Best VPNs that work with Hulu in 2023

Hulu is an excellent streaming service full of movies, shows, and live sports. Unfortunately, the platform is geo-blocked and is only available in the USA and Japan. For those that want to access the content available on the platform outside these countries or are traveling and wish to see their local broadcasts, then the only way to stream Hulu is with a reliable streaming VPN.

A robust VPN with servers in the US and Japan can help encrypt your data and make it seem as if you’re connecting from the countries where Hulu is available. In addition to that, a VPN will also secure your data from online threats, prevent speed throttling, and help you access geo-restricted content and platforms.

We tested the best-rated VPN providers on the market to narrow the list down to only those that can bypass Hulu restrictions and allow you to stream content from anywhere. Our list was based on servers in the US and Japan, the capability to bypass geo-restrictions, speed performance, and price-to-value ratio.

Top 5 best VPNs for Hulu

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for Hulu in 2023
2. Surfshark – a budget-friendly VPN for watching Hulu
3. Atlas VPN – freemium VPN that works with Hulu
4. ExpressVPN – fast VPN for unblocking Hulu from anywhere
5. CyberGhost – a secure Hulu VPN with streaming-optimized servers

How to choose the best Hulu VPN?

If you don’t have much experience with VPN services, figuring out which is best for you may be challenging. Here, we list major factors that will help find the suitable VPN for Hulu:

• Unblocks Hulu from outside the USA. It’s important to find a VPN provider perfectly compatible with Hulu, no matter where you live.
• Speed. Great speed results in a lag-free Hulu streaming experience. You can trust the provider’s speed if it comes with leading tunneling protocols, such as WireGuard tunneling protocols or its variations – NordLynx and Lightway.
• Apps and simultaneous connections. Think of all of the devices you own and want to use to stream Hulu. Then, check if the provider offers relevant apps and a sufficient amount of connections.
• Features for streaming. If you want to stream Hulu on your smart TV or gaming console, you’ll need a VPN with a Smart DNS feature, such as NordVPN. Other features like router applets may also be beneficial.
• Price. Determine your budget and pick a provider that fits the price. However, check all the features and performance before committing to a subscription. This way, you get the best deal.

Best VPN for Hulu

NordVPN offers a vast list of servers in the US to unblock Hulu from anywhere, blazing-fast speeds for lag-free streaming, and excellent security features online.

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4.9 /5

• Lots of servers in the US
• Lag-free streaming experience
• 30-day money-back guarantee

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The best VPNs for watching Hulu – our detailed list:

After testing our top-ten streaming VPN providers, we’ve narrowed the list down to the best ones for accessing Hulu from anywhere. The criteria to make our list included the ability to access Hulu, servers in the US, stable connection speeds for a lag-free streaming experience, and an overall price-to-value ratio. Below, you’ll discover the best VPNs that work with Hulu and many other streaming sites.

1. NordVPN – best VPN for Hulu overall

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If you’re looking for the best VPN for Hulu, we can assure you that your search is over – NordVPN will easily unblock service, letting you enjoy shows like Archer and Arrested Development. Plus, our tests show that it works perfectly with Hulu Japan as well!

Servers. With over 5,800+ servers in 60 countries, out of which there are over 1,970 servers in the US and around 130 in Japan. So you’ll easily access Hulu from anywhere, and even if one server's IP is blocked, you’ll have options to pick another.

Speed. NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN service providers on the market, thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol. Based on our tests, it retains 90% of the initial speed, leading to an enjoyable and lag-free streaming experience with Hulu.

Compatibility. Not only will you be able to stream Hulu on your laptop but on various other devices as well. NordVPN has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices, which can be set up on routers and streaming sticks. Better yet, thanks to its SmartDNS feature, you can also watch Hulu on your smart TVs.

Features. To protect your data, NordVPN uses market-standard encryption and a kill switch to prevent accidental data leaks that would expose your real location. In addition, Threat Protection will prevent malware threats and block ads, and split tunneling will allow you to customize which apps require a VPN tunnel.

If you pick NordVPN to help you watch Hulu, you can get it for as low as $3.19/month. The subscription covers up to 6 devices simultaneously and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more in our detailed NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – premium Hulu VPN for a budget-friendly price

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Surfshark is another excellent VPN to access Hulu from anywhere on a budget. This VPN is capable of unblocking Hulu and various other streaming platforms and offers excellent connection speeds and security features to enhance your browsing experience.

Servers. With over 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, Surfshark will provide you with plenty of options to choose a server to access Hulu. There are servers available in over 25 states and 62 servers in Japan.

Speed. Thanks to the market-standard WireGuard tunneling protocol, Surfshark ensures a lag-free streaming experience. Our tests also attest to that, since we’ve managed to retain around 86% of the initial internet speed.

Compatibility. Just like NordVPN, Surfshark has you covered no matter what device you wish to use to stream Hulu content. There are dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. Also, you’ll get a SmartDNS feature to use with your smart TVs, and it’s compatible with various streaming sticks.

Features. Surfshark offers excellent protection for your data with AES-256 encryption, a secure kill switch to prevent accidental data leaks, and split tunneling to customize what apps require a VPN tunnel. In addition, there’s an ad blocker (CleanWeb), dedicated IP, and even an antivirus tool you can get for an extra cost.

You can purchase Surfshark for as little as $2.30/month and enjoy unlimited simultaneous connections. Better yet, test it with a 30-day money-back guarantee before comitting to a purchase.

Learn more in our Surfshark VPN review. Alternatively, compare Surfshark vs NordVPN to see how the two differentiate.

3. Atlas VPN – best freemium VPN that unblocks Hulu

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Another VPN option to access Hulu from anywhere is Atlas VPN. Even though this service has a smaller server fleet than other providers on our list, like NordVPN and Surfshark, it can successfully unblock various streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and BBC iPlayer.

Servers. Atlas VPN has over 1,000 servers in 42 countries, including the US and Japan locations. And even with the free plan, you can get servers in the US to access Hulu.

Speed. This VPN employs the market-standard WireGuard tunneling protocol, and just like the providers mentioned above, it ensures a lag-free streaming experience. We tested its capabilities with streaming Hulu content, and the speed retention was at 80%, which is only slightly slower than what Surfshark provided.

Compatibility. You can set Atlas VPN on several devices; it has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices and works with various streaming sticks.

Features. While not as feature-rich as NordVPN, Atlas VPN still boasts a pretty long list of features. These include a malicious website blocker, a data breach checker, IP address rotation (on Android and Windows), and a kill switch.

You might like the fact that Atlas VPN is really, really cheap. If you’re brave enough to invest in the longest subscription, you’ll only need to pay $1.82 a month, and you’ll also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more in our Atlas VPN review.

4. ExpressVPN – fast and stable connection to unblock Hulu

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ExpressVPN is another notable option for Hulu unblocking that’s worth your attention. The provider skillfully combines excellent connection speed with great performance. As a result, it can quickly provide access to popular streaming services like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and many others as well.

Servers. ExpressVPN no longer publicly shows how many servers it has, but before it was around 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, including various server locations in the US and Japan.

Speed. ExpressVPN is another VPN with a proprietary tunneling protocol – this one is called Lightway. While not as speedy as NordVPN’s NordLynx, it still ensures stable connection speeds for lag-free streaming. We tested it with Hulu and managed to retain around 77% of the initial speed.

Compatibility. ExpressVPN offers efficient platform compatibility. You’ll be able to enjoy your favorite series on pretty much every device you own. On top of that, the provider offers a router app and MediaStreamer. With these features, you’ll be able to stream series on devices that don’t even have a compatible VPN app.

Features. This VPN can’t really compare to the industry giants like NordVPN and Surfshark regarding available features. The list of tools is a bit limited; however, ExpressVPN does cover the basics. It uses AES-256 encryption to hide your information, there’s a reliable kill switch to prevent data leaks, and Threat Manager to block ads and trackers.

Regarding the price, ExpressVPN is not the cheapest provider out there. The price starts at $6.67/month. However, you can ensure it is the right choice for you risk-free with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more about it in our ExpressVPN review or compare it against the leading option in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.

5. CyberGhost – security-minded Hulu VPN with streaming-optimized servers

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Another provider on our list that is guaranteed to unlock Hulu is CyberGhost. With specialized streaming servers at hand, CyberGhost provides a smooth streaming service unlocking. It works well with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and others.

Servers. CyberGhost offers one of the largest server fleets – it has over 9,600 servers in 91 countries, including the US and Japan locations. So, you’ll easily find the best server to access Hulu with from anywhere.

Speed. This is a speedy VPN to pick for streaming purposes. We tested CyberGhost capabilities with Hulu, and the results were similar to those of the top providers – CyberGhost retained around 86% of the initial internet speed, and we got to enjoy a lag-free streaming experience.

Compatibility. CyberGhost covers all the devices you might need. There are dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices; this VPN can be set up on routers and works with different streaming devices.

Features. CyberGhost is a feature-rich provider; the VPN comes with NoSpy servers, which are faster and more secure. The provider offers a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection for even better privacy protection.

If you’re looking for more value, know that CyberGhost is a pretty affordable option compared to other providers on this list. You can get this VPN for as low as $2.19/month and simultaneously cover up to 7 devices. Better yet, there’s an extra-long 45-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more in our CyberGhost review.

6. Ivacy VPN – inexpensive and secure VPN for unblocking Hulu

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One of the cheapest VPNs to use to access Hulu from anywhere is Ivacy VPN. Not only is this VPN allow you to access this streaming platform, but it also works with Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube, and BBC iPlayer as well.

Servers. With over 5,700+ servers in 68 countries, there will be no issues with picking the best server for your needs. To access Hulu, there are servers in 13 US states and several in Tokyo.

Speed. Unfortunately, when compared to other providers on this list, like NordVPN and Surfshark, Ivacy VPN doesn’t shine with their speed results. When we tested this provider, it retained only 32% of the initial speed, which is not the greatest for lag-free and HD streaming.

Compatibility. Ivacy VPN supports all popular OS. There are dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. In addition, you’ll also get up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Features. Ivacy VPN uses the strongest encryption in the market and offers a few tunneling protocols, and in case your VPN connection fails, you have yourself a kill switch, which will shut down your internet connection so no data is leaked. Moreover, you can make use of the split tunneling feature and only connect Hulu to a VPN server. This helps you browse everything else as you would without a VPN, making it a fast and simple solution.

For a VPN this cheap, the subscription price starts at $1.00/month, it’s an excellent deal for those trying to save. In addition, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee available.

Learn more in our Ivacy VPN review.

7. PureVPN – a secure Hulu VPN for multiple devices

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PureVPN is one more excellent option for streaming. Not only does it effortlessly work with American Hulu servers, it can also let you access Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and more.

Servers. PureVPN offers more than 6,500 servers in 78 countries, out of which, there are servers available in 14 states in the US and several servers in Japan. So, you’ll easily find the best server to access Hulu.

Speed. Even though PureVPN has lots of servers in locations where Hulu is available, streaming on this platform will not be easy. That’s due to the fact that PureVPN isn’t known for being very fast. Based on our testing, PureVPN can retain 67% of the initial internet speed, which surely doesn’t promise a lag-free streaming experience.

Compatibility. You can set PureVPN up on 10 devices with one subscription. Better yet, it’s compatible with the most popular OS – Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Features. This is another feature-light VPN provider. While PureVPN covers all the basics with market-standard encryption and a reliable kill switch, there aren’t many additional features that can enhance the streaming experience.

If you pick this VPN, you can purchase it for $2.08/month and safely test it out with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more in our PureVPN review.

How we selected and tested these Hulu VPNs

When choosing the best VPNs for Hulu, we prioritized specific aspects a VPN has to have to make it to the top list. Here are some of the key factors we looked into:

• Access Hulu from anywhere. We checked if a VPN provider has servers in the US and Japan, and the ability to unblock Hulu services in these countries. Our top providers managed to to unblock it hassle-free.
• Security features. We ensured all providers on the list run on the most advanced encryption – AES. This way, providers can guarantee that their users' traffic data is safe from third parties.
• Speed and performance. We tested streaming speeds and made sure that shows are being streamed lag and buffer-free on Hulu. VPNs naturally slow down your Internet speed, so it's best to choose the ones that do it the least and can ensure great quality. By testing providers in 4K and HD, we figured out which providers have the perfect Hulu streaming experience.
• Useful features. Some features can actually benefit your streaming experience, such as SmartDNS. With it, you'll be able to unblock Hulu and other streaming platforms without even installing a VPN. Other features like split tunneling can help you manage your VPN connection better too.
• Apps and simultaneous connections. We made sure that the VPNs are compatible with various devices and checked that VPNs support multiple simultaneous connections, so you can share it with your friends and family.
• Pricing. We made sure to include providers with an excellent price-to-value ratio. As a result, the providers on our list are relatively cheap but have much to offer.

Best VPN for Hulu compared

	NordVPN	Surfshark VPN	Atlas VPN	ExpressVPN	CyberGhost	Ivacy VPN	PureVPN
Brand
Rating	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Works with Hulu	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Streaming services	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Youtube	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube
Servers/countries	5,800+ servers in 60 countries	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	1,000+ servers in 42 countries	3,000+ servers in 94 countries	9,600+ servers in 91 countries	5,700+ servers in 68 countries	6,500+ servers in 78 countries
Simultaneous connections	6	Unlimited	Unlimited	8	7	10	10
Device support	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire Stick	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Speed retention	90%	86%	80%	77%	86%	32%	67%
Money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee	45-day money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee	31-day money-back guarantee
Price	From $3.19/month	From $2.30/month	From $1.82/month	From $6.67/month	From $2.19/month	From $1.00/month	From $2.08/month

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Why do I need a VPN for Hulu?

Sure, the main reason to get a VPN is to stream Hulu from anywhere, even if you reside in the US However, VPNs have many other benefits, such as:

• Avoid throttling. In certain cases (especially when using streaming services), your ISP can throttle your bandwidth, causing significant lagging. Luckily, a reliable VPN, like NordVPN, can instantly fix this by masking your traffic, not allowing your ISP to figure out what you’re doing.
• Stay protected and anonymous. Sometimes, you just need to watch the long-awaited episode of your favorite show while traveling. In this case, public wifi (which can be potentially unsafe) might be your only option – and using a VPN will let you avoid hackers and other threats while connected to it.
• Unlock more content. Sure, you can access the US version of Hulu – but what about the Japanese one? With a VPN, you can jump from library to library, discovering more and more content to watch.

Hulu not working with a VPN? Here's how to fix it:

Is your Hulu not working with a VPN? The streaming service might be telling you that there's an error playing this video, or that it looks like you're using an anonymous proxy. Either way, these errors messages look a little something like this.

Either way, for all similar messages, there are plenty of fixing options. Here's what you should do to bypass Hulu VPN block:

• Stop the leaking IP. Hulu might still see your real IP address. See the leak protection settings on your VPN provider!
• Change your server. Streaming services actively hunt the IP addresses of VPNs and block them accordingly. Change your server – others might work.
• Change your VPN. If you're using a VPN that's not on our list, it might just be unable to bypass Hulu's blocks.
• Clear the browser cookies. Cookies collect a wide variety of info about you. That includes your location – clear them, and Hulu won't be able to see you.
• Disable or change GPS location. If you're on a mobile device, disabling GPS services is a good idea: if your IP and GPS don't match, Hulu might've caught you.
• Change your web browser.

Why does Hulu block VPN?

So, you’ve downloaded a VPN to watch Hulu. You’ve prepared a drink, made yourself comfortable, and then, this message pops up:

Based on your IP address, we noticed you are trying to access Hulu through an anonymous proxy tool. Hulu is not currently available outside the US. If you’re in the US, you’ll need to disable your anonymizer to access videos on Hulu.

That’s right – Hulu blocks a lot of VPN services, ruining the fun for thousands of people all over the world. But why does this happen?

Well, the main reason is broadcasting licenses. Streaming services like Hulu have to sign contracts with their content providers, promising to show certain movies and shows in a limited number of countries. So, to hold their end of the deal, Hulu has no other choice but to block VPNs.

How does Hulu block VPNs?

If a VPN encrypts your traffic and spoofs your location, the only way that Hulu can detect you using a VPN is because of the IP addresses.

You see, Hulu can blacklist VPN IPs. All it needs to do is find the IP ranges of certain VPNs, and, in turn, block them. That way, the VPN servers won’t work with Hulu anymore. The worst thing – many VPNs have their IP ranges available publicly, making it really easy for Hulu to block them.

Another method of banning VPNs on Hulu is detecting a huge number of visitors with the same IP address. If thousands of users appear to use the same IP address (even if it wasn’t previously blacklisted), Hulu can suspect VPN usage and ban that particular IP.

If your current VPN got blocked by Hulu, you could try switching to a different server or getting a dedicated IP to bypass the restrictions. Alternatively, your VPN just might not be powerful enough to bypass the content restrictions and Hulu blocks. For that, we recommend picking a reliable streaming VPN that has been tested a number of times and is proven to work with Hulu and other streaming services – NordVPN. This way, you’ll have a vast list of servers to pick from, so your IP address is not blocked, reliable security, and excellent speeds for lag-free streaming.

Try NordVPN for Hulu

VPNs that do not unblock Hulu

Even though there are tens of really good VPNs on the market, not all of them work with Hulu or other streaming services. Having read the previous section, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to you – it’s really difficult to unblock streaming services other than Youtube (which doesn’t actively block IP addresses).

Here are the providers that, based on our current testing, don’t work with Hulu:

• TunnelBear – no matter how many servers we tried, this VPN simply couldn’t unblock Hulu for us.
• Private Internet Access – another VPN that wasn’t powerful enough to bypass Hulu geo-restrictions.

We don’t recommend these VPNs if your only requirement is to access Hulu. However, if you wish to enhance your online security and browse anonymously, you certainly should check out these providers to see if they meet your needs.

Can I watch Hulu with a free VPN?

Yes, you can stream Hulu with a free VPN, but we don’t recommend it. Free VPNs for Hulu come with limited server options, which can lead to lags or IP bans. In addition, free services may not be safe – they can be selling your data to third parties or be malware disguised as a VPN service.

The same can’t be said about freemium VPNs that also offer paid subscription plans (or a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you get the gist of the service risk-free). Many VPNs on our list offer such options, and you can try watching Hulu without spending a single cent – as long as you know that the VPN service you use is genuinely trustworthy.

Having said that, there are a few free Hulu VPN services that you can use for this streaming platform:

• Hide.me VPN. Featured as one of the best VPNs for Hulu, Hide.me offers a free version with 10GB of free data every single month.
• Windscribe. This VPN gives out 10GB of free monthly data, and its free US location might just work with Hulu.
• CyberGhost. Even though its free version consists of only a single day, it’s still enough time to watch an episode or two while traveling.

However, keep in mind that free VPNs have a lower chance of unblocking Hulu in general, as they have fewer servers to choose from.

Final thoughts

Bypassing Hulu’s geo-restrictions can be difficult but not impossible. With the help of a reliable streaming VPN, you’ll be able to access Hulu from anywhere and enjoys secure and lag-free streaming on this and various other platforms.

Based on our testing, NordVPN is the best VPN for Hulu. This provider offers an extensive server fleet in the US, provides excellent speed retention for lag-free streaming, and secures your data online. Better yet, this VPN has an excellent track record of bypassing geo-restrictions that Hulu and other streaming platforms use.

NordVPN is the top choice for unblocking Hulu and other streaming platforms. You can also test it out with a 30-day money-back guarantee before committing to a long-term subscription.

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