HBO has continued to expand into new markets, with the launch of HBO Max in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain, and Andorra on October 26, 2021. Unfortunately, this service is still not available in many regions, meaning that most people traveling abroad must use a VPN to access it.
In spite of signing up for HBO Max in a supported country, you will get a similar message if you try to watch from somewhere else:
By using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you are able to encrypt the data flowing over your internet connection and route it through a server in another country. In order to view HBO Max from abroad, you must connect to a VPN server in a supported country back home (for example, you can use a US server to obtain a US IP address).
However, not all VPNs are compatible. HBO Max blocks most VPNs. We have tested several VPN services to determine which VPNs are compatible with HBO Max.
An overview of the best VPNs for HBO Max
We will discuss each VPN provider in more detail later, but for those who are pressed for time, here is a summary of the best VPN offers for HBO Max:
NordVPN: Fast, secure, and affordable with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Atlas VPN: One of the fastest VPNs we have tested. It supports HBO Max, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others. Each account has unlimited simultaneous connections.
ExpressVPN: HBO Max works flawlessly. Excellent speed and 24/7 live chat support.
Surfshark: The best VPN for the money. There is no device restriction. It is compatible with a wide variety of streaming services, including HBO Max.
IPVanish: Works fine with HBO Max. It provides fast enough speeds for HD streaming.
Top VPNs for HBO Max
Following are the top VPNs for watching HBO Max outside of the United States or abroad in 2022:
NordVPN
With NordVPN, HBO Max was unblocked without a hitch. Streaming high-quality videos should not be a problem since this is the fastest VPN we have tested this year. In addition, the service has strong security and good customer support, making it a great budget option.
The NordVPN service also supports many streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.
It is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV. In addition, you can connect up to six devices simultaneously.
Advantages:
- Can securely access HBO Max from outside the United States
- This is an excellent low-cost alternative
- available worldwide
- The encryption and security are excellent
- It is the fastest VPN available
Disadvantages:
- There are a few unreliable servers.
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN has been rated as one of the fastest VPNs for streaming, averaging 247 Mbps in our latest speed testing. When you combine this VPN’s ability to bypass restrictions, you have a great tool for traveling abroad, whether on vacation or on business. Our tests say Atlas VPN is compatible with Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max.
You may wish to secure any devices, or you may want to share your VPN with others in your family. In either case, Atlas VPN is an ideal choice since it supports unlimited simultaneous connections. With this service, you can take advantage of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, as well as a kill switch. It even contains an ad, malware, tracker blockers, and MultiHop servers for an additional layer of security.
Using Atlas VPN’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, you can secure multiple devices at once. However, it is necessary to set up this VPN manually in order to use it with Linux or your home wifi router.
Advantages:
- Unblocking streaming services such as HBO Max consistently
- Providing fast connections and unlimited bandwidth
- Secure all your devices simultaneously under a single account
- Secure your data twice with multi-hop servers
Disadvantages:
- It would be helpful if the privacy policy were clearer
- It offers only a few hundred servers
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. We had no trouble unblocking HBO Max using it. It is as simple as downloading the application, entering the verification code, and connecting. It is fast enough to support HBO Max’s highest quality streams. If you encounter any difficulties, 24/7 live chat support is available.
You can securely access a variety of streaming services using ExpressVPN, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. You can use the application with a variety of devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and certain wireless routers. The application supports five simultaneous connections.
Similarly, if you are interested in accessing other streaming services and want to know which VPN service is best to use in order to access those services in a specific region, StreaMaestro is the best place to obtain all of this information, along with lots of entertainment news as well.
Advantages:
- Access to HBO Max
- High download and streaming speeds
- Overall, one of the best VPNs available
- Strong privacy and security features
Disadvantages:
- A bit more expensive than other VPNs.
- It does not offer much control over advanced features.
Surfshark
Surfshark is a better VPN service provider that focuses on unblocking streaming services. Our first attempt at unblocking HBO Max was successful when connected to a US server. In spite of a somewhat smaller server network, the speeds are adequate for streaming HD quality video.
Surfshark maintains no record of your online activities and keeps no connection logs. It also offers live chat assistance on its website.
On a single Surfshark account, you can connect as many laptops and smartphones as possible. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Fire TV.
Advantages:
- Working fine with HBO Max
- Good for streaming in HD
- No limit for multiple devices connectivity
- Excellent set of security features
- No Log policy
Disadvantages:
- Sometimes the server is slow
IPVanish
The VPN provider IPVanish offers fast speeds and strong security. The app is compatible with HBO Max, Netflix, and a few other streaming services. In addition to privacy and security protections, they also offer a no-logs feature and several other features.
IPVanish allows any number of simultaneous connections, making it an ideal solution for a family with many devices or a group of housemates. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV.
Advantages:
- Supports HBO Max
- Don’t keep logs at all
- Multi-device support
Disadvantages:
- There is no app support in China
- Only email and ticket support are available
Conclusion
HBO Max is currently available in more than 40 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, and Denmark. For accessing HBO Max in other regions, we strongly recommend using a paid VPN service rather than a free one. This is because you are more likely to have your account suspended or terminated if you use a free VPN.
We encourage you to try out one of the recommended VPNs and share your experience in the comments below.