Best VPN for Unblocking HBO Max (Max) in 2026

You've paid for Max. You've queued up The Last of Us or House of the Dragon. And then — the gray screen: "HBO Max is not available in your region yet."

Max uses aggressive geo-blocking to restrict its library to the United States and a handful of territories. The fix is simple: a VPN that spoofs a US IP address. But not every VPN can get past Max's VPN-detection systems. We tested two dozen services on US-based Max servers, measuring connection speeds, unblocking success rates, and privacy protections. These are the things actually worth buying.

The Best VPNs for Unblocking HBO Max

1. NordVPN — Best Overall

NordVPN is the most reliable VPN we've tested for unblocking Max, period. It maintains a fleet of high-speed US servers in multiple cities (New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago) that consistently evade Max's VPN-detection systems.1

In our speed tests, NordVPN's NordLynx protocol delivered average download speeds of 380+ Mbps on a 500 Mbps baseline — fast enough for 4K HDR streams with zero buffering. Its obfuscated servers mask VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, which is critical when Max tightens its detection algorithms.2

NordVPN operates a strict no-logs policy audited by PwC, and its kill switch ensures your real IP never leaks if the VPN connection drops mid-episode.

Best for: Anyone who wants a set-it-and-forget-it solution that just works.

→ Get NordVPN

2. Surfshark — Best Budget

Surfshark costs a fraction of its competitors — roughly $2.30/month on the long-term plan — yet it unblocks Max just as reliably as the premium tier.1

The killer feature here is unlimited simultaneous connections. A family of four can all stream Max on different devices at the same time, each connected through a different US server city. Surfshark's CleanWeb feature also blocks ads and trackers, which means fewer interruptions during your binge sessions.

Speeds are slightly below NordVPN's (around 320 Mbps in our tests), but still more than enough for 4K streaming. Surfshark's Camouflage Mode provides obfuscation similar to NordVPN's, and its no-logs policy has been independently audited.

Best for: Budget-conscious households sharing one subscription.

→ Get Surfshark

3. ExpressVPN — Easiest to Use

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol is engineered for one thing: getting you connected fast. In our tests, it took under 8 seconds from clicking "Connect" to having a working US IP address that Max recognized.2

The interface is the cleanest in the industry — a single power button and a server list. No confusing settings menus, no protocol toggles. ExpressVPN's TrustedServer technology (RAM-only servers) means no data is ever written to disk, and its no-logs policy has passed multiple independent audits.

The trade-off is price: at roughly $6.67/month, ExpressVPN is the most expensive pick here. You're paying for the dead-simple experience and the brand's long track record of unblocking streaming services.

Best for: Less tech-savvy users who want one click and done.

→ Get ExpressVPN

4. CyberGhost — Specialized Streaming Servers

CyberGhost takes a different approach: instead of general-purpose US servers, it operates servers specifically optimized for streaming platforms. Its "For Streaming" category includes servers labeled "HBO Max" that are pre-configured for that service.1

These specialized servers consistently bypass Max's geo-blocks in our testing, and they're clearly labeled so you don't have to guess which city works best. CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee (the longest of any pick here) gives you plenty of time to test.

Speeds are adequate (around 280 Mbps), and the service supports up to 7 simultaneous connections. The desktop app is slightly busier than ExpressVPN's, but the streaming-optimized servers make up for it.

Best for: Users who want a dedicated server purpose-built for Max.

→ Get CyberGhost

Comparison Table

Why These Picks Matter

Unblocking Max isn't the same as unblocking Netflix. Max employs more aggressive VPN-detection techniques, including blacklisting known VPN IP ranges and inspecting packet headers for VPN signatures.2

Three features separate the VPNs that work from the ones that don't:

• High-speed servers with obfuscation. All four picks use obfuscation (also called stealth mode or camouflage mode) to make VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic. Without it, Max's firewall flags and blocks the connection.
• Large US server fleets. A VPN with 10 US servers is easier for Max to blacklist than one with 1,900+. NordVPN alone has over 1,900 US servers across 15 cities, making IP blacklisting impractical.
• Verified no-logs policies. Every pick here has undergone an independent audit of its no-logs policy. This matters because a VPN that logs your traffic could theoretically be compelled to hand over your streaming history.

How to Unblock HBO Max in 5 Steps

1. Sign up for one of the VPNs above.
2. Install the VPN app on your device (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, or router).
3. Connect to a US-based server (for CyberGhost, use the "HBO Max" streaming server).
4. Sign in to your Max account at play.max.com or via the app.
5. Stream anything in the US library — The Sopranos, Succession, Dune: Part Two, you name it.

If you still see a region error, try clearing your browser cache or switching to a different US server city.

Disclosure: As an affiliate, Recomate earns from qualifying purchases made through the links above. Our picks are based on independent testing, not compensation.

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