How to Watch Youku Online in 2024 — Easy Guide

You can only watch Youku in China, Hong Kong, or Macau. To determine your location, the streaming platform checks your IP address. You will get an error message if you're in another country.

Theoretically, you can use a VPN to get a valid IP and access Youku from anywhere. However, we do not support this since it goes against Youku's Terms of Service and could be seen as a copyright violation. Additionally, VPN use in China is restricted, and most VPNs do not work there.

If you are in Hong Kong or Macau and want to stream securely, the best VPN for watching Youku online in HD is ExpressVPN. During a vacation in Hong Kong, I found ExpressVPN was the fastest for uninterrupted streaming of Youku. You can test it out without taking any risks, too. This is because there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. 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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Best VPNs to Watch Youku Online in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — User-Friendly VPN to Reliably Watch Youku

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN was the most beginner-friendly VPN I tested for Youku from Hong Kong. You don’t need prior knowledge about VPNs to use its intuitive apps. I especially liked that once I set my location to Hong Kong, it chose the fastest server for me. Unlike with other VPNs, I didn’t have to manually check to find which server was best. During my tests from Hong Kong, I tried lots of different settings but found the default ones work great for streaming.

It was fast enough to watch Youku in HD with no buffering, too. I used its Lightway protocol, which is more efficient than traditional protocols like OpenVPN. With a base speed of 117.24Mbps at my accommodation in Hong Kong, my speed on a nearby server dropped to only 110.56Mbps, which is excellent. I only had to wait 4-5 seconds for Hidden Love to load.

ExpressVPN’s Hong Kong server provided me with top-notch streaming quality

The reassurance of a 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to try ExpressVPN risk-free. I found the refund process straightforward when using its 24/7 live chat to cancel. Surprisingly, I got my money back in my bank account within 48 hours. The only downside is that I had to refresh the page a few times to make the live chat button work, as it was glitching.

Useful Features

• Launch Youku from within the ExpressVPN app. Adding its URL to your shortcuts list lets you open Youku with one click instead of having to exit the app, open your browser, and type it in.
• Split tunneling. This feature lets you choose the apps that should use the VPN. This gives you better speeds since only some of your traffic will be encrypted and thus slowed down.
• Round-the-clock customer support. If you ever encounter issues, you can get a quick response by reaching out to the customer service team via live chat or email.
• Powerful extensions. These allow you to control your VPN connection from within your browser instead of running an app. This is particularly useful if your device struggles when you have too many programs open.

2. CyberGhost — Great Speeds for Streaming Youku Without Interruption

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost gave me the best speeds for watching Youku of any VPN I tested while in Hong Kong. It’s marginally faster than ExpressVPN, but the difference isn’t noticeable when you’re actually watching a show. My base speed dipped from 117.49Mbps to 111.77Mbps. I’d usually expect a drop larger than that even on a local server. These speeds allowed me to watch South Wind Knows in HD.

CyberGhost’s app is easy to use for streaming Youku

CyberGhots’s App Rules feature made it quick and convenient for watching Youku. I set it to automatically connect me to a Hong Kong server near me whenever I opened Youku. During my tests, I found that App Rules saved me time, as I didn’t have to type "Hong Kong" into the search bar every time I wanted to secure my connection.

Unlike ExpressVPN, CyberGhost has a shorter money-back guarantee for its monthly plans. However, with its long-term plan, you get 45 days to use CyberGhost with Youku for free. This is a longer period than most VPNs offer.

Useful Features

• Router compatible. You can install CyberGhost on your router to watch Youku securely on devices that don’t usually support VPNs, such as smart TVs and game consoles.
• Automatic protocol selection. CyberGhost automatically picks the best protocol depending on your network condition. This helps you to get the fastest, most stable connection possible.
• 7 simultaneous connections. I found this really useful for keeping my family happy when wanting to watch different shows on Youku at the same time.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections to Watch Youku on All Your Devices

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV HBO Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA lets you watch Youku on unlimited devices. This is useful if you have a large household of Youku fans. I put this to the test by streaming on 9 devices simultaneously, and it worked seamlessly. Even with various smartphones, a laptop, and 2 iPads connected, my family and I could watch our favorite shows in HD without having to take turns.

You can even set up a dedicated IP for streaming with PIA

It’s also very customizable VPN — you can change your settings to bolster your speed for streaming. Although it’s technically just as fast as ExpressVPN, I experienced a few more dropouts. My connection recovered quickly, but I still had to pause and reload my stream each time.

There’s a money-back guarantee that allows you to try PIA without risk for 30 days. If you feel it’s not right for you, you can easily claim a refund and get your money back within a few business days.

Useful Features

• 24/7 support. I found the support team very kind and helpful. They were able to recommend the best app settings for my connection.
• Firefox and Chrome extensions. You can use the browser extensions to watch Youku without opening the app.
• Very fast. My speed was only cut by a fraction — from 117.21Mbps to 110.66Mbps. I only had to wait 2-3 seconds for episodes of Word of Honor to load.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Watching Youku

While searching for the best VPN for Youku, I focused on certain qualities. If you would like to do your research, use the tips below to determine the VPNs you can use to watch Youku.

• Streaming features. Opting for a VPN with servers near you in China, Macau, or Hong Kong isn’t enough. It must also be good for streaming. Usually, you can check with a VPN’s customer support before you buy it to see if it will work with Youku.
• Fast speeds. High-speed connections are vital for seamless Youku streaming, eliminating buffering and ensuring high-quality video playback. Look for VPNs with fast protocols, such as Lightway and WireGuard.
• Device compatibility. Ensure the VPN supports the devices you frequently use for streaming. If you have a device that doesn’t typically support VPNs, check to see if the VPN allows you to set it up on a router. That way, all the devices on your WiFi network are covered.
• Excellent customer support. Prompt and knowledgeable customer support is essential for addressing any issues. You should be able to find the answers you need by contacting your VPN provider's customer support team via email or live chat.
• Reliable money-back guarantee. Opt for VPNs providing a trustworthy refund policy of at least 30 days. This allows you to test the service risk-free.

Where Can I Watch Youku Online?

Due to broadcasting restrictions and content licensing, you can't watch Youku outside China. The platform checks your device's IP address — your IP is like a digital fingerprint, revealing which country you're connecting from. If you're not in China, Hong Kong, or Macau, Youku identifies this and blocks you from streaming its content.

Unlike many streaming sites, it doesn’t have international partners. So, the only place to watch is via Youku’s official website and its associated apps.

FAQs on Watching Youku With a VPN

Can I use Youku for free?

Yes, Youku has both free and paid content. But it's only available to watch in China, Hong Kong, or Macau. However, if you’re in a broadcasting region and wish to watch it securely with a VPN, there are only a few services that work. They’re not free, but they have money-back guarantees so you can try them out without any risks.

On which devices can I watch Youku?

Youku is available on most platforms. Bear in mind, though, that there are only a few places you can watch Youku. You can stream your favorite Youku shows on:

Can I use a free VPN to watch Youku?

The short answer is no. Most free VPNs don’t operate servers in Mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau, so you won’t find one nearby to connect to. Those that do are too slow for loading streams in HD. A low-cost premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is a better alternative. They’re fast and reliable and offer robust security features to securely stream Youku from Hong Kong.

Watch Youku in Minutes

A good VPN can protect your security and give you decent speeds for watching Youku from Hong Kong. Regrettably, not every VPN works; some are too slow, and others don’t have servers in the country.

ExpressVPN is my go-to option for securely streaming Youku. It offers impressive speeds, user-friendly apps, and is the most reliable for watching Youku while protecting your online privacy.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for watching Youku...

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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