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Watch HBO Max and HBO Now with VPN How to watch HBO Max, Go, and Now with a VPN

Get a risk-free HBO Max VPN and stream original series like House of the Dragon, same-day movie premieres, and sports in blazing-fast HD.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for HBO, helping you stream securely on all your devices in minutes.

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How to watch HBO Max with a VPN

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Select a secure U.S. VPN server location.

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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 (where it's available through Crave), 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 has now 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.

Stream blockbuster movies on the same day they premiere in theatres on HBO Max

HBO Max has also become the global go-to for blockbuster movies, with streaming of all Warner Bros. movies on HBO Max shortly after movie theatre premieres. Previously, all movie titles—from Oscar bait, to superhero flicks, to kid-friendly fare—were available to stream on HBO Max for 30 days from theatrical release. While this has ceased, HBO Max is still the first place to stream many blockbusters. 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 optimized to work with HBO Max so you can enjoy online privacy and security all the time, without the VPN interfering. It should not be used as a means of copyright circumvention. We cannot see or control what you do while connected to our service, so you are responsible for complying with our Terms of Service, your content provider’s terms, and any applicable laws.

HBO Max and Discovery Plus Merger: Max

On May 23, 2023, HBO Max and Discovery Plus will merge to form a new streaming service dubbed Max.

The new streaming service will be home to the HBO Max movies and series that you’re already familiar with. That means all your favorite HBO, DC, Harry Potter, and Cartoon Network titles will be available. All of Discovery Plus’s content will also be available in Max’s catalog, although Discovery Plus will also continue to operate as a standalone service with Discovery-only content and the same (lower) subscription fees.

On May 23, HBO Max users will have their profiles migrated to Max, and HBO Max will cease to exist. Existing subscribers will have their app automatically updated to the Max app, though some will be prompted to download the new app. The HBO cable channel will continue as-is.

If you are an existing HBO Max or Discovery+ subscriber or have considered subscribing to either, here’s all you need to know about the streaming service Max.

HBO Max and Discovery Plus
merger date

HBO Max and Discovery Plus will merge on May 23, 2023, in the U.S., with a gradual worldwide Max rollout happening over the next year. Here’s when to expect the launch of Max in your region:

United States: May 23, 2023
Latin America: 2023
Europe: 2024
Asia: 2024

How much will Max cost?

As of May 2023, Max will introduce three price plans:

Max Ad-Lite: $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year (two concurrent streams).
Max Ad Free: $15.99 a month, or $149.99 a year (two concurrent streams).
Max Ad Free Ultimate: $19.99 a month, or $199.99 a year (four concurrent streams with 4K UHD content).

While “Max Ad-Lite” and “Max Ad Free” plans are priced the same as existing HBO Max plans, they come with different benefits. Namely, fewer concurrent streams and the loss of 4K content.

Discovery Plus subscribers looking to keep Discovery Plus will not see their price plans revised. However, there’s no word if subscribers looking to jump to Max will be offered a discount for doing so.

FAQ: HBO 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.

What happens to my HBO Max subscription after the Discovery+ merger?

Existing HBO Max subscriptions will be automatically migrated to the new Max service, with users’ profiles, settings, watchlists, and shows they’re currently watching remaining intact.

Pricing remains the same, though Max will offer a more premium “Max Ultimate Ad Free” tier for 20 USD a month.

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, Roku, and Samsung Smart TV
Game consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox

ExpressVPN has easy-to-use apps for many of these devices and covers up to eight devices simultaneously with a single subscription. 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?

HBO programming is licensed to content providers around the world, including Sky TV in the UK, Italy, and Germany ; Hotstar in India ; Foxtel in Australia ; and Crave in Canada, among many others. In addition, your cable provider may have a website or app that offers streaming of HBO programs.

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.

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