Best VPNs to watch Hulu outside the US in 2026

Hulu is one of the top TV and film streaming services in the US, boasting content from a whole range of film studios and TV channels. But it isn’t really ever spoken about as much outside the country.
It might be because you can only watch Hulu if you reside in the US. And even those who live there cannot watch Hulu when travelling abroad. But there is a solution – using a VPN. A VPN allows you to change your IP address to a server anywhere in the world, in this case, the US.
Still, not every VPN is a suitable option for the job, especially if you want to stream in 4K UHD quality without any lag or buffering. In this article, we break down the best VPNs for Hulu in 2023.
3 Best VPNs for Hulu to watch it outside the US
- NordVPN – Best VPN for Hulu overall
- Surfshark VPN – Good Hulu VPN with unlimited connections
- ExpressVPN – Super-speedy VPN for Hulu
Why is VPN necessary to watch Hulu outside the US
Hulu is one of the streaming giants, with a huge range of TV shows and movies that can keep you entertained for months. It's no surprise that it has over 43 million subscribers today.
Sadly, due to strict licensing laws in the US, only those living there can enjoy watching Hulu. You may have come across the annoying message, “sorry, this content isn’t available in your area”, when trying to watch shows on popular streaming services on the go.
It means you can’t watch Hulu anywhere else unless you have a reliable VPN. It is perfectly legal to do so, and top providers like NordVPN allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and watch your favorite shows from anywhere.
So all you need to do is pick a tried and tested VPN with plenty of servers located in the US. Also, check if it has superb speeds for stable connectivity and smooth streaming. Useful features like leak protection and encryption are also required to ensure your connection is secure.
Best VPNs for Hulu overview
We tested a ton of VPNs to find out which is the best VPN for Hulu. We did this by looking at the number of servers based in the US, the overall performance and speed of the connection, as well as its ability to unlock geo-restricted content.
1. NordVPN – the best all-round VPN for unlocking Hulu
NordVPN is one of the market leaders thanks to its lightning-fast connection speeds, top-of-the-range security measures, and its ability to unlock everything you can throw at it. All of these features coupled with its affordable pricing make it our best VPN for Hulu in 2026.
This provider currently has 1970+ servers located in the US alone, meaning you can safely access Hulu from anywhere in the world. You can also access geo-locked content on all the other major streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. All thanks to NordVPN's superb unblocking capabilities.
NordVPN also has some of the fastest connection speeds out there. It means you can watch as many of your favorite movies and TV shows without annoying lag getting in the way. Moreover, the provider includes useful security features like industry-leading encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection. Thus, your connection is secure and safe at all times.
Currently, you can sign up for NordVPN for as little as $3.49/month, or better still, try it free for 7 days. For extra peace of mind, you can benefit from its 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a hassle-free purchase.
2. Surfshark – best for watching Hulu on multiple devices
Surfshark is a great VPN for watching Hulu thanks to its excellent speeds, low-cost monthly plans, unlimited connections, and unblocking abilities. If you're on a budget, go ahead and grab the Surfshark coupon code "OFFCN".
At the time of writing, Surfshark has 29 server locations in the US, so you can watch Hulu on your travels wherever you are in the world. Even China, famed for its strict internet laws. It can also unlock the familiar faces in the streaming world such as Netflix, Peacock TV, and Amazon – in fact, it unlocked everything we could throw at it.
The speeds and overall performance are among the best we’ve tested, so you can stream all the movies and TV shows you love in HD, with no lag whatsoever. Plus, Surfshark allows you to browse safely thanks to its rich suite of security features. These include leak protection and a kill switch should your connection drop unexpectedly.
All of this comes at an incredibly reasonable price of just $2.79/month, making it one of the more affordable premium plans out there. You can also try it free for 7 days, or take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. ExpressVPN – super-fast VPN for watching Hulu
ExpressVPN is a well-established and respected provider in the VPN world thanks to its incredible speeds, no-nonsense approach to security, and its uncanny ability to unlock Hulu as well as most other streaming services.
It has a huge number of servers scattered across the world, with 28 currently in the US. This means you can easily stream Hulu, Netflix US, Disney+, and so much more from wherever you are located.
This provider also has exceptional speeds thanks to ExpressVPN’s own secure tunnelling protocol – Lightway. This is crucial for watching movies and shows you love uninterrupted. It also allows for HD streaming on all the major sites, thanks to the solid speeds. In terms of security, the usual features are included, like leak protection and a dedicated kill switch should your connection drop at any time.
It is one of the pricier options out there, with the lowest cost monthly plan starting from $2.49/month, making it nearly twice as much per month as NordVPN.
How we picked these best VPNs for Hulu
In order to provide you with the very best options, we test our VPNs according to the following criteria:
- Unblocking. We make sure these VPNs can unblock Hulu as well as other major streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
- Speed. It's important that these VPNs offer good connection speeds so you can enjoy your favorite shows in HD, without the fear of constant lag.
- US Servers. In order to watch Hulu from outside the US, you need a VPN with a large number of servers based there. This means that if any server stops working, you can easily select another from the list.
- Security. Your activities have to be properly hidden from snoopers and hackers. We make sure our top VPNs include powerful encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and other security features.
How to watch Hulu with a VPN
Want to watch Hulu on the go? Follow the guides provided below to watch Hulu using a VPN on all your devices.
How to watch Hulu on an iPhone or Android with a VPN
- Head over to the Apple App Store or Google Play store and install a VPN with plenty of US servers. We recommend trying NordVPN.
- Open the app and select a server in the US
- Head over to the Hulu website and signup for a new account
- Enter your email address and password and complete the setup
- Download the Hulu app onto your device
- Login with your new account details
- Sit back, relax, and start enjoying your favorite movies and shows!
How to watch Hulu on Windows or Mac with a VPN
- Download a reliable VPN like NordVPN onto your computer
- Locate the file, and launch the app
- Select a US server from the server list
- Go to the Hulu website and create an account (or log in if you have one)
- That's it! Now you can watch your favorite shows on the go.
Hulu not working with VPN – easy fix
Sometimes things don’t work like they’re supposed to, but do not worry, there is usually a very simple fix. You probably need a better VPN for streaming if you have one set up but are still getting error messages.
Here is a list of common issues you might encounter:
- Your IP address doesn't match the GPS location of your device
- Hulu has identified and blocked your current server
- Your browser cookies might be giving away your true location
- Your real IP address is leaking
- You're using a VPN that can't unblock Hulu
Try some of these simple fixes:
- Disable your phone's GPS tracking feature
- Try using a different web browser
- Delete the cache and cookies from your web browser
- Make sure leak protection is turned on in your VPN settings
- Contact your VPNs customer support team
- Try using a different VPN provider
Usually, any of the above issues can be fixed with the following solutions. To avoid these, we recommend using a premium provider like NordVPN.
How to watch Hulu outside the US for free
You can watch Hulu free for one month (with ads) if you live in the US, or use a VPN to virtually relocate yourself there. After the trial ends, you can choose from one of Hulu’s paid plans, with prices starting from $7.99/month.
There are free VPNs out there that promise so much, but deliver so little. While they are tempting, we recommend you trying a premium provider instead.
It is important to note that free VPNs won’t often have the ability to unlock geo-restricted content. This is usually down to the fact that they have a small server fleet, so Hulu identifies and blocks them quickly.
There have also been reports that certain free VPNs have sold customer data to third parties and advertisers. Not to mention all the annoying pop-up ads and data caps they impose.
We would always recommend using paid providers. Most premium VPNs have proven track records in unblocking geo-locked content, do not limit data and bandwidth, and facilitate great speed.
For example, NordVPN also has a 7-day free trial you can use to test whether it's for you. Better still, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its paid plans for a hassle-free purchase.
Hulu shows and movies worth watching
Hulu has a huge range of movies and TV shows that can keep you entertained for hours. Here are some of our top picks on what to watch:
| Movie/Show | Genre |
| Schitt's Creek, Seasons 1-6 | Comedy/Sitcom |
| Atlanta, Seasons 1-4 | Comedy |
| The Handmaid’s Tale, Seasons 1-5 | Drama |
| Welcome to Wrexham, Season 1 | Documentary |
| The Patient, Season 1 | Drama |
| The Tax Collector (2020) | Crime/Action |
| The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) | Comedy |
| Liar Liar (1997) | Comedy |
| Oculus (2013) | Horror |
Wrapping up
So as you now know, Hulu is only available to those living in the US. All thanks to the strict licensing laws imposed across the country. Which is unfortunate, since the platform has a huge rande of movies and binge-worthy TV shows.
Thankfully, you can tune into Hulu with the help of a VPN. Such reputable providers as NordVPN come with plenty of US servers, great speeds for seamless streaming, and top-notch security measures. Plus, these services are useful for other online activities.
FAQ
Can I watch Hulu outside of the US?
Yes. You can watch Hulu from anywhere in the world by using a VPN like NordVPN and connecting to a server in the US.
How do I subscribe to Hulu outside the US?
You can subscribe to Hulu outside the US by using a VPN. You need to download and install a VPN, then connect to a server in the US. Then, head over to the Hulu website and signup as usual.
How do I bypass VPN block on Hulu?
You can bypass Hulu’s VPN blocks with Smart DNS. Hulu can detect VPNs by checking a user’s public IP address against their DNS settings. You can change DNS settings by using a tool called Smart DNS, which some VPNs like NordVPN offers.
Can I watch Hulu in India?
Yes, you can watch Hulu in India with the help of a VPN. Just subscribe to and install a VPN, connect to a US server, create an account on Hulu, and that’s it.
How do I get Hulu to work with VPN?
Simply download a reliable VPN. Then install it and connect to a US-based server. Head over to the Hulu website to create an account. That’s it.