solid choice thanks to its high-speed connections, great unblocking ability, and strong security. Has no problems unblocking Hotstar, Disney+, or Hulu abroad. Also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the review of ExpressVPN.

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6. IPVanish

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

IPVanish has what it takes to help you stream Hotstar from abroad. It owns and operates more than 3,200 RAM-only servers in 100+ countries, India included. Not only that, but this VPN excels at accessing stubborn geo-blocked streaming platforms; we’ve had great results using it with apps like Netflix, ITVX, BBC iPlayer, and more. Support staff are on hand 24 hours per day, and there’s no limit on the number of devices you can connect.

IPVanish is a solid option for anyone looking to stay up to date with their favorite shows abroad. Following three tests at different times of day, it delivered an average speed of 174.61 Mbps. That makes it the fourth fastest VPN in this list. There was just over 11 Mbps of variance, which is not enough to cause a noticeable dip in performance. The chart below contains IPVanish’s full test results:

This service has drastically improved its privacy toolkit lately. IPVanish now offers multi-hop servers, automatic ad and tracker-blocking, and a tool that checks whether links are safe to open. These features complement the VPN’s unbreakable encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and strict zero-logs policy, addressing security threats that most other providers don’t. I’d have liked to see support for some anonymous payment methods but unfortunately, IPVanish no longer accepts Bitcoin.

Many users find IPVanish an excellent option for Kodi because it enables them to download the Android APK directly to their device. The interface is remote control-friendly for Kodi devices that lack a keyboard and mouse.

Apps are available for both iOS and Android, and there are desktop clients for Windows and macOS. There’s also a new Advanced subscription tier that includes the VPN, secure file storage, and a cloud-based remote browser.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish is great for families since it can secure any number of devices simultaneously. A logless VPN with plenty of security tools and impressive streaming ability. Annual subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full review of IPVanish.

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7. CyberGhost

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

CyberGhost is the only provider in this list with servers explicitly designed to unblock Hotstar abroad. All in all, its network covers 100+ countries, and even its general-purpose servers tend to be suitable for streaming (though there are also some optimized for torrenting and gaming). You’re allowed to connect up to seven devices at once, and in my experience, the apps are very easy to use. Of course, staff are ready to help with any problems using CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat service.

Let’s take a look at this VPN’s performance. Following a day of testing, it had an average speed of 143.09 Mbps — which is more than fast enough for streaming 4K video on five devices simultaneously. Performance was fairly consistent too, with just over 7 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. Below, you can see how it fared at various times of day:

CyberGhost keeps your activities hidden using 256-bit AES encryption and the OpenVPN protocol. However, it also supports WireGuard connections and offers a kill switch and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. This provider doesn’t keep any logs of your activities, so you can browse without worrying about who might be watching. There’s also ad and tracker-blocking functionality, as well as the option to create smart rules that govern when the VPN will activate automatically.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, and there are desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instruction to get this VPN running on your home router.

BEGINNER FRIENDLY:CyberGhost has a simple set up, works well with Hotstar, and is one of the more customizable providers on the market. Boasts high speeds, streaming-optimized servers and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full review of CyberGhost.

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8. PrivateVPN

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

PrivateVPN only has around 200 servers in 60+ countries (including India), but it compensates for this smaller network by doing everything it can to keep you safe. It owns its entire network outright and even acts as its own ISP, keeping user data out of the hands of any third-party organization. Not only that, but it has exceptional streaming ability, allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, and offers live chat-based customer support during European business hours.

To get an idea of this provider’s performance, I tested its Indian servers at various times during the day. PrivateVPN delivered an average speed of 59.77 Mbps, which is lower than some of the other providers I’ve seen, but still well above what’s needed to stream Hotstar in 4K, play online games, or torrent. Here are my full results:

PrivateVPN actually uses 128-bit AES encryption by default but you can increase this to 256-bits if you’re okay with slightly slower speeds. It prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks, refuses to keep any logs of your activities, and uses a kill switch to control which apps are closed when your connection drops. Best of all, this VPN’s Stealth mode is strong enough to beat country-wide censorship, allowing you to stream Hotstar safely whether you’re in India, China, or anywhere else in the world.

This provider has its own apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. There are also manual setup instructions in case you’re interested in installing it on your router or Linux system.

SECURE AND VERSATILE:PrivateVPN is another strong option for watching Hotstar outside of India. It delivers steady speeds, a high level of security, and the ability to obfuscate your connection as needed. Long-term plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the review of PrivateVPN.

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9. Private Internet Access

Unblocks HotstarTested Jan 2026

Private Internet Access is a reliable choice with more than 35,000 servers spread across 90+ countries. This includes several virtual Indian servers, so you’ll be able to access Hotstar and all of your favorite Indian TV shows while traveling abroad. Naturally, it works with platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer too. Users can connect as many devices as they own, and live chat-based customer support is available 24/7 just in case you have any issues.

Private Internet Access is a lightweight service with competitive speeds, making it ideal for anyone hoping to stream Hotstar on a low-powered device like an Amazon Firestick. Now, it’s not the fastest VPN on the market, but with an average speed of 65.45 Mbps, it’s certainly quick enough for most day-to-day tasks. For instance, I was able to torrent, make video calls, and play games without any noticeable issues. Let’s see how well Private Internet Access fared throughout the day:

This VPN boasts a solid set of security features. These include 256-bit AES encryption (which experts agree is currently uncrackable), a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Private Internet Access also has a Stealth protocol, split tunneling and port forwarding functionality, and a tool called MACE that blocks ads and trackers automatically. Most importantly, this provider refuses to log any data that could be used to identify you.

If you’d like to use Private Internet Access, you’ll need to download and install an app for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, or Amazon Fire TV. Alternatively, Chrome and Firefox extensions are available. Manual setup is needed for use with routers.

PLENTY OF FEATURES:Private Internet Access has a large network, with virtual Indian servers and reasonably quick connections. Secure VPN that works well with streaming sites like Hotstar and Netflix. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read the review of Private Internet Access.

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Using a free VPN to access Hotstar

Free VPN offerings are widely available, and the no-cost factor is very tempting. But that’s usually where the allure finishes.

The basic premise of paying for a VPN is to ensure you get access to servers optimized for speed, security, and reliability. Free VPNs skimp on this aspect; they’ll offer you a choice of one or two server locations and regularly subject you to bandwidth throttling and data caps. Expect poor encryption standards that don’t do much to protect your privacy online. And, in some cases, you run the real risk of having your data pilfered and sold to third-party advertisers.

I don’t recommend using a free VPN to access Hotstar because you’ll receive a significantly worse service than a paid VPN offers, and you might be putting your data at risk.

How to fix Hotstar ‘VPN detected’ error

If you try to use Disney+ Hotstar from abroad, you’ll see the following error: “This content is currently not available in your region“. Similarly, In the past, Hotstar would display the following error if it realized you were using a VPN: “Uh-oh, we cannot playback due to geographic restrictions. Disable VPN if it’s accidentally turned on.”

Nowadays, the service will simply refuse to show you any content without specifically telling you why. This can be confusing, especially since the page just appears to be loading endlessly.

Sometimes, VPN providers have specific servers that are optimized for unblocking a particular website. If this is the case, you can try switching servers; your VPN’s customer support team should be able to tell you which servers work with Hotstar. Unfortunately, failing this, there’s little you can do other than wait for a workaround or try a different service.

Watching Hotstar abroad with a VPN: FAQ