5 Best Free VPNs for Hotstar — Tested and Working in 2023

It’s not easy to find a free VPN that will give you reliable access to Hotstar. Because India requires VPNs to hold user data for 5 years, many of these tools don’t offer Indian IP servers, which you’ll need to gain access to the platform. Even if they have servers in other Hotstar library locations, they often have slow speeds and severe data restrictions, so they’re not suitable for streaming.

My team and I tested 35+ free VPNs to find the best ones for Hotstar. Even though all free VPNs have limitations, I managed to shortlist a few that can unblock Hotstar and will let you stream for at least a couple of hours.

You’re always way better off using a low-cost premium VPN for streaming, and ExpressVPN is my top choice for accessing Hotstar. It’s not 100% free, but it doesn’t come with any restrictions like free VPNs do. It has fast speeds, unlimited data, and reliable virtual Indian servers to let you stream Hotstar India and other libraries in HD. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free >>

Best Free VPNs for Hotstar — Full Analysis (2023 Update)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best Hotstar VPN With Fast Speeds and Reliable Access

ExpressVPN is the fastest Hotstar VPN I tested, making it a solid choice for lag-free streaming. On its virtual Indian servers, I recorded an average download speed of 121Mbps, which is a speed drop of only 7%. I watched Taaza Khabar on Hotstar India in HD with no buffering or slowdowns.

I used ExpressVPN’s India via Singapore connection to watch Taaza Khabar

These fast speeds are thanks to ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol. This protocol is designed to provide stable connections and keep speed loss to a minimum. Plus, it’s lightweight and consumes less battery, so it’s suitable for binge-watching Hotstar on mobile, while you’re on the go.

It’s super consistent when it comes to accessing Disney+ Hotstar, too. Unlike free VPNs that often require trial and error with different servers and security protocols, ExpressVPN gave me instant access to Hotstar with ease in my tests. I didn't even have to go through the hassle of switching servers or contacting support for assistance.

The only problem with ExpressVPN is that it’s not 100% free. That said, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. To put this guarantee to the test, I contacted support via 24/7 live chat and asked for a refund. The agent approved my request right away — no questions asked. I saw the money back in my account after 3 days.

Useful Features

• Works with other streaming services. Using ExpressVPN’s India via UK server, I could access Voot, Zee5, and SonyLiv. I could also access many other streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.
• Easy to use. I’m a fan of ExpressVPN’s simple and sleek interface. To access Hotstar India, simply select one of its virtual Indian servers, click the “Power” button to connect, and you’re all set. You can even add a server location to “Favorites” for easy access in the future.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free >>

2. CyberGhost — Hotstar-Optimized Server for Easy Access to the Platform

CyberGhost is one of my go-to VPNs for accessing Hotstar because of its optimized server for the platform. When I connected to this server, I got access to the platform within seconds. I didn’t have to hunt around for this server, either – it’s clearly indicated and listed in a specific “For streaming” tab in the app.

It never took me more than 2 seconds to connect to its dedicated Hotstar server

The CyberGhost team regularly tests and fine-tunes its optimized servers to ensure they consistently allow access to your favorite streaming platforms. I’ve been using its Hotstar server for over 2 years now, and it has always worked for me. I’ve never run into VPN blocks, and everything streams almost as fast as it would on my regular connection.

On that note, CyberGhost’s speeds really don't disappoint. I experienced a speed drop of only 11% on its Hotstar-optimized server – a far cry from the 40%+ drop I had when testing free VPNs. As I streamed Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo in HD, I didn't encounter any lag or buffering.

Similar to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost isn’t exactly 100% free either. But it offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try CyberGhost risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can get a refund. I tested its refund policy and got my money back in 4 days.

Useful Features

• Multiple simultaneous connections. CyberGhost offers 7 device connections. Whether you prefer to watch Hotstar on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, CyberGhost will accommodate all your devices under one subscription.
• Split-tunneling. With CyberGhost, you can control which sites use the VPN connection and which ones don’t. This lets you watch Hotstar outside India while still enjoying local search results or accessing regional geo-restricted sites.

Try CyberGhost Risk-Free >>

3. Avira Phantom VPN — Unlimited Connections to Stream Hotstar Without Interruptions

Avira Phantom VPN offers unlimited device connections, so you can watch Hotstar on any device without disrupting any of your other online activities. Most free VPNs only allow one device connection at a time, so I found this particularly impressive. To put this to the test, I connected 7 devices to the VPN and could still watch Hotstar without slowdowns.

While the free version only allows 1 server (nearest location) on the desktop, you have access to its entire server network on its mobile apps. This includes servers in the UK, Canada, and Singapore, which let me access these regional Hotstar libraries without much trouble.

Avira’s connections were reliable, too — I never experienced any drops

However, it doesn’t work with Hotstar India. Avira exited the country after the recent government regulations requiring VPNs to store user data. It doesn’t even offer virtual Indian servers with regional IP addresses, unlike ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. However, the libraries it can access do offer Indian content.

Useful Features

• Decent speeds. On its Singapore servers, I experienced a speed loss of only 27%, which is not bad for a free VPN. If you have a fast baseline connection, you should have no problem streaming Hotstar in HD.
• No signup required. You don’t need to sign up using an email to start using the service. Simply download the VPN app and start streaming. Just bear in mind that you’ll only get 500MB/month if you don’t use your email.

Try Avira Phantom VPN Free >>

4. hide.me — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection for Hotstar

The reason I like hide.me is that you can customize your connection for Hotstar streaming. For instance, you can choose between 4 VPN protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP, and SoftEtherVPN. In my tests, IKEv2 was the fastest protocol of the four, making it a good choice for streaming.

The free version offers servers in 3 Hotstar locations: Canada, Singapore, and the UK. However, I found that hide.me could only access Hotstar Singapore. The server let me access this consistently, though, so I was still able to watch some of my favorite shows.

Like Avira, hide.me doesn’t offer servers in India. These servers aren’t even available on the paid plan, which I was disappointed by. This means you can’t use it to access Hotstar India, which has the largest content library. However, you can watch some Indian content on Hotstar Singapore, so you’ll still get access to some of your shows overseas.

Useful Features

• 10GB data limit. With hide.me’s free plan, you get 10GB of data, which is pretty generous for a free VPN. That said, it’s only enough for about 6 hours of HD streaming.
• SoftEtherVPN. This protocol disguises your internet traffic as normal traffic, letting you access Hotstar, even on restrictive networks.

Try hide.me Free >>

5. TunnelBear — Free Hotstar VPN With a Large Server Network for Fast Connections

TunnelBear’s free plan grants you access to its complete server fleet, so you won’t have to worry about overcrowded servers or slowdowns while streaming Hotstar. Plus, unlike Avira, this isn’t limited to mobile devices; you can connect to any of TunnelBear's servers on a desktop as well.

During my tests on its Singapore and UK servers, I never had a speed loss of more than 23%. This makes it the fastest truly free VPN I tested. While it’s still not as fast as ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, you’ll have no problem streaming in HD.

While the speeds are pretty good, its servers are not reliable when it comes to unblocking Hotstar. I tested it with 4 Hotstar libraries, and it couldn’t unblock any of them. That said, I’ve had luck with it in the past, so it might be worth a try to see if it works for you.

Useful Features

• Easy to install and use. I found its interface really intuitive. The world map feature lets you connect to a location with just a click of a button.
• Unlimited connections. TunnelBear also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can watch Hotstar on any device without problems.

Try TunnelBear Free >>

Quick Comparison Table: Hotstar VPN Features

The following table showcases a comparison of features among the VPNs I've selected. It covers aspects such as connection speeds, server count, monthly data allocation, and the ability of each VPN to gain access to Hotstar India.

Tips on Choosing the Best Free VPN for Hotstar

Listed below are the criteria I used to rank my top picks. You can use this as a checklist when choosing a VPN for Hotstar.

• Risk-free. I made sure that each VPN on this list is either completely free and doesn’t require payment info, or is backed by a trustworthy money-back guarantee. That way, you can try it out without risking your hard-earned cash.
• Can access Hotstar. I thoroughly tested each VPN on this list to ensure that they can access at least one Hotstar library. Only the premium VPNs could access Hotstar India; free VPNs were limited to Hotstar UK, Canada, and Singapore.
• Fast speeds. Look for a free VPN that has fast speeds — it should ideally have a speed loss of less than 40%. This way, you can watch Hotstar in top quality without lag. Each free VPN on this list can stream Hotstar in HD without slowdowns.
• Enough data. The VPNs on this list offer enough data to cover 1-2 hours of streaming. The top 2 VPNs in this list have unlimited data, so you can binge-watch Hotstar without limitations.
• Compatible with your device. All VPNs on this list work with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, and you can watch Hotstar on each.

Watch Hotstar With ExpressVPN >>

Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs for Hotstar Aren’t Safe

VPNs that are advertised as free are really appealing but they’re not always safe. It requires extensive testing and research to find the ones that won’t put your privacy and security at risk.

So, to make sure I only recommend the safest free VPNs for Hotstar, I put all of the above-mentioned ones through various tests. These include IP/DNS leaks, malware checks, researching their privacy policies, and past practices. In short, they passed all my tests, and that’s how they deserved their place in this article.

In case you’re planning on using another free VPN, here are a couple of risks to keep in mind before deciding whether to use it or not.

• Free VPNs can sell your data. Many free VPNs make money by collecting and selling your data to third parties. This can put your privacy at risk. Be sure to read each free VPN’s logging policy to keep your data safe. All the VPNs in this list have strict no-logs policies.
• Free VPNs usually have weak security. Free VPNs often don’t have the resources to upgrade their service to keep up with the latest security features. This can result in unwanted data leaks. Be sure to use a free VPN that has strong security features, such as military-grade encryption, leak protection, and an automatic kill switch.
• Free VPNs can expose you to malware. There have been cases where free VPN apps had malware embedded in their apps. In addition, many free VPNs bombard you with malicious ads. This can infect your device and compromise your online security.

FAQs on the Best Free VPNs for Hotstar

Can I watch Hotstar for free?

Yes, but with ads. Hotstar India allows you to watch select movies and shows completely free. But it’s only available to viewers in India. If you travel outside India, you can still access the free version using a VPN that works with Hotstar.

It’s worth noting that the free version of Hotstar is pretty limited. For example, you can only watch live sports (like IPL) for 5 minutes. If you want access to the complete Hotstar library and to watch IPL without limitations, you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version.

Is there a free VPN Chrome extension that lets you watch Hotstar outside India?

No. During my tests, I didn’t find any free VPN Chrome extension that can access Hotstar India. Even though CyberGhost does offer a free proxy extension, it doesn’t have servers in India, so you can’t really use it to access the platform.

The best way to access Hotstar India is by using a reliable premium VPN that can bypass the platform’s geoblocks. The reason I recommend using a premium VPN is that none of the truly free VPNs offer servers with Indian IP addresses, which means you can’t use them to access Hotstar India. You’ll only be able to watch Hotstar UK, Canada, or Singapore.

Where is Hotstar available?

Hotstar is available in India as part of a Disney+ subscription. Aside from India, Hotstar is also available as a standalone service in Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the UK. Note that you can find Indian content only with its Indian, Canadian, Singaporean, and UK libraries. The rest of the countries where it’s available (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand) offer their own local content.

Due to licensing agreements, you cannot watch Hotstar outside of these permitted locations. So, if you travel somewhere Hotstar isn’t supported, you won’t be able to watch anything. There is a simple solution, though — the easiest way to watch Hotstar from anywhere (including Australia, UAE, and the US) is with a VPN.

What if my free VPN is not working with Hotstar?

First, it’s important to choose a free VPN that can consistently unblock Hotstar. If your free VPN usually works well with Hotstar but isn’t working now, try the following:

• Switch to a different server — The IP address of the server you’re connected to may be blocked by Hotstar. In that case, the app won’t show you any content — it just keeps on loading endlessly. Switching to a different server should help.
• Disable IPv6 and GPS — Not all free VPNs can effectively mask your IPv6 address and GPS data. If your free VPN doesn’t protect you from data leaks, your real location will be visible to Hotstar. Try disabling IPv6 and GPS in your device’s network settings and see if that fixes the issue.
• Clear your browser’s cookies — Many websites use cookies, which track your IP address and your geographical location. Hotstar uses this data to identify your true location. This can be easily prevented by clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or using incognito/private mode.

Is using a VPN to watch Hotstar outside India legal?

Yes, using a VPN to watch Hotstar outside India is legal in most countries. However, it's important to note that VPN usage is regulated or prohibited in some countries, such as Russia and China. For instance, in China, only government-approved VPNs are allowed.

At vpnMentor, we don’t condone illegal activities. So take the time to familiarize yourself with the local laws regarding VPN use and ensure that you comply with them to avoid any potential violations.

Watch Hotstar With a Free VPN Today

Most free VPNs can’t unblock Hotstar. Even the ones that sometimes do unblock it can be too slow, making it impossible to watch any content in good quality. While the truly free VPNs on this list can access some Hotstar libraries, they have limited data so you can’t stream for a long time. I also never found a reliable free VPN that let me watch Hotstar India.

That’s why I recommend ExpressVPN. It has unlimited data, great speeds, and can access Hotstar India, so you can stream in HD for hours without restrictions. Even though it’s not 100% free, you can test ExpressVPN out risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund.

To summarize, the best VPNs for Hotstar with money-back guarantees are…