How to watch Hotstar outside India

Hotstar is currently available in a handful of countries such as Indonesia, the US, and the UK. However, these offerings pale compared to Hotstar India, which has recently announced its collaboration with Disney+.

The collaboration will serve under its new name Disney+ Hotstar with content completely free to anyone inside India. So you’ll be able to stream most of the content you’d like without restriction.

But, there’s a catch, you can’t stream Hotstar India outside of India. This means there will be many of you worldwide unable to watch the brilliant shows, sports and everything else that’s available on Hotstar India.

You’ll be stuck with other region’s Hotstar offerings, which are poor compared to what Hotstar India has in its content library. Or you’ll be unable to access the service entirely.

If you want to watch the best version of Hotstar outside of India, then you’ll need to use a VPN service.

A VPN will help you avoid any regional restrictions on content and will provide you with unrestricted access to Hotstar India no matter where you are in the world.

I’ll be discussing VPNs in more detail in a moment, and I’ll show you five of the best VPN providers around for unblocking Hotstar India from anywhere.

First, let’s see a quick way of getting Hotstar outside India. I’ve put a more detailed guide further down.

Quick steps to watch Hotstar anywhere

Access Hotstar in 3 easy to follow steps; you’ll be set up in a matter of minutes.

In this example, I’ve used ExpressVPN, which is my number 1 VPN recommendation for you to watch Hotstar India.

1. Sign up for ExpressVPN on their website and take advantage of their fantastic 12-month deal that gives you three months free and 49% off.
2. Download the app to your device, either from your app store or the ExpressVPN website.
3. Use the VPN to connect to India (Indian IP address). Use the Hotstar app or visit the Hotstar website and stream Hotstar where you are.

Watch Hotstar anywhere using ExpressVPN.

What you need to watch Hotstar where you are

Let me explain a bit more about what a VPN is and how using a VPN can help you unblock Hotstar outside India without restriction.

A VPN or also known as a Virtual Private Network, is an app that helps you protect your privacy while surfing the web.

However, another popular use of a VPN is to unblock streaming services such as the Indian Hotstar by connecting your VPN to Indian servers.

When you connect to an Indian server, it will give you an Indian IP address and trick Indian Hotstar into giving you unrestricted access.

No matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to watch Hotstar India and all of its excellent content on your devices.

A VPN can also help you unblock other streaming services and geo-restricted content worldwide, such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and many other services.

Best VPN for Hotstar

1. ExpressVPN

Express VPN is the ultimate VPN service to access Hotstar India from anywhere.

It has an extensive selection of VPN apps that cover almost all devices, such as an Android device or even your TV. You can download the Hotstar app on the Google Play Store, Apple Store, and the site.

The app is easy to use so that you can watch Hotstar online with ease, along with many other popular streaming services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Apple TV, and more.

They also have over 3000+ VPN servers with several Indian server locations that will provide you with an Indian IP address that is required to watch Hotstar online (the original Indian version).

ExpressVPN is a reliable VPN with super-fast VPN connection speeds that’ll give you lag-free streaming across five simultaneous connections. These fast speeds will be ideal for streaming the likes of WanderVision on Disney Hotstar India and even live sport, so you’ll never miss a goal again.

They even offer high-quality VPN security features such as a kill switch and others, but I won’t go into too much detail about them.

At the moment, ExpressVPN is offering some fantastic deals that are a bargain. Their 12-month package comes with 3 free months and a 49% discount. Not forgetting that your investment is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so your investment is risk-free.

ExpressVPN offers unlimited bandwidth making it perfect for accessing Hotstar India and other streaming services as mentioned above.

If you want the best Hotstar VPN, then look no further than ExpressVPN.

30-day money back guarantee

2. NordVPN

If you’ve been wondering how to watch Hotstar Outside India, then NordVPN is an excellent choice of VPN service.

NordVPN has a wide selection of Indian servers available to give you access to the Indian version of Hotstar outside of India.

They have excellent connection speeds that are ideal for streaming high-quality video to your devices with ease. This will allow you to watch Hotstar abroad without suffering any significant loss in quality.

NordVPN has one of the best looking VPN app user interfaces I’ve come across. It’s simple to use and looks fantastic whether you’re using a mobile device or a desktop computer.

It’s worth mentioning that NordVPN has some brilliant security features such as a built-in kill switch, 256-bit encryption and doesn’t use virtual servers.

With your NordVPN subscription, you’ll be able to use your VPN app on up to six connections at once, so your whole family can stream from their favourite overseas online streaming platforms without any restrictions.

Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try their service risk-free. They also have a brilliant customer service department that can answer any questions you may have about your VPN app.

3. Surfshark VPN

Surfshark is pretty new to the VPN industry but has already had an enormous impact and proved to be an incredible VPN service.

Firstly, they offer some of the best prices around, with subscriptions costing as little as $2.50/month, which will hardly break the bank.

Surfshark is a reliable VPN service that provides excellent connection speeds that are ideal for watching Hotstar abroad in full HD without any lagging or pixelated video.

Along with unblocking the Indian Hotstar app, Surfshark works incredibly well with Netflix and unblocks over 30+ Netflix regions globally. Other services such as Indian Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, and more can be unblocked using Surfshark VPN.

One of the best features that Surfshark VPN offers is that they allow you to have unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can watch Hotstar online across any of your devices without worrying about how many devices you’re using.

Surfshark provides you with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives you plenty of time to try their service while you access Hotstar outside India. All you need to do is be connected to one of Surfshark’s Indian server connections.

4. CyberGhost VPN

When it comes to having many VPN servers, CyberGhost has one of the largest in the industry, with over 7450+ in 91 countries, including 36 Indian server options. This alone makes them ideal for unblocking your premium Hotstar account from other countries outside India.

Each CyberGhost Indian server will provide you with incredible speeds that allow you to access Hotstar India on your devices from anywhere in the world without worrying about poor quality video streams.

Cyberghost has specific servers dedicated to unblocking streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITV Hub, and Disney Hotstar.

They offer apps to cover almost any device; whether it’s an Android device or Apple, Windows or Mac, they’ve got you covered.

If you’ve been looking to access premium Hotstar content, then CyberGhost is an excellent choice for you.

They are so confident that you’ll love their service that they offer the longest money-back guarantee in the industry, a huge 45-days!

5. IPVanish

IPVanish has long been one of our favourite VPNs, and they just so happen to work fantastically to access your Hotstar India account from anywhere in the world.

They have a reasonably sized server list covering many Indian cities such as Mumbai and New Dehli. You’ll have no trouble accessing Hotstar outside India.

Their VPN app isn’t the greatest looking app out there, but it’s relatively simple to use and will allow you to connect to an Indian server in seconds with a few clicks of a button.

IPVanish has followed Surfshark VPN’s example and now offer unlimited simultaneous connections. This will let you use your VPN on every device you own without any limitations.

Accessing Hotstar on all your devices has never been easier, and IPVanish is one of the best VPN service providers around to stream Hotstar outside India.

How to use a VPN to watch Hotstar?

Here’s a more detailed step by step guide on setting up your VPN for streaming Hotstar India.

Step 1

Head to the ExpressVPN site and sign up for one of their VPN packages. I recommend their 12-month package, as you get 49% off and three free months.

Step 2

Download their VPN app to your devices and log in using your username and password. Some devices require the supplied activation code.

You can find the app on the ExpresVPN site or your devices app store (Apple Play and Google Play Services).

Step 3

Connect to an Indian location by clicking ‘Selected Location‘ then choosing India from the list. Click the Connect button to establish your connection.

Access Hotstar in any country.

Step 4

Open the Disney Hotstar app or visit the Disney Hotstar website, and enjoy watching Hotstar, including all of your favourite Hotstar movies and shows.

If you don’t have a Hotstar premium account, sign up for one and download the Hotstar app.

30-day money back guarantee

How to choose a VPN for Hotstar

There are a few critical features to consider for streaming video from services like Hotstar. We’ve listed the main ones to look out for below.

1. Speed

Connection speed should be one of your main considerations when selecting a VPN for Hotstar. The main reason is that the faster your connection speed, the better quality your video streams will be.

A low connection speed will lead to pixelated video streams and non-stop video buffering, which nobody enjoys.

VPN services like ExpressVPN offer excellent speeds, so you won’t have to suffer any speed problems and will allow you to stream all of the best content that Hotstar has to offer you.

2. Server locations

Ensuring that the VPN you choose to access Hotstar has a wide range of server locations is vital. Especially servers located in India, as they will be the ones you need to connect to for access to Hotstar India.

All of the VPNs on the list above have a wide range of servers worldwide and offer several locations across India. For example, CyberGhost VPN has a large server base and covers many popular Indian cities.

However, it’s equally as important to have servers located in nearby countries if you want to use the VPN for other purposes.

3. Apps

Choosing a VPN that has dedicated apps for most devices is super important, as it ensures that you’ve got a quick and easy way to set up your VPN.

The days of setting up your VPN manually are long gone, meaning you no longer need to spend hours trying to set it up yourself.

Nowadays, it’s as simple as downloading an app, logging in, and making a connection.

It’s equally important to check that the VPN you’ve chosen has an application to cover the devices you want to use. You can check for the app on Apple App Store or open the Google Play Store.

VPNs like NordVPN have brilliant apps for most devices that not only look outstanding but they’re simple to use.

What devices can I watch Hotstar on?

You can watch Hotstar on a whole host of devices so long as the Hotstar app is available on that device, or you have a web browser capable of streaming video.

For example, you might be on your mobile phone while you’re on the train commuting to work; if this is the case, then you’ll have no trouble using your VPN application to access the Hotstar app.

Or, you might be curled up at home with your laptop. Again, in this instance, you’d be able to use your VPN to unblock Hotstar from anywhere.

However, not all devices, such as Smart TVs, will accept VPN apps. This can be overcome by using a Fire TV Stick, but if you don’t have one of those devices, you’ll struggle to use a VPN.

Luckily, there is another way in which you can access Hotstar from anywhere without using a VPN app.

What you need is the Invizbox 2.

What is the Invizbox 2?

The Invizbox 2 is a hardware version of a VPN and requires plugging into your router.

From there, you simply connect to the Invizbox 2 using your device, and as if by magic, you’ll be able to avoid any regional restrictions and watch Hotstar India from anywhere.

So, if you have a device that supports the use of VPN apps, then that’s great. But, if you have a device that doesn’t allow VPN apps, then you’ll need to use the Invizbox 2.

What can I watch on Hotstar?

When it comes to watching content on the Hotstar premium website, you’re in for a treat. Hotstar offers all Hotstar users a wide range of excellent movies, TV shows and live channels. Plus now with a VPN, you’ll be able to watch Hotstar outside India.

Since Hotstar joined forces with Disney+, the channel has become Disney Hotstar and has some of the world’s best Disney exclusives appearing on the streaming service.

Some of the popular TV content you’ll have access to includes The Mandalorian, WandaVision, Succession, Special Ops, Housefull 4, Criminal Justice, Tanhaji, Avengers: Endgame, and so much more.

Disney Hotstar India also offers exclusive content such as Tanhiayan, Shockers, Kamathipura: The Tattoo Murders, PariWar, As I’m Suffering From Kadhal and On Air With AIB.

You’ll also have access to live sports such as the English Premier League Football and the Indian Premier League Cricket.

How to get an Indian phone number to sign up?

To sign up for Disney Hotstar India, you’ll require an Indian phone number. To get access to an Indian phone number, follow these steps.

1. Head to the receive SMS website.
2. Choose a phone number from the list provided and then click the “Receive SMS” button.
3. Copy the number that appears on the screen (this is the Indian number you’ll be needing).
4. Go to the Disney Hotstar window/page, paste the phone number, and click the “Continue” button.
5. Get the verification code from the Receive SMS webpage, and copy the code. (You may need to refresh the page several times).
6. Lastly, go back to the Disney Hotstar page and enter the verification code, then hit continue.
7. Enjoy streaming Hotstar.

How to pay for Hotstar outside India

Paying for the Disney Hotstar VIP membership site outside India is more difficult than the previous steps we’ve taken to gain access to the streaming channel; you’ll need access to an Indian payment method to watch Hotstar outside India.

There are a few options.

Firstly, you could ask a friend or family member (who has access to Indian payment details) to sign up on your behalf. You will also need an Indian address to accompany this and an Indian Apple ID (for iPhones and iPads).

Or, you can try services like Fiverr to see if someone is willing to sign up for you, and you pay them for their services. The only problem with this method is that it could be risky for you, and you’d need to pay the person doing it a large subscription amount upfront.

If you do decide to proceed with the second option, please proceed with caution. The last thing you’d want is to be scammed out of your money while trying to watch India Hotstar premium outside India.

We don’t recommend this method, but it’s there for your consideration.

What’s the best free VPN for Hotstar?

Using a free VPN is not recommended. In fact, it should be avoided at all costs. This is due to many reasons, which I shall discuss with you throughout this section.

One of the main reasons for not using a free VPN service to watch Hotstar is that free services often install dangerous malware on your devices. This won’t only slow your devices down, but they usually track your information and sell it to the highest bidder.

Many free VPNs inject annoying adverts onto your devices, so you’ll be bombarded with adverts while you try to stream your favourite Hotstar TV shows, or worse… mid-way through a football game.

Another annoying reason not to use a free app is that they rarely work with streaming services such as Hotstar.

You’ll find that Hotstar actively blocks free services due to their poor connections. If you manage to find a connection that works, you’ll be plagued with slow speeds that will make 90s internet look fast.

Most free services won’t offer Indian servers, so even if your free VPN works, it won’t work with Hotstar India.

But, if you are in an extreme circumstance and must use a free service, you should check out PrivadoVPN’s free version.

But there’s a catch; their free service is limited to 10GB of data a month, which will only be enough for a few episodes or movies, which is far from ideal.

Summary

Watching Hotstar India is simple if you know how; what you need is a VPN such as ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN provider for unblocking Hotstar and streaming all of the Disney Hotstar content from anywhere in the world without any restrictions.

Not only does ExpressVPN have some of the world’s fastest connections, but they also have many connections located in India and other countries outside India. Plus, unlimited bandwidth that’s perfect for accessing the India Hotstar app.

They have an excellent VPN application that’s available for most devices, so no matter whether you’re sitting at home or on the move, you’ll be able to make a secure connection to an Indian VPN server from anywhere in the world and unblock Hotstar India.

Plus, you’ll be able to unblock other services, too, such as international news stations, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, 7Plus, MatchTV, and more.

Still not sure? ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee and has a fantastic deal offering 3-months free and 49% off their 12-month package.

Get ExpressVPN now, and don’t miss out on this fantastic deal. You’ll be watching Hotstar in no time at all.