Best VPN for HBO Go in 2021

Nicky Hoseck Written by Nicky Hoseck
Last updated on May 11, 2021

HBO Go allows users to enjoy some of the best US TV shows on demand. In fact, it allows subscribers instant access to all the best HBO shows and movies, no matter where they are.

However, those living outside the States are denied access to this impressive catalog regardless of the platform they choose to watch it through. Fortunately, there is an easy workaround to this problem through the use of a VPN to unblock HBO Go anywhere in the world.

In this article, this is exactly what we investigate. We look at how to watch HBO Go from anywhere in the world through the use of a VPN and what is the best VPN to choose to do so. We also look at what makes the best VPN so that it is easy to understand why our list of recommended VPN providers are so suited to unblocking HBO Go.

In this article

How To Watch HBO Go From Anywhere In The World

Notice: Starting on July 31st, 2020 HBO Go will no longer be available on most devices. You can stream HBO Go on the HBO Max App, as well as the  HBO channels and On Demand. 

If you’re based abroad, or regularly leave the country, you may have already been met with an error when trying to watch. Unfortunately, the service is banned if you aren’t viewing from the States.

To determine how to watch HBO Go outside the USA, you need to understand why it’s blocked. As all media content falls under copyright, streaming services have to attain licenses to share the material. Unfortunately, the license restrictions vary significantly from country to country, instigating a phenomenon we know today as ‘geo-blocking.’

Geo-blocks are digital gateways that exist dependent on your geographical location. By using the IP address on your computer, different shows and movies are offered to users in different countries.

If you’re outside of the US and still want to unblock HBO Go, there are options available to do so successfully.

Perhaps the most popular is the use of a VPN. Many a TV and movie fan has bypassed these geo-blocking restrictions whether they are using HBO Go or not.  It is popular because a VPN’s simple software package allows users to unblock HBO Go on the HBO Channels or On Demand.

More specifically, a VPN works by taking your existing IP address and assigning another by rerouting your traffic through an additional server. Because of this, when you access a streaming platform, you will gain access to a larger catalog.

The Best VPNS for HBO Go

#1 ExpressVPN

Without a doubt, ExpressVPN is our favored VPN provider across the board. When used in conjunction with HBO Go, customers are assured that they will be able to access any of the service’s content whenever or wherever they want.

Notable Features:

  • Fastest connection speeds – It’s hard to beat ExpressVPN’s connection speeds in terms of how fast they are. This is key when streaming video content as without a reliable and quick connection, streaming sessions are prone to buffering which is the ultimate frustration.
  • Large US server network – With a large US server network, in addition to a large network in general, ExpressVPN customers can be confident that they will always be able to connect to a US server. This is necessary to unblock HBO Go wherever they are in the world.
  • 99% uptime guarantee – A drop out in connection to a VPN, when not streaming HBO Go in the US means that your viewing could be cut short or interrupted. ExpressVPN customers will suffer a drop out in connection so infrequently, they will barely ever have to experience this.

Overview:

ExpressVPN is our top-rated VPN provider, due to its unmatched speed and reliability. These features ensure you’ll enjoy an uninterrupted stream when watching HBO Go. If you do experience problems, their instant chat support saw response times in our tests as fast as 32 seconds.

#2 NordVPN

NordVPN is straightforward to log into, regardless of the level of technical expertise of the user. Plus, it has market-leading encryption software that makes it incredibly safe to use.

Notable Features:

  • Up to six simultaneous device connections – If you are in a family, all of which have different tastes and favorites on HBO, having the ability to connect to a VPN on many devices is key. It means that everyone can watch their favorite TV show or film at the same time.
  • Additional security features for the privacy-conscious – NordVPN is one of the safest VPNs to use out there thanks to its stringent encryption techniques and watertight protocols. It means that a user’s identity should never be traceable when accessing HBO Go, wherever that user may be.
  • Sleek User Interface – While it does not necessarily improve a user’s ability to access geo-restricted content on HBO Go, the sleek user interface that NordVPN has makes it very easy to use. This is a huge plus point, especially to those that are not technologically minded but still love to watch content that HBO Go offers.

Overview:

NordVPN is a great family option due to its multiple connection allowances. Plus, it offers a whole range of additional security features, so you don’t have to worry about kids accounts. It’s easy-to-use and a great option for beginners.

#3 HideMyAss

HideMyAss is a very popular VPN that users return to time and time again, particularly with the purpose of accessing the HBO Go catalog in mind.

Notable Features:

  • Automatic startup when connected to the web – This is a great time saver and helps those that are either busy or not particularly savvy at using VPN software. It means that users will be connected to a server that they need automatically to access HBO Go.
  • Cryptocurrency friendly – This is becoming an increasingly popular and necessary way of paying for a subscription to a VPN provider, so it’s good to HidemyAss offering the capability. It means that users can stay anonymous when signing up to a subscription package, which some security conscious HBO Go users may be keen for.
  • Impressive global server network – HideMyAss has a wide and vast network, especially in terms of the US servers it can offer. This is fantastic news for its customers that have signed up with the primary purpose of working around HBO Go geo restrictions. They can be confident of a US connection every time they log on.

Overview:

HideMyAss is ideal to unblock HBO Go on Roku devices Smart TVs and Game Consoles. Its automatic connection means you can watch what you want without going through configuration every time. This VPN has servers in nearly every country; although HBO only works on US connections, this wide range of locations is excellent for accessing catalogs on other streaming services.

#4 PrivateVPN

Last, but not least, on our list is PrivateVPN which has some of the best protocols and encryption techniques available as standard on its subscription packages. Plus it does not keep any logs of its users’ activity.

Notable Features:

  • Fast installation & setup – When first using a VPN or even using a different VPN for the first time, the installation is not always as easy as it should be. PrivateVPN is different though and is incredibly quick to install and set up. This means that subscribers can achieve a connection to a VPN server to enable them to watch HBO Go within a very short space of time.
  • 25% discount on all plans – While VPNs can provide an excellent and useful service, they still have to be affordable. PrivateVPN offers a big discount on all its plans so that HBO Go users do not have to incur higher costs than necessary.
  • Remote installation for beginner VPN users – Another way that the company sets itself apart through its installation process is that its employees can help customers install the software through remote access. Again, this means that should you need to watch an HBO Go show urgently, you can be confident that you’ll be able to access PrivateVPN’s servers through its software every time.

Overview:

PrivateVPN offers a great backup option if you face problems with the above. The provider missed out on a higher ranking due to their restricted server network and occasional performance bottleneck, but overall the service was reliable. It’s incredibly easy-to-use and beginners can even get a tech expert to set-up the software from a remote computer.

The Privacy Laws and Regulations Using HBO Go Abroad

Watching content through HBO Go when abroad through the use of a VPN is a pretty grey legal area. Often, using a VPN itself is perfectly legal and having one installed on your computer or device is completely fine and above board.

However, some of the content that HBO Go has may be banned in other countries for reasons of censorship. Even if the customer is not a citizen of that country and is using HBO Go as an American, the customer is still answerable to the laws of the country they are currently residing in. Ultimately, this means that if a person is caught watching something that a country has deemed illegal, they are subject to the punishment that that country has in place. In some cases, this can mean prison terms.

To stay on the right side of the law, it is always best to check what the laws of the land are before you travel. That way, everyone will remain safe and legal.

Other Considerations to Accessing HBO Go Through A VPN

HBO Now

Many HBO fans will have also heard of the HBO Now service. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the two, as the programming and geo-restrictions are the same. If you’re wondering which service to buy then here is the difference:

  • HBO Go is for subscribers of the HBO channel on cable or satellite TV. You have to have a TV package where the broadcaster is available and already paid for. By signing up to HBO Go, you can enjoy all your favorite shows wherever and whenever you want.
  • HBO NOW is a similar service that is ideal for cord cutters. You don’t need a TV box or HBO subscription to watch. Instead, you can sign up for the service through any provider and get instant access to great HBO content.

Using a VPN will resolve the geo-restrictions on both of the services.

The Bottom Line

HBO Go hosts some of the best content in the world. Using a VPN means that that content can be viewed by anyone anywhere in the world to work around the geo restrictions that the company has to put in place. VPNs offer a fast, quick and effective way to watch favored content.

Never settle for less than the best with a VPN though, and always make sure they have at least this to offer you:

  • unlimited bandwidth
  • 24/7 customer support
  • secure 256 bit encryption
  • easy to use software

We recommend ExpressVPN as it has all the above and more. It is ranked highest in speed, reliability and customer support when compared to the rest of the vast VPN market.

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