Best VPNs for HBO Max in 2023

HBO Max VPN (or Max VPN) can help you change your IP and unblock the streaming platform wherever you are. Although a handful of regions do have access to the HBO Max library, many countries, including the UK, still can’t enjoy this streaming site. While it’s all due to copyright and licensing agreements, numerous people are missing out on excellent TV series.

Reputable HBO Max VPNs, such as NordVPN or Surfshark, have servers distributed all over the world. Therefore, not only can you unblock this broadcaster but also enjoy fast-loading videos in full HD, as you can easily find a licensed server location near you. Plus, a VPN is irreplaceable regarding having unbreakable online security and privacy.

While everything sounds nice, finding a VPN that works with HBO Max can be difficult. Thus, we have tested over a dozen of providers and selected the best HBO Max VPNs that excel in performance, security, ease of use, and more critical aspects.

Note: HBO Max rebranded to Max back in May 2023 after it merged with Discovery+. HBO Max is now available as Max only in the US, but a rebrand in other countries is set to happen at the end of 2023 and sometime in 2024.

Top 5 Best VPNs for HBO Max:

1. NordVPN – the best pick for HBO Max VPN
2. Surfshark – VPN for HBO Max for unlimited devices
3. Atlas VPN – most affordable HBO Max VPN
4. ExpressVPN – VPN for Max for speedy connection
5. CyberGhost – Max VPN with the largest server fleet

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What to look for in the best VPN for HBO Max?

With so many robust VPNs available on the market, it might be hard to identify the key aspects that make a VPN the best one for HBO Max. Here’s what you should look for if you want to get a seamless streaming experience on this specific platform.

• Unblocking capabilities. It’s crystal clear that a VPN for HBO Max should be able to successfully unblock the platform without compromising device speeds. However, it’s even better if the VPN can provide you with access to other streaming platforms, such as Netflix or Hulu, as well.
• Many servers in HBO-allowed locations. Since HBO Max is geo-restricted, the most suitable VPN should have a wide selection of servers in locations where HBO Max is available – including the US, a few Caribbean, Latin, and European countries. This way, you can hide your true location and watch HBO content from anywhere in the world.
• Fast speeds. Great streaming experience requires exceptionally fast speeds that can be achieved only with modern tunneling protocols. If you want to watch HBO Max without buffering, look for fast VPNs that support WireGuard.
• Streaming features. You should check whether the provider offers a Smart DNS feature that lets you stream on non-VPN devices, such as Smart TVs and gaming consoles.
• Compatibility. Another key indicator of the best VPN for HBO Max is its ability to support not only all popular operating systems (Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android) but also streaming devices. Look for a provider that offers dedicated apps for Fire TV, Android TV, Kodi, or other gadgets.

How to watch HBO Max outside the US

1. Choose a VPN to bypass HBO Max geo-restrictions. We recommend NordVPN, now 68% OFF!
2. Install and set up the VPN service on your device.
3. Log in and connect to an American server.
4. Go to the HBO Max website and register or log into your account.
5. Grab the popcorn and enjoy HBO Max.

Best VPNs for HBO Max in 2023 – our detailed list:

It's a shame that, at the moment, HBO Max is only available in a select number of countries. That is unless you're using a streaming VPN.

Luckily for you, we've hand-picked the best VPNs that are confirmed to work with HBO Max, deliver fast speeds, work on multiple devices, and more.

1. NordVPN – best overall VPN for HBO Max

Watch HBO Max with NordVPN now

NordVPN is the best VPN for HBO Max since it offers some of the fastest speeds in the VPN market, meaning your HBO Max streaming experience won’t get smoother than that. We effortlessly unblocked Max when we connected to a server in New York and experienced no buffering at all.

Performance. NordVPN uses a modern variation of the famous WireGuard protocol. During our performance tests, we found that it retains around 90% of initial connection speeds. So not only will you unblock HBO Max, you'll also still be streaming without buffering issues.

Streaming features. NordVPN offers the Smart DNS feature – with it, you’ll be able to watch HBO Max even on devices that don’t support VPN connections. Plus, it also has a dedicated app for Amazon Fire TV and can be installed on other streaming gadgets.

Price. You can get a NordVPN subscription starting from only $3.19/month for 6 devices. A free 7-day trial for Android is also available, and each annual plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more about this provider in our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark – Max VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections

Watch HBO Max with Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent HBO Max VPN which is perfect if you want to be able to watch the streaming service on all of your devices. It provides you with unlimited device connections for one account and has a large server network.The first American server we connected unblocked Max instantly, and we watched movies on multiple devices with a single account.

Performance. Surfshark’s excellent speeds are ensured due to its great WireGuard protocol implementation. Our examination revealed an average of 86% speed retention rate compared to baseline speeds, promising no lagging whatsoever.

Streaming features. The provider offers the Smart DNS feature, meaning you’ll be able to watch HBO Max on whatever device you want to. That is, even if it doesn’t support VPN connections, like the PlayStation.

Price. If you decide to invest in Surfshark, all annual subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee. The prices are as low as $2.30/month for unlimited devices. And if you want to try the service out, you can use the 7-day trial on macOS, iOS, or Android devices.

Learn more about this provider in our full Surfshark VPN review.

3. Atlas VPN – cheapest VPN for HBO Max

Visit Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is among the most affordable options for HBO Max. With prices starting from $1.82/month, this VPN is an ideal pick if you want to test HBO Max out without investing in an expensive VPN. During our testing, Atlas VPN accessed Max with plenty of servers, including some in the US.

Performance. Atlas VPN may not have a massive fleet of servers, but it doesn’t struggle when it comes to speeds. You won’t have issues with HBO Max because it retained around 80% of initial speeds on average with its WireGuard protocol.

Streaming features. Atlas VPN is compatible with Android TVs and Amazon Fire TV devices. Additionally, you get streaming-optimized servers for a buffer-free experience.

Price. Atlas VPN has budget-friendly subscription plans, starting from only $1.82/month for unlimited devices. Each annual plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, and what’s even better – there’s a completely free yet limited version that you can use to try out the services beforehand.

Read more about this provider in our full Atlas VPN review.

4. ExpressVPN – fast HBO Max VPN

Visit ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN delivers lightning-fast connection speeds and helps you enjoy HBO Max outside the US in full HD. Our examination proved that ExpressVPN has no issue accessing the platform when connected to American or European servers.

Performance. Just like NordVPN, ExpressVPN uses a proprietary protocol called Lightway, ensuring a smooth Max streaming experience. Thanks to this protocol and the huge server network, the provider retains around 77% of baseline speeds on average.

Streaming features. ExpressVPN has the Smart DNS feature included in the service. With it, you can enjoy streaming even on those devices that can’t have a VPN installed directly. On the other hand, ExpressVPN has apps for multiple streaming consoles, like Amazon Fire Stick, Nintendo Switch, Roku, and more.

Price. ExpressVPN is a pricier VPN compared to others, as its starting price is $6.67/month. But you can use a 30-day money-back guarantee and feel the service before fully committing to it.

Tempted to find out more? Check out our ExpressVPN review.

5. CyberGhost – Max VPN with the most servers

Visit CyberGhost

CyberGhost impresses us with one of the richest server fleets on the market, ensuring you can unblock HBO Max content library of virtually any country. The VPN showed fantastic test results when bypassing HBO Max geo-restrictions. Moreso, the price-to-quality ratio makes this VPN one of those that is unforgivable not to pick.

Performance. The WireGuard protocol of CyberGhost delivers excellent connection speeds without noticeable speed drops – 86% on average. During our tests, this VPN also maintained a stable video loading time.

Streaming features. To ensure you unblock your favorite streaming services every time as easily as the previous one, CyberGhost offers specialized servers for streaming. And if you have a device that can’t have a VPN installed directly, you can configure Smart DNS and enjoy streaming as effectively as on any other gadget.

Price. One of our favorite things about CyberGhost is its pricing. With the price of $2.19/month, this VPN helps bypass HBO Max geo-blocks anyone without having to consider your financial situation. There’s also a free trial for up to 7 days and an extended 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our detailed CyberGhost review and find out more.

6. PureVPN – beginner-friendly VPN for HBO Max

Watch HBO Max with PureVPN

PureVPN easily bypassed the regional restrictions of HBO Max during our tests as well. In fact, its truly massive server fleet allowed us to find the most suitable ones for a buffer-free streaming session.

Performance. This provider also relies on the WireGuard tunneling protocol to ensure fast speeds, retaining an average of 67% baseline speeds. While the result is lower than that of other VPNs on this list, we still didn’t experience any lags when watching all the popular movies and TV shows.

Streaming features. Even without the Smart DNS feature, this VPN covers your streaming needs with dedicated apps for Android TVs, Fire TV, and other streaming devices. Also, it offers a Proxy Control feature which can give you better speeds for streaming HBO Max with an unencrypted connection.

Price. PureVPN prices are truly affordable, starting from $2.08/month for 10 devices. And the best part – you can make use of the service’s 31-day money-back guarantee before committing to a long-term subscription plan.

Check out our full PureVPN review for more information.

Comparison of the best VPNs for HBO Max

Want to have all the important information in one place to compare the HBO Max VPNs? Well, you can find it right here:

Brand
Rating	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Unblocks HBO Max	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Cheapest monthly price	3.19/month	2.30/month	1.82/month	6.67/month	2.19/month	2.08/month
Servers	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	6,500+ servers in 78 countries
Supports WireGuard	✅ (a modern variation known as NordLynx)	✅	✅	✅ (a modern variation known as Lightway)	✅	✅
Smart DNS	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Simultaneous connections	6	Unlimited	Unlimited	8	7	10
Other streaming	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
Compatibility	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, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Review	NordVPN review	Surfshark VPN review	Atlas VPN review	ExpressVPN review	CyberGhost review	PureVPN review

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How we tested and ranked the best VPNs for HBO Max

There are two main points to consider when picking an HBO Max VPN – whether it unblocks the streaming service and whether it’s good for streaming overall. Here are the main criteria we took into consideration when ranking these VPNs:

• HBO Max streaming capabilities. We tested how well each VPN unblocks the platform using servers in different countries. Our best HBO Max VPNs were ranked based on our evaluations and results.
  
• Speed. Although it’s great to be able to watch content from all around the world, it’s not so neat when it’s constantly buffering. We used our speed test tool to find the fastest VPNs that don’t make you sit in front of a frozen screen.
  
• Useful features. Some providers offer the Smart DNS feature, letting you unblock geo-restricted content without installing a VPN on those devices. And if you need a VPN for streaming only, split tunneling is what you can make use of. With that in mind, we have carefully selected VPNs that can effortlessly unblock the geo-restricted HBO Max.
  
• Server coverage. A vast server fleet means that no matter where you’re located, you’ll be able to find servers near you. We made sure the providers we offer have plenty of options. This lets you ensure the fastest possible speeds.
  
• Simultaneous connections. If you want to watch HBO Max on a few of your devices or share it with your family members, it’s important that the VPN offers multiple or unlimited device connections.
  
• Other streaming options. Getting a VPN service simply for watching HBO Max is nice, but it’s even nicer if you have more streaming platform options. We looked for VPNs that can also help you change Netflix region, access Hulu, or any other service you may need.
  
• Price. Just because you’re expecting first-class quality, doesn’t mean you have to pay lots of money. We made sure that the VPN services we offer are worth every penny.
  

Other VPNs we tested for HBO Max

Although we have provided you with a list of top HBO Max VPNs that deliver 100% success in streaming, we have left out several reputable providers which can also work for you.

For instance, IPVanish is one of the most popular VPNs on the market, known not only for unbreakable security but also for strong unblocking capabilities and fast speeds. During our tests, it quickly bypassed HBO Max’s (and other streaming services’) blocks and gave us a chance to enjoy the movie lag-free. However, it doesn’t have the Smart DNS feature and its prices increase after the first year.

There’s also PrivateVPN, which is more modest compared to the latter provider, as its servers fleet includes as little as 200 servers, and there’s no WireGuard tunnel which would ensure lightning-fast speeds. Nevertheless, this VPN could unblock HBO Max on the first try and didn’t noticeably interfere with the video quality. And it’s cheap – starting from only $2.00/month.

Meanwhile, Proton VPN’s prices start at $4.99/month, which is more expensive than the majority of VPNs. On the other hand, it has the WireGuard tunnel that ensures great connection speeds. Plus, there’s a decent selection of over 2,970 servers, and it unblocks popular streaming services, including HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and more.

Can I unblock HBO Max with a free VPN?

No, there’s a very low chance that a free VPN could unblock HBO Max. That is mostly because free VPNs usually have a very limited server fleet which is naturally used by numerous users at the same time. Consequently, any streaming service can easily detect VPN-related activity and block the IP address.

Additionally, when using an unreliable free VPN for HBO Max, you’re also risking your online security. As a way of income, some free VPNs can even sell their users’ data to third parties. Or, if the provider is not trustworthy, the service may even be infiltrated with malware.

Frankly, we can suggest reliable and effective alternatives for bypassing HBO Max geo-restrictions and staying protected online:

• NordVPN – with this HBO Max VPN, you can expect to unblock any major streaming platform and watch videos in full HD. To test it yourself, you can benefit from its 30-day money-back guarantee and boost it with a free NordVPN 7-day trial on your Android or iOS.
• Surfshark – watch HBO Max on unlimited devices simultaneously with Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee or hop on Surfshark’s free trial that’s available for macOS, iOS, and Android users.
• Atlas VPN – another excellent VPN for bypassing HBO Max geo-restrictions with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It offers user-friendly applications and unbreakable security too.

How to watch HBO Max on your device

You can use a VPN to unlock HBO Max on any device. So you and your family can sit down in front of HBO’s latest blockbuster by connecting it to your smart TV. Or you can keep up with all your favorite shows while you’re traveling by watching them on your smartphone.

Watch HBO Max on your smart device

Watching HBO Max on smart devices, such as iPhone, Android devices, Windows PC, Mac, and more, couldn’t be easier. These types of gadgets perfectly go along with VPNs; hence you’ll be able to unlock the streaming platform within a few minutes. Here’s how:

1. Choose a reliable streaming VPN. We recommend NordVPN (now 68% OFF)
2. Download and install the VPN app on your smart device
3. Launch the app and connect to an American server
4. Navigate to the HBO Max website
5. Create or log into your HBO Max account and enjoy watching all HBO has to offer

Watch Max with NordVPN

Watch HBO Max on your streaming devices

Unfortunately, the majority of streaming devices, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Kodi, don’t support VPNs initially. But you can always find a way around it. In this case, you’d need to set up a VPN on a router and share an encrypted network with your non-VPN devices. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Choose a VPN suitable for routers. We recommend NordVPN – now for 68% OFF
2. Download and set up a VPN on your router
3. Connect to a server in the United States
4. Make sure your streaming device is connected to the router VPN
5. Install the HBO Max app from the app store

Stream Max with NordVPN

Why do I get "Sorry, HBO Max isn't available in your region yet" with a VPN?

Unfortunately, HBO Max VPN isn’t always the most straightforward answer to flawlessly bypassing geo-blocks. HBO Max not working with a VPN can be due to streaming services’ detecting VPNs, browser issues, and more reasons. But there are ways to make it work. Here’s how:

1. Connect to a different server in the same location. While one server might not work with HBO Max, try switching to others
2. For PlayStation users, if you get the 03-37-215 error, just restart your console. It solves the problem for most users
3. If you encounter any other problems, we advise deleting cookies, clearing cache, and restarting the machine
4. Contact your VPN’s customer support team. It’s possible that the service is encountering technical issues that can only be solved by the provider itself
5. It might be that you just have a bad VPN. You can try switching to a reputable VPN provider, such as NordVPN

Best VPN for HBO Max

NordVPN is the best VPN for watching HBO Max from anywhere. It has a massive server fleet, effortlessly unblocked the platform during our tests, and retained enough of initial connection speeds for a buffering-free experience.

cybernews® score

4.9 /5

• Unblocks Max
• Competitive speeds
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit NordVPN

How to watch HBO Max internationally?

Currently, HBO Max is available in 68 locations, including the USA, Latin and Caribbean countries, and Europe. However, the list is continuously expanding, as the WarnerMedia’s streaming platform offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio for every cinephile and is highly requested globally.

Even if you can’t find your country in the licensed locations list yet, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy HBO Max at all. With a VPN HBO Max, like NordVPN, you can change your IP to the one that works with the streaming platform and enjoy WarnerMedia’s content anywhere.

And here are the overall best ways to access HBO Max from anywhere in the world:

Watch HBO Max from anywhere

What can I watch on HBO Max?

In 2020, HBO merged HBO Go and HBO Now to create its new streaming service – HBO Max. This paid-for app gives you access to all of HBO’s content. HBO Max has a huge range of fantastic movies and shows.

Here’s some content you can expect to watch:

Watch HBO Max with NordVPN

Conclusion

HBO Max is currently available in the US as well as some European, Latin, and Caribbean countries. So, if you’re from anywhere else, you’ll have to change your IP address using a VPN. Once you connect to a server where the streaming service is available, you’ll be able to easily access the content library of Max.

Our top choice for this is NordVPN which offers excellent speeds, works with streaming devices, and has a massive server fleet. On top of that, you get strong security features to keep your private data safe.

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