Hulu, a popular streaming service, is technically not available for viewers in Canada. However, through the use of a VPN, individuals can bypass this restriction and access their Hulu account from locations beyond the geographically limited areas.
To watch Hulu in Canada, users need to subscribe to a premium VPN service, such as ExpressVPN, and download and install the VPN app or client on their device. Once connected to the VPN using their target region, users can sign up and subscribe to Hulu, and start searching, streaming, and enjoying their favorite shows and movies.
Why Can’t I Access Hulu in Canada?
Hulu.com has implemented regional locks on its content library, which unfortunately means that viewers from Canada cannot stream directly on the platform. This streaming restriction applies to all digital content on Hulu, and if you are located outside of the United States, you will need to find an alternative way to access Hulu. The platform utilizes an ‘IP identification’ process to block access from outside the US. This process determines your geographical location based on your IP address, and if it detects that you are located outside of the US, it will reject your request to access Hulu.
Will Hulu be Coming to Canada?
As of February 2021, a limited version of Hulu became available in Canada through Disney Plus’s new offering called “Star”. However, the content available on this platform is still limited as many of Hulu’s original shows and movies are spread across various providers such as Crave and Amazon Prime. Fortunately, later this year, Disney Plus and Hulu are partnering to merge all of their content into one app, making Hulu’s library even more accessible to Canadian viewers.
How to Select a VPN to Watch Hulu in Canada?
Server Speed and Latency
To select the best VPN service provider for streaming Hulu in Canada, users must consider server speed and latency. Users should run a speed test and check the latency of the server locations to the Hulu platform. A VPN provider with servers located in the United States, preferably close to California and LA, will offer a better streaming experience.
The Number of Server Locations
A VPN provider with multiple server locations across the United States is necessary for accessing Hulu in Canada. Users should look for VPN providers offering servers on the West Coast of the US. This ensures that users can connect to the closest server location to their physical location, minimizing latency and improving streaming quality.
User Interface
The VPN should have an easy-to-use interface with simple settings. Users should be able to set their preferred server location in the US with a click of a button. Mobile VPNs should also be available for download to Apple and Android devices for an affordable monthly subscription.
No Session Logging
A no-logs policy is essential to protect user online activity. VPN providers must not conduct session logging, which logs every location visited online during a session. Users should ensure that their service provider offers a no-logs policy in its terms and conditions.
No Advertising In-App
Users should select a VPN provider that offers a clean, ad-free experience. The provider should have specific terms stating they don’t sell user data to third parties.
Router Setup
VPN products are available for configuration on the router, providing complete “always-on” protection for all devices connecting to the home network. Although it’s a bit more challenging to set up, users never have to worry about turning on their VPN before logging onto Hulu.
Pricing and Satisfaction Guarantee
Users should look into an annual or two-year package for their VPN subscription, as most top VPNs cost around $12 per month for the service. VPN providers offer significant discounts for longer 12-month and 24-month subs, saving users up to 60% to 70% on the monthly subscription price. Most VPNs offer a 7-day to 30-day period after purchase to claim a refund if users are not entirely satisfied with the VPN’s performance, providing a risk-free trial of the VPN thanks to the money-back guarantee.
The Best VPNs to Watch Hulu in Canada
When it comes to accessing Hulu in Canada, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must-have tool. With a VPN, you can bypass the geo-restrictions placed on Hulu by streaming your favorite shows and movies from anywhere in the world. Here are some of the best VPNs to watch Hulu in Canada:
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a market leader in the VPN industry, offering a large server network with over 160 locations in 94 countries. It’s known for its superior performance, easy setup, and fast and secure connections. ExpressVPN allows torrenting and has a no-logs policy, ensuring your online activity remains private. The VPN offers good connection speeds and minimal latency when connecting to US-based servers from Canada. ExpressVPN also provides excellent user support and clients for any device.
While ExpressVPN is one of the more premium VPN choices, it’s worth looking out for discount codes and taking a longer plan to reduce subscription costs.
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is another excellent VPN provider to watch Hulu from Canada. With 150 server locations across the globe, including west coast data centers, it’s an ideal choice for streaming Hulu. PrivateVPN has dedicated torrenting servers, port forwarding, and a functional kill switch. It’s also one of the most affordable VPN options, with subscription plans as low as $1.98 per month. The VPN offers a free 7-day trial, and it has a zero-logs policy, ensuring your online activity remains private.
However, PrivateVPN carries more latency than ExpressVPN, so users might want to consider that when deciding between the two. Customer support isn’t as good as ExpressVPN either.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is another great VPN provider for watching Hulu in Canada. With more than 500 locations worldwide, it has a large server network. You get seven active connections available with port forwarding and a kill switch. CyberGhost claims to have a zero-logs policy, but it’s yet to undergo an audit. It’s also the most expensive option, with lower discounts on the extended annual and two-year subscription packages.
If you sign up for any plan over the monthly, CyberGhost gives you access to its secure “NoSpy” servers, ensuring better online security when browsing, downloading torrents, or streaming.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the final option to watch Hulu in Canada. With 3,200 servers operating in 65 countries, it has a great server network. You get unlimited device connections included with any plan, and it has a user-friendly interface with a handy kill switch. Surfshark has one of the most reliable, low-latency connections to US servers from Canada, making it ideal for streaming Hulu and any other US-based platform. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on your subscription purchase.
Surfshark comes with military-grade encryption, ensuring your online activity remains private and secure. It’s also one of the lowest-cost options available.
In conclusion, these are the best VPNs to watch Hulu in Canada. Each VPN has its own unique features and benefits, so it’s essential to choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
How Will a VPN Help Me Stream Hulu Canada?
Accessing Hulu from Canada can be a challenge due to licensing agreements that prevent the platform from airing its content outside the US and Japan. However, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you bypass these restrictions and gain access to Hulu.
When you log onto your VPN, the connection routes through a VPN server, which switches out your IP address for an IP in the country you set. This makes the Hulu platform AI believe that you are not in Canada, but in the country you have set your IP to. The VPN also encrypts your connection, making it impossible for anyone monitoring your connection to see what content you’re streaming or downloading online.
By using a VPN, you can set your location IP as an American address, which will allow you to create a Hulu account and access all of the platform’s content. To pay for your subscription, it is recommended that you buy a gift card online instead of using a Canadian debit or credit card for your payment option.
Overall, a VPN is the only method of accessing Hulu from outside the US or Japan, and it provides a simple and effective way to stream Hulu Canada.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Stream Hulu in Canada?
Some users may be tempted to use a free VPN to stream Hulu in Canada, but this may not be the best option. Research has shown that most free VPNs do not encrypt your connection, which means that your data may not be secure. In some cases, free VPNs may even pose a security threat as the operator may log your sessions or sell your data to third-party advertisers.
Moreover, the Hulu platform has a list of all the free VPN IPs and proxies used by these services, which means that it will likely block access to Hulu if it detects that you’re using any of these IPs. This means that using a free VPN may not be an effective way to access Hulu in Canada.
On the other hand, a professional, paid VPN service offers complete encryption of your connection, with no chance of the Hulu platform detecting a fake IP or your real IP address. Paid VPN services also do not have in-app advertising or logging of your session activity, which means that your data is more secure.
In summary, while free VPNs may seem like an attractive option, they may not be the best choice for streaming Hulu in Canada. Paid VPN services offer better security and are more likely to be effective in accessing Hulu.
Hulu Canada Overview
Hulu is a popular streaming service that offers a vast collection of TV shows, movies, and original content. Since its launch in 2007, the platform has gained over 48 million subscribers, making it one of the leading streaming services in the United States. Hulu was founded by Jason Kilar and Beth Comstock and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Hulu’s content library comprises new TV shows and original content from various broadcasting networks, as well as movies from Hollywood and independent studios. One of the advantages of Hulu is its fast release of top-trending content, which users can access without waiting for months. In October 2019, Hulu launched its offline content service, allowing viewers to download up to 25 of their favorite titles.
However, Hulu is currently only available in the US and Japan, and Canadian viewers cannot access the platform directly from their home country. They are required to use a VPN to bypass the geo-blocking software and access Hulu.
In summary, Hulu is a popular streaming service that offers a diverse range of content, including TV shows, movies, and original content. Although it is not available in Canada, Canadian viewers can still access the platform using a VPN.
How Much Does Hulu in Canada Cost?
Hulu offers a range of membership tiers to cater to different types of users. The plans include Basic with ads, Ad-free, Student plan with ads, Hulu + Live TV, Disney Bundle Trio Premium, and Disney Bundle Trio Basic. The monthly prices of these plans range from $1.99 to $69.99 USD. The Basic plan with ads is the most affordable at $7.99 per month, while the Ad-free plan costs $14.99 per month. The Student plan with ads is available for $1.99 per month, and the Hulu + Live TV plan costs $69.99 per month. Additionally, users can opt for the Disney Bundle Trio Premium or Disney Bundle Trio Basic plan, which cost $19.99 and $12.99 per month, respectively.
How to Sign Up for Hulu in Canada?
Ask a Friend in the US
One of the easiest ways to get a Hulu subscription in Canada is to ask a friend or family member in the US to share their account with you. If they don’t have an account, you can offer to share some of your Canadian streaming accounts with them or pay them back for signing up for a new account.
Use Gift Cards
Hulu accepts gift cards as a valid payment method. You can purchase a Hulu gift card from various retailers such as PayPal, Walmart, and My Gift Card Supply. Once you buy your gift card, you can redeem it on the Hulu website by entering the code you received earlier.
Use a Virtual Card
If you don’t have a friend in the US and don’t want to use gift cards, you can use a virtual card to sign up for Hulu. Several providers allow individuals to pay for US streaming services and apps from various parts of the world, including Canada. One such provider is StatesCard.
By using any of these methods, you can easily sign up for Hulu in Canada and enjoy all the great content that the streaming service has to offer.
What Devices Can I Use to Watch Hulu in Canada?
Hulu is available on a variety of standard devices, making it easy to stream your favorite content from virtually anywhere. Some of the most popular devices that can be used to stream Hulu include:
- Apple Phones, Tablets, and Apple TV
- Android Phones, Tablets, and Android TV
- Gaming Consoles, including Xbox, Playstation, and the Nintendo Switch
- Select Smart TVs
- Amazon Fire Tablets and Fire TV Stick
With so many options available, users can choose the device that best suits their needs to enjoy their favorite shows and movies on Hulu.
What Are The Best Shows and Movies on Hulu Canada?
Hulu Canada has a vast collection of popular TV shows and movies that are enjoyed by viewers. With over 1,500 shows and more than 2,500 films available, there is something for everyone. Some of the top TV shows and movies on Hulu Canada include:
- The Bear
- The Great
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- Normal People
- The Dropout
- The Act
- Nine Perfect Strangers
- Pam & Tommy
- Atlanta
- Only Murders in the Building
- The Kardashians
However, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of using a VPN or proxy to access Hulu’s content, there are other leading services that you might want to consider. Here are some of the best alternatives to Hulu:
What Are the Best Alternatives to Hulu?
Netflix
Netflix is a popular streaming service that offers a wide range of original content and some of your favorite older movies and shows. Although Netflix has countless popular original programming under its belt, the global leader in streaming still has the priciest membership plans that start at CAD$5.99. However, note that Netflix Canada also limits its content options, and you don’t get the same variety as you do with the American version.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is another great alternative to Hulu. It offers a good selection of top-quality movies, series, and TV shows, with original and licensed content, topped with shopping benefits on the Amazon e-commerce platform. Prime Video offers you the service for CAD$9.99 per month, or pay upfront for a year at CAD$99.99.
Disney Plus
Disney Plus is a popular streaming service that offers top-quality entertainment from the leading Hollywood production companies. Marvel Studios and the Star Wars franchise are all onboard with Disney, and you can bet this platform will have some of the best animation and fantasy content online. Disney Plus is available for a monthly subscription cost of CAD$11.99, or choose the annual package with a CAD$119.99 upfront payment.
HBO Max
HBO Max offers some of the best series and movies available online, such as “Game of Thrones,” “The Last of Us,” “Sex and the City,” and many more. Unlike other streaming services, HBO Max relies on past content to attract future subscribers. Warner Bros., on the other hand, has no plans on releasing HBO Max to Canadians, but a VPN can solve your issue.
Other Top Streaming Services
Aside from the above-mentioned streaming services, there are other platforms that you might want to check out to see if they suit your entertainment needs better. Here are some other top streaming services:
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service owned by Google that offers a good selection of local and international channels varying on your location. It boasts exciting features, such as the ability to record shows and watch them later. However, it is only available in the United States, though you can bypass this restriction using a VPN service.
Discovery Plus Canada
Discovery Plus Canada is a great way to watch your favorite shows, movies, and documentaries, including channels like Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, and many more. You can watch Discovery Plus in Canada by visiting their site and signing up for an account or using a Canadian version of the app released in October. If you want to watch the American version of Discovery Plus, you can also use a VPN.
Hotstar
Hotstar is the popular Indian video streaming service owned by the Star network, rebranded to Disney Plus Hotstar in early 2020 after Disney took over Star India. With more than 100,000 hours of content in nine languages, they have a wide selection of content, including live cricket matches and all major sporting events. The Canadian version offers a limited selection of shows and movies, but VPNs are a great way to get around regional restrictions.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a live streaming service that provides access to select channels for a monthly fee. The service offers various packages, such as ESPN, AMC, TNT, HGTV, HBO, and Cinemax. You can watch Sling TV outside of the US by using a VPN that will allow you to stream its content without any restrictions.
ESPN Plus
ESPN Plus gives you access to world-class sporting events and live streams across a variety of sports, while the main ESPN channel has the best coverage for NHL, MLB, and NBA. ESPN Plus also excels in its coverage of niche sports such as MMA, Boxing, Lacrosse, Canadian Football, and many more. Sadly, ESPN Plus is not currently available for Canadians.
Peacock TV
Peacock TV is a video streaming service based in the United States, owned and operated by NBC Universal, that offers popular shows like 30 Rock and exclusive access to sports coverage like Premier League soccer matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
VPNs Incompatible with Hulu
Several VPNs have been tested and found to be incompatible with Hulu. These include Zenmate, Hotspot Shield, Hola, IPVanish, CactusVPN, Tunnelbear, IronSocket, CactusVPN, Unotelly, and Buffered.
Streaming Hulu to Smart TVs using VPN
To stream Hulu on Smart TVs, VPNs must be set up on routers, enabling access to Hulu. Alternatively, streaming can be done through devices such as Amazon FireStick.
VPNs and Access to Other Streaming Services
VPNs function effectively on other streaming services, allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions on platforms such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and HBO Max.
Hulu and Amazon Prime Video
Hulu is not available for free with Amazon Prime Video. In the United States, a Hulu add-on is available for Prime Video members, but this is not accessible to Prime members in Canada.
Netflix vs Hulu
Netflix and Hulu are both exceptional streaming services, but the better option depends on the user’s preferences. Netflix is available in over 190 countries and has over 200 million subscribers, offering a broad range of TV shows and films, in addition to original programming. Hulu, on the other hand, has over 40 million subscribers and is only available in the United States and Japan, providing a vast selection of TV shows and movies alongside original programming.
Steps to Stream Hulu with VPN
To stream Hulu with VPN, follow these steps:
- Subscribe to a premium Virtual Private Network (VPN) such as ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app or client on your device.
- Connect to the VPN using your target region.
- Sign up and subscribe to Hulu.
- Search, stream, and enjoy!
The above steps will enable you to stream Hulu on your device, regardless of your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Channels are Available on Hulu in Canada?
Hulu offers various channels to its Canadian subscribers, including ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, ESPN, FX, Bravo, and many more. However, the availability of channels may vary depending on the subscription plan.
How Can I Watch Hulu in Canada?
To watch Hulu in Canada, you need to have a reliable internet connection and a Hulu subscription. You can stream Hulu on your smart TV, laptop, tablet, or smartphone using a compatible device and the Hulu app.
Is it Possible to Watch Hulu in Canada?
Yes, it is possible to watch Hulu in Canada with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) that can bypass geo-restrictions. However, it is important to note that using a VPN to access Hulu may violate Hulu’s terms of service.
What is the Price of Disney Plus and Hulu in Canada?
Disney Plus and Hulu offer a bundle package that costs $13.99 CAD per month. This package includes access to the entire Disney Plus library and Hulu’s ad-supported plan.
Can I Sign up for Hulu as a Canadian Student?
Hulu does not offer any student discounts or plans for Canadian students at the moment. However, Canadian students can still sign up for a regular Hulu subscription if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Is Hulu Still Free with Amazon Prime in Canada?
No, Hulu is no longer available as a free add-on with Amazon Prime in Canada. However, Amazon Prime subscribers can still sign up for a Hulu subscription separately and enjoy its content.
