If you’re looking for a reliable VPN for HBO Max, consider yourself welcome. This streaming service offers excellent content, ranging from movies and series to even sports live streams. However, watching HBO Max outside the USA is difficult and impossible for many.
We know that VPNs work ideally for such scenarios. They change your IP address to another country, allowing for swift website unblocking. Unfortunately, Max has punched back with its advanced geo-blocking system that can detect VPNs. This complicates things further.
Well, we think it’s time to un-complicate them and give you some palpable solutions. This guide will cover the best VPNs that work with HBO Max and explain how to use them. We’ll also see how to subscribe to this platform abroad if you aren’t an active subscriber.
Best HBO Max VPN: These VPNs Still Work in 2025
Let’s start with the tools of the trade. You need one of these boys to access Max outside of the USA. Our team has tested 110+ providers but very few managed to make it to the list. With these three, you’ll have zero problems watching HBO Max abroad.
7100 servers
118 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
27000 servers
91 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
9 /10
Here’s more information about each provider:
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Location spoofing
- 1,900+ US servers
- Unrestricted bandwidth
- Smart DNS support
- It works on Smart TVs
- VPN obfuscation technology
Cons
- No monthly plan discounts
- Double VPN servers are slower
Overall, this is the most reliable VPN to unblock HBO Max in 2025. NordVPN’s apps offer over 1,900 servers in the USA, all capable of streaming. However, the provider has a nifty little browser extension with location spoofing and WebRTC leak protection that works phenomenally well.
It’s no wonder NordVPN’s Chrome VPN extension is considered class-leading. NordVPN’s performance is impressive too. You can use it to watch HBO Max outside the USA in 4K on a large screen without buffering. This is because of its powerful NordLynx protocol.
The provider doesn’t skimp on bandwidth – it’s unlimited! On top of that, users get access to Threat Protection, which blocks ads and trackers often found on streaming sites. As the best VPN to watch Max, NordVPN supports all devices, which users will especially like.
It’s easy to install it on your iPhone or Android device and watch movies on the go. In the same fashion, it supports Firestick TV, Apple TV, or any other Smart TV you can find. NordVPN has 10 concurrent connections, which is more than the other two providers here.
Additionally, the provider’s apps are equipped with obfuscated servers. This means you can unblock HBO Max in censored regions like China or Turkey. With the addition of Smart DNS, we think this provider’s streaming prowess is unbeatable even with more expensive services.
Speaking of that, NordVPN’s price is as modest as it can be for a top VPN. Its 2-year deals are garnished by large, up to 72% discounts that lower the price to under $3.5 a month. Add to that a 30-day money-back guarantee and you’ll be even happier!
2. ExpressVPN
Pros
- One of the fastest providers
- Parental Control blocks adult sites
- Lightway protocol
- Native application for tvOS
- 7-day free trial on iOS/Android
Cons
- It’s a bit expensive
- No Multi-hop connections
ExpressVPN is an extremely reliable VPN for Max. Its 3,000+ servers worldwide offer staggering performance, whilst hundreds of US servers are HBO-ready. Simply connect to any US server and watch HBO Max outside the USA promptly. ExpressVPN is very simple.
It’s a plug-and-play app that requires no tweaks. All you have to do is install it, use the connection button, and reap all the benefits. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is wonderful, as it accentuates speed, security, and stability, all needed for streaming or even torrenting.
Another perk is streaming prowess, which is undeniable. Yes, it’s a great HBO Max VPN but it also works with Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN’s unlimited bandwidth and 10 Gbps servers make 4K streaming a joke. Not to mention its Advanced Protection.
This feature is amazing for ad-blocking and Parental Control that can block porn sites if you have children in the household. ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer is free, and its Smart DNS addresses in the USA can also unblock HBO Max abroad. Security-wise, it’s perfect.
The provider packs AES-256-bit encryption, a no-logging policy, and RAM-only servers. Device support is expectedly thorough, with native apps for Chromecast, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Firestick. All of this is backed by 8 simultaneous connections.
Bear in mind that ExpressVPN is more expensive than NordVPN. The good news – a 49% discount thanks to 3 free months for the annual plan.
Oh, and the provider has a 7-day free trial through Android/iOS devices that lets you test it without paying at the start!
3. Private Internet Access
Pros
- Dedicated streaming servers in the USA
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Support for Multi-hop connections
- Obfuscation for censored countries
Cons
- It could be slightly faster
- Slightly convoluted Windows app
- No native support for Firestick
Looking for a cheap, yet great VPN for HBO Max? Here’s your pick. PIA’s 2-year deal is ridiculously good, with dedicated streaming servers in the USA that you can use for Max. You’ll need to open the app, connect to one such server, and enjoy the platform endlessly.
Thanks to its ease of use, you’ll have the entire platform at your fingertips. Private Internet Access isn’t better than NordVPN and ExpressVPN but its streaming abilities are amazing for the price. Using WireGuard in the app produces stable speeds and overall great performance too.
PIA has over 30,000 servers worldwide and thousands are streaming-optimized. Users frequently install this service on their Smart TV or Apple TV, connect to a server, and start streaming right away. PIA VPN supports other functions, such as torrenting.
Another thing we like is split tunneling, which prevents or allows only certain apps to use a VPN. PIA includes MultiHop connections to boost privacy. If that’s insufficient, there’s an optional antivirus for $1 a month or ample dedicated IPs for very little money.
The provider has obfuscation as well, which is excellent if you’re in a censored region. Even better, users can enjoy its automatic kill switch and ad-blocking thanks to MACE, which usually works fairly well. PIA is available on all platforms (except for Firestick), so compatibility is the last of your worries.
Its unlimited simultaneous connections might be the highlight of this provider. Let us remind you that it costs just over $2 a month and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. For a price this low, you can’t expect to possibly find a better, more valuable VPN.
How to Watch HBO Max Outside the US With a VPN?
Now that we’ve covered the best providers to unblock this platform, let’s see how to use them. As said, Max works in the USA, so if you’re abroad, you’ll likely encounter a geo-restriction message that will prevent you from accessing the site.
This can be countered by getting an IP address from the USA. Doing so will trick the site into seeing you as if you’re in this country and allow access.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to watch HBO Max abroad using NordVPN – the most reliable pick on our list:
- Subscribe to NordVPN. If you haven’t already, we recommend claiming a discount on any of its 2-year and 1-year plans.
- Set up NordVPN on your devices. Up to 10 concurrent connections are supported, so don’t be afraid to equip your phone, computer, laptop, etc.
- Open NordVPN and sign in with your email and password.
- Connect to a VPN server in the USA by clicking on the United States in the server list.
- Go to Max’s website, sign in, and reclaim access to all of its amazing content.
Subscribing to HBO Max Without a US Payment Method
People from the US who already have a subscription will face no issues abroad. They can use NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Private Internet Access, unblock the site, and sign in. However, if you’re not from the USA and want to watch HBO Max overseas, there’s going to be a problem.
You see, subscribing to this service requires you to be from the USA. Conversely, it also requires a US payment method. Let’s say you have a US IP but use PayPal from Europe. The platform won’t allow you to subscribe because of the location difference.
HBO recently discontinued its gift card support, so it’s impossible to go this route. As said, PayPal won’t work either and a credit card outside the US is a no-go. Fortunately, there are two more solutions you can try, that should work reliably in 2025.
Using an Apple/Google Gift Card
You can subscribe to this service without a US credit card by using your iOS or Android phone. The solution revolves around making a US Google Account or Apple ID and using an associated gift card. Here are the required steps for these systems:
iOS
- Go to the Apple App Store and sign out of your account.
- Press “Create New Apple ID” to create a new account.
- When prompted, select the United States as your location but do NOT provide payment information.
- In the next step, provide a random US address – you can find plenty of them using US address generators online.
- Get an Apple gift card for the US. Do NOT buy it directly through the Apple App Store because it’ll require a US payment method. We recommend third parties like BestBuy or Amazon.
- When you buy a gift card, you’ll get a code to redeem it. Go to your Apple account and redeem the gift card with the given code to get its funds.
- Download HBO Max (Max) from the App Store.
- Open NordVPN on your iOS device (or any other provider) and connect to a US server.
- Launch the app and make an account. You can now pay with your Apple gift card and enjoy the service normally.
Android
- If you haven’t yet, install one of the best VPNs for Max from our list.
- Connect to a US server to get an IP address from this country.
- Go to Google Play and sign out.
- Create a new Google Play account while making sure you set the location to the US. Do NOT provide any payment information.
- Purchase a Google Play gift card from a third-party vendor. You’ll find them on PayPal, Amazon, BestBuy, etc. Make sure the gift card is for the US region.
- Go to Google Play, open your profile, and select “Payments and Subscriptions.“
- Tap on “Redeem Code” and provide the gift card code.
- Install Max from the Google Play store.
- Open the Max app, sign up, and pay for the subscription using the funds from your gift card. Everything should work flawlessly, as long as you have a US IP from the VPN.
Getting a Virtual Card
Virtual cards have gone crazy in popularity recently, especially those from the USA. You can use them simply by going to the website of the virtual card provider, making an account, and adding funds to it. Then, during the checkout, provide the virtual card information, and pay with the funds you transferred to it, and you’re all set.
We leave the choice of a virtual card provider to you. However, you can try US Unlocked or States Card if you don’t know which one to pick.
VPN Not Working on HBO Max: Here Are the Solutions
Facing issues with this streaming service is unlikely to make you the happiest person alive. Imagine paying for a VPN to watch HBO Max, only to encounter a sea of problems. If you’re in the same ballpark, we’ll alleviate your worries with the few fixes we usually apply.
- Using another server. This is the simplest fix. Try another US server if the one you’re using isn’t working. It may be due to server maintenance or something else.
- Clear your browser data. By far the most effective fix is to clear your browser cache and cookies. Go to Settings and clear ALL browser data. After that, restart the browser, connect to a VPN, and try again. Cookies and cache can divulge your original location to the sites you visit, making them “conflict” with the VPN.
- Change the protocol. Which protocol to use, WireGuard or OpenVPN? Well, we think WireGuard is better for the most part, including proprietary protocols like NordLynx and Lightway. However, if these fail, you can try OpenVPN or even IKEv2 instead.
- Switch to another device. You can try to watch HBO Max outside the US on your phone or Smart TV instead of your PC. We found success in unblocking certain streaming services on different devices a few times.
- Contact support. If nothing works, customer support is there to aid you. All providers have 24/7 customer support that responds in a minute. Inquire them about the problem, see what they say, and if they can’t solve it, promptly obtain a refund.
Other fixes you can try include using a different browser, ensuring there are no DNS/IP leaks, and upgrading to another VPN. Our top three should work properly but if you find one of them lacking, consider the other two.
Final Words
While the HBO streaming platform is far from the easiest to unblock, it’s not impossible. NordVPN can bypass its geo-restriction and enable access to all of its content anywhere. Once you connect to any of its US servers, you’ll have no problems. Also consider its browser extension, which, with location spoofing, is perhaps even more powerful.
Other picks like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access are great too, allowing you to watch Max anywhere. So, that was our list of the best VPNs for Max in 2025, along with a detailed guide on how to access it. Ready to experience Max’s diverse content from the comfort of your home?
Take a plunge – it’s risk-free with the neat little workaround from our experts.