A VPN can theoretically help you change your IP address to any of these countries to watch Hotstar. But using a VPN to manipulate your location is against Hotstar’s terms of service. Plus, it could be considered copyright infringement, neither of which I condone. If you still want to watch with a VPN for safety’s sake, you’ll find that many free options don’t work because Hotstar protects its agreements by blocking VPNs. However, our international group of testers found a few free VPNs that work in India and other countries. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Hotstar as it’s the fastest for lag-free UHD streaming. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion. Stream in UHD with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: Best Free VPNs for Hotstar in 2025
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
The Best Free VPNs for Hotstar in 2025
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN With Blazing-Fast Speeds for Streaming Hotstar Lag-Free
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming Hotstar thanks to its fast and reliable network. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is built for high-bandwidth activities, such as 4K streaming, without compromising on security. Due to the recent change in Indian data laws, ExpressVPN has withdrawn its India servers, however, it does provide Indian IP addresses via its Singapore and UK servers. According to my teammates in India, Malaysia, Canada, and the UK, ExpressVPN provided the fastest speeds for streaming compared to other VPNs they tested. Since the servers in India are virtual and route traffic via the UK or Singapore, there was some concern if they’ll be fast enough. However, my colleagues reported excellent speeds and zero lags. If you’re purchased to other streaming platforms besides Hotstar in your location, ExpressVPN has 3,300+ servers in 105 countries that were also tested by our global team. They were proven to work with: There’s no risk of your IP address leaking when using ExpressVPN to stream Hotstar. I ran multiple DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak tests and found no leaks whatsoever. ExpressVPN also has the option to disable IPv6 traffic, the most common culprit behind data leaks. It offers top-shelf security features, such as:
Military-grade encryption — Encrypts your internet traffic with a 256-bit cipher to ensure full anonymity while browsing the web and streaming Hotstar TrustedServer network — Uses RAM servers that are physically incapable of storing your data to protect your privacy and implement its strict no-logs policy Kill switch — Disconnects you from the internet if the VPN server becomes unsteady or your computer goes into sleep mode to prevent accidental data leaks Split tunneling — Exclude certain apps from encryption so that Hotstar streaming remains secure and lag-free.
Stream Hotstar on 8 devices with ExpressVPN. It works on all mainstream platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can also set it up on your smart TV or configure it on your router to encrypt your entire internet. You can test ExpressVPN out for yourself, and, if you’re not satisfied, you have up to 30* days to claim a refund. I asked the 24/7 live chat agent to process my refund request. Without any questions, the rep approved my cancellation, and I got my money back within 4 days. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
2. CyberGhost — Dedicated Servers in India for Streaming Hotstar
Key Features: CyberGhost has a streaming-optimized server to watch Hotstar in India. There are also 29 regular servers in the country that my teammates in India tested and found to be working well. They preferred having more server options as it prevented congestion issues and allowed them to hop on an alternative server if one gets blacklisted. My teammates’ speeds in India dropped 18% on average from their baseline level when they connected to a regular server in India. But the optimized server for Hotstar was 11% faster than the regular ones, so CyberGhost was fast enough for lag-free streaming. None of the servers got unsteady or overcrowded throughout the 3 hours of testing and streaming. Many of its 9,757+ servers across 100 countries were also tested by our global team of testers. They found that CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs to watch Netflix US and other platforms like: Additionally, CyberGhost provides many top-grade security and privacy features to make your streaming anonymous:
NoSpy servers — Provide complete anonymity in restrictive countries 100% leak-proof — Prevents DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks to guarantee seamless access to Hotstar without being blacklisted Military-grade encryption — Ensures no one can snoop on your browsing activities by ciphering your data and making it unreadable to any third-party Kill switch — Automatically disconnects you from the internet if your computer goes into sleep mode, preventing accidental data leaks.
I used CyberGhost on 7 devices, including my Windows PC, iMac, Macbook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone. All apps were easy to use, and I had no trouble setting up smart WiFi protection and changing VPN protocols with clear instructions. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Next Generation Network Provides Fast Speeds for Streaming Hotstar
Key Features: Private Internet Access uses Gen4 servers with 10GB network cards that provide buffer-free Hotstar streaming. These servers are designed for high-bandwidth activities, such as UHD streaming, torrenting, and online gaming. Like ExpressVPN, all servers use RAM disks instead of hard disks so that your data is erased at the end of the VPN session. All of PIA’s servers are reliable, with premium technology to ensure you get smooth streams and fast access to your usual platforms. My teammates in India found PIA’s local servers worked with many streaming services: If you want to boost speeds to enjoy Hotstar without interruptions in India, I recommend enabling the “small packets” feature in PIA’s Settings area. It breaks down your internet traffic into smaller pieces to make it easier to transfer, reducing data loss and the chances of leaks. Besides solid leak protection, PIA offers:
Military-grade encryption — A 256-bit cipher scrambles your internet traffic, making you anonymous online Kill switch — Prevents accidental leaks by cutting your internet if the VPN server drops MACE — Blocks ads, trackers, and malware while you browse the web to protect your data from prying eyes.
Stream Hotstar on up to unlimited devices with PIA. I installed it on my Windows PC, laptop, Macbook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone — each app took 2 minutes to install and had a consistent, easy-to-navigate user interface. Alternatively, you can set up PIA on your router to cover your entire network. There are easy-to-follow steps on the website for this, and contacting 24/7 customer support is easy if you get stuck. I received prompt replies to all my queries and had PIA configured to my router in 15 minutes. The only problem with PIA is that it’s headquartered in the US, a core member of the 5 Eyes alliance. This is a data-sharing agreement, so I was concerned that PIA may be subject to strict data retention policies. However, PIA has a no-logs policy verified by Deloitte. This was also proven in court — the US government requested data related to ongoing investigations in 2015 and 2017. In both cases, PIA had nothing to hand over, proving it does not store logs. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
4. Tunnelbear — Free Servers in the UK and Canada Work With Hotstar
Key Features: Tunnelbear is a truly free VPN with working servers for Hotstar in the UK and Canada. If you’re in India, TunnelBear unfortunately doesn’t have servers in the country so you can’t watch the content in your local library securely with it. According to test results from my colleagues around the world, Tunnelbear doesn’t work with many global streaming platforms like the top 2 contenders on my list do. But nevertheless, they found TunnelBear worked reliably with several of their streaming accounts besides Hotstar, such as: In my speed tests, Tunnelbear caused a decrease in speeds of 28% on local servers. Thankfully, my streaming performance wasn’t significantly affected since I have a fast internet connection. However, it might pose a challenge for users with a connection speed lower than 20Mbps. To address this issue, I recommend switching to the WireGuard protocol and utilizing the TCP override feature to minimize any loss in speed.
I ran multiple leak tests, and Tunnelbear kept my IP address masked throughout. It also includes the following top-level security features to prevent being blacklisted by streaming sites:
GhostBear — Uses obfuscation technology to get past anti-VPN detectors in restrictive countries to watch Hotstar and other streaming channels. VigilantBear — Cuts internet connectivity in case the VPN server drops, preventing any accidental leaks.
You can use Tunnelbear on up to unlimited devices. It took me less than 2 minutes to install it on my Windows PC, Macbook, and iPhone, and I enjoyed the user-friendly interface with fun bear graphics. However, I noticed some features were missing across platforms. For instance, the iOS app lacks a kill switch and obfuscation servers. Similarly, the split tunneling feature was absent on the Windows and Mac apps. Still, for a completely free service, I was impressed with what Tunnelbear has to offer. The only problem with Tunnelbear’s free offer is its monthly data cap of just 500MB — that’s barely enough to watch 1 movie on Hotstar. You can get a 1GB data boost by promoting Tunnelbear with a tweet, but that won’t be enough if you’re an avid streamer. However, you can get unlimited data with Tunnelbear’s premium offer.
Easy Comparison Table: 2025’s Best Free VPNs for Hotstar
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
4 Free VPNs to Avoid and Why
CrossVPN
Avoid CrossVPN at all costs as it’s infested with malware and can put your data at serious risk. It has an AV rank of 11, which means it tested positive for malware on 11 antiviruses.
Betternet
Throughout my colleagues’ tests, Betternet leaked their IP addresses and failed to keep them anonymous on the web. As a result, it didn’t work with Hotstar. In addition, it lacks essential security features like military-grade encryption and a kill switch, so you’ll be vulnerable and exposed if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
SuperVPN
Although it has a popular app on PlayStore, SuperVPN is an unreliable VPN due to its intrusive logging practices. For instance, it monitors IP addresses against IP blacklists, which violates a user’s privacy. Its privacy policy states that it keeps users’ data secure in the US and UK. Besides that, it has servers in only 8 countries and doesn’t work with Hotstar.
LinkVPN
Affiliated with SuperVPN, LinkVPN also has privacy issues with links to China. Its privacy policy seems to be pasted from elsewhere and has contradictions. On the one hand, it says, “We don’t monitor your traffic,” and on the other, it states the opposite. I wouldn’t trust a VPN service that isn’t transparent about it handles its users’ data. Due to the current issues surrounding Indian servers, I don’t recommend any free VPN to watch Hotstar. If you’re in India, choose a tried-and-tested VPN like ExpressVPN, which has reliable local IP addresses and fast speeds for streaming.
How I Tested and Ranked the Best Free VPNs for Hotstar
I considered the following features when picking the best VPNs for Hotstar:
Works with Hotstar and Disney+ — All VPNs on my list have servers in countries where Hotstar is available, including the US, UK, Canada, and even India. Data allowance — I picked VPNs with unlimited bandwidth, but the only truly free VPN that works with Hotstar was Tunnelbear, which has a data cap of 500MB on its free offer. Compatibility — The VPNs I chose work with all mainstream platforms, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Speeds — I only chose VPNs with high speeds to stream Hotstar without lag. Server location — I’ve listed the few VPNs that have working servers for Hotstar in India, as well as the UK, and Canada, after analyzing test results from our global team. Money-back guarantee — I tested each VPN’s refund guarantee and assessed how long it took to get my money back (as Tunnelbear is free there is no money-back offer).
Start Watching Hotstar Today
As most VPNs have shut down their servers in India, you may have difficulty watching Hotstar in India securely, especially with a free VPN. I tested dozens of free VPNs, none of which had servers in India. The only truly free VPN is Tunnelbear, but it only works with Hotstar UK. If you’re in India, you’ll still get a local IP address with these servers to watch Hotstar, but your traffic will be routed via the UK or Singapore. Still, my colleagues reported fast speeds and no lags. I recommend you always use a top premium VPN such as the one listed in this article to enjoy Hotstar lag-free. Hotstar uses proxy detectors to block users from making it seem like they’re browsing from a permitted region when they’re not. Furthermore, a proxy doesn’t encrypt internet traffic so your ISP or a hacker can easily snoop on your browsing activities. Still, you should always check your country’s laws and the Terms of Use of a streaming platform before you use a VPN to stream. Free VPNs can lack essential security features, such as a kill switch and military-grade encryption. Many even sell your data to third parties for money and can infect your device with malware. You should use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN with a verified and audited privacy policy. ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation for streaming Hotstar. You can use its local virtual servers to watch your Hostar content without issues. Although it’s not technically free, you can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed with a 30*-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unimpressed with its performance, you can claim a refund. *Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
Other Top VPNs for Hotstar in 2025
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
