5 Best Free VPNs for Hotstar: Access From Anywhere in 2025

Most free VPNs lack the necessary capabilities to stream Hotstar. Even premium services struggle to access Hotstar from anywhere safely, and free VPNs have an even more challenging time.

However, my team and I tested 30+ free VPNs and shortlisted those that work reliably with Hotstar for HD streaming. That being said, every free VPN has its drawbacks, like reliability issues, data caps, and limited server options.

From the VPNs we tested, ExpressVPN is my top choice for Hotstar. Although it’s not entirely free, it offers a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test all its features without financial risk. Plus, it has no speed or data limitations like the free options. It also offers a worldwide server network with virtual Indian servers that can help securely access various Hotstar libraries. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for Hotstar in 2025

Best Free VPNs for Hotstar — Full Analysis (2025 Update)

1. ExpressVPN — Most Reliable Hotstar VPN With Fast Speeds for HD Streaming From Anywhere

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested March 2025

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN consistently provides fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming on Hotstar without compromising security. These speeds are partly due to its proprietary protocol, Lightway, which is optimized to be fast while consuming minimal battery (great for mobile streaming). Our average download speed dropped by only 6% when testing nearby servers, and we didn’t experience any added buffering while watching Star Sports 1 live on Hotstar.

There are servers in every Hotstar region

Unlike free VPNs, which rarely offer Indian servers, ExpressVPN provides an Indian IP address for safe access to Hotstar India from anywhere. During tests, all of ExpressVPN’s virtual Indian servers could reliably stream Hindi content without any troubleshooting issues.

The only problem with ExpressVPN is that it’s not 100% free. However, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. To put this guarantee to the test, I contacted support via 24/7 live chat and asked for a refund. The agent approved my request right away. I saw the money back in my PayPal account after 3 days.

Useful Features

• Works with other streaming services. ExpressVPN’s virtual Indian servers also work with other popular Indian streaming platforms like Voot, Zee5, and SonyLIV. It can also access global content in HD, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
• Easy to use. ExpressVPN has a simple and sleek interface. To connect to a server, just click the power button. Adding a shortcut that launches Hotstar directly from the VPN app is also possible.
• Strong security. In addition to its robust security features, like strong encryption, leak protection, and ad-blocker, ExpressVPN uses virtual Indian servers. This is to safeguard the online privacy of its users by removing its physical servers that would otherwise fall under the country’s data retention law for VPNs.

2. Avira Phantom VPN — Unlimited Connections to Stream Various Hotstar Content on All Your Devices Simultaneously

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer More

Try Avira Phantom VPN >

www.avira.com

With Avira Phantom VPN's unlimited device connections, your family can watch Hotstar on all devices without disrupting other online activities. Most free VPNs only allow one device connection at a time, so I found this particularly impressive. We experienced no slowdowns while testing Avira Phantom VPN, even with 7 connected devices streaming Hotstar UK.

The servers in Singapore and the UK worked most consistently

Its mobile apps offer 38 server locations to access Hotstar libraries from anywhere securely. The desktop app only allows you to connect to the nearest location, and there’s no way to watch Hotstar India. Avira Phantom VPN doesn’t provide servers in that country but offers connections in other Hostar regions like Singapore, the UK, and Canada.

The major downside to Avira is that the free plan has a data cap of 500MB. This isn’t enough data to handle long streams, and you may easily consume it while browsing for just a couple of hours. You can get an extra 500MB of data a month by signing up with an email address.

Useful Features

• No sign-up is required. You don’t need to sign up using an email to start using the service. Simply download the VPN app and start streaming.
• Auto-connect. Avira Phantom VPN lets you connect automatically when it detects a WiFi network, which is helpful for safe Hotstar streaming on public networks.

3. hide.me — Unlimited Data for Streaming Hotstar Without Interruptions

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

You can stream Hotstar without restriction with unlimited data on hide.me's free plan, but you need to let it choose random servers for you. However, you still get 10GB of data per month when you choose your own servers, which isn’t bad for a free service. hide.me can safely access Hotstar from anywhere, but you may want to lower the quality to save data when picking locations.

We had the best luck using the IKEv2 protocol during our tests

Its adjustable features can help boost your speed. For instance, you can choose between 5 VPN protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, and SoftEtherVPN. Wireguard gave us the best speeds, at 193.29Mbps testing UK servers, while SoftEtherVPN can help disguise your VPN traffic as normal HTTPS to watch Hotstar on restrictive networks.

One minor con is that, unlike Avira, the VPN doesn’t provide multiple locations for Hotstar. So, you can't watch Hotstar India, for example. However, hide.me works well for streaming Hotstar UK in standard definition.

Useful Features

• Kill switch.me also offers a kill switch to safeguard your online data in case your connection drops unexpectedly. Very few free VPNs have this feature.
• No ads. Its free version won’t bombard you with VPN-sponsored ads, so you can stream Hotstar without interruptions.

4. Hotspot Shield — Hydra Protocol Balances Speed With Security for Optimimal Hotstar Streaming

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Hotspot Shield >

www.hotspotshield.com

Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Hydra protocol worked better for streaming than IKEv2 and WireGuard. It was faster on average than the other free VPNs and more consistent with Hotstar, similar to our results with ExpressVPN’s unique Lightway protocol. We didn’t experience connection issues during our tests while streaming with Hydra.

We were impressed that it could be accessed with the free plan

It also offers unlimited data, which is great for long binge-watching sessions. Hotspot Shield’s basic plan has servers in the UK and Singapore. However, it only works reliably with Hotstar Singapore.

Sadly, the free version doesn’t offer any servers in India, but upgrading to a premium Hotspot Shield plan provides access to a virtual Indian location. In addition, the free version is supported by ads, so you might occasionally be interrupted while watching Hotstar.

Useful Features

• Automatic WiFi protection. Hotspot Shield offers an Auto-protect feature that instantly secures your connection on unsecured networks like public WiFi.
• Leak protection. It protects your real location and online data from threats like trackers and hackers.

5. TunnelBear — Easy-to-Use Apps to Reliably Access Hotstar in a Few Clicks

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer More

Try TunnelBear VPN >

www.tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear’s quirky yet easy-to-use app offers an interactive world map interface. By clicking a tunnel in the country of your choosing, a cartoon bear will dig its way through as it routes your traffic there. You can also choose to use the drop-down menu for manual selection.

It may take a little longer to connect than with most VPNs

In addition, its free plan grants you access to all 47 global server locations on desktop and mobile. We could safely stream Hotstar India during tests, but it wasn’t always reliable. We had to change servers multiple times.

The most significant drawbacks are the 2GB data limit and the fact that it doesn’t work with the UK and Singapore Hotstar libraries. However, it's possible to access Hotstar India and Malaysia from anywhere securely.

Useful Features

• Unlimited connections. TunnelBear also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can watch Hotstar on any device, providing you can get it working with the platform.

Quick Comparison Table: Hotstar VPN Features

The table provided below offers a comparative analysis of the features of the chosen Hotstar VPNs. It examines elements like connection speeds, the number of servers, the amount of data allocated monthly, and whether it works with Hotstar India. It mainly concerns free VPNs, but you can find the best overall picks for Hotstar in this list.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Our Methodology for Testing Free VPNs For Hotstar

We primarily tested each VPN's ability to work with different Hotstar libraries reliably. We evaluated the performance of these services in terms of their speeds, streaming capability and available server locations, including servers in India. We also considered how easy it was to set up and use these VPNs for streaming.

Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs for Hotstar Aren’t Safe

Free VPNs rarely have the security infrastructure that can keep your data secure from online threats like hackers and trackers. Most have weak encryption, while others don’t offer features like leak protection or an automatic kill switch. Plus, there have been cases where free VPN apps were embedded with malware.

In addition, many free VPNs are not actually free, as most of them generate revenue by tracking your data and trading it with third parties. This data is then used by advertisers to show targeted ads with dynamic pricing to users based on their respective browsing histories.

So, if you truly want to secure your streaming sessions, you can consider using a low-cost premium alternative that adheres to a no-logs policy and comes with a money-back guarantee.

Free VPNs to Avoid

Although a lot of free VPNs are available on the internet, not all of them are safe. I've identified some VPNs that can compromise your online security threats, unlike the ones on my list, so steer clear of these hazardous free VPNs while choosing your VPN:

• Hola Free VPN. Hola is not even a VPN; it's a P2P network where random strangers share their IP addresses. It lacks encryption, meaning that anyone can connect to your IP and commit an illegal act, leaving you to take the fall for it.
• Touch VPN. Touch VPN is another example of what you should stay away from. It logs a lot of user information, including your location and device information. The service is owned by Aura and Pango, which own other VPNs that are known for logging as well. It also struggles consistently with DNS leaks.
• LinkVPN. Its privacy policy clearly states that it can monitor and record your data and share it with affiliate companies. In addition, it seems to have been created by a notorious developer in China who was also responsible for creating other privacy-violating VPNs like SuperVPN.

FAQs on the Best Free VPNs for Hotstar

Can I watch Hotstar for free?

Not really, since it doesn’t technically offer free content. Hotstar India used to offer some select movies and shows completely free but with ads. However, as of April 2024, it only has highlights of past sporting events and trailers. If you want to watch anything else, you’ll need to subscribe. However, you can get a free subscription in bundle offers from Indian Internet services like Tata, Airtel, or Jio. That said, all of the VPNs in this list can safely access Hotstar from anywhere.

Where is Hotstar available?

Aside from India, Hotstar can also be streamed in Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the UK. The platform is now owned by The Walt Disney Company, which is why it’s called Disney+ Hotstar and includes selective Disney+ content. A good free VPN can safely access Hotstar from anywhere.

While Disney+ and Hotstar are combined services in India, Hotstar is not available in the US. Some of its content is divided between Hulu, Disney+, and Max and can be watched with a Disney Bundle subscription for all three platforms in the US. In addition, Hotstar is not available in countries like Pakistan and the UAE due to censorship laws.

What if my free VPN is not working with Hotstar?

First, it’s important to choose a free VPN that consistently works with Hotstar. If your free VPN usually works well with Hotstar but isn’t working now, try the following:

• Switch to a different server. The IP address of the server you’re connected to may be blocked by Hotstar. In that case, the app won’t show you any content — it just keeps on loading endlessly. Switching to a different server should help.
• Clear your browser’s cookies. Many websites use cookies that can contain conflicting and unnecessary data. Simply clearing your cache and cookies can provide a cleaner interaction with your VPN and Hotstar. This can be easily prevented by clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or using incognito/private mode.

Is watching Hotstar with a free VPN legal?

Using a VPN to keep your online activities private while streaming is legal. However, some countries ban Hotstar and VPNs entirely due to censorship. The VPNs listed all reliably work with Hotstar from anywhere.

What is the best free VPN for Hotstar?

Avira Phantom VPN is the best free option for Hotstar, but it has some limitations. While it offers servers in regions with Hotstar, you can only change locations with its mobile app. It's also restricted to 1GB of monthly data, likely only letting you stream for a few hours. A low-cost, premium VPN is a better option for safely accessing Hotstar from anywhere. Visit this detailed guide on signing up for Hotstar, if you want to register for the service.

Get the Best FREE VPN for Hotstar

Most free VPNs aren’t great options for watching Hotstar due to limited speeds, data, and server availability. Even paid VPNs struggle to work with Hotstar, so the chances of a free VPN being able to aren’t great. A few decent free options work with Hotstar, but they also have restrictions.

That’s why I recommend ExpressVPN. It has unlimited data, great speeds, and can access Hotstar from anywhere in HD without interruptions. Even though it’s not 100% free, you can test ExpressVPN out risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund.

Can’t find a suitable free VPN? Here are the best premium alternatives…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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