Hotstar (JioHotstar in India) is available only in a few regions and there is no app in the US to watch it. Then, how to watch Hotstar in USA? The most effective way to access the full Indian library from the US is by using a VPN.

Disney+ Hotstar is an Indian streaming platform. Launched as Hotstar in 2015 by Star India, it was later rebranded as Disney+ Hotstar after Disney acquired a majority stake in Star. Hotstar offers both free and paid content.

Hotstar airs IPL matches and a variety of Indian entertainment content and therefore, has built a massive audience. But if you try to access it from the US even via Disney+, you will realize it is geo-restricted.

That is because Disney+ Hotstar in India is not the same as Disney+ in the US.

In this guide, I will walk you through exactly why that happens, why you need a VPN to watch Hotstar outside India and how you can watch Hotstar in the USA safely and reliably.

Why can’t you watch Hotstar in the USA?

The simple answer? Geo-restrictions.

The full version of Hotstar is geo-blocked outside India. Hotstar uses your IP address to determine your physical location. If your IP address shows that you are in the United States or anywhere other than India, Hotstar blocks access to its Indian library.

In the US, Hotstar content is available only through the Disney Bundle, as there is no standalone Hotstar app. If you try to open the Indian Hotstar website or app from the US, you will usually see an error message like “Hotstar is not available in your region.”

Best VPNs to watch Disney+ Hotstar overseas

You just need to pick the right VPN to stream Hotstar content from overseas. I tested many options, and three VPN services really shine when it comes to reliability and performance.

NordVPN:

NordVPN does an amazing job unblocking Disney Hotstar in USA.

Although NordVPN does not have physical servers in India due to data logging regulations, it does provide virtual Indian server locations (often listed as Mumbai). This way NordVPN offers Indian IP addresses to users while maintaining privacy.

NordVPN showed average speeds of 155.78 Mbps in speed tests which is perfect to stream Disney Hotstar content without any buffering. The service follows a strict no-logs policy verified by independent audits, so your viewing habits stay private. NordVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices at once. Your whole family can watch different Hotstar. NordVPN works best on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and various smart TV platforms.

EonVPN:

Windows users who want a free option to watch Hotstar in USA will love EonVPN, because it doesn’t ask for any payments. Unlike other free VPNs, EonVPN lets you stream Hotstar content without data limits.

As EonVPN does not have free servers in India, you can connect to servers in Canada or the United Kingdom to access limited Hotstar content. EonVPN actually takes your privacy seriously as it does not keep logs of what you are up to, so your online activity is not being stored somewhere. Your data is encrypted and routed through different server locations, which makes it way harder for anyone to track you.

The setup is simple: download and install the app, create an account, and pick your virtual location. The clean interface makes it available to anyone new to VPNs.

ExpressVPN:

ExpressVPN is one of the more dependable choices available to watch Disney+ Hotstar from the United States.

ExpressVPN does not operate physical servers inside India. However, it does provide virtual Indian server locations such as “India (via UK)” and “India (via Singapore).” These servers are physically located outside India but assign you an Indian IP address.

When you connect to one of these virtual India locations, streaming platforms detect your IP as being in India. So as far as Hotstar is concerned, you are browsing from within the country, which allows you to access the Indian content library.

ExpressVPN is fast and has stable connections, which is needed if you are watching full-length movies, bingeing TV shows, or streaming live sports. Nobody wants buffering right before a big cricket moment.

It also supports multiple devices at the same time. ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. That gives you a risk-free window to test whether it works smoothly with Hotstar in your location.

3 Steps on how to watch Hotstar in the US

Now let’s keep it simple.

1. Download a VPN

Choose a reliable VPN that offers Indian servers and strong streaming capabilities. Download the app on your device, whether it’s your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or even a smart TV.

Install it and create an account.

2. Connect to an Indian server

Open the VPN app and select a server located in India. Once connected, your IP address will appear as if you are browsing from India.

This is the key step. Without connecting to an Indian server, Hotstar will continue to block access.

3. Start streaming

Visit the Hotstar website or open the app. Log in or create an account if needed.

You should now be able to access the Indian library and stream content just like someone physically located in India.

Why watch Hotstar?

Why watch Hotstar? The answer really depends on what kind of content you enjoy. But if you are hooked to Bollywood movies, Indian TV dramas, live cricket, or regional cinema, Hotstar offers them all. 

Another reason could be that Indian culture is rich in history, art, fashion and food and so is their TV. Watching Indian TV content can be both for entertainment and education purposes because over 3.8 million people in the US speak Indian languages in their homes.

To watch Hotstar in the US, once you are connected to a reliable VPN, you get full catalogs of your favourite JioHotstar content which otherwise is definitely unavailable in the US.

Where can I watch Hotstar online?

Hotstar is primarily available via:

  • The official Disney+ Hotstar website (in supported regions)
  • The Hotstar mobile app
  • Smart TVs and streaming devices that support the app

In the United States, you cannot directly subscribe to Indian Hotstar without appearing to access it from India. That’s why users rely on a VPN to connect through Indian servers before accessing the platform.

Hotstar not working with a VPN? Here’s how to fix it

Sometimes even a VPN does not work immediately while you opt to watch Hotstar in USA, do not panic. This happens.

Here’s what you can try:

First, switch to a different Indian server. Streaming platforms often block specific IP ranges, so simply reconnecting can solve the issue.

Second, clear your browser cookies and cache. Your browser may still be storing your US location data.

Third, try using a different browser or device.

Fourth, ensure your VPN app is updated to the latest version.

If none of these work, contact your VPN’s support team. Good VPN providers usually offer live chat and can recommend servers optimized for streaming.

Conclusion

Geo-restrictions should not decide what you can or cannot watch, especially when you are already paying for streaming services. With a reliable VPN, you are back in control. It masks your location, keeps your activity private, and lets you access JioHotstar smoothly, whether you’re at home or traveling.

FAQs

Can I access Hotstar in the USA?

Not directly.

If you are in the US and try to open the Indian version of Hotstar, it will not open because of geo-restrictions. Many people use a VPN to connect to an Indian to unlock the full Hotstar library.

How to watch Hotstar outside India?

Use a VPN. You need to appear as if you are browsing from India. The easiest way to do that is by using a VPN with Indian servers. Install the VPN, connect to India, then open Hotstar. That’s it.

Can Hotstar detect VPN?

Yes, Hotstar can detect a VPN because like most streaming platforms, it tries to block VPN traffic. If it detects a VPN IP address, you might see an error message instead of your show.

This usually happens with weaker or overloaded VPN servers. The fix is to use a reliable VPN because they regularly update their IP address or refresh your connection and switch to another Indian server.

How many countries is Hotstar available in?

Hotstar is primarily available in India, with regional versions in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand offering tailored content, while only a limited version exists in the UK, Canada, and Singapore.

What are the best ways to watch Hotstar shows in the USA?

The only reliable and realistic way to watch Hotstar content from the United States is a VPN.

A VPN allows you to connect to a server in another country, such as India, which changes your IP address. When you connect to an Indian server, streaming platforms detect your location as India instead of the US.

Which VPN is free for Hotstar in the US?

If you’re looking for a free VPN, EonVPN b, making it the best free VPN for Hotstar. As EonVPN does not have free servers in India, you can connect to servers in Canada or the United Kingdom to access limited Hotstar content.