The best VPNs for unblocking Hulu

These VPNs can all bypass Hulu's dreaded firewall.

By Joseph Green

Sept. 17, 2024

Credit: Pexels

NordVPN

Best For Security

You can't go wrong with Nord. It's a well-known and reliable VPN that has over 5,000 servers worldwide and doesn't track your activity.

Pros & Cons

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

CyberGhost makes staying protected on your Android device easy.

Pros & Cons

Private Internet Access

Best For Server Network

Installs quickly and comes with loads of premium features for all types of users.

Pros & Cons

PureVPN

Best For Customisation

Android users can profit from the customisable modes used to optimise their connection.

Pros & Cons

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

Surfshark offers an impressive set of features with an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.

Pros & Cons

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If there's anything better than changing into pajamas, squeezing yourself between the crisp, slightly cold sheets of your bed, and plowing through an entire season of 90 Day Fiancé after a busy day, we have yet to experience it.

This gloriously trashy reality series is a guilty pleasure for a lot of people out there, and it's just one of literally thousands of TV shows and movies available on Hulu, the bright green-branded streaming service founded in 2007.

Hulu provides on-demand access to a stacked lineup that includes hit movies like Annihilation and Sorry to Bother You; cult-favourite shows like Rick and Morty and This Is Us; and exclusive originals like Shrill and The Handmaid's Tale.

Unlike Netflix, that has expanded internationally, Hulu's library is strictly limited to viewers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. military bases. That's because Hulu doesn't own international streaming rights for any of its shows and movies; it only holds the U.S. distribution licenses. If Hulu were to expand the availability of its content abroad, it would have to make new deals with distributors to acquire streaming rights in other regions — and that requires a lot of negotiating and money-spending.

There's still a chance Hulu will go global. But until then, those attempting to watch Hulu from outside the U.S. will have to circumvent Hulu's geo-restrictions with the help of something called a virtual private network, or VPN.

Do you need a VPN to watch Hulu?

To prevent users outside the U.S. from accessing its shows and movies, Hulu requires two things of its accountholders: a U.S.-issued form of payment and a U.S. IP (internet protocol) address — that's the numerical ID containing information about your location and web activity that gets assigned to your device by your internet search provider, or ISP, when you connect to a local network. It's like a house's physical address, but for your computer/smartphone/tablet.

That IP address part is where a VPN comes into play. For the uninitiated, a VPN is a service that creates a safe, secure connection over the internet by routing your device's traffic through its own private servers. Known as encryption, this process shields your personal information and online activities from the prying eyes of your ISP and — this is key — creates a temporary IP address that hides your true location.

You can probably guess where we're going with this: If you're trying to watch Hulu from outside the U.S., you can have a VPN spoof your IP address and trick Hulu into thinking you're based in the U.S. Simple, right?

Actually, not so much. Because here's the thing: Hulu isn't dumb.

Does Hulu block users with a VPN?

Just like Netflix, Hulu prohibits its accountholders from using VPNs in an effort to protect its licensed content, and it'll slap you with an error message if it thinks you're trying to use one to watch its content. Its tactics are threefold:

Hulu blocks anonymous IP addresses whose geographical location it can't verify
Hulu checks your IP address against its own blacklist of known VPN servers
Hulu keeps a lookout for IP addresses with a large number of users. If there are too many people sharing any given server, Hulu will assume you're all using a VPN and shut that shit down.

If a VPN provider wants to unblock Hulu for its users, it needs to steer clear of Hulu's blacklist while maintaining a sizeable U.S. server network. These are no easy feats, so the list of VPNs that can consistently bypass Hulu's ferocious firewall is pretty short.

What is the best VPN for watching Hulu?

Need help making sense of all this? Below, we've broken down the pros and cons of VPNs that are currently capable of unblocking Hulu and keeping you anonymous online. That way, you can make an informed decision on how to spend your hard-earned cash.

These are the best VPN for watching Hulu in 2024.

NordVPN

Best For Security

The good

One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs Fast servers Can connect six devices Doesn't log activities

The Bad

It's expensive

The Bottomline

If you want a VPN that has a fast service and allows you to connect to multiple phones at once, try out NordVPN.

Specs

Monthly: £10.39/month
One-year plan: £3.99/month
Two-year plan: £3.19/month

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues.

NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.

CyberGhost VPN

Best For Simplicity

The good

Great security features Easy to use with Android Generous money-back guarantee

The Bad

Speeds can drop

The Bottomline

CyberGhost VPN keeps things real simple, and focuses on strong security features.

Specs

Monthly: £10.89/month
Six-month plan: £6.19/month
Two-year plan: £1.92/month

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices.

CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings.

Private Internet Access

Best For Server Network

The good

Encrypted WiFi Kill switch Number and spread of servers Range of apps

The Bad

Interface is dated Not the fastest

The Bottomline

List of features that should suit beginners and advanced users.

Specs

Monthly: £10.99/month
Six-month plan: £5.39/month
Two-year plan: £1.69/month

Private Internet Access (PIA) installs quickly and comes with loads of impressive features for all types of users, no matter if you're a beginner or an advanced user who likes fiddling around with settings.

You get your standard secure VPN account, encrypted WiFi, P2P, IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, plus a whole lot more. PIA isn't a particularly sexy app, but what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for with a long list of features. It also has a solid backbone, with thousands of servers in countries all around the world.

It's also relatively speedy. We noticed our "naked" download and upload speeds dropped by only about a half or two-thirds (common for most VPNs). It may not be the fastest VPN around, but it's definitely not the slowest, either.

PIA has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and an extension for Chrome.

PureVPN

Best For Customisation

The good

Customisable modes Private connection possibilities Protection against viruses and ads

The Bad

The modes can actually be limiting

The Bottomline

Android users should love the customisable modes that can be used to optimise connection.

Specs

Monthly: £8.37/month
One-year plan: £2.86/month
Two-year plan: £1.75/month

PureVPN is different to other virtual private network services, due to its customisable nature.

Your connection is based on what 'mode' you select. Some of the options include streaming, 'internet freedom', privacy, file-sharing, and dedicated IP modes.

Some Android users might actually find this a bit limiting, but all your activity is kept private no matter what mode you're in, and that's the most important thing. The dedicated IP mode helps deal with some of the speed issues VPNs frequently face, too.

PureVPN also has many of the other features you expect to get from a VPN, such as the ability to change your location, and in-built protections against malware, viruses, and ads.

Surfshark

Best For Multiple Devices

The good

No limit on simultaneous connections Intuitive app Multi-hop and split tunnelling tools

The Bad

Not the strongest connection speeds

The Bottomline

Surfshark ticks a lot of boxes for streaming sport and should be your top choice if you rely on a lot of tech.

Specs

Monthly: £9.90/month
One-year plan: £3.05/month
Two-year plan: £1.76/month

Surfshark is probably the best VPN for anyone who relies on a lot of tech, as you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with the same plan. This also makes it something to seriously consider if there is a lot of people in your house looking to stream at the same time.

Surfshark also offers a wide range of impressive features including split tunnelling and enterprise-grade infrastructure, with an easy to use and stylish interface making it a strong choice for total beginners.

Surfshark is not the cheapest provider, but if you're willing to commit to a longer contract, the monthly rate comes down sharply.