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How to Unblock Hulu From Anywhere in 2023 (The Easy Way)

Keira Waddell Updated on 21st July 2023 Senior Writer

Hulu has some of my favorite TV shows and movies, like The Handmaid’s Tale and Little Fires Everywhere. However, when I travel outside the US, I can't watch it because of the licensing agreements. But since I’ve paid for it, it is very frustrating not being able to watch Hulu just because I'm abroad.

A VPN is a simple solution to retaining access to your Hulu account even while traveling. It makes it look like you’re using the internet in a different location so you can stream your favorite content from anywhere.

However, due to Hulu’s sophisticated blocking technology, not all VPNs work to unblock it. But there are VPNs that work reliably with Hulu. ExpressVPN impressed me the most. I streamed hours of content, and it didn’t slow my speeds down. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can claim your money back if it doesn’t work for you.

Start Watching Hulu With ExpressVPN

Quick Guide: How to Unblock Hulu From Anywhere in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Download a VPN. I recommend using ExpressVPN because of its strong unblocking abilities and fast speeds, meaning you can watch your favorite Hulu shows uninterrupted.
  2. Connect to a server in the US. This allows you to unblock all the TV shows and movies available on Hulu in the US.
  3. Start watching Hulu. Set up or log in to your existing Hulu account and stream wherever you are. If you’re setting up a new Hulu account, you need a US payment method like a US bank account, US PayPal, or a Hulu gift card. You can easily get a Hulu gift card from MyGiftCardSupply, Walmart, Target, or eBay.

Watch Hulu With ExpressVPN

Why You Need a VPN to Watch Hulu From Anywhere

Hulu isn’t licensed to offer its services in any country other than the US or Japan. It uses geo-blocking to make sure you can’t watch it outside of these countries. If you try to access Hulu from any other country than the US or Japan, you get an error message:

“Error: Hulu is available in the US only and cannot be used with an anonymous proxy service.”

Image of the error message when trying to access Hulu outside of the USHulu detects and blocks many VPNs and proxy services, especially the free ones

This site looks at your IP address — which identifies where you’re connecting from — to grant or block access. A VPN makes it look like you’re using the internet from the country of your choice, so you can bypass geo-blocks. In this case, all you need to do is connect to a server in the US to gain access to Hulu. That way, you'll get a US IP, allowing you access to your Hulu account while traveling abroad.

Hulu works on constantly increasing the number of VPN IP addresses it blocks. This is why you need a reliable VPN to grant you access. The VPNs I’ve listed below invest a lot to ensure they can overcome geo-blocks and work with many global streaming services aside from Hulu.

Watch Hulu With ExpressVPN Today

Best VPNs to Unblock Hulu from Anywhere in 2023

1. ExpressVPN — The Best VPN for Unblocking Hulu

  • Lightning-fast speeds
  • 24 server locations in the US alone
  • 8 simultaneous device connections
  • Can unblock: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube TV, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Vudu, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Apple TV, and more
ExpressVPN Offer July 2023: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

ExpressVPN has strong unblocking abilities. It’s the best VPN I‘ve tested for streaming. It easily unblocks Hulu because it updates its IPs regularly so the streaming platforms can’t detect and block them. Each US server I connected to gave me instant access to Hulu on the first try. I streamed How I Met Your Mother for hours and there were no disconnections throughout.

ExpressVPN unblocking How I Met Your Father on HuluExpressVPN’s USA – New York server easily unblocked Hulu

One of the reasons it’s so good at streaming is because of its incredibly fast speeds. Fast speeds are extremely important to make sure you have the highest-quality video stream — I was able to watch Hulu in UHD with no buffer or lag. When I tested ExpressVPN's speeds, I only had around a 7% speed loss. Without a VPN, I had 70.56 Mbps, and with ExpressVPN on, my speed only went down to 65.83 Mbps. This is impressive as you can expect a 10–20% loss when using a VPN. I was able to stream How I Met Your Father lag-free connected to its server in New York.

Another of ExpressVPN's standout features is its MediaStreamer which you can install on your router. This allows you to stream from WiFi-enabled devices, even if it’s not natively compatible with VPNs, like some streaming devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. If you ever need help, you can contact its 24/7 live chat and email support any time. Plus, there are step-by-step instructions on how to install it on the router. I watched The Handmaid's Tale on my LG smart TV.

The only downside to ExpressVPN is that it’s a little more expensive than some other VPNs. Its prices for a long-term plan start at $6.67/month. However, right now, you can get 49% off.

You can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you are not fully satisfied. It’s straightforward to claim a refund. I requested mine back by contacting its online chat support, and with no questions asked, the money was back in my account in 3 days.

Watch Hulu With ExpressVPN

2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Watch Hulu With Ease

  • Special servers for unblocking Hulu
  • 7 simultaneous device connections
  • Support chat is available 24/7
  • Can unblock: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Vudu, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Apple TV, Fire OS, and more
July 2023 Deal: CyberGhost is currently offering 83% off its most popular plan! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost subscription.

CyberGhost is an excellent VPN for Hulu, as it features servers specifically optimized for unblocking the service. Not only do these servers grant access to Hulu, but they can also boost your connection speeds. With a stable and dependable connection, I was able to stream content on Hulu for hours without any interruptions or disconnections.

Unblocking Hulu on CyberGhost's Hulu-optimized serversYou can unblock Hulu easily with CyberGhost’s Hulu-optimized servers

Also, CyberGhost has a lot of regular servers, with 11 in the US alone. This means you can always find a reliable one that isn't overcrowded. I had a really good streaming experience using CyberGhost's US servers, allowing me to watch Hulu without too much buffering.

Even without optimization, these servers performed admirably for streaming content. The speeds I experienced were more than sufficient for watching my favorite TV shows in flawless quality. Although not as rapid as ExpressVPN, CyberGhost only resulted in a 10% decrease in speed, which is still remarkable. Starting with a speed of 70 Mbps, it dropped to around 63 Mbps with CyberGhost, allowing for seamless HD streaming. Occasionally, there were brief buffering moments when streaming in HD, but they did not disrupt the viewing experience.

Unfortunately, CyberGhost’s short-term plan is a little expensive and comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. So, I signed up for a long-term plan, starting at $2.19/month, and even got 83% off.

You can try CyberGhost risk-free with its generous 45-day money-back guarantee that applies to its long-term subscriptions. I tested its guarantee, and after a chat with its customer support, the money was back in my account in a few days.

Watch Hulu With CyberGhost

3. Private Internet Access — Lots of US Servers to Easily Find One for Hulu

  • Huge server network with 53 servers in the US alone
  • Dedicated IP address
  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • Can unblock: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Vudu, and more
  • Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Apple TV, and more
July 2023 Update: PIA doesn't usually have deals or discounts (it's already so affordable), but right now you can get a new subscription for a crazy 83% off!

Private Internet Access has a large server network. It has 53 servers in the US, including 2 US streaming-optimized servers. Having more servers means you have plenty of options even if one of them is down. Also, you are less likely to experience slower speeds due to overcrowding. I had a stable connection each time I used any of its US servers to watch Hulu.

A screenshot of streaming The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu using PIA's US East Streaming Optimized serverAll PIA's US servers I tested unblocked Hulu with ease

PIA offers the option to subscribe to a dedicated IP, providing you with an exclusive IP address for your use only. This feature is beneficial as it helps you bypass bothersome CAPTCHA checks and reduces the likelihood of being blocked. Shared IP addresses are more easily detected, and certain streaming services may block them. However, with a unique IP address, you can avoid this issue. Although it incurs an additional cost each month, I believe it is certainly worthwhile. Moreover, you even have the choice to select a US, UK, Canadian, German, or Australian IP address.

I noticed its speeds are a little slower than ExpressVPN’s and CyberGhost’s, though. During my speed tests with PIA, I measured a larger drop of around 20% using its faraway servers. However, you can normally expect a 10–20% decrease in speeds using a VPN. Being closer to the server gives you better speeds. Its nearby servers were fast enough to allow me to stream Hulu buffer-free.

PIA also has monthly and yearly plans, and it regularly has discounts. You can get 83% off right now. Its plans start from as little as $2.03/month.

You can try PIA risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can claim your money back if it doesn’t work for you. After asking for a refund per email, I got my money back on my credit card in less than a week.

Watch Hulu With PIA

FAQs on Unblocking Hulu With a VPN

Why is Hulu blocking my login?

Hulu blocks your login if it detects you’re trying to access it outside of the US. Unfortunately, due to copyright laws and distribution rights, you can only access Hulu if you’re in a licensed country.

The platform checks your IP address to see where you’re accessing it from. To change your IP and make it look as if you were still in the US, you can use a VPN. 

However, not all of them work. Hulu has a sophisticated blocking technology so it can detect and block when using a VPN to access it. With that in mind, you need one that regularly updates its IP addresses so Hulu doesn't block you. I even found that some VPNs can give you a dedicated IP address —  which means a unique IP that only you can use. After extensive testing, I found the most reliable VPNs that can easily bypass Hulu's tough geoblocks and allow you to watch your favorite shows from outside of the country.

Can I watch Hulu outside the US?

Hulu blocks you if you're accessing it outside the US by checking your IP address which tells the platform where you are. To change your IP and unblock Hulu, you need a VPN.

A VPN is a simple app that lets you connect to a server in the US, which gives you a new IP address. All of the VPNs on my list work well for accessing Hulu outside of the US. However, ExpressVPN is my top pick because of its lightning-fast speeds and great unblocking abilities. You can test it out completely risk-free as it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you don't like it, you can easily get a full refund.

How do I unblock my Hulu account?

If you can’t access your Hulu account, it may be because you’re outside the US. Due to copyright laws and licensing restrictions, Hulu uses geo-blocking to prevent people from outside the US from watching it.

Whenever you try to sign in to your Hulu account, the platform looks at your IP address. Based on your IP, the platform sees where you are, and it blocks you if you are not in the US.

To unblock your Hulu account when you’re not in the US, you need to use a VPN to bypass the geo-blocks. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in the US to get a US IP address. Once you have that, you’ll be able to sign in to your Hulu account and access your favorite TV shows from anywhere.

If you already have a VPN and it doesn't unblock your Hulu account while traveling, you probably need a more reliable VPN.

There are a couple of tips you can try if you're having issues though. You can clear your browser's cache and cookies and use Incognito mode to access your account. Additionally, you can try connecting to another US server if you VPN offers one. If that doesn't help, you can contact your VPN's customer support to advise you which servers you can use.

Try ExpressVPN Now

Start Watching Hulu Now

Hulu is geo-restricted to the US. It uses strong geo-blocking technology so you can’t access your account while abroad. To watch your favorite shows on Hulu even when you’re outside the country, you need a high-quality VPN. I've tested many VPNs, and I recommend ExpressVPN as it has the best unblocking abilities and the fastest speeds for uninterrupted streaming on Hulu.

Also, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out for yourself completely risk-free. In case you're not satisfied, you can always get a full refund.

To summarize, the best VPNs for watching Hulu anywhere are…

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.8 /10
Save 49%!
2
9.8 /10
Save 83%!
3
9.6 /10
Save 83%!
Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.

Visit ExpressVPN

About the Author

Keira is an experienced cybersecurity and tech writer dedicated to providing comprehensive insights on VPNs, online privacy, and internet censorship.

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