- NordVPN: our top pick for Hulu, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and up to 10 devices.
- Surfshark: the cheapest of the five, with unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ExpressVPN: ranked first for Hulu in Comparitech’s scoring, but with high renewal prices.
- Proton VPN: a large server network and apps for most streaming devices.
- IPVanish: a budget option that scored lowest of the six VPNs in Comparitech’s Hulu ranking.
The best VPNs to stream Hulu, reviewed
NordVPN is the top VPN service for Hulu, and Surfshark, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and IPVanish can also access Hulu as long as you connect to a US server that Hulu accepts. Hulu is a US-only streaming platform, and Hulu Japan is a separate catalog that a virtual private network can’t switch you to. A VPN helps when you travel abroad and want to view your account’s Hulu content, or when you want encryption while you stream on public Wi-Fi. Hulu can detect and block VPN traffic, so no VPN provider is guaranteed to give reliable Hulu access every day. The reviews below use each provider’s own site where it could be loaded and one third-party ranking for Hulu performance. We have not run our own speed tests, so we give no speed figures.
NordVPN
NordVPN is first here because it pairs a large US-capable network with a simple app on the devices most people use to stream Hulu. Pricing varies by plan and promotion, and published figures for the 2-year plan differ by source, so check the checkout page for the current rate. Comparitech lists an effective monthly price of $3.09. NordVPN advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee and up to 10 simultaneous devices, which is enough for a household’s phones, laptop and TV.
The feature that matters for Hulu is access to multiple US servers, so you can switch to another server if one is blocked. That matters because Hulu can block a specific IP address while leaving others untouched. Several 2026 roundups also pick NordVPN as best overall for Hulu, though they are mostly affiliate-driven.
The drawback is ranking. Comparitech’s Hulu scoring puts NordVPN fourth at 8.2, behind ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and Surfshark. All six VPNs it tested reportedly unblocked Hulu, so that gap comes from speed retention, latency and price rather than from failed access.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the value pick. Its pricing page lists CA$3.39 a month on the 24-month Starter and One plans, which include three extra months, and CA$5.39 a month for One+. Comparitech lists an effective $1.99 a month in US dollars. Because the provider page shows Canadian dollars, treat the dollar figure as approximate.
The feature that matters is unlimited simultaneous devices, so a whole household can stream at once on the same account. Surfshark lists more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Comparitech ranks it third for Hulu at 8.5, ahead of NordVPN.
The drawback is in the refund terms. Monthly subscriptions bought through the Apple App Store or Google Play follow those stores’ refund rules, and the guarantee covers the initial purchase only. If you want an easy refund while you test Hulu, buy through Surfshark’s website.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the strongest performer in Comparitech’s Hulu scoring, at 8.9 out of 10. Its order page showed the Basic plan at $2.99 a month on a 2-year term during a Black Friday sale, with 10 devices. Higher tiers cost $4.19 (Advanced, 12 devices) and $7.19 (Express Pro, 14 devices). Every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users, and servers cover 113 countries.
For Hulu, the useful extra is device coverage. ExpressVPN’s own Hulu page mentions dedicated apps for supported devices and a MediaStreamer feature for Apple TV and game consoles, which helps where a VPN app can’t be installed and you still want to stream on the big screen.
The drawback is the renewal price. The sale rate is billed upfront for 28 months, then the plan renews annually at $99.95 for Basic, $119.95 for Advanced and $199.95 for Pro. Set a reminder before the first renewal so the jump doesn’t surprise you.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN suits viewers who want a large network and broad app support. The VPN Plus plan is $3.49 a month on the 2-year term, billed at $83.76 for the first 24 months. Proton Unlimited is $7.99 a month on the same term. Paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee and allow up to 10 devices.
Proton lists more than 20,000 servers in over 140 countries on paid plans. Apps cover Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS on iPhone and iPad, Android TV, Apple TV and Fire Stick, plus Chrome and Firefox extensions. Comparitech ranks it second for Hulu at 8.6.
The drawback is the free plan. It offers servers in 10 countries, assigned at random, and one device. You can’t choose a US server on it, so it is not a dependable way to stream, and we did not check whether it works with the service. Plan on paying if Hulu is your goal.
IPVanish
IPVanish is the budget fallback. Comparitech lists an effective monthly price of $2.19 and gives it a Hulu score of 7.9, the lowest of the six VPNs it ranked. That still places it among services that reportedly unblocked Hulu in the same tests, and its price keeps it on the list.
We did not confirm IPVanish’s server count, device limit or refund period for this page, so check its site before buying. Because the pricing and guarantee details are not verified here, it is the one pick where you should read the refund terms closely first.
The drawback is its place at the bottom of the Comparitech ranking. If your first server is blocked, try another, and if problems continue, use the refund window rather than waiting.
How we chose the best VPN for Hulu
We compared providers on the points that decide whether Hulu works and what it costs. The research draws on each provider’s site and on Comparitech’s Hulu ranking, updated June 15, 2026. Comparitech tests Hulu from the US, records each check as working, partial or blocked, and recalculates a rolling 14-day pass rate every two hours. Its scores are a use-case blend, not an overall VPN rating.
- Hulu access: whether the VPN connects to US servers that Hulu accepts, and whether you can switch servers when one is blocked. This is what makes a reliable VPN for unblocking Hulu.
- Speed and latency: fast speeds with enough retention for HD streaming media without buffering, for a seamless streaming experience.
- Price and renewal: the headline monthly price and what it becomes after the first term.
- Devices: how many connections you get and which streaming devices have apps.
- Refund policy: a 30-day guarantee lets you test Hulu risk-free.
Rankings differ between sites. Comparitech puts ExpressVPN first and NordVPN fourth, while other roundups put NordVPN first. Most such lists are affiliate-driven, so treat every ranking, including ours, as a starting point and test the service yourself. For more on picking a service, see our streaming hub, and for wider privacy basics, our cybersecurity section.
How to set up the best VPN for Hulu
Setting up a VPN for Hulu takes a few minutes. Hulu does not allow anonymous proxies, so a blocked server is the most common problem when you start to stream.
- Subscribe to one of the providers above, using its website so the refund guarantee applies.
- Install the app on your phone, computer or streaming device, and sign in.
- Connect to a VPN server in the United States.
- Open Hulu in the app or browser and sign in with your account.
- Once the VPN connection is active, start a show to watch Hulu. If it plays, you are set.
On devices without a VPN app, such as some smart TVs, you can use a router with a VPN or a feature like ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer. The same approach applies to other streaming services, though we did not test streaming Netflix this way.
How to unblock Hulu when your VPN is detected
Hulu may show an error such as BYA-403-011 when it detects software that masks your IP address. Unblocking Hulu usually comes down to trying these fixes in order:
- Switch to a different US server, because Hulu may block one IP address and not the next.
- Turn off location services on your device.
- Turn off extra privacy tools or browser extensions.
- Switch the VPN protocol in the app settings.
- Contact the provider’s support and ask for a server that works with Hulu.
If none of these work within the first 30 days, request a refund and try another provider on this list.
Best VPN for Hulu FAQs
How do I choose the best VPN for Hulu?
NordVPN is our top pick, followed by Surfshark. Comparitech’s testing ranks ExpressVPN first, so all three are reasonable choices. Test whichever you pick within its 30-day refund window.
Can I use a VPN with Hulu?
Sometimes. Hulu blocks some VPN servers and may block individual IP addresses, so results change. A provider that lets you switch US servers gives you the best chance of finding one that works.
Can I watch Hulu from outside the US with a VPN?
Yes, if the VPN connects you to a US server that Hulu accepts. The service is US-only, and Hulu Japan is a separate catalog that a VPN can’t unlock.
Is there a free VPN for Hulu?
We don’t recommend one, and we don’t name a best free option. Proton VPN’s free plan assigns servers in 10 countries at random and allows one device, so you can’t choose a US server. Free VPNs generally give you less control over server choice, so a paid plan with a refund guarantee is a safer test.
What does Hulu error code BYA-403-011 mean?
It is a message that can appear when Hulu detects software that masks your IP address, such as a VPN or proxy. Switch to another US server, turn off extra privacy tools, or contact your VPN’s support.
Which Hulu VPN is cheapest?
Surfshark is the cheapest of the five by headline price, at CA$3.39 a month on its 24-month plan, or an effective $1.99 in Comparitech’s figures. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are also low at their promotional rates, but ExpressVPN’s renewal price is much higher.
Do these VPNs offer refunds if Hulu doesn’t work?
NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN advertise 30-day money-back guarantees, though we couldn’t confirm NordVPN’s on its own site. Check IPVanish’s terms before buying. Buy through each provider’s website to avoid app store refund rules.
