How to Watch Hulu Online With a VPN in 2024
Hulu has some of my favorite TV shows and movies, like The Handmaid’s Tale and Little Fires Everywhere. Sadly, you can watch Hulu only in the US because of the licensing agreements.
In theory, a VPN could give you a US IP address and enable access to Hulu from abroad. However, such action would breach the terms and conditions of the streaming service and might amount to an act of copyright infringement.
US ISPs are infamous for intentional bandwidth throttling, so you might encounter annoying buffering while binge-watching your favorite show.
So, if you’re in the US and are looking to stream securely and without interruptions, ExpressVPN is my top choice. I streamed hours of content, and it didn’t slow my speeds down. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can claim your money back if it doesn’t work for you. 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.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Hulu Online With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. I recommend using ExpressVPN because of its robust security features and impressive speeds, meaning you can watch your favorite Hulu shows uninterrupted.
- If you’re in the US, connect to a US server. Closeby servers will offer you the best speeds for streaming.
- Start watching Hulu. Set up or log in to your existing Hulu account. If you’re setting up a new Hulu account, you need a US payment method like a US bank account, US PayPal, or a Hulu gift card. You can easily get a Hulu gift card from MyGiftCardSupply, Walmart, Target, or eBay.
Best VPNs to Securely Watch Hulu Online in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds for Watching Hulu in HD Without Buffering
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- Lightning-fast speeds
- 24 server locations in the US alone
- 8 simultaneous device connections
- Works with: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube TV, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Vudu, and more
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Apple TV, and more
ExpressVPN has incredibly fast speeds. High-speed connections are extremely important to make sure you have the highest-quality video stream — while in the US, I was able to watch Hulu in UHD with no buffer or lag. When I tested ExpressVPN's speeds, I only had around a 7% speed loss. Without a VPN, I had 70.56 Mbps, and with ExpressVPN on, my speed only went down to 65.83 Mbps. This is impressive, as you can expect a 10–20% loss when using a VPN. I was able to stream How I Met Your Father lag-free while connected to its server in New York.
Another of ExpressVPN's standout features is its MediaStreamer which you can install on your router. This allows you to stream from WiFi-enabled devices, even if it’s not natively compatible with VPNs, like some streaming devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. If you ever need help, you can contact its 24/7 live chat and email support any time. Plus, there are step-by-step instructions on how to install it on the router. While in the US, I watched The Handmaid's Tale on my LG smart TV.
The only downside to ExpressVPN is that it’s a little more expensive than some other VPNs. Its prices for a long-term plan start at $4.99/month. However, right now, you can get 82% off.
You can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you are not fully satisfied. It’s straightforward to claim a refund. I requested mine back by contacting its online chat support, and with no questions asked, the money was back in my account in 3 days.
2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Watch Hulu With Ease
- Streaming-optimized servers to reliably watch Hulu from the US
- 7 simultaneous device connections
- Support chat is available 24/7
- Works with: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Vudu, and more
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Apple TV, Fire OS, and more
CyberGhost has dedicated servers for watching Hulu in the US. They offer reliable connections and fast speeds. While in the US, I was able to stream content on Hulu for hours without any interruptions or disconnections.
Also, CyberGhost has a lot of regular servers, with 11 in the US alone. This means you can always find a reliable one that isn't overcrowded. While in the US, I had a really good streaming experience using CyberGhost's US servers, allowing me to watch Hulu without too much buffering.
Even without optimization, these servers performed admirably for streaming content. The speeds I experienced were more than sufficient for watching my favorite TV shows in flawless quality. Although not as rapid as ExpressVPN, CyberGhost only resulted in a 10% decrease in speed, which is still remarkable. Starting with a speed of 70 Mbps, it dropped to around 63 Mbps with CyberGhost, allowing for seamless HD streaming. Occasionally, there were brief buffering moments when streaming in HD, but they did not disrupt the viewing experience.
Unfortunately, CyberGhost’s short-term plan is a little expensive and comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. So, I signed up for a long-term plan, starting at $2.03/month, and even got 84% off.
You can try CyberGhost risk-free with its generous 45-day money-back guarantee that applies to its long-term subscriptions. I tested its guarantee, and after a chat with its customer support, the money was back in my account in a few days.
3. Private Internet Access — Lots of US Servers to Avoid Server Overcrowding While Watching Hulu
- Huge server network with 53 servers in the US alone
- Dedicated IP address
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Works with: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Vudu, and more
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Apple TV, and more
Private Internet Access has a large server network. It has 53 servers in the US, including 2 US streaming-optimized servers. Having more servers means you have plenty of options even if one of them is down. Also, you are less likely to experience slower speeds due to overcrowding. While in the US, I had a stable connection each time I used any of its US servers to watch Hulu.
PIA offers the option to subscribe to a dedicated IP, providing you with an exclusive IP address for your use only. This feature is beneficial as it helps you bypass bothersome CAPTCHA checks. Although it incurs an additional cost each month, I believe it is certainly worthwhile. Depending on your location, you have the choice to select a US, UK, Canadian, German, or Australian IP address.
I noticed its speeds are a little slower than ExpressVPN’s and CyberGhost’s, though. I tested PIA from the US, and I measured a larger drop of around 20% using its US servers. However, you can normally expect a 10–20% decrease in speeds using a VPN. Being closer to the server gives you better speeds. Its nearby servers were fast enough to allow me to stream Hulu buffer-free.
PIA also has monthly and yearly plans, and it regularly has discounts. You can get 83% off right now. Its plans start from as little as $2.03/month.
You can try PIA risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can claim your money back if it doesn’t work for you. After asking for a refund per email, I got my money back on my credit card in less than a week.
Where Can I Watch Hulu Online?
Hulu isn’t licensed to offer its services in any country other than the US or Japan (although the Japanese content catalog is very limited). It uses geo-blocking to make sure you can’t watch it outside of these countries. If you try to access Hulu from any other country than the US or Japan, you get an error message:
“Error: Hulu is available in the US only and cannot be used with an anonymous proxy service.”
Note: Theoretically, you could use a VPN to obtain a US or Japan IP address while you are in another location. However, this may violate Hulu’s terms and conditions and could potentially be viewed as copyright infringement.
FAQs on Watching Hulu With a VPN
Why is Hulu blocking my login?
Hulu blocks your login if it detects you’re trying to access it outside of the US. Unfortunately, due to copyright laws and distribution rights, you can only access Hulu if you’re in a licensed country.
Can I watch Hulu outside the US?
Hulu is also available in Japan, although the catalog is quite limited due to some content only licensed for the US.
You could, theoretically, use a VPN to get a US IP and stream Hulu from abroad, but please know this goes against the streaming platform’s T&Cs and could constitute copyright infringement.
Start Watching Hulu Privately
If you wish to enjoy your beloved Hulu shows without worrying about streaming sites tracking your online activity, a top-notch VPN is essential. All VPNs on my list offer robust security features and fast speeds for buffer-free streaming.
After extensive testing of various VPNs, my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It comes with military-grade encryption to stream Hulu with peace of mind and excellent speeds to watch your favorite shows in HD without interruptions. As it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. In case you're not satisfied, you can always get a full refund.
To summarize, the best VPNs for watching Hulu privately in HD are…
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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