Best VPNs to Watch Hulu Abroad (Updated for 2024)

Best VPNs to Watch Hulu Abroad in 2024

Hulu is a video subscription website or app that has made big waves in recent years. With contributors like NBC, Fox, Comedy Central, SyFy, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, ABC, and PBS, Hulu subscribers get to watch lots of amazing content for a small subscription fee.

But Hulu has geo-blockers on users not located in the United States or Japan. This means that you cannot stream from Hulu if you are not located in either of these two countries. This is extremely annoying, especially when a new episode of your favorite show has just been released. But there is a way to get around Hulu’s rules.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be used to bypass this restriction and grant you access to all the content you’d like by masking your real IP address with a US or Japanese-based one. VPNs go even further by encrypting your web traffic, giving your streaming another blanket of privacy.

5 Best VPNs for Hulu

Hulu has a very advanced VPN ban, and so, not all VPNs can unblock it. To save you the stress of finding a VPN that’s capable of achieving this, we’ve selected the five best VPNs for unblocking Hulu below.

Dive in!

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN devices

Features

  • Number of servers: More than 3,000
  • Speeds: Unlimited
  • Server locations: 160 in 94 countries
  • Maximum devices supported: 5
  • 24 live chat: Yes
  • 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

Pros/Cons

  • Fastest VPN out there
  • Strict no logs policy
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Few discounts
Visit ExpressVPN

As one of the oldest VPNs out there, ExpressVPN has consistently proven itself to be a cut above the rest. It distinguishes itself once again in the efficient streaming of Hulu.

ExpressVPN boasts of around 3000 servers, and over 100 of them are in the US. In case you don’t want to waste your time searching for which ones connect to Hulu, you can ask for a recent list of such servers on this provider’s website. Their customer service runs 24/7 with no exceptions, so, in case of any problems, help is always readily available.

Subscribing to ExpressVPN grants you the use of MediaStreamer, a smart DNS (Domain Name System) proxy. MediaStreamer is an automatic feature that activates immediately you connect to a VPN server. It also serves the function of unblocking geo-restricted sites such as Hulu.

ExpressVPN clocks breakneck speeds and has a stable network, which means a smooth stream with no buffering for you. In the slight chance that your streaming might be abruptly interrupted, a kill switch serves to close up your connection and not allow any data in or out until the link is re-established.

To further ensure your privacy and uninterrupted streaming, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy and has recently begun to use TrustedServer technology. This new technology has adopted the use of volatile memory (RAM) to store data only as long as you’re online. RAM needs power to store data, so when you switch off your connection to a server, all the data used is completely wiped. This function eliminates the risk that your streaming session might be traced to you.

In addition to that, ExpressVPN allows up to five simultaneous connections and has apps for platforms such as Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux, AndroidTV, and iOS. It also has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, as well as an app you can use on routers.

ExpressVPN has 3 main subscription plans which get progressively cheaper as you commit to longer time-frames. There is the 1-month plan for $12.95 per month. The 6-month plan is priced at $9.99 per month and billed at $59.95 every 6 months. The 12-month plan is priced at $6.67 per month and is charged at $99.95 every 12 months. ExpressVPN is currently holding a promo, so you get an extra 3 months free when you pay for the 12-month plan.

If you’re still a little wary of putting down money for this service, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you try it and find that you’re dissatisfied with the services provided, your payment will be wholly refunded with no questions asked.

  • Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $6.67

NordVPN

NordVPN devices

Features

  • Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: 6
  • Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
  • Servers: 5342 in 58 countries

Pros/Cons

  • Lots of pricing options
  • Netflix support kept up to date
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Slow app
Visit NordVPN

Another great VPN provider for streaming Hulu is NordVPN. NordVPN has around 5,600 servers in over 60 countries. And, good news for Hulu streamers – of those 5,600 servers, over 1500 are located in the US and 50+ in Japan! So many server choices for streaming! You can find the best servers to stream Hulu on the website’s knowledge base and favorite them for quick use later.

You can also hook up 6 simultaneous connections, which is excellent for families, couples, or just binge-watching with friends. SmartPlay is to NordVPN what MediaStreamer is to ExpressVPN. It’s a secure DNS proxy that can bypass geo-restrictions and allow you access to stream your favorite shows. It works particularly well with Hulu, securing a connection from almost anywhere in the world. SmartPlay is a default feature; it’s always switched on.

NordVPN takes no chances with your privacy and guards your data with many features. It is equipped with a feature (Double VPN) that encrypts your IP address twice, confusing anyone who might want to take a peek at whether you’re using a VPN or not. The CyberSec feature blocks any ads, malware, and phishing threats. WiFiSec automatically connects NordVPN when browsing with a new Wi-Fi connection. And of course, there’s your kill switch, but unlike in many VPNs, you cannot disable the kill switch with NordVPN. As we said, this VPN provider takes no chances.

Along with all those features, NordVPN also boasts of good network speed, fast enough to stream Hulu in HD. It has apps for all the major platforms – MacOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and iOS. There are manual setups offered for all other platforms. In case you encounter a problem on your way to streaming or just in general, you can refer to their 24/7 professional customer care service and have it fixed ASAP.

NordVPN allows you to stream Hulu and other restricted content at some of the most competitive prices. The 1-month plan is priced at $11.95 per month. The 1-year plan is priced at $6.99 per month, billed at $83.88 every year. The 2-year plan’s rate is $4.99 per month, billed at $119.76 every 2 years. The 3-year plan is placed at $3.49 per month and is billed at $125.64 every 3 years.

In addition to its reasonable pricing, NordVPN offers a free 3-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not pleased with NordVPN after a month, they’ll send you your money back, no questions asked.

  • Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: $3.71

Surfshark

Surfshark devices

Features

  • Free trial? Yes
  • Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
  • Ad blocking? Yes
  • Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries

Pros/Cons

  • No footprints
  • Allows torrenting
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Not the fastest
Try Surfshark

Surfshark is a relative newcomer into the internet privacy industry, but that makes its features that much more amazing. With over 1000 servers in 50+ countries, Surfshark is a bit of a hidden diamond.

This VPN provider has robust unblocking qualities, though. It unblocks Hulu and other content streaming sites with near unfailing accuracy. It may be because Surfshark is a new VPN provider, and Hulu has not been able to find a way to block them effectively.

Along with its great unblocking features, it does not keep logs. It also has a kill switch equipped for any interrupted browsing sessions. When streaming restricted content like Hulu, Surfshark has recorded speeds that are well above average and more than enough to stream HD quality videos.

A great advantage of Surfshark is its unlimited number of simultaneous connections. This makes it a perfect VPN for you and your entire family as a blanket privacy protection plan. Surfshark is supported on all the major platforms, but not all of the lesser-known ones, so it might be advisable that you invest in a router and connect it to the VPN directly.

Though its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, Surfshark’s prices are also some of the cheapest we’ve ever seen. At the moment, it’s at $1.77 per month for the 27-month plan, which is billed at $47.76. The 12-month plan is $5.99 per month, charged at $71.88 and the 1-month plan at $11.95 per month, which is pretty standard pricing for a VPN.

  • Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest Price: $2.49

CyberGhost

CyberGhost devices

Features

  • Connected devices at once: 7
  • Automatic kill switch? Yes
  • One click connect: Yes
  • Servers: 5900 worldwide

Pros/Cons

  • No logs policy
  • 24/7 live chat
  • Apps for mobile devices and routers
  • No free option
Try CyberGhost

CyberGhost has gone through a bit of a makeover/update and is now well-known as one of the best VPNs for unblocking geo-restricted content. With over 5,700 servers worldwide in 90 countries and over 1000 of them located in the US, 40+ in Japan, and around 220 in Canada, there is no version of Hulu that CyberGhost can’t unblock.

CyberGhost has dedicated streaming servers and high tech encryption software designed to make sure that your content is unblocked and you cannot be tracked. It ensures that your activity and identity is hidden completely. You can secure up to 7 devices at once with dedicated apps for platforms such as Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and routers.

This VPN does not log your activities and assures no DNS leaks. CyberGhost also has exceptionally high speeds. Speeds high enough to stream HD and even 4k videos on it without buffering. Its interface is so easy to use that even the most untried beginner can be streaming The Good Place in a few minutes. But, even if you do have a problem with any of CyberGhost’s apps or features, professional customer service agents are happy to help 24/7.

All these features and speeds can be tested with a generous 7-day free trial and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost has its best deal at $2.75/month. For this price, you get the 3-year plan, which has 2 months free. The 2-year plan is slightly more expensive a $3.69 per month. The 1-year plan is still affordable at $5.99 per month. The monthly plan tops out at $12.99 per month. A longer commitment pays here.

  • Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
  • Lowest price: €2

UltraVPN

UltraVPN devices

Features

  • One click connect? Yes
  • Servers: 100+ superfast servers
  • Bandwidth cap? No
  • Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Pros/Cons

  • Firewall
  • Apps for all devices
  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • Not as many servers as others
Try UltraVPN

Ultra VPN is another VPN that offers fantastic service for a small fee. This provider has quality unblocking features that efficiently unblock Hulu and other sites like it. The apps have an amazingly easy-to-use interface that makes it ideal for beginners with support for all major platforms. This VPN has 100+ servers in over 55 countries. There is a high number of these servers in the US, which is good news for Hulu streamers!

It also does not compromise the quality of your connections. That is, it ensures stability and speed for all your browsing and streaming needs. The speeds recorded for UltraVPN are more than enough to watch HD videos on Hulu, without buffering. This is made even better with the allowance of 6 simultaneous connections.

Privacy is also 100% ensured with zero-logging policy, its leak-free DNS servers, and a kill switch placed within the user’s line of sight on its apps. Speaking of apps, UltraVPN is available on all the major platforms – Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

UltraVPN is designed to be a simple, easy-to-use, but functional VPN, and for a relatively new VPN, it gives a lot of bang for your buck. There is a free version of UltraVPN, but it shrinks the number of servers you’re allowed, so it pays to subscribe.

UltraVPN’s rates start at $7.99 for the 1-month plan. It charges $5.99 for the 6-month plan, billed at $35.94 every 6 months. The 12-month plan is the most economical at $3.75 per month, charged at $45 every year.

The option of a 30-day money-back guarantee is there for those that may not be satisfied with UltraVPN’s services.

  • Pros: Firewall; Apps for all devices; 256-bit AES encryption;
  • Lowest price: €2.99

Can Hulu Block VPNs?

Yes, they absolutely can. And they will too if they get a hint that you’re using a VPN. An error message will pop up straight away, explaining that you need to disable your anonymous proxy tool (VPN) to access Hulu.

Hulu does not allow users who are living in locations apart from the United States or Japan to access its content, and it is continually upgrading its blockers to seek out those who might want to get past its strict restrictions. These powerful blockers are the reason why a lot of VPNs are unable to unblock Hulu.

You might also be wondering if free VPNs work with Hulu.

Do free VPNs work with Hulu?

There may be a few VPNs out there that are entirely free and can unblock Hulu. We can never know them all. But what we do know is that it takes constant money, time, and human resources to be able to keep up with the monster firewalls Hulu has created to keep proxies and VPNs out.

These resources have to be gotten from somewhere, and if a VPN provider that offers this kind of enormous service is free, then it’s likely that something is being sacrificed for the service to be provided. Big VPN provided, such as the ones recommended above, use the revenue gained from billing the users.

But free VPNs do not receive payments, so how do they get the money to operate? This is enough to cast suspicion on free VPNs. Though some of them allow ads to generate income, others are not so clear on how they make money needed to continue providing the service, which can be pretty sinister. There have been cases of free VPN providers giving out or selling customers’ information for profit.

Some free VPNs can unblock streaming websites like Hulu for you, but you’ll be severely limited by the bandwidth restrictions, limited server selections, and slower speeds.

In essence, there is no situation in which a free VPN can provide full unblocking services on such a complicated firewall as the one protecting Hulu’s content for nothing at all. There must always be a catch, and if you can’t see it in the features, you might find it in a loophole in the privacy policy that can be used against customers.

If this is something you can deal with, then, by all means, use a free VPN. But if you can’t, it’s easier to pick a VPN that’s cheap and still has great service. There are a number of them on our list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I watch Hulu abroad? 

You can watch Hulu from any location using a VPN. A VPN is a private network that helps hide your IP address and gives you access to geo-restricted content and sites. To watch Hulu broad, you need to download a reliable VPN service, change your server to a preferred location, open Hulu and start streaming. 

Can I use a free VPN to watch Hulu?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch Hulu. However, free VPNs are not recommended. When streaming Hulu with a free VPN, you have to anticipate slow buffering. Whenever there is a lot of traffic on the server, your network may get slow and makes it difficult to stream properly. Free VPNs also do not have the best security features to keep your connection secure. 

What is the recommended VPN to use in watching Hulu?

ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the best VPNs to use in watching Hulu abroad. These VPN providers have a wide variety of servers to help grant you easy access to Hulu from any part of the world. They are reliable and offer good speed when streaming, so you won’t have to worry about slow streaming speed. In terms of security, they also use military-grade encryption and have the necessary security and privacy features to protect your connection. 

Will a VPN affect my internet connection when streaming Hulu? 

When using a reliable VPN service, your internet connection will not be affected. These premium VPN providers have numerous servers that can accommodate huge traffic without slowing down your internet connection. Your VPN will not interfere with your internet service and hence give you good streaming speed. 

How do I choose the best VPN for streaming Hulu?

Before choosing any VPN provider, consider the number of allocation of servers, the streaming speed, security, and cost of the VPN. 

In conclusion

It can be so frustrating and disappointing to get that error message on your Hulu app, simply because of a little thing like the location. But now, with the help of the VPNs we’ve explained above, the stress of scrolling through the features page of VPN services is a little bit more manageable. You don’t have to scroll through VPN review websites and compare providers while checking if they can unblock Hulu.

You can now select a VPN based on your budget, the speeds you feel you need, and the online privacy you want. Focus on these factors when making a decision on which VPN to use out of the five we’ve explained. You can rest assured that all of them will allow you access to Hulu, without issues.