Looking for tips on how to watch Hotstar in USA? In this tutorial, you’ll learn exactly everything you need to know to access Hotstar from any location. If you’d prefer jumping straight to the instructions, click here, or continue reading if you’d like to stay in the loop…
There are more than 100000 hours of television shows and movies available on Disney+ Hotstar, which is India’s largest premium streaming platform. The content is available in 17 different languages and you receive coverage for every major global sporting event.
Sadly, similar to how Disney Plus is unavailable in India, Hotstar is not accessible in the USA. This is because of copyright and licensing restrictions. As a result, if you try watching Disney+ Hotstar in the US, you will receive the below error message:
In this guide, you’ll find the solution to access Hotstar in USA, its pricing chart, competition, and the best content available. So, without further ado, let’s dive into it!
How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA [Easy Steps]
Since Hotstar is not available in the USA and is a Indian OTT streaming platform, you will need access the service with an Indian IP Address:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. Sign up with ExpressVPN now by visiting their website and subscribing to a plan that best suits your budgetary requirements.
- Download & Install ExpressVPN. Get the ExpressVPN app from the website and install it on your device. After it’s done, open the app and log in.
- Connect to a VPN server in India. Select the menu item with the three dots, then look for a server in India and select it to initiate a connection.
- Go to Hotstar website to watch all Indian content. Click on the “Login” button on the top right corner, enter a mobile number from Receive SMS, and add the verification code.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Hotstar in USA?
Ever since Disney+ took over Hotstar, the platform is now discontinued in the US. This means, if you want to access Hotstar and all your favorite Indian entertainment, Live cricket matches, and more, you will have to geo-spoof your location.
A virtual private network (VPN) is useful in this situation because it replaces your original US IP address with one from a server in India. To this end, VPNs act as a spoofing device to make the website believe you are a local user and gain access to all Indian content.
In order to view Hotstar in the United States, you must utilize a VPN service like ExpressVPN, which provides unfettered access to all of its movies and TV episodes. To make the service assume that you are genuinely situated in India, use an Indian IP address.
The Best VPNs to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA
It may be difficult to get a dependable streaming VPN that can provide access to Hotstar from locations outside of India. We tried over fifty different virtual private networks (VPNs) before settling on three that we feel are the most reliable.
1. ExpressVPN: The Best VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA
Total Servers: 3,000+ | Countries: 94+ | Indian Servers: 3 Virtual Servers | Trustpilot Rating: 4.7 | Simultaneous Connections: 5
ExpressVPN first opened its doors in 2011 and now calls the British Virgin Islands home for its corporate headquarters. This VPN is risk-free and blazingly quick. It has more than 3,000 servers in 90 different locations, including 3 virtual servers in India, which enable users to effortlessly circumvent the geo-restrictions and content limitations imposed by Hotstar.
When we tested the VPN on a connection that was 100 megabits per second (Mbps), we were astounded by the speeds that we saw: 89.97 Mbps for downloads, and 86.51 Mbps for uploads! This eliminates the possibility of experiencing any buffering issues throughout your time spent watching Hotstar or any other Indian service like Voot.
ExpressVPN even allows users to connect a maximum of five devices at the same time and supports a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, among others. The greatest part is that you may choose between plans beginning at as little as $6.67 per month, each of which comes with a money-back guarantee valid for a full 30 days.
Verdict: Any user who is interested in unblocking Hotstar should give ExpressVPN serious consideration because the company’s newly implemented Lightway protocol offers unparalleled levels of both performance and safety. It is possible to watch any material on Hotstar in 4k quality without experiencing any difficulties when using its servers in India.
ExpressVPN Disney+ Hotstar Testing: Working Servers
The powerful RAM architecture that ExpressVPN uses in its servers is entirely compatible with Hotstar. Recommended choices: Chennai, Mumbai, and Indore.
- 5 Simultaneous Connections
- Verified "No-Logs" Policy
- 30-Day Refund Guarantee
- Headquartered in BVI
- 3,000+ Servers in 90+ Countries
- Split Tunneling/Network Kill Switch
- No Free Trial Available
2. Surfshark: Affordable VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA
Total Servers: 3,200+ | Countries: 90+ | Indian Servers: 3 Virtual Servers | Trustpilot Rating: 4.3 | Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited
A low-cost all-in-one solution that is compatible with Hotstar, Surfshark was established in 2018 and now has its headquarters in the British Virgin Islands. It utilizes the well-known WireGuard protocol and more than 3,200 servers spread across more than 65 countries to ensure a seamless unblocking experience for users.
When we tested the VPN on a connection that was 100 megabits per second (Mbps), we received a download speed of 85.22 Mbps and an upload speed of 83.71 Mbps. This guarantees that your time spent streaming on Hotstar will go off without a hitch and that you won’t have any buffering troubles.
With a single subscription, Surfshark enables you to connect on an unlimited number of devices, in contrast to the majority of VPNs, which limit the number of concurrent connections to between 5 and 10. In addition, there is a money-back guarantee that is risk-free and valid for 30 days, as well as a free trial that is valid for 7 days on both iOS and Android.
Verdict: A listing of specialized servers for Hotstar may be found on the Surfshark website. These servers employ obfuscation technologies to transform VPN traffic into regular HTTPS traffic. Aside from this, the service provider provides a high level of safety for streamers and has been subjected to an audit by Cure53.
Surfshark Disney+ Hotstar Testing: Working Servers
The Indian servers of Surfshark deliver faultless and lightning-fast performance when it comes to 4k streaming on Hotstar. Recommended choices: Mumbai, Chennai, and Indore.
- Unlimited Simultaneous Logins
- No-Logs Policy Audited by Cure53
- 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
- 7-Day Free Trial on iOS/Android
- 3,200+ Servers in 60+ Countries
- Headquartered in BVI
- No Split Tunneling on iOS
3. NordVPN: Fastest VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in USA
Total Servers: 5,400+ | Countries: 60+ | Indian Servers: 30+ | Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 | Simultaneous Connections: 6
NordVPN began operations in 2012 and has its headquarters in Panama, which is known to be a trustworthy and secure country. The VPN has a strong reputation in the streaming world, and it offers its customers access to more than 5,200 servers in more than 60 different countries; consumers in India can choose from 30 Indian servers to access Hotstar.
After putting the VPN to the test on a connection with 100 Megabits per second (Mbps), we were able to record outstanding download and upload speeds of 89.97 Mbps and 86.51 Mbps, respectively. In addition, NordVPN offers the quickest connection times to Hotstar, and it doesn’t leak your WebRTC, DNS, or IP address.
Since NordVPN has been subjected to two audits by PwC Switzerland, you may be certain that none of your data will be compromised. Streamers benefit tremendously from having the capacity to link six devices all at once. The best thing is that you have up to thirty days after making your purchase to request and receive a full refund of your money.
Verdict: Users of NordVPN are granted access to a list of servers that are capable of unlocking geo-restricted content on Hotstar by utilizing obfuscation. Streamers who wish to take advantage of high connection speeds while also gaining access to a variety of VoD services like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, and more will find this to be an excellent option.
NordVPN Disney+ Hotstar Testing: Working Servers
Unblocking Hotstar is made much easier by NordVPN’s servers in India, which consistently deliver a high level of performance. Recommended choices: #3097, #2497, #3288, #3325.
- 6 Simultaneous Connections
- Audited by PwC Switzerland
- 30-Day Refund Guarantee
- Headquartered in Panama
- 5,000+ Servers in 60+ Countries
- Split Tunneling/Network Kill Switch
- Downtime issues on some servers
How Do I Subscribe to Disney Plus Hotstar?
Since Disney+ Hotstar is no longer available in the US, you cannot subscribe to the streaming service. You will have to connect to a VPN server in India to access the OTT service and then simply sign up for a free account to enjoy all Hotstar content. Follow the steps below to get started:
- Subscribe to a VPN service like ExpressVPN
- Download the VPN app for your relevant device
- Connect to a server that is located in India.
- Visit the Hotstar website from your browser
- Click on the “Login” button on the top right corner.
- Enter a mobile number from Receive SMS.
- Add the verification code and enjoy streaming!
How to Download Disney+ Hotstar in the USA
The Disney+ Hotstar app can be used on devices running either iOS or Android. However, you will need to make sure that the locale of your Google Play Store is set to India.
Otherwise, it won’t let you see and install the app in other countries. However, there is no need to be concerned! Follow these steps in order to download the Hotstar in the United States:
How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar on Android
- Get yourself an account with a reputable VPN service, such as ExpressVPN.
- Download and configure the VPN on your preferred gadget or device.
- Launch the VPN application and connect to a server in India.
- Open Google Play Store and head to your “Account” settings.
- Select India and fill out the appropriate fields under “Countries and Profiles.”
- You will now receive a “Warning” message from Google Play Store
- Tap on “Accept the change” and then wait for the transition to take place.
- You may now search for “Hotstar” on the Indian Google Play Store and install it on your device.
How to Get Disney+ Hotstar on iOS
- Find the “iTunes and App Stores” option in the settings menu of your iOS device.
- Tap “Apple ID,” then open the menu that says “View Apple ID.”
- Select the “Country/Region” option and tap on “Change Country or Region”.
- Choose “India” from the list of countries and fill in the information asked for.
- Go to the App Store and search for the “Hotstar” app to download it.
- Open ExpressVPN and connect to an Indian server.
- Launch the Hotstar application, sign up, and enjoy streaming on your iOS!
How to Download Disney+ Hotstar on PC
According to Hotstar, there is no desktop application available (Including on Windows, Mac OS & Linux). However, if you have Bluestacks, an Android emulator, installed on your computer, you will be able to download the Hotstar app. Take note of the following instructions:
- Visit the website for Bluestacks and download the app to your computer.
- Download the Voot apk file to your computer by clicking on this link.
- Launch Bluestacks on your computer and select the “Install” option.
- Browse to the “Hotstar apk file” and click on the “Open” option.
- Once the app is installed, you will receive a notification.
How to Get Disney+ Hotstar on Mac
- Get yourself an account with a reputable VPN service, such as ExpressVPN.
- Download and configure the VPN on your preferred gadget or device.
- Navigate to “System Preferences” and tap on the “Network” button.
- Select your VPN service from the list that appears on the left side of the page.
- Select the configuration pop-up menu that appears and press “Connect”.
- Open your VPN app again and connect to a server located in India.
- Proceed to navigate to www.hotstar.com!
How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar on Roku
Roku sticks are unable to run VPN software, so you will need to set up a VPN on your router to unblock Hotstar. Follow the instructions below:
- Set up a VPN connection using the ExpressVPN app for routers
- Connect to a VPN server that is located in India.
- Go to the Roku Channel Store.
- Search for the “Hotstar” application
- Tap on the “Add Channel” button
- Sign in to Hotstar and enjoy!
How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar on Apple TV
Just like Roku, Apple TV devices do not support the VPN apps, and you would again need to connect your VPN to a Wi-Fi router. Follow these simple steps:
- Download a VPN that would work with Disney+ Hotstar like ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server that is located in India.
- Navigate to your router’s admin and join your VPN network.
- Get the Hotstar app and sign in by typing in your basic information.
- Enjoy binge-watching your favorite dramas and movies!
How Watch Hotstar on Amazon Fire Stick
- Get yourself an account with a reputable VPN service, such as ExpressVPN.
- Navigate to your Firestick’s home screen and open ExpressVPN.
- Create an account and join a server located in India.
- Open the Hotstar app and create an account or log in.
- Voila! There you go, a plethora of Indian prodigies all to yourself!
Which is Better: Hotstar vs. Voot vs. Sonyliv
In April 2022, Indian users were given a streaming platform that collaborated with Disney Plus. The existing service, updated with new content, is owned by Star India, making them a part of the Walt Disney group.
The updated library includes TV, different movies, various sports, adult Disney+ content, and Kids Disney+ content. The already present Hotstar infrastructure is unabashedly promoted through this collaboration alongside original Disney content.
Not to forget the abundant sports coverage, including live cricket matches. Beginning the battle, let’s take a good look at the chart we have drawn out for you.
Disney+ Hotstar | Voot | SonyLiv | |
Premium Pricing (Annually) | $19.18 | $12.78 | $12.78 |
Free Version Available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Streaming Quality | Up to 4K (2160p) resolution | Up to 4K (2160p) resolution | Up to 4k ultra HD resolution |
Streaming Range | Movies, TV shows, specials, Disney plus originals, live sports, Disney plus kids, & Live TV. | Colors (Hindi), MTV, Nickelodeon, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Colors Kannada, Colors Marathi, Colors Bangla, Colors Gujarati, and MTV Indies, Indian TV Shows, Blockbuster Movies, Toons & Voot Originals. | Live sports, TV channels, Sony Liv original TV shows, movies, & Hollywood movies. |
Max Audio Quality | Dolby 5.1 | Dolby 5.1 | Dolby audio supported |
User Interface | High-quality | Fairly-good | Low-quality |
Maximum Screens | Up to 4 devices | Upto 2 screens | Upto 2 screens |
Ads | Add free version available only in Premium plan | Add free version available only in Premium plan | No |
Offline Download | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Free trial | No | 14-day free trial | 3-months free trial |
Suffice to say, all the three streaming platforms are worth their money, with some excelling at one domain and the other at another. However, we hate how Sonyliv’s app consumes pretty much all our data and doesn’t even offer an option to choose quality levels.
And, we’re especially sick of Voot’s performance issues on such frequent occurrences. Put upon the hassle of being unable to fast forward a scene or two. On the contrary, you must sit and wait until you watch the already seen clip to desperately move to the good part.
Oh, and the ever-so-frequent unskippable ads just make us hang on by a loose thread even more precariously. And so. To avoid all that, we opt for Disney+ Hotstar because we simply love how the navigation feels so smooth and the streaming quality touches the levels of perfection.
Also, love the matchless feature of streaming concurrently on 4 different devices! We couldn’t find a better calculated, mixed platform where Hollywood and Bollywood would so flawlessly integrate under such well-allocated banners.
As one would put it, Disney Plus Hotstar is just the place where you could get the best of both worlds. It carters each of its sections vastly without missing a single update. You wouldn’t find these features elsewhere for sure! And, apparently, Quora users think the same and urge you to subscribe to Disney Plus Hotstar straight away! So, what’s your pick?
List of Top Trending TV Shows and Movies on Disney+ Hotstar
Hello there, everyone! The weekend is upon us. What are your plans? Stream some of the most popular Hotstar TV shows and originals during your free time. Yes? Then check out the following list of Hotstar’s most popular content:
Best Indian Content on Disney+ Hotstar
- Masoom
- Home Shanti
- Human
- The Great Indian Murder
- Grahan
- Behind Closed Doors
- Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors
- Malgudi Days
- Aarya PariWar
- City of Dreams
- Hostages
- Out of Love
- Special Ops
- Criminal Justice
- Drishyam
- Baby
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan
- Talvar
- Highway
- Panga
Best Movies on Disney+ Hotstar
- Nightmare Alley
- Cruella
- Hidden Figures
- Ready or Not
- Glass
- The Last Duel
- Free Guy
- The Favorite
- All Star Wars Films
- All Marvel Movies
- Nomadland
- Ford v Ferrari
- Mulan
- Hamilton
- Avator
- The Falt in Our Stars
- The Last King of Scotland
- Black Swan
- Independence Day
- The Martian
- The Shape of Water
- Kingsman
- Secretariat
- Gifted
- We Bought a Zoo
- Murder on the Orient Express
- The Art of Racing
- Bad Education
Best TV Shows on Hotstar
- The Baby
- Pam & Tommy
- Silicon Valley
- The Sopranos
- Loki
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
- WandaVision
- The Undoing
- Lovecraft Country
- I Know This Much Is True
- I May Destroy You
- The Newsroom
- Game of Thrones
- The Night Of Five Days
- The Wire
- Sharp Objects
- Modern Family
- True Detective
- Big Little Lies
- Watchmen
- Black Monday
- The Mandalorian
How to Watch Hotstar in USA: FAQs
When it comes to learning how to watch Hotstar in USA, you may come across some concerns. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
It’s not a secret that Hotstar India has stopped operating in the United States as of this year, which has left all Indian Americans feeling abandoned and alone. To access the platform in USA, you will be required to sign up with a VPN service and connect to a server in India.
There is a partnership between the Walt Disney Company and Hotstar. As a result, there has been a minor adjustment made to the presentation of the content, and availability by region. As a result, Hotstar is now not available in the USA, unless you use a VPN service.
In India, if you are a subscriber to Jio, you will have free access to all of the premium content that is offered by Disney+ and Hotstar. On the Jio TV website or app, you won’t have to spend any additional money to view any of your favorite premium television shows or movies that are available on Disney+ or Hotstar.
Yes, Disney+ Hotstar is a joint venture between the streaming service Hotstar in India and Disney+ in the United States. The streaming services now contain movies and television shows from Disney Plus as well as other premium cable networks such as HBO, Showtime, and Fox.
Since the free version of Hotstar is exclusively offered in India, it is theoretically impossible for you to use it while you are in the United States. However, if you use a premium VPN like ExpressVPN, you can fool the provider into thinking that your actual location is in India.
If you reside in the United States or another nation other than India, you may still enjoy all of the content that Indians enjoy on Hotstar for the same low fee. You only need to use a VPN that connects you virtually to an Indian server, giving the appearance that you are in India.
Final Words
Without a doubt, Hotstar is a Bollywood fan’s dream come true. It makes sure no fan of Indian TV is left unfulfilled. Just get yourself a VPN, and you can start binging on your Bollywood favorites in no time. If you face any issues, feel free to drop a comment below!