How to Unblock Popcorn Time

Lyndon Seitz April 13, 2017 Guides, Reviews

Popcorn Time is an awesome torrent site and media player all in one that allows you to gather up your favorite content and watch it, all in one place. It’s like an alternative to services like Netflix that uses the torrenting style P2P sharing system.

Of course, like most other sites based around torrenting, Popcorn Time catches a bit of controversy. A lot of files shared there are protected by copyrights, and not all of it is 100% legal.

Popcorn Time has actually been shut down in some countries completely, the U.S. included.

To gain access to Popcorn Time if you’re within a country that has it blocked, get ExpressVPN now.

What Are Geo-Restrictions?

This type of access limitation is known as a geo restriction. In some cases these internet filters apply to content deemed inappropriate, politically sensitive, or otherwise disruptive to society, but in the case of Popcorn Time, it has more to do with the legality of the content.

Geo restrictions apply on a large scale, often to entire countries. The internet censorship that is so well known in the United Arab Emirates and China is a good example of geo restriction, but really, any content that you can’t access within the borders of a country is considered the same thing.

How Do Servers Know Where I Am?

Now the interesting part – how do servers know to block your access? Well, you may have noticed at times that some of those ads running in the gutters of the web pages you’re on seem awfully accurately placed – mine are typically for local cable companies and grocery store chains.

The reason for both of these things is the same – when you access websites, they get your IP address. An IP address is a unique code associated with your device that gives servers information about your rough geographic location.

When you get on the internet and attempt to access a website, that request for access goes to the nearest server in your network. That server gets the IP address associated with the device you’re using to get online with, and sees roughly where you are. In an automatic process, your access is adjusted accordingly.

How Can I Get Around Internet Filters?

The key to bypassing internet filters is to hide your real IP address and use a fake one. Yea, it’s pretty much like using a fake ID, but believe it or not, it’s perfectly legal, and has more benefits than just giving you access to Popcorn Time in countries where it’s blocked.

Hiding your IP address also means that your internet activity isn’t traceable back to you, so you can torrent without worrying about law enforcement deciding to come beating down your door.

The easiest way to protect your anonymity while you torrent, and to get access to Popcorn Time, is to use a VPN.

How Does a VPN Work?

VPNs are actually pretty simple, when you get down to it. These programs work by blocking your IP address and routing your connection through a secure, remote server within the VPN’s network. Thus giving you a new IP address based on that server.

Your internet activity is encrypted and completely private, and your browsing is never traceable back to you. Best of all, you can access any content available in the location of the server you select from the software, so it’s easy to access geo restricted content, no matter where you are.

What Should I Look for in a VPN?

The way VPNs work is pretty simple, but sorting out the duds isn’t quite as direct. Here’s a quick list of what goes into a VPN service plan, and where you need to set the bar for yourself.

Bandwidth: This is the rate of data transfer on your connection, and basically refers to how fast your connection can get. Most companies give you unlimited bandwidth, but some will throttle your connection to keep things level for all of their customers. Don’t settle for anything less than unlimited bandwidth.
Multiple connections: It’s nice to be able to connect your VPN account to more than one device. Make sure you pick a company that lets you connect at least two devices per account, to save yourself a little dough.
Operating system compatibility: This one’s pretty simple – is the VPN going to be compatible with your devices? Most VPNs are compatible with at least Windows and Mac, but double-check that and make sure your mobile devices are covered too.
Encryption: This is going to be what keeps your data safe, so make sure that whatever you choose is strong enough for peace of mind, without compromising your connection speed. The best option for encryption is going to be 256 bit, but it’s also nice if they give you the option of turning down your security to optimize things for speed.
Network size: This is another feature that can have a significant impact over the speed of your connection. Whoever you go with, make sure they have a network of at least 50 servers scattered all around the world.

From there, it’s all about the user experience. Check some reviews, and see who offers free trials to answer these questions:

What’s their refund policy?
How fast is their customer service?
Is their setup automatic?
Is the VPN easy to use?

The name of the game when it comes to accessing sites and services like Popcorn Time is definitely speed, but if you can get the best security and customer service too, you’re gold. It’s a buyer’s market out there, so make sure you get the best deal you can find.

Top 3 VPNs for Unblocking Popcorn Time

To get you started, here are a few of the top VPNs on the web, and how they stack up in terms of features, connection quality, and customer service.

#1: ExpressVPN – 9.5/10 – Fastest connection, great for torrenting

I tend to recommend ExpressVPN a lot, but for some really good reasons. These guys offer the perfect balance of a fast and secure connection that lets you control what matters more.

unlimited bandwidth
two connections per account
compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, and iOS
ultra-secure military grade encryption
hundreds of servers in 78 countries

What’s really great about ExpressVPN is their customer service too. They’re not only available 24/7, but you always get a fast response from a real live human being. Their team always responds to e-mails in under 20 minutes, and live chat support is always instant.

With a 30-day money back guarantee, you just can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN.

For the fastest way to unblock Popcorn Time, get ExpressVPN now.

#2: IPVanish – 7/10 – Another torrenting VPN, but not compatible with iOS

IPVanish is another option for getting you access to Popcorn Time, with some of the same features as ExpressVPN. Some of the things they’re missing are:

Doesn’t have:

apps for iPhones or iPads
live support
only a 7-day guarantee

Their software is pretty easy to use, but be aware that you can only e-mail their support team, and you may wait a while for a response. For faster customer service that includes live chat, stick with ExpressVPN.

Just make sure you get a refund within one week if it doesn’t work out, and be sure to get ExpressVPN if you have devices with iOS.

You can check out IPVanish here.

#3: HideMyAss – 5/10 – Too slow for Popcorn Time

I’d love to be able to recommend HideMyAss. I mean, their network size alone seems like they would make a perfect match for people that need a fast, dependable connection, but unfortunately that’s just not the case.

Whereas I always had a fast and reliable connection with ExpressVPN, HideMyAss is notoriously slow, and their support isn’t much better. Their software is overly complex, and their team seems to take their sweet time responding to support requests.

HideMyAss, like ExpressVPN, will work on most major operating systems, includes unlimited bandwidth, and two connections per account, but I wouldn’t count on this one to be fast enough to handle a streaming service like Popcorn Time.

HideMyAss is here.

Conclusion: Get ExpressVPN to Access Blocked Websites Like Popcorn Time

With its controversial content, Popcorn Time just hasn’t been available everywhere, and it just recently got pulled from the US for copyright infringement. Your IP address tells servers where you are, and if you’re in a country that blocks access, the best way around that is to use a VPN.

Popcorn Time is still available in Europe, so just download ExpressVPN and connect to a server there, and you should have no trouble at all accessing the site, even if you’re in the US. ExpressVPN is fast enough to handle it. You’ll also get: