Updated on: May 2, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for Hulu in 2024:
- 🥇ExpressVPN: Works well with Hulu, offers great security and privacy features, has super fast streaming speeds, and provides very intuitive apps for all major operating systems. What’s more, it has affordable plans and backs every purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
While Hulu has great content, it isn’t available everywhere. At present, Hulu is only available in the US and Japan. Furthermore, the content library in Japan is smaller than the one in the US.
Hulu determines which country you’re in by looking at your IP address. If your IP shows that you’re outside of the US or Japan, Hulu won’t even let you sign up.
VPNs are easy-to-use tools that let you change your IP address. If you connect to a VPN server in the UK, every website you visit will think you’re in that country. Theoretically, you could use a VPN to stream Hulu even if you’re in a country where it isn’t available. Unfortunately, this would be against Hulu’s Terms & Conditions, so I don’t recommend trying it.
If you’re in the US or Japan, you can use a VPN to watch Hulu without breaking any laws or violating Hulu’s policies. Since I’m in the US, I tested 50+ VPNs to figure out which ones work best with Hulu.
After weeks of research, I can say that ExpressVPN is the best for Hulu. It has great speeds, top-notch security, and lots of servers in the US and Japan. There are other options, too. Read on to discover the 5 best VPNs for watching Hulu.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Hulu in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for watching Hulu in 2024 with excellent streaming support + fast speeds.
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent VPN with customizable mobile apps (fast, secure + affordable plans).
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Easy-to-use VPN with dedicated streaming servers for watching Hulu shows.
- 4. NordVPN — High-end security features for watching Hulu (with a large US server network).
- 5. Surfshark — Good for reliably streaming Hulu content (with affordable pricing plans).
At SafetyDetectives, we do not condone copyright infringement and strongly recommend that our readers follow all intellectual property laws. The VPNs that earn our seal of approval operate under a no-logging policy. To break it down, this means that these services do not collect or store any records of your online behavior. Your actions while connected to a VPN are solely your responsibility, so always make sure you’re not in breach of any relevant legal standards and regulations.
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Streaming Hulu in 2024
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for Hulu in 2024. It offers lightning-fast US servers that provide easy and consistent access to Hulu, and it has very intuitive apps for different devices including Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
One thing I love about ExpressVPN is that it’s generally a great VPN for streaming. Apart from Hulu, it’s also the best VPN for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Max, and it works consistently with 60+ other streaming platforms.
ExpressVPN has over 20 server locations in the US, so you can connect to the one closest to you to enjoy faster speeds. I ran a few tests with ExpressVPN and was able to watch Hulu at all times and without any issues. I also had great speeds and could stream in HD without any buffering.
I really like MediaStreamer, ExpressVPN’s SmartDNS feature. This tool allows you to stream Hulu titles on devices that don’t support VPN apps, such as gaming consoles and certain smart TVs. MediaStreamer comes with exceptionally detailed tutorials that will help you set it up on your device — it took me 10 minutes to set it up on Xbox.
I was happy to learn that ExpressVPN has split-tunneling, and unlike most VPNs, it offers this feature on macOS. With split-tunneling, you can choose to route only your Hulu traffic through ExpressVPN, which will ultimately lead to faster streaming speeds.
It also comes with some really impressive security features. It uses perfect forward secrecy (a tool that protects your encryption key from hackers by changing it after every session) and full leak protection. I love that its strict no-logs policy has been independently audited and verified and that it runs on RAM-only servers that clear all data each time a server is reset.
ExpressVPN offers monthly and yearly plans starting at $6.67 / month. It’s not the cheapest option, but the value it offers is definitely worth the cost. All ExpressVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Hulu on the market. It provides consistent access to Hulu and works well with other streaming platforms too. It also offers very fast streaming speeds, top-notch security features, user-friendly apps, and split-tunneling (which can provide you with even faster streaming speeds). ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Low-Cost VPN With Fast Speeds for Watching Hulu Shows
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most affordable VPNs for Hulu on the market. Not only is it cheap, but it offers you a ton of value for your money, as it provides fast speeds, customizable and user-friendly apps, and excellent privacy and security features.
I like how flexible PIA’s apps are. The iOS and Android apps allow you to customize your Hulu streaming experience with over 20 settings. You can change your encryption level (I found 128-bit AES to be a bit faster than 256-bit AES encryption) and protocol (WireGuard was faster than OpenVPN in my tests). You can also configure PIA to automatically connect to a server whenever it detects an unsecured Wi-Fi network. This way, you won’t have to worry about accessing your Hulu account on public networks.
PIA has very fast streaming speeds (although it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN). I could stream Hulu shows in HD without any delays or interruptions, even when my son was downloading a game on Steam. I also like how PIA displays the latency of each server (the time the internet signal takes to travel from your device to the server) using a color-coded system, making it easy for you to find and connect to the fastest US server.
I’m also quite pleased with PIA’s privacy and security features. It has an independently audited no-logs policy and provides advanced features like split-tunneling (on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices), perfect forward secrecy, RAM-only servers, and full leak protection. What’s more, PIA publishes regular transparency reports which prove that it has secure hardware and doesn’t log or share user data.
Private Internet Access offers cheap plans starting at $2.03 / month. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is an affordable VPN that works great for streaming Hulu. It has very intuitive and flexible apps, and the company is very transparent. It also provides fast streaming speeds and advanced security features. PIA’s plans are backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Intuitive Interface + Dedicated Servers for Streaming Hulu
CyberGhost VPN has very intuitive apps for different devices, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. I particularly like the Smart Rules feature, which allows you to customize VPN connections. For example, you can make it so Hulu automatically opens after you connect to a US server.
I was pretty impressed with CyberGhost’s speeds. It isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, but it’s still fast enough to load HD videos immediately (4K videos started in a few seconds and barely had to buffer). I also like that CyberGhost offers split-tunneling, but this feature only works on Android, whereas ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling is available on all major devices (except iOS).
CyberGhost offers really good streaming support. It provides 100+ dedicated streaming servers optimized to play 50+ streaming services (in addition to Hulu), including top streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. Its normal servers are also good for streaming, but they aren’t quite as fast.
I was confident that my security and privacy were maintained while using CyberGhost. It provides advanced features like full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. I also like the My ID Guard feature (which alerts you if your Hulu credentials or other passwords have been leaked online) and the Content Blocker (a tool that blocks most ads and protects you from malicious sites, like those that mimic Hulu).
CyberGhost VPN offers affordable plans that start at $2.19 / month and backs its long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee (monthly plans come with a 14-day money-back guarantee).
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN is very user-friendly and offers convenient customization options. Plus, it has dedicated streaming servers for 50+ streaming apps (including Hulu), fast speeds, great security features, and a 45-day money-back guarantee for its long-term plans.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
4. NordVPN — Vast Server Network
NordVPN provides fast and reliable connections to Hulu thanks to its huge server network. It has 1,970+ servers in the US and 130+ in Japan, making it very easy for you to find and connect to an uncrowded server in your location and start streaming Hulu right away.
I really like how committed NordVPN is to its users’ privacy and security. It’s headquartered in Panama, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, and it has an independently audited no-logs policy. What’s more, it offers advanced features like perfect forward secrecy, full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and split-tunneling (except on macOS and iOS devices).
In addition to Hulu, NordVPN works with other popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. It’s also compatible with less popular services like Pluto TV and Tubi TV.
NordVPN offers a range of plans, starting at $3.09 / month. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN is a fast and reliable VPN for watching Hulu without compromising on privacy. It provides tons of fast servers in the US and Japan, industry-standard security features, and is very transparent.
5. Surfshark — Reliable Streaming VPN With Fast Speeds
Surfshark has really good speeds, although it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN. When I tested it, shows took a few seconds to load, but there was little to no buffering. Surfshark even has a built-in speed tool that’s supposed to help you look for the fastest servers, but unfortunately, it’s not so accurate. Still, you can connect to a fast server in the US with just a few clicks.
Surfshark consistently works with Hulu and a number of other streaming services. In my tests, it enabled me to watch with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Max. However, it doesn’t consistently work with Disney+, so while Surfshark is good for streaming Hulu anywhere, it isn’t the best streaming VPN overall.
In terms of security features, Surfshark has a lot going for it. It has RAM-only servers, split-tunneling (on Android and Windows), and perfect forward secrecy. It also has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited, but unlike the other VPNs on this list, it doesn’t offer full leak protection. To ensure none of your info leaks, you’ll need to manually disable IPv6 and WebRTC.
Surfshark has very low-cost plans that start at $2.29 / month. All purchases come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark maintains really good speeds and is very secure. It is also very budget-friendly and has easy-to-use apps for all major devices.
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
How to Choose the Best VPN for Hulu in 2024:
- Choose a VPN that works with Hulu all the time. Some VPNs simply won’t work with Hulu no matter how hard you try. You’ll need a VPN that can. Choose one from this list and, if you’re in America or Japan, connect to a local server. Then you can watch Hulu backed by the privacy-enhancing powers of a VPN.
- Find a provider with fast streaming speeds. Streaming requires a lot of bandwidth and all VPNs will slow your speeds, so choose a VPN that can maintain fast speeds across all servers. All of my top picks provide fast and reliable streaming speeds.
- Look for a VPN with excellent streaming support. A good VPN (like the 5 on this list) will not only work with Hulu but also with other popular streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. ExpressVPN, for example, works with 100+ streaming services.
- Ensure the VPN you choose prioritizes security and privacy. I only recommend VPNs that offer industry-standard security features such as 256-bit AES encryption, kill switches, no-logs policies, and DNS leak protection.
- Pick a VPN that’s easy to use. All the VPNs on this list have user-friendly apps for all major devices. Their intuitive interfaces make it easy to connect to a server and watch Hulu content without any hassle.
- Get a VPN that provides good value. Choose a VPN that offers affordable plans, allows multiple simultaneous connections, and has a money-back guarantee to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. All the VPNs on this list fit this criteria well.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Mullvad VPN. Mullvad VPN offers intuitive apps, fast speeds, and excellent privacy and security features. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Hulu and other popular streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
- SlickVPN. SlickVPN doesn’t provide mobile apps, and its desktop apps aren’t intuitive. What’s more, it can’t be used to connect to major streaming services including Hulu.
- HMA VPN. The provider has user-friendly apps, fast speeds, and good security features. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Hulu, has bad customer support, and lacks advanced security features like perfect forward secrecy and RAM-only servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for Hulu?
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for streaming Hulu. It works with Hulu and has lightning-fast streaming speeds, reliable connections, multiple servers in the US, and intuitive apps for different devices. Plus, it works with 65+ other streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
Can I use a free VPN to watch Hulu?
Yes, you can but I don’t recommend it. Most free VPNs don’t work with Hulu, but the ones that do often have slow speeds and limited server options, which can result in buffering and low-quality video.
Also, free VPNs do not have the necessary security features to protect your online privacy and data. I recommend using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN — it works with Hulu 100% of the time, has super-fast speeds, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
That said, there are still some decent free VPNs out there, but I can’t guarantee they’ll work with Hulu.
How do I set up a VPN for Hulu?
You will first need to choose a VPN provider — any brand on this list is a great choice. Once you’ve picked a VPN, download and install it onto your device. If you’re in Japan or the United States, connect to a local server and then log into your Hulu account as you normally would.
