How to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in the USA in 2024?

Bypassing Hotstar Geo-restrictions

To bypass Disney Hotstar geo-restrictions and access the Indian Hotstar version, you need to spoof your geolocation.

Using a VPN is the best and most preferred method, as it also enhances your online security and privacy. A VPN works by tunneling your internet traffic through a VPN server, masking your actual IP address with the server’s IP address, including its geolocation.

With a VPN, you can enjoy additional benefits such as superior unblocking abilities, safe torrenting, secure gaming, and circumventing censorship with ease.

Quick Steps on How to Use a VPN to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in the USA:

1. Subscribe, download, and install a reputable VPN service (like NordVPN).
2. Launch the VPN, sign in, and connect to an Indian server.
3. Go to Hotstar, sign in/log in, and enjoy endless Indian entertainment.

How to Pick the Best VPN for Disney Plus Hotstar in the USA

Not all VPNs will work with Hotstar effectively. To select a VPN provider that will give you the best value for your money, consider one with the following aspects:

• Servers in India: To increase your chances of accessing and streaming Hotstar in the USA, you need a VPN provider with several servers in India. Most VPN providers offer servers in major city locations.
• Unlimited bandwidth: This is important as it ensures you can stream content in HD or even in the crispier 4K quality. You also won’t face any capping limitations.
• Blazing speed: With unlimited bandwidth, fast speeds offer the best streaming experience – no buffering or lagging issues, especially on remote servers or when streaming high-quality content.
• Simultaneous connections: With concurrent connections, you can use the VPN provider to stream content from Hotstar on more than one device. Additionally, you can use the VPN for other purposes on your other devices.
• Excellent security and privacy: You should consider a no-log VPN provider with AES 256-bit encryption, secure protocols, and other privacy and security-enhancing features.
• Money-back guarantee/free trial: Before committing to a VPN provider, you should have the option to test if it works efficiently with Hotstar. If available, you can use the free trial or the money-back guarantee.

Top VPNs to Unblock Hotstar in the USA

Even with the above criterion, picking the right VPN can be exhausting since the market is flooded with many non-reputable VPNs.

To make things easy for you, we have cherry-picked the best-proven VPNs that work with Hotstar in the USA or elsewhere outside India.

This guide also works with other Hotstar versions as well, such as Hotstar Australia.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is an excellent provider to unblock Hotstar in the USA. Although it is privacy and security-oriented, ExpressVPN packs unmatched blocking abilities.

Other than Hotstar, you can use ExpressVPN to unblock streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and ESPN Plus, among others.

ExpressVPN, therefore, is a great choice if you need a Netflix VPN or ESPN VPN.

When it comes to accessing popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and ESPN Plus, ExpressVPN stands out as one of the best VPNs for Netflix due to its extensive server network, blazing-fast speeds, and strong unblocking capabilities.

ExpressVPN has 30+ servers in Chennai and Mumbai, Indian cities. These servers offer unlimited bandwidth and the fastest speeds, suitable for streaming and other speed-intensive tasks.

You can also switch servers if, by any chance, one isn’t working as intended. Secure and fast protocols include OpenVPN and IKEv2.

Privacy and security-wise, ExpressVPN is a no-log provider – it doesn’t keep information that can compromise your online identity. ExpressVPN uses high-end AES 256-bit encryption with no data leaks.

You also enjoy other features such as double VPN, onion-over VPN, and obfuscated servers.

ExpressVPN is compatible with almost all computing devices and big-screen streaming devices. Its subscription plans are affordable, and a single subscription allows a simultaneous connection of up to 6 devices.

Each subscription plan carries a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee. This VPN provider also has excellent customer support.

ExpressVPN is available on the Google Play Store and Apple Store and works on Android, iPhone, Apple TV, and other smart TV platforms.

For more Android VPN tips please check out our roundup and review of the best VPNs for Android.

Surfshark

Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN for streaming Hotstar content in the USA. You also get excellent value as Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

This allows you to use the VPN with your whole household, including friends, without degraded performance.

Surfshark VPN offers servers in Mumbai, Chennai, and Indore; any of these seamlessly unblocks Hotstar. These servers are optimized to provide fast connection speeds for a buffer-free and smooth streaming experience.

Surfshark ensures you can watch and unblock Hotstar titles and live sports events with unlimited bandwidth with no throttling.

This VPN provider keeps no log and uses unbreakable VPN encryption. You can select various protocols, including OpenVPN or IKEv2, on Indian servers. You also get access to Camouflage Mode and torrenting securely.

Surfshark is compatible with smartphones, computers, smart TV, Roku, Firestick, and other streaming devices. Its budget-friendly subscription plans carry a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a fast and secure VPN service suitable for streaming Hotstar in the USA. It has 36 servers in Mumbai optimized for streaming content with the highest possible speeds.

You can live-stream cricket matches and watch other Indian titles without buffering or lags. CyberGhost is also suitable for torrenting content securely.

Besides a strict no-log policy, CyberGhost incorporates military-grade encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and excellent protocols – OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.

The native apps have nifty features that allow for various customizations and preferences.

CyberGhost supports all the major computing platforms, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and various Android systems.

Additionally, you can set CyberGhost to work on big screens and even gaming consoles. CyberGhost VPN allows you to connect up to 7 devices simultaneously.

Its subscription plans won’t break the bank, and the long-term plans carry a 45-day money-back guarantee. There’s also a free trial for first-time customers.

Smart DNS: Alternative Option to Watch Hotstar in the USA

A Smart DNS is another method to unblock and stream Hotstar content. While it may not be as reliable as a VPN, it serves as a viable alternative when a VPN fails.

Unlike a VPN, a Smart DNS doesn’t change your IP address to spoof your geolocation. Instead, it works at the DNS level to achieve this.

As a result, a Smart DNS is effective for bypassing geo-restrictions, but it doesn’t enhance your online security since it lacks encryption and other security features. It also can’t protect your online privacy.

However, because it doesn’t tunnel your online traffic, a Smart DNS can easily bypass VPN blocks.

Quick Steps on How to Use a Smart DNS to Watch Hotstar in the USA

1. Sign up for an Indian Smart DNS service and register your IP address.
2. Go to your device’s Network Settings (or router) and configure the DNS.
3. Go to the Hotstar app, sign in/log in, and watch your favorite Disney Hotstar content.

How to Pick the Best Smart DNS for Hotstar in the USA

Getting the right Smart DNS service for unblocking Hotstar in the USA can be challenging. Nonetheless, here are some aspects to consider when picking one:

• Servers in India.
• Unlimited bandwidth with fast speed.
• Works with Hotstar.
• Live support.
• Money-back guarantee or Free trial.

With several standalone premium Smart DNS providers, ensure you look at the user reviews and the above aspects when picking one.

Additionally, go for providers that offer DNS addresses rather than installation apps. This is because you can configure DNS addresses on almost every internet-enabled device.

You can also try the incorporated Smart DNS service that reputable VPN providers offer. They work seamlessly.

Like free VPNs, avoid free Smart DNS services; they won’t work with Hotstar.

Getting Started with Hotstar in the USA

Even without a Hotstar account, you can access Hotstar and watch free select content with ads by changing your geo-location to India.

Nonetheless, if you want to enjoy the fully-fledged Disney Hotstar streaming experience, you will need either a Super or a Premium subscription. Both subscriptions give you access to all content with minor differences.

The super plan offers sports with ads, supports 2 simultaneous devices, and you get 1080p as the maximum video quality. The Hotstar Premium plan has no ads, supports up to 4 simultaneous devices, and you get up to 4K video quality.

How to Subscribe to Hotstar in the USA

This is the hardest part, but there’s a workaround to it. To sign up for a Super or Hotstar Premium account, you need an Indian phone number, an Indian payment method, and an Indian address. This can be tricky if you are in the USA.

Nonetheless, with the internet bringing people together, you can ask for these details from your friend or relative in India or ask them to sign up for an account.

If you don’t know anyone in India, you can hire a reputable Indian freelancer for as low as $5 from sites such as Fiverr to create an account.

How to Access and Download Hotstar Apps in the USA

If you don’t feel comfortable watching Hotstar on your computer, you can stream and enjoy your content on your bigger screen or mobile phone.

Additionally, Hotstar is compatible with most streaming devices, such as Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku. Head over to the respective app store, and search Hotstar (by Novi Digital).

You may need to change your location or region if the app is unavailable in your mobile app store.

If you don’t want to go through that process, here are the official links for the Hotstar app for Android and Hotstar app for iOS.

Wrap Up

Hotstar US is shutting down; you can still access Indian content, from movies to sports, via Hotstar India while still in the USA.

All you need is a Hotstar account and a reputable VPN like the ones mentioned above. You won’t need an account if you don’t mind the ads since the freemium plan offers some select titles.

The top VPNs work seamlessly with Hotstar and offer a couple of optimized servers in India.

They offer the fastest speeds, unlimited bandwidth, impeccable security, and other nifty features for your daily use.

You also enjoy simultaneous connections and torrenting and test them using the money-back guarantee.