Key Takeaways: Unblocking Max Streaming

• Max has expanded its market, but the streaming service is still not available worldwide; if you want to access it from an unavailable country, you’ll need a VPN and valid payment option.
• HBO Max rebranded to Max in May 2023 after its merger with Discovery+.
• ExpressVPN is the best VPN that works with Max. You can use it to enjoy Max content anywhere in the world. 
• If you want a more affordable alternative, NordVPN and Surfshark also work with Max, and they’re both easy-to-use VPNs with solid performance. 

If you’ve wanted to watch Max, you were probably thrilled when the service announced its expansion a few years ago, becoming accessible in many new locations around the world. That said, it’s still not available in every country, so we’ll show you how to get Max unblocked wherever you are.

Max has grown rapidly in the past couple of years, especially after its merger with Discovery+. While it still doesn’t have the subscriber count of streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney Plus, the streaming service has a large content library with something for everyone.

Unfortunately, the library depends on your region, so not everything is available everywhere. If you’re looking to unblock Max in a location where it’s not yet available, you can do so with a virtual private network (VPN) service.

A VPN service not only provides a new IP address in a different location, but it also encrypts your connection, keeping your activities away from prying eyes. You can read our best VPN guide and best VPN for Max guide for more specific information about the VPNs that can unblock Max and other streaming platforms.

HBO Max rebranded to Max in May 2023 after its merger with Discovery+. You can read more about it in our HBO Max rebrand article. If you had an HBO Max account, you should be automatically transferred to the new Max service.

HBO Max Rebrands to Max

As of May 2023, HBO is officially rebranding HBO Max to just Max. From what we can see at the time of writing, the plans and pricing remain the same, and so does the content library and its availability. 

Max Unblocked: Where Is Max Available?

Here is a list of countries where you can access Max. Remember that, as we mentioned, you won’t be able to enjoy the entire content library in every location.

Europe

Latin America & Caribbean

North America

Why Is Max Blocked?

Max is subject to licensing deals that mean certain shows may not be available in certain countries. For example, if a TV station holds exclusive rights to Max’s library in a certain country, the streaming service may not be available in said country. The same applies to individual TV shows and movies. 

A VPN service can unblock Max by giving you a new IP address from a location of your choice. Simply choose a VPN server in a location where Max isn’t blocked or where your content of choice is accessible. Note that to sign up for and create a Max account, you will need a payment method from the country of choice.

Ads vs Ad-Free: Which Max Plan Do I Need to Stream Abroad?

If you are in the U.S., and have subscribed to Max via your TV provider, you have the choice between three subscription plans: With Ads, Ad-Free, and Ultimate Ad-Free. The prices are $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for the plan With Ads, $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year for the Ad-Free plan, and $19.99 per month or 199.99 per year for the Ultimate Ad-Free plan.

All plans allow you to enjoy the same library, but there are some advantages to the ad-free plans (other than the lack of ads): You can download shows and movies for offline viewing, and you can stream while traveling outside the U.S.

Is There a Max Free Trial?

Max doesn’t offer a free trial, at least not in the typical sense of the word. However, some U.S. providers occasionally have special offers that may include a free trial of Max. Considering that they’re only available to U.S. customers, you may be able to take advantage of such offers using a U.S. VPN server and a U.S. payment method.

How to Watch Max From Anywhere With a VPN

You can access the streaming service from anywhere in the world if you use a VPN for Max. Here is how to do it — we’ll use ExpressVPN as an example, as it is the best VPN for streaming.

1. Sign Up for ExpressVPN

   Go to the ExpressVPN website and click “Get ExpressVPN” in the middle. Follow the steps to choose a plan and subscribe to ExpressVPN.

   

2. Download and Install ExpressVPN

   Once you’ve finished the signup process, download the ExpressVPN app for your device of choice. Install the ExpressVPN app on the device and log in.

   

3. Connect to a VPN Server

   In the ExpressVPN app, click on the country name to open the server list. Find a server in a country where Max is unblocked, and then click the country. On the home screen, click the “connect” button and give ExpressVPN a few seconds to establish a connection.

   

4. Sign In to Max

   Go to the Max website and sign in. You should be able to watch movies such as Miracle Workers, Harley Quinn or any content available in the country you chose in the server list.

   

How to Sign Up for Max Outside the HBO Country List

If you don’t have a Max account and you are not in a country where Max is supported, you can still use the Max app to enjoy content. Use steps one and two from the guide above to subscribe to ExpressVPN and download an app, and then do the following steps — we’ll use a signup in the U.S. as an example.

To sign up for Max from outside the supported countries, you will need a payment method from a supported country. The option we used is StatesCard, a provider that gives you a virtual U.S. card and billing address. In the off chance it doesn’t work, you may need to find an alternative payment method to start a subscription. 

1. Connect to a U.S. VPN Server

   In the ExpressVPN app, click on the country name to open the server list. Choose one of the servers in the U.S. and click the server location. On the home screen, click the “connect” button and give ExpressVPN a few seconds to establish a connection.

   

2. Go to the StatesCard Website

   Go to the StatesCard website to set up a prepaid card account, and click “sign up now.” 

   

3. Create a StatesCard Account

   Enter your email address and password, and then click “sign up.” You will need to verify your account by clicking the activation link in the verification email you receive.

   

4. Enter Your Account Info

   On the next page, enter your personal details, including your name, date of birth and address, and click “next.” 

   

5. Load Funds on Your StatesCard

   Choose how much you want to load on your card, but make sure it’s enough to cover the Max subscription, plus tax. You will be charged a processing fee, a one-time card activation fee of $14.99 and the first monthly fee for StatesCard, which is $3.95. Choose a payment method and click “confirm order.”

   

6. Pay for the Top Up

   Enter your payment details, choosing either PayPal or a credit card as your payment method. Once you’ve entered the details, click “pay.” 

   

7. See Your Billing Address

   When you’ve completed the signup process, check your StatesCard account. You should see the funds you have added, along with the U.S. billing address you will need to use when signing up for Max.

   

8. Go to the Max Website

   Go to the Max website, and in the top-right corner, click “sign up.” Choose a plan that works best for you and use the StatesCard information and billing address to pay for the subscription. Once done, you should be able to watch Max with a VPN — just install the Max app on your device of choice and enjoy.

   

Best 3 VPNs for Watching Max

Various Max VPNs can do the job, but these three let you enjoy Max most. We’ll kick things off with our favorite, ExpressVPN. 

1. ExpressVPN

If you want to watch Max with no regional restrictions, even in countries where it’s not yet available, ExpressVPN is the best tool for the job. With servers in over 100 countries around the world, you can unblock Max in almost any region. You can find out more about it in our ExpressVPN review.

Thanks to easy-to-use apps that you can install on almost any device, including smart TVs and streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, ExpressVPN was also crowned the best VPN for beginners. Performance and security are top-notch, with ExpressVPN’s only downside being its high price. If you want the best VPN app to stream Max, it’s worth it. You can sign up for any plan using the 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN Plans

• Unlimited GB
• 8
• Yes

30-days money-back guarantee

1-month plan, 6-months plan

1-month plan

$12.95/month

6-months plan

$9.99/month

$59.94 billed every 6 month

Save 22%

15-months plan

$6.66/month

$99.95 billed first 15 months and 12 months thereafter

Save 48%

2. NordVPN

NordVPN coming in second should be no surprise to anyone who’s read our comparison versus ExpressVPN. While it’s not as widespread as ExpressVPN, NordVPN has over 5,000 servers in 60 countries, making it easy to watch Max in different regions. It also has a VPN app for almost any platform, and smart DNS for devices like Apple TV or Android TV that don’t support a native VPN.

Connection speeds are excellent, with NordVPN besting most of the competition in our VPN speed comparison. NordVPN also offers strong security, with its NordLynx protocol keeping VPN connections secure, as we discuss in our NordVPN review. If you’re looking for a more affordable Max VPN, NordVPN is a solid choice. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

30-days money-back guarantee

Basic

• *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$12.99/month

1-year plan

$5.74/month

$68.85 billed every year

Save 55%

2-year plan

$3.48/month

$83.43 billed every 2 years

Save 73%

Plus

• *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$13.99/month

1-year plan

$6.86/month

$82.35 billed every year

Save 50%

2-year plan + 3 months

$3.99/month

$107.73 billed every 2 years

Save 71%

Complete

• *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$15.99/month

1-year plan

$9.36/month

$112.35 billed every year

Save 41%

2-year plan + 3 months

$5.99/month

$161.73 billed every 2 years

Save 62%

3. Surfshark

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to watch Max and other streaming platforms from multiple devices at once. If you’re looking for a Max VPN that lets you share your VPN subscription, Surfshark is perfect.

Surfshark’s large server network comprises over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. It has apps for almost any platform, so you can watch Max on any device, including Android TV devices thanks to smart DNS support. Surfshark also offers excellent security, which you can find out more about in our Surfshark review. It also has a 30-day refund period on all plans.

30-days money-back guarantee

Surfshark Starter

• Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $185.40 for one year, $370.80 for two years
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan + 2 months

1-month plan

$15.45/month

1-year plan + 2 months

$3.22/month

$41.86 billed every year

Save 79%

2-year plan + 2 months

$2.29/month

$59.54 billed every 2 years

Save 85%

Surfshark One

• Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $191.40 for one year, $380.80 for two years.
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$15.95/month

1-year plan

$4.09/month

$49.08 billed every year

Save 74%

2-year plan

$3.19/month

$76.56 billed every 2 years

Save 80%

Surfshark One+

• Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $215.40 for one year, $430.80 for two years
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$17.95/month

1-year plan

$6.49/month

$77.88 billed every year

Save 63%

2-year plan

$4.97/month

$119.28 billed every 2 years

Save 72%

Can I Use a Free VPN for Max?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch Max, but we don’t recommend using just any free VPN. Many of the free VPN providers out there won’t give you a secure VPN connection, with some going as far as collecting user data and selling it to third parties, or even bundling malware with their app installers.

However, our top recommendations for reputable free VPNs to stream Max include Proton VPN, Windscribe and Tunnelbear. You can read our full list of reliable free VPNs for more suggestions.

Proton VPN gives you a free plan with no data limits, with a caveat — you only have three server locations to choose from (U.S., Japan and the Netherlands), and they’re often under high load, so speeds may vary. We talk about this in more detail in our Proton VPN review.

Windscribe is another popular free VPN. As we mention in our Windscribe review, you have 10 server locations you can tunnel through, but only 10GB of data per month (you can get an extra 5GB if you tweet about the service). TunnelBear is another suggestion, but as we mention in our Tunnelbear review, you only have 2GB of data per month.

Final Thoughts: Access Max Streaming

Max is one of the popular streaming services, but its unavailability in many regions around the world puts it out of reach for some potential subscribers. The Max library isn’t identical worldwide, so even if you can watch Max, there is a chance you can’t see all the content available.

If you want to watch shows such as Adventure Time or its spin-off Fionna and Cake, a VPN for Max will give you a new IP address, making streaming Max easy in any region. Not only does it unblock Max, but it also makes sure your internet service provider (or anyone else) can’t snoop and see what you’re doing online.

As a bonus, we have guides on where to watch ‘Little Shop of Horrors.‘

If you’re after U.K. shows instead, check out our guide to the Acorn TV free trial.

ExpressVPN takes the title of the best VPN that unblocks Max, with NordVPN and Surfshark being affordable alternatives. Have you tried to watch Max with a VPN? What was your VPN of choice? Let us know in the comments, and as always, thank you for reading.

FAQ: Unblock Max From Anywhere

• How Do I Get Max Unblocked?

  A reliable VPN unblocks Max, with providers such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark all being solid choices. You will need to connect to a VPN server in a country where Max is available.

• Why Isn’t Max in Australia?

  Max isn’t available in many countries around the world — including Australia — because of licensing deals with other streaming services and TV stations. In Australia’s case, Foxtel and BINGE broadcast some of Max’s content.

• How Do I Bypass VPN Block on Max?

  Not all VPNs work with Max. To increase the chances of bypassing such blocks, you should use a reputable VPN such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Surfshark.