5 Best VPNs for Hulu in 2024 (Works With Live TV)

Hulu is only available in the US (and in Japan with a limited catalog) due to its licensing agreements. Unless you log in from the US or Japan with a local IP address, you won’t be able to stream Hulu even if you’re a paid subscriber.

A VPN can change your IP address to one in the US or Japan, but I don’t condone doing this as it’s against Hulu’s terms of service to watch content outside the distribution area. In some cases, this might also go against copyright agreements.

If you still want to stream Hulu with a VPN, many don’t work because Hulu blocks VPNs to protect these agreements. However, my colleagues in the US and Japan tested dozens of VPNs with their accounts and found a few that work well. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Hulu as all its US and Japan servers work reliably, and it’s very fast for lag-free streaming. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Try ExpressVPN with Hulu risk-free

Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Hulu in 2024

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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

The Best VPNs for Hulu (Tested in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Excellent Speeds for Streaming Hulu in HD

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	8
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

ExpressVPN offers the best speeds for Hulu of any VPN I tested. I connected to multiple US servers, and my speed only slowed down by an average of 5%. This is an unnoticeable difference. All Hulu streams loaded in under four seconds without further buffering during the entire video.

Better still, my team and I tested the US servers and found ExpressVPN works with Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube TV, SlingTV, ESPN+, DAZN, and plenty more US-based streaming sites.

You don’t even have to connect to a specific server — any server in the US worked during tests. In fact, ExpressVPN has very user-friendly apps for Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, routers, and other devices (plus a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox). I could even create a Hulu shortcut within the desktop app. This unique feature allows for fast access to the streaming platform as soon as you set up a US server connection.

There’s also a MediaStreamer feature that lets you set up ExpressVPN on smart TVs and game consoles. Once installed, you can watch Hulu on those devices.

ExpressVPN offers a great value for money you won’t get with many other services. Plus, you can currently save up to 61% when you choose the 2-year + 4 months free plan.

You can get ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. The policy lets you use ExpressVPN with Hulu risk-free and get a refund if it doesn’t satisfy your needs. The refund process takes less than 2 minutes. After connecting to the 24/7 live chat, the ExpressVPN agent approved my request without trying to convince me to keep my account. I received my money back in my bank account within 4 days.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

2. CyberGhost — Servers Optimized to Work With Your Hulu Account Instantly

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	11,676+
📱Devices	7
💰Refund	45 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

CyberGhost has servers optimized specifically for watching Hulu on desktop, mobile, Android TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. An in-house team regularly checks if the Hulu servers can reliably connect, ensuring you’ve always got a working connection.

In tests, I found that CyberGhost’s streaming servers have great speeds for watching Hulu with minimal buffering and no lag. My traffic was only 12% slower than my base network when I connected to the Hulu servers, which is low enough to avoid in-stream interruptions.

To find the Hulu-optimized server, click on the For Streaming tab and type “Hulu” in the search bar. You’ll see all the streaming servers displayed in a list. Double-click on a server and you’ll connect in a few seconds. To avoid manually searching for the server next time, I suggest you add the Hulu-optimized server to your Favorites list.

The 2-year + 2 months plan offers the best value for money at only $2.19 per month. You don’t have to worry about being locked into a subscription either as you can take advantage of the money-back guarantee and try CyberGhost with Hulu risk-free for 45 days.

The 45-day money-back guarantee lets you get a refund without a fuss (as long as you reach out to customer service before the end of the 45 days). I watched an entire season of Modern Family before asking a CyberGhost live chat agent for my money back. The agent didn’t ask me to explain why I wanted to cancel and I received the refund a week later.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

3. Private Internet Access — Huge Server Newtork in the US to Avoid Slowdowns on Hulu

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	35,000+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Private Internet Access (PIA) has over 5500 servers in the US and 35,000+ servers worldwide. I found that Washington DC servers provided me with the best speeds that allowed for streaming at FullHD resolution. Other US connections, like New York and LA, also have zero issues with providing seamless Hulu streams.

You can download plugins for Chrome and Firefox to watch Hulu on your browser. The extensions come with an extensive server list in the US and all connections provided me with good speeds. This is useful if you don’t want to encrypt the traffic on your whole device, but still wish to use your Hulu account with minimal interruptions.

You can choose between a 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year subscription, although the 2-year + 2 months subscription gives you the lowest monthly price. It comes down to just $2.19 per month, which makes PIA an extremely affordable premium VPN.

It’s risk-free to put PIA to the test with Hulu on your devices with its 30-day money-back guarantee. As long as you explain why you want to cancel (I said I couldn’t afford the subscription anymore), the live chat agent will approve your refund in less than 30 seconds. I received the money back within 10 business days.

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	6,300+
📱Devices	10
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly.

I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to work — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, NordVPN’s servers work with Netflix for smooth, buffer-free streaming.

I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it mostly worked with Netflix, it sometimes had issues and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption
• kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
• built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
• fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN

In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.

With plans that cost as little as $2.99 per month, it's easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.

Get NordVPN today

5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds

Great VPN

Great VPN

📍Servers	3,200+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out.

I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality.

When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users
• Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default
• diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)
• kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)
• IP and DNS leak protection

Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account.

While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.

You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $1.99. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!).

Get Surfshark today

Comparison Table: 2024’s Best VPNs for Hulu

Try ExpressVPN with Hulu risk-free

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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Warning! None of These VPNs Work With Hulu in 2024

Hulu regularly blacklists new VPNs (including top services on the market), so most VPNs don’t work with the platform anymore — even if they used to in the past. During testing, the VPNs below proved to lack the appropriate technology needed to compete with Hulu’s updates:

Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps To Use a VPN to Watch Hulu

Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Watch Hulu and Hulu Live TV With a VPN

How to Download the Hulu App on Your iOS Device

1. Connect to a VPN server in the US.
2. Log in to your US Apple ID or create a new one set to the US. This is the only way to avoid losing your current subscriptions and app purchases.
3. Make sure your region is set to the US and you have a local payment method. Hulu only accepts US credit cards or PayPal payments.
4. Open the App Store and download Hulu.
5. Once it’s done, open the Hulu app and log in to your account or set up a new subscription.
6. That’s it! Now you can start streaming your favorite shows and movies on Hulu on your iOS device.

 How to Get the Hulu App on Android

1. Get a VPN and connect to a US server.
2. Sign in to your Google Play account or set up a new profile. Just remember to set your location as the US.
3. Visit pay.google.com and check you have a US payment method and zip code. This information is available in your account settings.
4. Force stop Google Play on your Android device. To do so, go into your device’s Settings > Apps > Google Play and tap “Force Stop.”
5. Open Google Play, search for the Hulu app, and press “Download.”
6. After the app downloads, log in to your streaming account on Hulu or create a new one.
7. Select the show you want to watch from Hulu’s library and start streaming!

Alternatively, you can download Hulu on Android through an APK file from a third party. Before you start, you have to enable downloads from unknown sources in your device’s settings — otherwise, Android will block the file.

You should also never download Hulu APK files without an active VPN connection as many third-party APK sites contain malware that could expose your data. When the download finishes, tap on the file to prompt the app installation and start streaming Hulu exclusives.

How I Tested and Ranked the Best Hulu VPN

Out of all the VPNs out there, only selected ones actually work with Hulu. To pinpoint the best services for Hulu, I tested over 65 top VPNs on the market against these strict criteria:

• Big server network worldwide, with multiple servers in the US to watch Hulu without sudden slowdowns and quality drops.
• Secure and reliable connection to Hulu, so you don’t have to deal with streaming errors or hackers on public WiFi.
• Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth to watch as many shows on Hulu as you want in high quality and with no stuttering.
• Broad streaming device compatibility, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Firestick, routers, and more.
• Responsive 24/7 customer service for getting help with logging into Hulu whenever you need it.
• Money-back guarantee, so you can try the VPNs with Hulu without any risk.

FAQs on Watching Hulu With VPNs

Can I use a free VPN to watch Hulu?

Sadly, no. I found that even the best free VPNs don’t have the resources to work reliably with Hulu. With a smaller database of IP addresses and mediocre security, free VPNs make it easy to block their IP addresses and don’t effectively hide your connection.

If you somehow find a free VPN that works with Hulu, your streaming experience will most likely be very frustrating. Free VPNs have fewer servers than paid competitors, which results in overcrowded and slow connections. This leads to high stream pixelation, buffering, lags, and extended loading times.

Worse yet, many free VPNs make a profit by collecting and selling your private information (including full name, address, and location). This practice can put you at risk of various scams, data theft, and cyberattacks.

You shouldn’t pay for a free VPN with your personal data. Instead, I recommend you use CyberGhost to watch Hulu for free for 45 days. The money-back guarantee lets you get a full refund if you don’t like the VPN. Just connect to the 24/7 live chat and cancel your account before the policy runs out — it’s that simple! I had my money back within 7 business days.

A CyberGhost agent processed my refund within 2 minutes

How can I access Hulu from another country?

A top streaming VPN can technically change your IP address to one in the US to watch Hulu but I don’t condone doing this as it’s against the platform’s terms of service.

Even though Hulu is available in Japan, it operates as a separate service. This means that even if you have a US account, you won’t be able to use it when you visit Japan. Vice versa, Japanese residents won’t be able to access their usual Hulu library when traveling through the US.

Can I use a VPN to fix the Hulu home location error?

Yes, but you need to get a VPN with dedicated IP addresses to get the same combination every time you connect to a US server. Normally, VPNs randomly assign you a different IP whenever you set up your connection, which can trigger Hulu to generate the home location error:

It seems like you’re not at home. Your current ZIP code and IP address don’t match the location of your home. Due to streaming rights, watching on this device outside of your home network isn’t available.

Using the same IP address every time you log in to Hulu minimizes the possibility of encountering the home error. Luckily, CyberGhost offers dedicated IP addresses at a small extra cost.

Alternatively, you can fix the problem by changing your home network in your Hulu account. To do so, you need to log out of your account and use a streaming device (like a gaming console or a smart TV) to sign back into Hulu. Then, tap on Privacy and Settings and update your location in Set or Change Home Network.

Hulu provides the option to modify your home location up to four times annually. It’s important to note that you must revert the changes once you return from your travels. Consequently, each journey will necessitate two updates to your network settings.

How does Hulu know I’m using a VPN?

Hulu may recognize you’re using a VPN if its IP address was flagged as a suspicious connection. The platform determines this by checking how many viewers are using the same IP at once. This is usually a good indication that your connection originates from a VPN server, so Hulu automatically prompts the P-EDU101 error code:

It looks like you’re using an anonymous proxy or a VPN.
You’ll need to disable it to watch Hulu.

The streaming site also checks for discrepancies between your IP address and DNS servers. Depending on which VPN you use, it may struggle to assign you a DNS server that matches the location of your IP address.

As an illustration, when you connect to a VPN server in the US, your location appears to be in the US. However, there’s a possibility of unintentionally connecting to a UK DNS server. This could signal that the service you’re using alters your location, prompting Hulu to promptly block your traffic.

Both issues can be fixed with a reputable VPN for Hulu. All VPNs in the list protect their IP addresses by keeping them completely private. They also regularly check their servers and update available IPs and DNS connections to make sure they aren’t blocked by Hulu.

Why isn’t my VPN working with Hulu?

If your VPN isn’t working with Hulu, it may mean that the platform blacklisted its IP address. This often happens to free or mid-range VPNs with fewer IP addresses in their databases, so choose a VPN with multiple servers in the US to reduce the chances of being blocked.

If you still can’t access Hulu, you should:

• Reconnect to a different server. This will reassign your device with a new IP address that may work better with Hulu.
• Delete your cookies and cache. These store trackers within your browser can sometimes reveal your original IP address when you try to open Hulu, which could cause an error.
• Use ipleak.net to check for IP and DNS leaks. The website is free to use and it’ll instantly show you whether your VPN is leaking your location details.
• Get a VPN with IPv6 leak protection. This will ensure that your device won’t reveal your details outside of your server connection. You also won’t have to fumble with buttons to disable IPv6 in your device’s settings.
• Enable Smart DNS if your VPN offers it. This alternate configuration for devices not normally compatible with VPNs sometimes works better. But you can only use it on devices that allow you to edit your DNS settings (smart TVs, Apple TV, or gaming consoles, for ex.).
• Reach out to your VPN’s customer support. A knowledgeable agent will walk you through all possible troubleshooting options and recommend specific servers that work with Hulu.

If you go through all possible solutions and still can’t log in to Hulu, you should sign up for a new VPN that has proved to work with the platform. To not waste any of your time, I recommend you try ExpressVPN for instant access to your Hulu account. The VPN is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee too, so you can get a full refund if you change your mind.

How can I pay for Hulu outside the US?

Although you can theoretically use a VPN to pay for and watch Hulu outside the US, it’s against the platform’s terms of use and as such, I don’t condone it. This is true even if your US credit card expires, gets lost, or is stolen when you’re working or traveling abroad.

If you still need to pay from outside the US, download a secure VPN that works with Hulu to get a US IP address. Without it, you won’t even be able to check Hulu’s subscription plans. Use your US credit card or PayPal account and home zip code to subscribe. You’ll also need:

• A valid Hulu gift card purchased directly from the streaming platform or a third-party seller, like MyGiftCardSupply or GiftCards.
• A StatesCard account, which will give you a virtual credit card for around $4 per month. However, sometimes the service doesn’t accept new subscribers, so you may not always be able to use it.
• Prepaid Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, or Discover cards. You’ll need to use your US home address to set it up.
• Set up a US PayPal account. Even if your current account is linked to a different country, you can adjust it to your new US address in profile settings.

How come Hulu is so slow when connected to a VPN?

Connecting to a VPN to watch Hulu typically slows down your traffic to reroute it through an independent server. Depending on your base traffic and your chosen VPN, this may cause increased loading times, lagging, and buffering on Hulu.

Luckily, all VPNs recommended above cause a rather insignificant speed difference that should still let you watch Hulu without problems. If your WiFi network isn’t very fast, I recommend you download ExpressVPN as it provided me with the smallest speed drop on its US servers. You can even test ExpressVPN with Hulu risk-free yourself. If your streams are still too slow, you have up to 30 days to request a refund.

Can I watch Hulu on my Smart TV or a gaming console with a VPN?

Yes, but you need to choose a VPN with Smart DNS. That’s because many smart TVs, gaming consoles, and casting devices don’t support native VPN apps. Setting up Smart DNS lets you connect all devices on the same WiFi to a US server just by entering a special code within their settings.

At first, this process seemed complicated, but I found that ExpressVPN has easy step-by-step instructions on how to use MediaStreamer — its own Smart DNS feature. It only takes a few minutes to configure and allows you to stream Hulu on Chromecast, AppleTV, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Firestick, Xfinity, Roku, LG TV, Samsung TV, and more.

If your chosen VPN doesn’t come with Smart DNS, you can still try to use it to watch Hulu on Smart TVs or gaming consoles by installing it on your home router. However, your VPN needs to be compatible with router installation (which not many VPNs offer). This method also won’t work if you’re logging into Hulu from a hotel or airport as you won’t be able to change WiFi settings there.

Is it legal to watch Hulu with VPN?

Yes, it’s legal to use a VPN to watch Hulu, but it can be complicated. Hulu states that you can’t use software to deliberately bypass geo-restrictions. While this doesn’t specifically mention VPNs, you might be breaking the platform’s T&Cs when you use it to access your account when you travel. There’s been no record of Hulu actively chasing its users for connecting to their accounts with a VPN though. If the platform discovers you’re using a VPN, it’ll most likely block you with a streaming error.

Only a few countries, like China and North Korea, ban VPNs — so you won’t be able to watch Hulu from there. Check local rules before you travel to make sure you’re not breaking the law.

Which VPN location is the best for Hulu?

This depends on where you are as you’ll get the best speeds for Hulu when you connect to a VPN server as close to your physical location as possible. Many VPNs on the list can automatically find the best location for Hulu for you as long as you tap on the US as your selected country.

I used ExpressVPN’s built-in speed test to evaluate the speed of my internet connection. This convenient feature within the VPN app enabled me to perform quick checks and receive nearly instant results. I noticed that ExpressVPN consistently connected me to the swiftest server, eliminating the need for manual reconnections.

You can test ExpressVPN’s servers for Hulu risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. That way you can get a refund if you’re not happy with its server speeds.

Can I watch Hulu with a proxy instead of a VPN?

Yes, but online proxies don’t work as well as top VPNs for Hulu. Most proxies don’t provide the anonymity needed to log in to your streaming account as they don’t protect your whole traffic, which allows for accidental data leaks. They also don’t have as many IP addresses as VPNs and often make them public by using widely-available online databases. This allows Hulu to blacklist them and block you with a proxy error.

If you don’t want to download a VPN app, ExpressVPN has a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. You can connect to a US server directly from your browser and start watching Hulu.

Start Watching Hulu (+ Live TV) Today!

Hulu can be a bit expensive as a subscription service, so it can be quite frustrating when you can’t watch it while connected to a VPN. It’s essential to find a VPN service that is both trustworthy and reliable, as not all VPNs are compatible with Hulu. Without a dependable VPN, you might end up spending money on an additional VPN you can’t even use.

Fortunately, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Hulu and it has reliable US servers and fast speeds. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with it, you can easily request a refund.

Summary — Best VPNs for Hulu in 2024

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

9.8

Read Reviews

$4.99 / month Save 61%

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2.

9.6

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$2.19 / month Save 83%

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3.

9.4

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$2.19 / month Save 82%

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3.

9.4

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$2.03 / month Save 83%

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4.

9.4

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$2.99 / month Save 76%

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5.

9.4

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$1.99 / month Save 87%

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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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.