How to watch Disney+ Hotstar in the USA
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Dovilė Jankevičiūtė
Writer
Hotstar is a popular Indian streaming service that gives you access to a variety of content, from movies to live cricket matches. Unfortunately, as of 2021, Disney Plus Hotstar is no longer available in the US as a standalone platform – its content has been divided between Hulu and ESPN+.
This poses a problem for Hotstar fans, as a Disney+ plan with Hulu and ESPN+ is much more expensive than Hotstar alone. Luckily, you can use a VPN to access Hotstar, either the Indian or international version, by connecting to a server in a country where it’s available.
But is it really as simple as that? Read on for everything you need to know about watching Disney+ Hotstar from wherever you are.
How to watch Hotstar in USA
- Choose a VPN that works with Hotstar. We recommend NordVPN, now 74% OFF
- Download your VPN and create an account
- Open your VPN app and sign in
- Connect to a server in a location where Hotstar is available
- Head over to the Hotstar website and either sign in or create an account
- Grab the popcorn and start streaming
The server location you connect to depends on the version of Hotstar you’re looking to stream. Choose a server in India if you want to access the Indian Disney Plus Hotstar, which offers the most content variety, including Indian movies and cricket games. A server in Canada, the UK, or Singapore will give you access to a version of Hotstar that only offers international and limited Indian content.
Why do you need a VPN to watch Hotstar?
The Indian Disney+ Hotstar has a large content library that you can’t access outside of India without a VPN. There is an international Hotstar version that is available in Canada, the UK, and Singapore, but it doesn’t give you access to all the content the Indian Hotstar has to offer.
Hotstar India streams a lot of sports broadcasts, like cricket, football, martial arts, tennis, and others. There is also popular Bollywood, Marvel, and Disney content. Meanwhile, Canadian, British, and Singaporean Hotstar has fewer sports broadcasts, movies, and TV shows. So, the Indian version is the most diverse in content. This is because of the geo-restrictions put in place to comply with content licensing agreements.
If you try to stream Indian Hotstar outside India, you won’t be able to access it. You might get an error code or be redirected to a version of Hotstar that’s available in your area.
Luckily, you can bypass these geo-restrictions by using a VPN to connect to a server in India. It will give you an Indian IP address, meaning you can then access Hotstar’s full content catalog. Not to mention the extra layer of online security and privacy that comes along.
How to sign up for Indian Hotstar from anywhere
The best way to sign up for a Disney+ Hotstar India account is to use a reliable VPN from our best VPNs list, like NordVPN, which offers 12 virtual servers in India. Not only will this get you access to a lot more content than the international version, but it also works out a lot cheaper.
You can actually sign up for a Hotstar India account for free. Or, if you want even more content, you can subscribe to a Disney+ Hotstar Premium or VIP Plan for a lower price than you will find anywhere else.
Hotstar yearly prices for the Premium plan depend on where you are in the world:
- India: ₹1499/year (₹299/month)
- Canada: C$49.99/year
- UK: £49.99/year
To put this into perspective, ₹1499 converts to $17.95. This means that if you use a VPN to connect to Indian Hotstar, not only can you access a lot more content, but it will also work out to be much cheaper.
Best VPN services for Disney+ Hotstar
- NordVPN – the overall best VPN for streaming Disney+ Hotstar with 12 virtual servers in India
- Surfshark VPN – budget-friendly VPN for Disney+ Hotstar with 50 virtual servers in India
- ExpressVPN – fast Disney+ Hotstar VPN with virtual servers that connect via Singapore and the UK
If you want to use a VPN to watch Hotstar, you will need one that has servers in India, so you can bypass the geo-restrictions. However, note that many VPNs have eliminated their physical Indian servers due to government requirements to store user-related data. Some providers, however, have introduced virtual servers that are not subject to the same strict regulations. Even though these servers are virtual, our tests have shown that they work just as well as physical ones.
How to watch Disney Plus Hotstar outside India
Indian Disney+ Hotstar has a fantastic catalog of content. And luckily, you can access it even if you’re outside of India. Here are guides showing how to enjoy it from the most popular parts of the world:
- Watch Disney+ Hotstar from Canada
- Watch Disney+ Hotstar from Europe
- Watch Disney+ Hotstar from Australia
How to watch from Canada
Hotstar’s international streaming service is now available in Canada. However, it doesn’t have as much content as the Indian version, and it’s more expensive. So, if you want to access the full content library and save money on your subscription, you will need to use a VPN to connect to an Indian server. Here’s how to do it:
- Download a VPN that offers Indian servers. NordVPN is good for this
- Install the app and set up an account
- Use the VPN to connect to an Indian server
- Go to Hotstar and sign up for an account
- Start streaming your favorite shows and movies
How to watch from Europe
You can now access Hotstar’s international streaming service in the UK. However, if you want access to its full content catalog, or if you’re trying to access it from another part of Europe, such as France, Germany, or Spain, you will need to use a VPN. Just follow this step-by-step guide:
- Pick a VPN that will let you connect to an Indian server, such as NordVPN, now with a 74% discount
- Install the VPN and register for an account
- Connect to an Indian server
- Set up a Hotstar account
- Sit back and start streaming
How to watch from Australia
Disney Plus Hotstar is currently unavailable in Australia. So, if you want to watch Hotstar, you will need to use a VPN to bypass these geo-restrictions. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide that explains how to do this:
- Choose a VPN with Indian servers, like NordVPN
- Set up your VPN
- Connect to an Indian server
- Set up a Hotstar account
- Start binge-watching
Can’t access Hotstar with a VPN?
It is possible to encounter an issue when connecting to Disney+ Hostar, even if you are using a VPN to connect to an Indian server. If you get an error code that says This content is not available in your region, it could be that you are using a poor-quality VPN, or you are connected to a bad server.
There are a few steps that you can take to fix this issue:
- Check if you’ve actually connected to an Indian server on your VPN app.
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
- Try a different Indian server because the one you’ve been using might have been blocked.
- Contact the VPN’s customer support team and inform them of the issues you’re experiencing.
How to watch Hotstar for free
In India, there is a free version of Hotstar, which gives you access to some sports and TV content free of charge. If you want more content, you’ll have to subscribe to one of its paid plans, such as Premium, which costs ₹299/month.
To access either the free or paid version of Hotstar, you’ll need a VPN. All reputable VPNs have a small monthly fee. But most good VPNs, such as NordVPN, also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial, and it’s pretty easy to claim it:
- Open the Google Play Store because the free trial can be claimed on an Android device only
- Find NordVPN and download the app
- Sign up for the free trial – NordVPN won’t charge you until after the 7 days
- Confirm the subscription. You can now use NordVPN for free on any device for 7 days
What can you watch on Disney+ Hotstar India?
Hotstar boasts a huge catalog of content from around the world. It has the biggest Bollywood blockbusters, like Crakk: Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa. You also get access to sporting events, including football matches and the Indian Premier League cricket.
Aside from this, you can also watch some of the world’s most popular shows, including WandaVision, Pam & Tommy, and The Bear. And, of course, if you sign up for Disney+ Hotstar, you also get access to Disney+ content.
Here is a list of the most popular content on Disney+ Hotstar:
| Movie | Genre |
| 12th Fail (2023) | Biopic |
| Apurva (2023) | Thriller |
| Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) | Sci-fi |
| Atrangi Re (2021) | Drama |
| Good Night (2023) | Comedy |
Bottom line
Disney+ Hotstar has great content, but its access is limited for people living outside India. Due to regional restrictions, users cannot watch Hotstar in the USA or other countries unless they change their IP address with a VPN.
Best Hotstar VPNs can help you virtually appear in India and access your desired content from anywhere in the world. For example, NordVPN has 12 virtual servers in India that you can use for unblocking Disney+ Hotstar.
FAQs
Is Hotstar the same as Disney+ Hotstar?
Disney+ Hotstar is the Indian version of Hotstar and gives you access to Hotstar content and Disney+ content. The international version of Hotstar, however, does not come with Disney+ content.
Can I watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia?
No, Disney+ Hotstar is not available in Australia. However, you can watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia or anywhere else in the world by using a reliable VPN to connect to a server in India. You will then be able to sign up for a Hotstar account and start streaming content.
Can I watch Hotstar on my TV?
Yes, if you have a smart TV or streaming stick, you should be able to watch Hotstar on your TV. However, if you live in a country that doesn’t have the rights to show Hotstar, you will need to use a VPN to bypass these geo-restrictions. You can do this by downloading a VPN app onto your TV or by connecting your Wi-Fi router to your VPN.
Which country has access to free Hotstar?
India has access to a free version of Hotstar. If you want to access this from outside India, you will need to use a reputable VPN and connect to an Indian server. This will get around the geo-restrictions by issuing you with an Indian IP address.
Is Hotstar discontinued in the US?
Yes, Hotstar has been discontinued in the US, and the broadcasted content has been moved to other Disney-owned streaming platforms. However, you can still access Disney+ Hotstar with a reliable VPN, like NordVPN.
Does Hotstar work in the US with a VPN?
Yes, Hotstar works in the US with a VPN. For example, with NordVPN we’ve been able to access Hotstar easily. You just need to pick an Indian server and then open the Hotstar app.
Is Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar the same?
No. Hotstar was acquired by Disney+ and is now a part of the Disney+ bundle streaming services. It focuses on Indian content and some of the Disney Plus content.
Comments
Instead of a phone number, you can also try using your Facebook or email accounts to subscribe to Hotstar.
Hotstar has been discontinued in the US Disney+, but you can still access it by connecting to an Indian VPN server. NordVPN or Surfshark are among the best VPNs that successfully unblock Disney+ and have Indian servers, so we suggest trying this method.
You can also try connecting to several different VPN servers and clearing your browser's cache before accessing Hotstar.
We hope this helps.
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