If you are a fan of watching Indian content, Disney+ Hotstar is one of the best OTT platforms to subscribe to. It has a wide variety of content, ranging from TV series belonging to multiple genres, movies, and even live cricket matches. In fact, the platform contains content in more than 9 languages.
Apart from Indian TV shows and movies, Disney+ Hotstar also offers international TV shows and movies from different networks, like HBO, FOX, ABC, Nat Geo, and many more.
However, Disney+ Hotstar is not available to stream in the USA as it is geo-restricted. You can get access to the Disney+ bundle, but it has very limited options, and you will not be satisfied if you are a big fan of Indian content.
My cousin from India came here to the United States for a couple of months, and she wanted to show me some Indian web series that she is a major fan of. And while discussing accessing Disney+ Hotstar here, my curiosity spiked, and I decided to dig deeper.
So how to watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA? Is it even possible to do so?
If you want the answers to these questions, this guide is precisely for you.
Keep reading!
Can You Access Disney+ Hotstar in the USA?
Technically speaking, the Disney+ Hotstar platform is not available for viewers in the USA. However, you do not need to lose hope completely because there is one way you can bypass the restrictions, and that is by using a VPN service.
I will discuss more on this in the upcoming sections.
Why is VPN required to watch Disney+ Hotstar in the USA?
Disney+ Hotstar platform is available only for users residing in India. If you live in any city in India, you can access all the content available on the platform easily. But if you are anywhere outside India, including the USA, you cannot access the platform without a VPN.
Most OTT platforms today want their content to be broadcasted only within particular regions. Disney + Hotstar is no exception to this, and the content is only restricted to India. This is done to prevent content distribution and avoid violations related to licensing.
If you are in the USA and you try to visit the Disney + Hotstar website, you’ll immediately get an error. That is precisely where a VPN service comes into the picture. A VPN will help you bypass the geo-restrictions by letting you connect to a server in India.
Doing this will conceal your original IP address and replace it with an IP address from India. And hence, when Disney + Hotstar platform tracks your IP address, it will not be able to recognize your actual identity, and it will look like you are accessing the site from somewhere in India itself.
This is the best method to watch Disney + Hotstar content by bypassing the restrictions without getting blocked.
Can you watch Disney+ Hotstar in the USA for free?
Disney + Hotstar does have a free version, but that works only in India. But if you want to access it from the US, you have to connect to a VPN service that lets you connect to an Indian server.
But the free version gives access to limited content. If you want access to the full content library, it is better to go for a Disney + Hotstar subscription. There are two different plans- the VIP plan and the Premium plan. The VIP plan will cost you around $11.54 per year, and the Premium plan will cost you around $19.25 yearly.
However, I would like to add another small note here. While going for a VPN service, I will recommend choosing a trustworthy option to avoid poor connectivity and enjoy buffer-free streaming. You might have to pay a monthly subscription fee to use a good VPN service. But some of them offer a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
How to sign up for Disney+ Hotstar in USA?
If you want to sign up for Disney+ Hotstar to enjoy a wide range of Indian content on your PC or laptop, you have to first choose a reliable and trustworthy VPN Service and then connect to an Indian server. Once you do that, you can sign up on the site for free or even choose a subscription plan based on your requirements.
Here are the steps you can follow to go ahead with the process.
1. Subscribe to a premium VPN service to get the best and the most reliable experience. There are many good options available out there today, and one of the most common ones is ExpressVPN.
2. Now, download the VPN application on your device and connect to any Indian server. Once you do this step successfully, your actual IP address will be hidden, and you will be assigned any random Indian IP address.
3. Launch the Disney+ Hotstar website and click on the ‘Subscribe’ button.
4. You should be able to see the list of available subscription plans on your screen. Choose the subscription plan that is best suitable for you.
5. Now, you need to register using an email address, a social media account, or a contact number. However, if you choose to register using a contact number, it has to be an Indian phone number.
6. Select your preferred payment method and complete the registration process.
That’s it! You can now enjoy a massive range of entertaining content on the Disney + Hotstar platform in the USA. Another thing I would like to mention here is that there are no free trials for the VIP or premium subscription plans. But I still recommend going for these because once you subscribe to the platform, you can enjoy any content you want without interruptions.
How to install the Disney+ Hotstar application in the USA?
Let us suppose using the Disney + Hotstar site is not suitable for you, and you want to go via the app route. In such a scenario, here are the steps you can follow to proceed.
1. Sign out of your Apple ID account or Gmail account that you are currently logged in from/
2. Now subscribe to a trustworthy and reliable VPN Service and connect to any Indian server.
3. Now visit the Google Play Store or App store, depending on whether you are using an Android or iOS device.
4. You have to now create a new account for your device. If you are using an Android device, it has to be a Google Play account. It will be an Apple ID for an IOS device.
5. Search for the Disney + Hotstar application, and install it on your device. The process would hardly take a few minutes.
Best VPNs to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in the USA
Honestly, all that we have discussed in this article will be null if you do not choose a reliable VPN Service. And choosing the best VPN Service for this task is also quite significant because it will determine your experience while watching content on the Disney + Hotstar platform.
Sometimes even after using a VPN to access Disney + Hotstar, you can get an error showing that the content is unavailable. This typically happens if you are using a VPN, if you have connected to a poor server, or if you have chosen a low-quality VPN. This is why selecting a premium option is the best choice.
I have tested a few VPNs for this very specific task, and here are the top 5 which stood out the most. I will also mention the features so that it will be easy for you to make a decision regarding which one to pick.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has to be one of the best VPN services to watch Disney + Hotstar in the USA. The best thing I like about this particular service is that it offers the best security features and top-notch connection speed.
Regarding connecting to servers in India, you can choose one via the UK or one via Singapore. I connected to the Singapore server, and it worked flawlessly. It hardly took less than 5 seconds to connect to the server, and the streaming speed was lag-free and absolutely brilliant.
I even tested on a 100 MBPS connection, and it showed great results in terms of download and upload speed. If more than one members want to connect to this VPN Service, that is also possible because ExpressVPN allows 5 multi-logins. And it is compatible with a range of devices, including Android and IOS smartphones, Roku, FireStick, PS4, PS5, etc.
ExpressVPN has also killed it in the security aspect, and it includes all the necessary features, like threat manager, AES 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, no-logs, and so on.
The subscription fee for ExpressVPN is around $6.67 per month.And there is an offer for new subscribers- you can enjoy a 7-day free trial upon purchasing it through the app store. But the best part is that you get a 30-day money-back guarantee, which speaks volumes about the quality of service you get.
Features
- It has 2 virtual server locations in India.
- It offers lightning-fast connection and robust security features.
- It unblocks Disney+ Hotstar in just a few seconds.
- You get up to 5 multi-logins, and it is compatible with most devices.
- The subscription fee is slightly expensive.
- It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark
If you are looking for something more budget-friendly and affordable, Surfshark is the one for you. I was expecting the features would be below average due to the prices. But this VPN service is packed with powerful features.
Surfshark is compatible with a massive range of streaming sites and offers impressive download and upload speeds. However, my favorite feature of Surfshark is the fact that it supports unlimited simultaneous connexions. I did not face any issues regarding the security features as well.
Another great feature I would like to mention about this app is the CleanWeb feature. I like that the platform added this feature because it blocks ads, and that makes the Giving experience even better. And just like ExpressVPN, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a 7-day free trial.
And you get all these Incredible features at an extremely affordable cost of around $2.05 per month. If this is not the combination of brilliant features and at an affordable price, I don’t know what is.
Features
- It is an affordable VPN Service.
- The subscription fee is only $2.05 per month.
- The connection speed is pretty fast.
- It supports unlimited simultaneous connections.
- You get unlimited bandwidth for HD-quality streaming.
- The security features are very decent.
- You get a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a 7-day free trial.
- The customer support service is available 24/7.
3. IPVanish
IPVanish was recommended to me by one of my friends, and since he had a great time with this one, I wanted to try doubt as well. IPVanish features more than 2000 servers in 50 different countries. I could easily connect to an Indian server to watch Indian series and movies on Disney + Hotstar.
Just like Surfshark, IPVanish also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, which lets you enjoy movie time with friends and family. I also observed that when I started watching HD movies using this VPN Service, the movies played without buffering.
You get all the top-class security features, and you do not have to worry about anyone tracking your movie or series preferences or anything like that. The price for using IPVanish is also quite affordable at $3.19 per month. It is compatible with all modern devices.
I would highly recommend trying out this phone.
Features
- The VPN Service has 4:00 servers in 2 Indian locations.
- It supports unlimited simultaneous connections.
- The connection speed is top-notch.
- It is compatible with all the major swimming platforms.
- The subscription fee is very affordable.
- It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. CyberGhost
I added CyberGhost to this list because it is one of the most user-friendly interfaces you will come across. Even if you are a beginner, you will have no trouble navigating this application.
CyberGhost has around 29 servers within Mumbai in India, and it helps you connect to any of these easily and quickly. It not only unblocks Disney + Hotstar, but it works on different platforms like Netflix India, Sony LIV, Voot, etc.
While testing, I found that the speed was way above average, and I did not face any buffering or lagging either. CyberGhost offers 7 simultaneous connections and is compatible with a wide range of OS, like Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, etc.
They did not compromise on the security features too, and you only get the best of the best, like dedicated IP servers, AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, and so on. The pricing plan is also quite affordable at just $2.29 per month. But that’s not all-it also offers a 45-day refund policy and 24/7 chat support.
Features
- The VPN service has 29 servers in Mumbai, India.
- It can unblock Disney + Hotstar, Voot, Netflix India, and so on without any issues.
- It is compatible with a wide range of OS.
- It supports 7 simultaneous connections.
- The security features are great.
- The subscription fee is quite affordable, and it offers a 45-day refund policy.
5. NordVPN
When I tried to access Disney+ Hotstar in the USA using NordVPN, I was pretty impressed with the results because I did not face any lagging or buffering. I have seen NordVPN getting recommended a lot of times, and I definitely understand why after using it.
It includes top-tier security features, like AES 256-bit encryption, P2P, LT2P, kill switch, etc. You can use it on any device you want, and NordVPN has more than 18 servers in India. You do not have to worry about here privacy as this PPM service follows a zero log policy, which ensures that no third party or intruder is monitoring your online activities.
NordVPN supports 6 simultaneous connections, and the subscription plans are extremely affordable, starting at only $2.99 a month. However, the prices will likely increase after 2 years.
Even though NordVPN isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, it is still a great option to try out.
Features
- NordVPN offers excellent connection speeds.
- It unblocks many streaming services, apart from just Disney + Hotstar.
- It supports up to 6 simultaneous connections.
- The subscription plans are affordable.
- The service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- You get 24/7 live chat support.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you figure out how to watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA easily. The key to bypassing geo-restrictions is using a good VPN Service, and you can select any among the top 5 recommendations mentioned in this article.
My favorite option would be ExpressVPN for the best experience and buffer-free streaming. And if you want a slightly affordable option, Surfshark is the one for you.
You can now stream your favorite Bollywood movies and TV shows on Disney+ Hotstar and enjoy them even in the USA!
