Best VPN for Hulu in 2020: Wrestling With the VPN Ban

Hulu is a popular streaming service, but it’s only available to the U.S. That means the only way you can access it if you’re traveling or live in another country is with a VPN. It’s not quite as simple as just connecting through any VPN, though. Hulu is difficult to unblock, but one of our best VPN for Hulu picks will get you in.

If you need a quick answer, you should sign up for CyberGhost. It’s a great VPN that unblocks Hulu without a hitch. It has a huge server network, fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. You can take advantage of CyberGhost’s free trial, too, which is seven-day for mobile users, or 24-hours if you’re on a desktop.

Hulu has a wealth of content, and if you’re missing your favorite show because you can’t access the service, a virtual private network is your answer. We’ll talk more about why you need a VPN later, but in short, it will help you get a U.S. IP address, fooling Hulu into thinking you’re actually there.

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The Best VPN for Hulu

1. CyberGhost — Consistent access with optimized streaming servers, inexpensive
2. ExpressVPN — Fast speeds, inconsistent access
3. NordVPN — Consistent access, but some servers are slow
4. Windscribe — Windflix streaming servers, unlimited connections
5. VyprVPN — Consistent access, but streaming quality can be low
6. ProtonVPN — Free plan with unlimited bandwidth, but slow speeds

1. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is the best choice when it comes to getting into Hulu. It ranked third place in our best VPN for streaming roundup, and although it might not be our top VPN overall, there are some good reasons why it’s our first pick for Hulu.

For starters, CyberGhost comes with VPN servers around the world that are optimized for specific services, including streaming. We tested some of those servers for our CyberGhost review, and it was able to unblock Hulu — as well as many other streaming services — flawlessly and consistently.

Although CyberGhost has a massive server network, there’s no confusion over which one is the best for Hulu. By clicking on the “for streaming” tab, you’ll see a bunch of servers for different countries, but underneath each one, CyberGhost tells you what service it’s optimized for. 

There is a downside with CyberGhost, though, and that’s its speed. It’s not entirely slow, but in our testing, we found it to become slower over long distances. Plus, its speeds will depend on which protocol you use. For instance, we found that using OpenVPN can slow it down. Still, the VPN holds up well when streaming, and you get unlimited bandwidth.

CyberGhost’s Other Features

CyberGhost’s security is good and uses AES 256-bit encryption. It also comes with a permanently enabled kill switch. That’s good in one way, because a kill switch will cut your connection if the VPN fails and keep you safe. That said, the fact that you can’t turn it off is annoying; no one wants to get cut off mid-show. 

You can use CyberGhost on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It’s easy to use, even if the interface takes some getting used to. You can connect up to seven devices at the same time, too, just in case others want to watch something else. Keep in mind, though, that seven is the limit for installations, too.

CyberGhost is an inexpensive VPN with an impressive performance. We don’t recommend you opt for the monthly plan, though. Longer plans have good discounts, and there’s a seven-day free trial on Android and iOS, or a 24-hour trial for desktops. Plus, there’s a money-back guarantee, which is 14 days for the monthly plan and 45 days for longer ones.

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2. ExpressVPN

You can also watch Hulu with ExpressVPN, which is our best VPN overall. It’s often our first pick, and although we found it could unblock Hulu during our testing, it just doesn’t have the consistency that CyberGhost does. ExpressVPN is impressive at getting into other platforms, though, and is our top VPN pick for both Netflix and BBC Player (see our best VPN for Netflix and best VPN for BBC iPlayer guides).

ExpressVPN doesn’t have specifically optimized servers for streaming, so you can access pretty much any platform from its network, in general. However, that means you have the task of hunting for a server that’s compatible. Thankfully, that’s not too hard, though. There are more than 3,000 servers across the globe, and many of those are spread out across the U.S.

ExpressVPN’s speeds are superb. It’s the fastest VPN we’ve tested, and with its unlimited bandwidth, your streaming experience should be top-notch once you’ve found the right server. Read our ExpressVPN review for more details.

It also has great security that comes with an automatically enabled kill switch, except you can turn this one off. You can use ExpressVPN on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, as well as streaming devices, such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV. 

The VPN allows up to five simultaneous connections. Plus, it’s easy to use and has a streamlined interface that’s perfect for beginners and techies alike.

ExpressVPN is expensive when compared to other services, but you get a lot for your money. Though CyberGhost is better for Hulu, ExpressVPN beats it in a lot of other areas. You can save money by opting for a longer plan, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, for peace of mind.

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3. NordVPN

NordVPN is another good pick for Hulu. It can break into the service easily and consistently. That said, the VPN comes third because of its inconsistency across the network. 

NordVPN’s server network is huge, and although it can unblock Hulu, we came across some servers that didn’t have what it takes to stream Hulu’s content. Some servers have fast speeds, but others have the complete opposite.

ExpressVPN’s overall fast speeds mean you just need to find a server that unblocks Hulu. With NordVPN, it’s not a case of getting access, it’s finding a server that is good enough to stream, and that can take time. Once you find one, though, it’s great, and there are no bandwidth limits to worry about. Read more in our NordVPN review.

Its security is among some of the best on the market, and an optional kill switch is included. Like CyberGhost, NordVPN comes with specialty servers. None of those are optimized for streaming, but you get others, including double-hop servers for extra protection, as well as peer-to-peer servers that are good enough to make NordVPN our best VPNs for torrenting.

NordVPN is easy to use, with an intuitive map for choosing your server location. It can be installed on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and you can have six devices connected at the same time.

You get a lot for your money with NordVPN. Its pricing is fair, and you can bring the cost down more by opting for a lengthier subscription. There’s also a 30-day refund period.

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4. Windscribe

Next up is Windscribe, which offers both a paid and free plan. Its free plan is pretty good and won the top spot in our best free VPN services piece. However, for this roundup, the free plan won’t cut it. That’s because, during the testing for our Windscribe review, we found its free servers useless for accessing Hulu.

Accessing BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video on the free servers was easy, but they’re no good for Hulu or Netflix. Thankfully, though, Windscribe has some Windflix servers specifically built for streaming. They’re available for the U.S., the UK, Canada and Japan, and they work. Some of the other paid servers work with Hulu, but it’s not guaranteed.

Windscribe’s speeds are good, but they’re not as good as our top choices. It’s secure and comes with lots of features, including a kill switch. It’s also easy to use and provides a no-frills interface. You can use it on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and it lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. 

As for bandwidth allowance, that will depend on the plan you choose. The free plan limits you to 2GB per month, but that’s upped to 10GB if you enter a valid email address at signup. However, you can’t use the Windflix servers on the free plan. The full paid plan gets you unlimited bandwidth, but there is a cheaper way to stream Hulu.

By using Windscribe’s build-a-plan, you can add a Windflix server and unlimited data for just $2 per month. Although it might not be the top VPN overall, it certainly provides a way to watch Hulu and stay secure for a minimal fee. There’s no official refund policy, but you can ask for a refund within three days of purchase.

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5. VyprVPN

VyprVPN doesn’t stand out when compared to our top providers, but it has some qualities that cannot be ignored. One of those qualities is its ability to access streaming services, including Hulu. In our tests for our VyprVPN review, it consistently accessed Hulu on every server we tried, without us tweaking any settings.

It comes with its proprietary Chameleon protocol that’s designed to help with streaming while adding in extra security, but we found it wasn’t needed. Plus, although VyprVPN’s speeds don’t look much on paper, in practice it performs well on most servers. That said, not all of them are fast, and you can often be presented with a low resolution.

VyprVPN comes with unlimited bandwidth, and its security is excellent and customizable. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and although its interface isn’t the best, it’s not hard to use. 

The price you pay will depend on what package you choose. The Standard plan gets you three simultaneous connections, and the Premium plan gets you five connections as well as the use of its Chameleon protocol. 

You can choose between a monthly or yearly plan, though the yearly one works out better in the long run. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, too.

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6. ProtonVPN

Our last entry is ProtonVPN. It’s not on our best VPN for streaming lineup because its speeds let it down, but we feel it still deserves a place on our Hulu VPN list due to it being able to easily access the platform. 

It’s not the slowest VPN out there, but it could certainly do with a kick up the backside. In our ProtonVPN review testing, we found that although it has no issue accessing streaming services, the actual streams take a while to load. That said, we had more luck when we ignored ProtonVPN’s recommended servers and picked our own, so keep that in mind.

ProtonVPN’s security is impressive, with AES 256-bit encryption and the use of its Secure Core servers (available on certain plans). The VPN also has a good user interface and can be used on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.

One of the other reasons ProtonVPN made our list is because of its generous free plan. Though it lacks good speeds, ProtonVPN gives its users unlimited bandwidth on both its paid and free plans, which is rare. The free plan gets you one connection and access to three servers, which includes the U.S. We must warn you, though, that its free servers aren’t great.

If you want to ensure that you have access to more reliable servers, ProtonVPN’s paid plan comes in three forms. Its Basic plan gets you two simultaneous connections and the use of all of its servers. The Plus plan gets you everything included with the Basic plan, as well as five simultaneous connections and the use of its optimized servers. 

The last plan is its Visionary one. That gets you all of the above, 10 simultaneous connections and the use of its encrypted email service, ProtonMail. However, it’s pricey, and you get everything you need on the Plus plan. There’s a 30-day refund window, in case you change your mind.

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How We Chose the Best VPNs for Hulu

The key focus here is whether or not the VPN service can access Hulu. All of our picks are able to unblock Hulu, but we’ve also taken consistency into consideration. That means they’re able to access the service easily on multiple servers. To make sure you have a good streaming experience, there are some other features to consider, too.

Speed and Bandwidth

The VPN’s speed is an important factor. Fast speeds mean the VPN is able to stream at a good resolution — even 4K on certain devices. If you choose a slow VPN, you’ll suffer from buffering, slow load times and possibly even a complete failure to load. 

Plus, you want to choose a VPN that has a decent bandwidth allowance. Unlimited data is best because you won’t have to worry about hitting a limit. If you do hit the limit, the VPN will stop working, and you won’t be able to watch Hulu anymore.

Server Network

The server network is also important. To access Hulu, you need to connect to a server within the U.S. Almost all VPNs have servers in the United States, but you should still double-check before signing up. Plus, the more there are, the better chance you have of finding one that works and has good speeds.

Security

Although security and privacy aren’t going to help you watch your favorite show, they’re still important. Good security will protect you from any online dangers you encounter. If you just want to watch Hulu on your TV, it’s not such a big deal. However, if you want to watch The Handmaid’s Tale using your local coffee shop’s WiFi, that’s another story.

The thing with public WiFi is, you never know how secure the connection is. If you connect to it without any protection, you’re asking for trouble. Your personal information and credit card details can be stolen, or you can be infected with malware or spyware. Using a VPN — as well as a decent antivirus — can help keep you safe.

Ease of Use and Device Compatibility

User-friendliness is something to keep in mind, too, though this area will also depend on your previous experience with VPNs. If you’re a newbie, you’ll want something straightforward that can get you connected quickly, but if you’re a techie, you might appreciate something that’s more tweakable. 

You’ll also want to check if the VPN is compatible with your device. VPN providers usually support the most popular operating systems — Windows, macOS, Android and iOS — but some include other operating systems, like Linux or smart TVs.

Price

Here at CommQueR.com, we focus more on the value you’re getting, rather than the actual cost. That said, it’s still important to make sure you can afford the VPN, and there are often discounts you can take advantage of, too.

Why Do I Need a VPN for Hulu?

Hulu is only meant for U.S. territories — that includes Puerto Rico and U.S. military bases — so if you stroll in from another country, you’re going to be denied access. 

The reason for the tight restriction is Hulu’s licensing rights. Its content is geoblocked so that it doesn’t breach the contracts it has with content owners. For instance, a media company might let Hulu air its content in the U.S., but it may have a contract with another company to air it in a different region.

The thing is, though, people travel, and you’re likely to want to stay up to date with your favorite Hulu show, even if you’re not in the country. That’s where a VPN comes in.

Although Hulu says that anonymizers or proxy services won’t work and you’ll need to disable it, that’s not true. Hulu is more difficult to get into, but it can be done. The right VPN will let you connect to a U.S. server from anywhere in the world and access Hulu as if you were on U.S. soil. 

Security and Privacy

Accessing Hulu isn’t the only reason to use a VPN, though. On top of the online dangers you could face, such as cybercrime, Hulu’s cheapest plan is ad-supported, and those ads are most likely targeted. Hulu has earned billions of dollars in revenue from its ads, but if they’re targeted, information about you and your habits could be collected. 

By using a VPN, your personal information and identity are hidden from Hulu. Your data won’t be available for marketing companies to use. 

Can I Use a Free VPN for Hulu?

If you type “VPN” into an app store or search engine, you’re going to see a ton of free VPNs. Before you’re sold on the basis of one being free, though, there are few things you should know.

Although not all free VPNs are bad — such as Windscribe’s free plan — there are a lot that just don’t cut it. For instance, a VPN could advertise itself as being highly secure and big on privacy, but in reality, it could have little to no protection and be feeding your personal data straight to marketing companies. 

Malware can often be waiting in the installation files of some VPNs, too. Having an antivirus installed will protect you from unexpected attacks, but you should still stay vigilant.

You can read more about how bad free VPNs can be in our worst free VPN guide, but we recommend you stay away from any services that seem shady. Check the VPN’s privacy policy, reviews and any other information you can find on it before jumping in.

Final Thoughts

Hulu isn’t the easiest streaming service to get into, but using one of our Hulu VPN picks will help you bypass its blocks. You should have no problem watching your favorite Hulu show, provided you pick a decent VPN server in the U.S. To make sure you have the best experience, the VPN should also have good speeds and a decent bandwidth allowance.

Of all the VPN providers, CyberGhost has our vote for Hulu. It has plenty of servers, good speeds and unlimited bandwidth. It’s also inexpensive and comes with a money-back guarantee, in case you change your mind.

Have you used a VPN to unblock Hulu? Tell us about your experience in the comment section. Check out our other VPN articles and streaming archive, too. As always, thank you for reading.

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