- Why is Hulu blocked?
- How to use a VPN for Hulu
- The Best VPNs for Hulu
- Best of Hulu’s Content
Many are the channels and services that offer viewers interesting and captivating content, and Hulu so happens to be one of them. Hulu is this giant of a streaming service that allows viewers access to a world of diverse entertainment for reasonable prices.
What’s admirable about Hulu is that it gives you the chance to keep up with most of the TV shows that are currently on cable TV. You already want the service. That’s why you came looking for the best VPN for it. But, you’re going to want it even more once you discover how easily attainable it is.
Hulu: a Streaming Sensation – Content Index
- Top VPN for Hulu – Introduction
- Why Can’t I Access Hulu?
- Hulu VPN Bypass – How it Works?
- Unblock Hulu Using a VPN with these Steps
- What Are the Best VPNs for Hulu?
- What’s a VPN in a Few Words
- Free VPNs that Work with Hulu
- All about Hulu
- How to Subscribe to Hulu Abroad?
- The Payment Methods
- Hulu’s International Availability Plan
- Hulu’s Content
- Supported Devices
- Still Thinking about It?
- Hulu’s Unblocking Tool
Top VPN for Hulu – Introduction
Hulu is a service worth subscribing to, however, not everyone can do so. Apparently, and according to copyright and licensing agreements, Hulu is inaccessible outside the country where it is based- that is the US. Only US residents can make use of that service, but that’s not a deal breaker. A cybersecurity tool known as a VPN, virtual private network, can make Hulu accessible to those who are not in the US and miles away from where Hulu is based.
Aside from unblocking Hulu abroad, a VPN subscription of that sort has plenty of other benefits. To ensure, however, successful results, a decent VPN is required. Should you not know what provider to choose, here’s some help. This article will shed light on some of the best VPN providers you can use to get Hulu working wherever you are. You’ll find in the table below some of the major recommended VPNs for a successful Hulu subscription.
Why Can’t I Access Hulu?
You’ll find your answer within these lines:
“We’re sorry, currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States. For more information on Hulu’s international availability, click here.”
There’s not much explanation that can be done as the issue is pretty clear. Unless you’re a US local, you cannot access Hulu. Primarily, as prementioned above, the reason lies in licensing agreements. Hulu hasn’t signed off on international availability, which means other countries have no right to stream its content. Consequently, Hulu imposes geo-restrictions to prevent users located outside the US from accessing or streaming its content.
Hulu VPN Bypass – How it Works?
Before we dig into which VPN is the best for Hulu, you must understand how a VPN works. Its name suggests a private network, which is exactly what you get upon connecting to one. Every VPN operates a network of servers, be it large or small in number. Once you subscribe to one, the VPN connects the device you are using to one of its servers (based on your selection). You, of course, get to choose the server you want as it must be located in the country where the content you are after is based. Other than that, the connection would be useless.
Moving on, this connection is protected by heavy encryption layers through a digital tunnel, which prohibits outside interference. The data coming from your device safely passes through this private tunnel and gets rerouted through the server you handpicked. After that happens, you get to appear connecting from that country instead of where you physically are. You see, the IP address reveals all of that. Thanks to a VPN, your IP address changes to match that of the server in the country you picked out. This means you are now in a different country, well virtually at least. While this might sound brain-racking, it’s relatively simple. You’ll find the whole process explained in the steps below.
Unblock Hulu Using a VPN with these Steps
By following the steps laid out below, you’ll gain access to Hulu anywhere in a short period of time.
- Look for a decent VPN provider. Bear in mind that not all VPNs follow through their claims. An example of a solid and reputable provider is ExpressVPN.
- After subscribing to one, download and install the VPN application on your streaming device, be it a smartphone or laptop.
- Now is time to activate the VPN account and launch the app.
- The moment it is activated, you’ll come across a list of servers to choose from.
- Pick a US-based server and obtain an American IP address.
- Appear to be browsing the web from the US and get the local treatment.
- You are now a virtual US local capable of accessing American content while abroad.
- Access Hulu’s content from countries all over the world just as if you were in the United States.
What Are the Best VPNs for Hulu?
VPN providers are a big thing now in the online world, and everyone is trying to utilize them for their own interests. There are hundreds of VPNs on the market, and like most products, there are the good and the bad. You should be extra careful when purchasing a VPN than any other regular product because this particular one puts your personal data at stake if not cautiously selected. Bad VPNs, like the free ones, manipulate you into thinking that they are offering you free services when they are selling the data you permitted them to have to ad companies.
Careful now, not all premium VPNs are safe either. Some might be based in a country where retention laws apply. This means that the VPN company based in a country where mandatory data retention exits have to hand over all of its users’ logs (if kept) whenever the government demands them. Away from laws and online threats, some VPNs are just not that good with the features they have in store. To avoid any regretful decisions, read on to learn why some VPNs are more suitable than others.
- 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Apps For All Your Devices
- 24/7 Live Support
ExpressVPN
You might have noticed that we mentioned this provider in the steps above. We did so for good reason, and that’s because ExpressVPN is the best there is. Its network of servers is big, and you know what they say, the bigger the better. If you subscribe to ExpressVPN, you get to choose from 160 servers spread across 94 countries. This means you can connect to any server you like no matter where you are.
The choice of devices matters little here as this provider has all major platforms supported, making ExpressVPN a flexible option. Now, if you run into any difficulty, you can reach out to the 24/7 customer support that is always ready to answer whatever questions you may have. Keep in mind that this deal is a win-win situation as you can take advantage of the 30-day money back guarantee policy. To top it all of, online streaming is one of ExpressVPN’s strong suits. The company takes pride in its unblocking capabilities as well as streaming speeds.
- 160 VPN server locations in 94 countries
- 24-hour live chat support
- all platforms supported
- unlimited bandwidth
- best in class encryption
- 30-day money-back guarantee
BulletVPN
Having 115+ servers in over 51 countries doesn’t diminish BulletVPN‘s qualifications of being a suitable provider. Whether for unblocking purposes or gaining online protection, BulletVPN can achieve all that and more. The company ensures guaranteed results while maintaining users’ privacy and securing their online presence. BulletVPN is your way to a better internet whatever the device you are using as it offers apps for all platforms.
Apart from the highly active 24/7 customer service, BulletVPN offers a no questions asked 30-day money-back policy. Unlimited bandwidth and blazing speeds are also encouraging factors. This is a fast and secure VPN that puts user satisfaction at the forefront. If you choose to subscribe to this provider, you’ll be able to safely browse the internet and visit your favorite services through its acceptable global network.
- unlimited bandwidth
- 24/7 premium support over email or live chat
- top-grade encryptions
- apps for all platforms
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN
Just when you thought ExpressVPN’s server network is big, you haven’t yet seen what NordVPN has to offer. This company runs an enormous network of 5243 servers in 60 countries. Impressive right? Imagine the infinite possibilities with a NordVPN connection. With this subscription, you get to unblock region-specific content and enjoy an unrestricted Internet at the highest levels of data encryption.
Did we even mention to what extent NordVPN is secure? Well, instead of having just one VPN, it has two. This means that your data gets encrypted twice as it passes through two VPNs, not just one. The double VPN feature is exclusive to NordVPN and is part of the reason why it ranks at the top of our list. The company offers desktop applications for macOS, Linux, and Windows. There are mobile apps for Android and iOS, add to that an application for Android TV. Benefit from the company’s bright and analytical support team over chat or email. You can unsubscribe within 30 days and get your money back thanks to NordVPN’s 30-day refund policy.
- a network of 5243 servers in 60 countries
- a double VPN feature
- 24/7 customer support
- military-grade encryption
- 30-day money-back guarantee
IPVanish
IPVanish creates this secure realm where users can navigate the web freely and without restrictions. One major key attribute to IPVanish is its impressive speed rates. The company identifies itself as the fastest virtual private network in the world. Also, it promises you access to your streaming services without potential speed loss. In other words, with this VPN, you don’t have to give up high-speeds, which is essential for online streaming.
The company’s network covers more than 75 locations with its over 1,300 servers. Not only that, but IPVanish also offers user-friendly applications for all of your devices, which is pretty convenient. According to IPVanish, customer satisfaction is the company’s main goal, offering 24/7 customer support. IPVanish will only grant you a refund if you choose to unsubscribe within the first 7 days.
- 1,300 servers in over 75 locations
- compatibility with all devices
- round the clock customer service
- unlimited bandwidth
- 256-Bit AES encryption
- 7-day money-back guarantee
What’s a VPN in a Few Words
A virtual private network, VPN, is a cybersecurity tool that grants you online security and anonymity. This is a method that safely connects private networks across public ones through a tunnel of its own creation. Whatever data you own is passed through that tunnel where it gets encrypted. The encryption layers make it impossible for third parties to get their hands on the data you have rerouted. Speaking of which, this leaves us with what the VPN is connecting these private networks (devices) to.
The VPN connects your device to one of its many servers located in the country of your choosing, resulting in the rerouting of your data/traffic through that server. Therefore, your data will match that of the server, making you appear in the country where the server is located. A VPN’s main strength lies in the ability it grants you to access content based in that country. Basically, with a VPN, you get to establish a secure connection to a private network over the internet with a wide range of benefits:
- protect online activities and maintain privacy
- increase productivity with remote access
- anonymous online browsing
- the ability to access geo-restricted content
- saving up on money with overseas purchases
Free VPNs that Work with Hulu
While we constantly warn users against free VPNs, we’ve tested some out to check whether any would work with Hulu. As it turns out, our warnings were spot on. The free VPNs were very limiting in terms of streaming as most of them don’t permit high data usage. Add to that the drops in speed that these free VPN cause upon subscribing to them. Speed decreases and buffering increases thus putting a damper on the Hulu streaming experience.
As far as security goes, these VPNs are nowhere near safe. As a matter of fact, free VPNs sell your personal information (which you provide them with) to ad companies that target you with ads for profit. This helps compensate them for the supposedly free services they offer. The being said, check out some of the free VPNs you must avoid at all time:
- TigerVPN
- Spotflux
- Hola
- Hotspot Shield
All about Hulu
You know how we said Hulu matches cable TV with the content it has to offer? It wouldn’t be much of an overstatement to say that Hulu has everything, and by everything, we really do mean EVERYTHING. You can watch all sorts of content from different networks like ABC, CBS, FOX and Disney all in one place. The genres range from news to comedies as we said, there’s a bit of everything. Hulu’s original content has also added to its appeal and contributed to its success in the world of competitive streaming. Content like the critically acclaimed “The Handmaid’s Tale” has put Hulu on the map. We’ll provide you with more examples below.
The streaming service offers two subscription packages. The first one is priced at $5.99 on a monthly basis with the inclusion of limited commercials. The second plan, however, provides you with a commercial-free experience for $11.99 per month. Now, if you subscribe to the Hulu Live TV option, you get the chance to watch shows and series as they air. Hulu’s Live TV option has come to replace cable and satellite. Give little thought to its $44.99 per month charge and think about how you are going to find your way through Hulu’s entire streaming library.
How to Subscribe to Hulu Abroad?
I remember reading this article about a show called “The Act” that tells the story of a girl who kills her mother after failing to escape her overprotective and abusive behavior. The storyline sent shivers down my spine. I had to know what channel was hosting its streaming. It was none other than Hulu. It was at that moment that I realized it was time I subscribed to Hulu already. and it was the easiest thing ever. Mind you, it was the easiest thing ever.
To make a Hulu subscription possible, you have to secure a VPN subscription first. Only that way will Hulu appear accessible to you while you’re outside the US. Now that this is out of the way, we can focus on the Hulu subscription itself. In order to sign up for Hulu, the first thing you need to do is visit Hulu’s website. Then, you click on “Start your Free Trial” to choose the plan you want (the ones we talked about above). After that, you create an account using your email.
What’s left is the payment option, which is important to the service in terms of helping you become a regularly paid subscriber, that is if you choose to commit, of course, post the free trial. Now that you have added all of your billing information, you are set and ready to stream. Select a Hulu supported device from the ones you’ll come across below customize your recommendations and get on with your Hulu streaming.
The Payment Methods
Not only does Hulu require an American IP address to become accessible to users abroad, but also paying for its subscription must come from within the US as well. If you’re not located in the US, you cannot use your domestic local credit card to get a Hulu subscription. According to Hulu:
“A Hulu subscription is intended for use by members of a single U.S. household. Therefore, you will need a U.S.-issued form of payment when you sign up.”
Now you know that you can bypass geo-blocks imposed on Hulu or any other streaming service easily with a VPN. The next step for you would be getting a Hulu subscription, which can be a bit tricky for those who are living abroad. Hulu has stipulations laid out for non-US residents, and with that being said, you should know that there are other ways in which they can become official Hulu subscribers. These methods include credit and debit cards, digital payments like PayPal, and gift cards.
Credit or Debit Cards
“We accept U.S. based credit or debit cards like American Express, Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Credit or debit cards must have at least $1 balance.”
This means that all you have to do is sign up for a virtual US debit card. This card will be as effective as a regular US card, which you can use for online shopping.
Digital Payments
“You can use PayPal, Venmo, and AMEX Express Checkout to pay for Hulu.”
In case you chose PayPal, what you need to do is visit the PayPal website, sign up, fill out the forms, make the necessary links to your cards, and you’re all set.
Gift Cards
“You can use a Hulu gift card to pay for Hulu.”
Many are the websites that offer Hulu gift cards for sale. Some examples are Walmart, Target, eBay, Amazon, Kroger, and Best Buy. You can also find them at retail outlets. Once you purchase your Hulu gift card from one of these websites, you will receive the card’s number by email, which you will later use when subscribing to a Hulu account.
Hulu’s International Availability Plan
Hulu is considering international plans now that Disney is the new owner. This new venture might lead to the expansion of the service’s original programming and an increase in the subscription fees. According to the Verge, Chairman and CEO Bob Iger said:
“Given the success of Hulu so far in terms of subscriber growth and the relative brand strength and other things like demographics, we think there’s an opportunity to increase investment in Hulu notably on the programming side.”
While Hulu currently has plans only in the U.S. and Japan (probably a different version), with new management that may change. For your kind information, Hulu On-demand’s content is available in U.S. territories, like on military bases or in Puerto Rico. Hulu with Live TV, however, is only available in the 50 states of the U.S. With the best VPN for Hulu, you could care less about its expansion plans.
Hulu’s Content
Hulu’s library is up for grabs for the non-US resident who wants to make use of a VPN. The lineup of channels is a strong indicator of the service’s success and popularity. When choosing a streaming service, make sure you go over the channel lineup to ensure that all your favorite channels are included. We can’t list them all, but here are some of the channels that Hulu offers.
Channels
News channels
- CNBC
- CNN
- CNN International
- Cheddar
- HLN
- MSNBC
- Fox Business
- Fox News
The Live local channels
- CBS
- FOX
- ABC
- NBC
- CW
- Fox Sports South
- Fox Sports Southeast
- Telemundo
Sports channels
- Olympic Channel
- Big Ten Network
- Golf Channel
- NBCSN
- CBS Sports Network
- FS1
- FS2
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNews
- ESPNU
Family and kids channels
- Disney Channel
- Disney XD
- Universal Kids
- Disney Junior
- Boomerang
Movie channels
- Turner Classic Movies
- FXM
Lifestyle and entertainment channels
- Pop
- SyFy
- TBS
- TLC
- A&E
- Bravo
- Discovery Channel
- History
- National Geographic
- Nat Geo Wild
- E!
- Food Network
- Freeform
- HGTV
- Travel Channel
- TNT
- TruTV
- USA
- Investigation Discovery
- Lifetime
Best Hulu shows
Check out why Hulu is dubbed one of the most significant and competitive streaming services in the world. Here’s some of what its streaming library owns.
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- The Act
- Killing Eve
- Homeland
- Castle Rock
- Runaways
- Casual
- The Path
- Harlots
- Future Man
- Pen15
- 11.22.63
- Shut Eye
- Difficult People
- Shrill
- I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman
- Rami
- The Bisexual
- The First
- The Hotwives
- Freakish
- The Looming Tower
- The Mindy Project
- Rick and Morty
- Fargo
- Vikings
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Modern Family
- Dexter
- Lost
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Firefly
- The Simpsons
- Archer
- Parks and Recreation
- Attack on Titan
Entertainment add-ons that require $7.99 per month
- FYI
- DIY
- Lifetime Movies
- CNBC World
- Cooking Channel
Supported Devices
Getting a Hulu subscription is not enough if you don’t own a supported device. Below are some of the devices that Hulu supports.
- iOS devices
- Android devices
- Amazon Fire TV and FireStick
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- Selected models of LG TV
- Nintendo Switch
- Selected models of Roku
- Xbox 360
- Selected models of Samsung TV
- Xbox One
Still Thinking about it?
Now that you know how valuable Hulu is, the idea of getting a VPN service provider is not unheard of. This only applies to those who are nowhere to be found within the US borders. Whereas, other online users residing in the US have no problem accessing and streaming Hulu. That can be you streaming the latest episodes featured on Hulu at the same time as they air if you follow this guide.
Hulu’s Unblocking Tool
If a physical location is going to have an effect on what you can and cannot see, then a VPN manifests itself in a position where it’s a necessity rather than a luxury.
The VPN provider that you choose has an incredible impact on your online streaming. So, if your aim is to stream Hulu’s content despite your geolocation with no interruptions or restrictions, an ExpressVPN subscription would serve your intended purposes. Let us know how well that works out with you.
