Watch HBO Max, Go, and Now with a VPN
How to watch HBO Max, Go, and Now with a VPN
Get a risk-free HBO Max VPN and stream original series, same-day movie premieres, and exclusive sports in blazing-fast HD!
- Fast streaming on all devices
- Set up in minutes, with 24/7 support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Fast streaming on all devices
- Set up in minutes, with 24/7 support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Get a VPN and watch HBO in 3 steps
Step 3
Log in to HBO to watch your favorite movies and TV.
How a VPN works with HBO
VPN stands for virtual private network. VPNs are a great way to both encrypt your data and mask your location.
With ExpressVPN, you’ll have access to server locations all over the world! Just sign up for an HBO account to stream hundreds of HBO titles. ExpressVPN complements the experience with unlimited bandwidth, and you’ll never have to worry about monitoring or logging.
You can even get faster streaming on networks with ISP throttling!
Learn more about how a VPN can speed up your streaming video.
HBO, HBO Go & HBO Now
HBO (Home Box Office) offers premium television programming—original series, theatrical films, and live sports—in the United States, Canada, and select countries in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

HBO Go (which ceased operations in the U.S. in 2020) is a streaming service that lets you stream HBO free if you have an HBO cable TV subscription.
It’s also been possible to watch HBO online without cable by subscribing to its standalone streaming service, HBO Now. HBO Now is being renamed to simply HBO.
The latest streaming service from the company is HBO Max, offering a premium selection of programs. Most HBO Go and HBO Now customers can switch over to HBO Max without additional cost.
What is HBO Max?
Launched in 2020, HBO Max is HBO’s premium online streaming service. In addition to the full catalogue of HBO series and movies, HBO Max brings together 10,000 hours of content from companies under WarnerMedia, including Warner Bros., CNN, Adult Swim, TBS, Cartoon Network, HBO, and TNT. Its lineup includes full series of several classic sitcom hits, new DC Entertainment series, the complete library of Studio Ghibli films, and plenty of original programming featuring big-name actors and producers. Most existing HBO Go and HBO Now customers can switch over to HBO Max and its expanded library at no extra cost.

HBO Max has also become the global go-to for blockbuster movies, with same-day streaming of all Warner Bros. movies on HBO Max to coincide with movie theatre premieres. As of 2022 all movie titles—from Oscar bait, to superhero flicks, to kid-friendly fare—are available to stream on HBO Max for 30 days from theatrical release. HBO Max has also introduced two payment tiers, with both an ad-supported subscription price, and a slightly more expensive ad-free subscription option.
* ExpressVPN is a VPN service not intended to be used as a means of copyright circumvention. Please read the ExpressVPN Terms of Service and HBO Terms of Use for more details.
FAQ: Watch HBO with a VPN
Does ExpressVPN work with HBO?
ExpressVPN has a fast, optimized network of servers that work with streaming services like HBO Max, HBO Now, and HBO Go to deliver high-quality video content without compromising security or privacy.
If your ISP throttles your streaming traffic, or if your school network or public Wi-Fi operator blocks access to streaming apps, using ExpressVPN will allow you to get around these restrictions and start watching HBO again.
Does ExpressVPN come with an HBO account?
ExpressVPN does not come with an HBO account. To stream HBO with a VPN, you need to first sign up for an HBO account.
After you have an account with HBO, you can use ExpressVPN to help you watch HBO privately and securely.
HBO Now vs. HBO Go vs. HBO Max: What’s the difference?
HBO Go is the app that comes with your cable TV subscription if you have a plan that includes HBO. HBO Now is the standalone service that doesn’t require a separate TV package. Both offer the same HBO streaming content. HBO Max has everything available on HBO Go or HBO Now, plus a wide array of additional shows and movies, including a full slate of Warner Bros. movies released on the same day they premiere in theatres.
What devices can I watch HBO on?
HBO is available on a wide range of devices, including:
Smartphones and tablets, including iOS and Android
Computers, including Mac, Windows, and Linux
Smart TVs and TV box systems, including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV Stick and Roku
Game consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox
ExpressVPN has easy-to-use apps for many of these devices and covers five devices simultaneously. But even if your device cannot install ExpressVPN directly, you can still enjoy full VPN benefits by connecting it to a router running ExpressVPN.
Want HBO on the big screen? Learn about all the ways to get ExpressVPN on your TV.
Can I watch HBO shows in another country?
Will using a VPN affect HBO video quality?
Usually, no. All VPNs have the potential to slow down your connection, but ExpressVPN is extremely fast, and most users don’t see any buffering issues.
In some cases, using a VPN to watch HBO can actually improve your video quality, especially if your ISP has been throttling bandwidth on streaming services.
Can I stream HBO live?
Almost. All the HBO online services make new episodes of original HBO programming and theatrical films available at the same time they premiere on HBO. Programs that air live on HBO, such as news or sports, are delayed but usually appear online within a few hours.
How do I watch HBO on Hulu?
It’s easy! HBO can be purchased as a Hulu add-on, allowing you to watch via the Hulu app or website or the HBO Now app.
Can I stream HBO free?
HBO is a pay TV service. If you already subscribe to HBO through cable, streaming via HBO Go is probably free for you. Otherwise, you may be able to access HBO free trials through HBO Now, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. In 2021, HBO also introduced two-tier pricing for HBO Max, with both ad-supported and ad-free subscription plans available.
Can I use a free proxy for HBO?
We don’t recommend using a free proxy for HBO. Free services rarely operate as advertised, and some may even sell your activity to third parties for a profit.
Why can’t I access HBO Go / HBO Now / HBO Max?
HBO Now, HBO Go, and HBO Max work best when you use the U.S. server location nearest to your actual location. If you’re using a U.S. location and still can’t access an HBO app, contact ExpressVPN Support.
What else can I do with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN works with other streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Showtime. It’s also a fast and easy way to use the internet privately and securely, and can even enhance your online gaming experience.
Why streamers love ExpressVPN
Perfect. Unlike other VPNs that took forever to stream anything, with ExpressVPN I never notice a difference at all. It takes a lot to make me happy but this did it for me.
Have been using this service for two years now... it's infallible. Works with every app and streaming service. Uptime is good, no stuttering or delay on streams.
This is the first VPN service that doesn't slow down or buffer my streaming services while I'm at home. I appreciate that and thank you all for doing it right!
How to stream on your TV with ExpressVPN

Using ExpressVPN means secure streaming in blazing-fast HD! Here are four ways to stream with a VPN:
Download the app to a smart TV. If you have a TV that can install the ExpressVPN app directly, such as Amazon Fire TV or Android TV, just search for the app and install!
Connect via HDMI cable. Simply run an HDMI cable from another device with ExpressVPN installed to your TV. Don’t have an HDMI cable handy? Try mirroring or casting instead.
Use MediaStreamer. Though MediaStreamer doesn’t offer the privacy protection of a VPN, it works with devices like Apple TV and gaming consoles that normally can’t install a VPN.
Use a VPN-enabled router. With ExpressVPN installed on your router, every device in your home—including your smart TV—can enjoy all the benefits of a VPN. This even covers devices that can’t install a VPN directly.
Besides smart TVs, ExpressVPN also works with a wide range of devices—and you can connect up to 5 at the same time with a single subscription!
Why use ExpressVPN?
Servers all over the world
ExpressVPN users can connect to server locations in 94 countries and counting, including:
Stream HBO with the risk-free VPN
Still undecided about using a VPN for HBO? Try ExpressVPN risk-free.
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