Hotstar is one of India’s most trusted and most used entertainment streaming platform. It caters to the interests of all sections of the audience from sports and news to movies and TV shows. However, Hotstar ceases to function as soon as you step outside the boundaries of India.
Due to geographical restrictions, Hotstar does not function outside India. So, to watch Hotstar outside India, you will be required to use a VPN. Be sure to use a good, strong and reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN.
5 steps for watching Hotstar from anywhere
The process for watching Hotstar from any country that is not India is the same. All it requires from you is to follow the 5 simple steps given below:
Step 1: Subscribe to a good, strong and reliable VPN with a good server network spread across the globe. ExpressVPN is a great and trustworthy option.
Step 2: Go to the app store of your device and download and install the VPN app.
Step 3: Launch the VPN app and set up your VPN account. Create a new account if you don’t already have one and log in.
Step 4: Connect to a VPN server in India on the VPN app.
Step 5: Proceed to watch Hotstar. You can go to the online platform of Hotstar or the Hotstar app. You have now unlocked all of the content and services offered by Hotstar.
Why is Hotstar not available outside India?
Hotstar is a geographically restricted service and if you are unable to stream on it from your country it means that the service is restricted in your country and you are not allowed to use it. Popular streaming services like Hotstar put geographical restrictions in order to maintain the exclusivity of the content offered by them.
What services like Hotstar do is that they check the IP address of devices trying to access them to know their location and then deny access to those devices whose location are included in the geographically restricted areas.
This is why people located in countries where Hostar is restricted are unable to use it for streaming because the service finds out their location through their IP address.
How to watch Hotstar outside India?
It is possible to get access to Hotstar from any country you want even if it has geographical restrictions.
No matter how many ways there are to get over these geographical restrictions, using a VPN service is still the best out of all because it can do the task quickly and safely.
A VPN when employed on your device can hide its original IP address and give it a fake IP address of a country where the service is available. For this you need to connect the VPN with a suitable server of that country and your device will automatically get its IP address.
When you do this, Hotstar will not be able to find out that you are located in a country where it is not available and thus will allow access to you from wherever you are located.
Can I watch live sports on Hotstar?
Yes, you can watch live sports on Hotstar. Hotstar has a vast sports section where not only can you watch live sports matches but you also get access to sports highlights. With a wide range of sports options, you get to stream almost all mainstream, as well as regional, sporting events and tournaments on Hotstar.
Here is a list of the sports you can watch on Hotstar:
- Cricket
- Football
- Kabbadi
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Power Boating
- Khelo India
- Tennis
- Hockey
- Baseball
In addition to these, you can opt for the customized sports special subscription plans of Hotstar where you will get access to almost all sports and sporting events from across the globe.
Hotstar subscription plans
Hotstar streaming service is liked by people because it gives them the option of streaming content for free. You get access to a lot of content even if you do not buy a subscription plan.
However, getting a subscription plan unlocks more streaming content for you. You also get access to more features when you stream with paid plans along with getting multiple simultaneous streaming. So, buy a subscription plan which suits your requirements and enjoy streaming unlimited content on Hotstar.
| Plan | Ads | Price | Simultaneous streaming |
| Mobile | With ads | Rs 149 / 3 months | 1 device |
| Mobile | With ads | Rs 499 / year | 1 device |
| Super | With ads | Rs 899 / year | 2 devices |
| Premium | Ad free | Rs 1499 / year | 4 devices |
Why is IPL 2024 not streaming on Hotstar?
When it comes to the Indian Premier League, there are 2 kinds of broadcasting and distribution rights. One is concerned with IPL on TV and the other one is IPL online. Hotstar’s company Star Sports was successful in retaining the TV broadcast rights but the digital/online live streaming rights were bagged by Jio Cinema.
You can watch IPL 2024 live on Jio Cinema for free! If you are located anywhere outside India, then also you can watch IPL for free from anywhere by unblocking Jio Cinema with a VPN. Follow the same simple steps given above in the article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hotstar work with VPN?
Yes, Hotstar works with VPN services. If you are in a country where Hotstar is not working then using a VPN on your device will make it possible for you to stream on this platform from wherever you are located.
Is it possible to watch Hotstar from outside India?
It is possible to watch Hotstar from outside and the best way to do so is by employing a good VPN such as ExpressVPN on your streaming device. It can bypass geographical restrictions and let you enjoy using Hotstar even when you are outside India.
Is ExpessVPN a free VPN service?
No ExpressVPN is not a free service. It has subscription plans and you need to buy any one of them to use it. However you can use it for free by getting the refund of your subscription plan because of its money back guarantee through which you can get your money back after using the service for 30 days if you do not want to continue using the service.
Which VPN should I use for Hotstar?
You can use any paid VPN to stream on Hotstar but our suggestion to you is ExpressVPN because it is a reliable VPN service. It will ensure that you have a great streaming experience along with complete online security and privacy.