Even before HBO Max was launched, HBO was one of the best streaming services you could’ve signed up for. With the launch of HBO Max, that is even more true than ever. After all, no other streaming service promises to bring movies to your TV on the same day when they hit theaters.
But that’s not all, as even without that fancy feat HBO Max has a ton to offer — including thousands of hours of movies, TV shows and more. Plus, let’s not forget HBO’s original programming which is rather awesome — and getting better.
If you can’t access HBO Max from your country, you’ll need a VPN and that’s what this page is all about. To help you select the one that will enable you to access the popular streaming service while also letting you do other things, like anonymously surfing the world wide web, protecting you when using public Wi-Fi hotspots, and more.
Here are the best VPNs for HBO Max (and many other things):
Pros
Cons
- 5,000+ servers in the network
- Easy to use - install it and forget it
- One license is good for up to 6 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Chrome extension is just a proxy
- You can't pay with PayPal
Summary
In addition, NordVPN will have you covered in all other scenarios. Whether you want to keep a low profile on the web, bypass ridiculous content bans and censorship, download and upload files via BitTorrent — this is a VPN that you can rely on. And we love it for that. Highly recommended.
Pros
Cons
- Feature-rich yet easy to use
- One of the best VPNs around
- Strong no-logging policy
- Reliable support you can reach 24/7
- Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
- Kinda pricey
Summary
Add other ExpressVPN features to the mix and you get a service that is hard to beat and is, therefore, one of our favorites. You won't regret buying it.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries
Summary
In addition, you can also rely on Hotspot Shield for torrenting, where too you can expect fast download and upload speeds; and the same goes for mobile users — its apps are super easy to use and work out of the box.
As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
Pros
Cons
- One the best VPNs for torrenting
- Works well with Netflix
- Simple setup on all popular devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer
- Doesn't work in China
Summary
The situation can be different with BBC iPlayer and we've had a hard time finding the server we can reliably use. In the end, we did found a server that works but it took as some time. After that, we've got a buffer-free experience every single time.
IPVanish is best used for torrenting and streaming with Kodi. Also, the service doesn't keep any logs, which is always a plus in our book.
Pros
Cons
- Reliable download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Lets you use it on unlimited number of devices
- Low number of servers in Africa and Australia
Summary
You can rely on it for streaming (we've tested it with all popular services), with included extra features like CleanWeb and MultiHop, delivering a that much better — and more secure — experience.
Surfshark, the company, is based in the British Virgin Islands and with its zero-logs policy makes for a powerful combo to anyone looking to keep its web whereabouts under the radar.
The service is easy to use and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What HBO Max is all about?
HBO Max is a subscription video on-demand streaming service owned by AT&T through the WarnerMedia Direct subsidiary of WarnerMedia. Launched on May 27, 2020 – it not only has all the movies and TV shows HBO has but also serves as a content hub for WarnerMedia’s various film and television properties. In addition, HBO Max also includes content licensed through third-party distributors. And this powerful “combo offering” had prompted HBO Max to reach 37.7 million paying subscribers and 17.2 million activated subscribers as of December 31, 2020 — just seven months after the launch.
HBO Max content
At launch, HBO Max had 10,000 hours of content — including first-run and library content from the namesake HBO (including its original series, documentaries, and specials), and content from the company’s other brands and networks.
As with HBO’s existing streaming platforms, HBO Go and HBO Now – HBO Max is not expected to include feeds of HBO’s linear cable channels, nor is it expected to include any content (including original programming) from Cinemax, which will concurrently wind down its original programming efforts as WarnerMedia reallocates its programming investments towards HBO Max.
In addition to WarnerMedia’s own content, HBO Max also includes stuff from third party content providers — such as 20th Century Studios (until 2022), Bad Robot Productions, BBC, Comedy Central, Dimension Films, DreamWorks, Legendary Entertainment, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Miramax, Orion Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Peanuts Worldwide, Sky, Sony Pictures, Studio Ghibli, United Artists, Universal Pictures (until 2022), and Walt Disney Pictures.
Max Originals
The original content on the service is produced under the banner “Max Originals” and it includes series, films, and specials. Original episodic content is released weekly, eschewing the “binge” format made popular by Netflix.
The company will form a new label known as Warner Max to produce 8 to 10 mid-budget films for the service annually. A slate of 31 original series was planned for its first year, with the idea to expand to 50 for its next year — but production timelines may have been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Same-day premieres
This is where things become really cool…
In late 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WarnerMedia moved two Warner Bros. films originally intended as major theatrical releases to either exclusive or simultaneous releases on HBO Max. The Witches was released exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. on October 22, and Wonder Woman 1984 debuted simultaneously in North American theaters and on HBO Max on December 25, although the latter was initially only available on the service for a month.
Week-long free trials were discontinued in December 2020. But, during the same month, it was announced the studio’s 2021 film lineup would see a simultaneous theatrical release and a one-month limited release on the streaming service, starting with The Little Things that premiered on January 29.
Judas and the Black Messiah premiered on HBO Max on February 12 and on theatres the same day. Other films are expected to get the same treatment (or are getting it as we speak): The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Cry Macho, Dune, Godzilla vs. Kong, In the Heights, King Richard, The Many Saints of Newark, Matrix, Mortal Kombat, Reminiscence, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, Those Who Wish Me Dead, Malignant, and Tom & Jerry.
However, while end-users like you and me like this move, this decision was met with backlash from filmmakers, production companies, the Directors Guild of America, the Creative Artists Agency, and movie theater owners as Warner Bros. had not informed anyone about their plan ahead of the announcement.
You need a VPN for HBO Max
If you don’t live in the U.S. – you can’t access HBO Max. Heck, even if you do live in the United States, you’ll need a VPN in order to keep your access while visiting other countries.
But a VPN has much more to offer and that’s why we never suggest anyone to get a VPN for one thing only. A good VPN will let you watch HBO Max from everywhere and will also let you do many other things, including:
- Protect your privacy from the government and big corporations
- Bypass restrictions imposed by the government or various organizations
- Change your IP address so you get unrestricted access to all streaming services
- Encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals
- Download files with BitTorrent anonymously
The top contenders that check all these boxes — while also let you access HBO Max from anywhere — include the following:
