HBO NOW is a video-on-demand service that is only available in the US. The only way you can watch it outside the US is by using a VPN.
Even if you try to access HBO Now or HBO Max without a VPN, the website will fail to load and will return an error that says:
“Not in Service Area. HBO Now is only supported in the US and certain US territories”
It may seem a long shot or a difficult task at hand, but in this guide, we’ll be showing you how to watch HBO Now in Canada with the help of a VPN. ExpressVPN is our #1 choice.
Our Recommended VPN – ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our recommended choice when it comes to unblocking HBO Now in Canada as it easily bypasses its geo-restrictions and keeps your online identity safe while streaming.
Get yourself ExpressVPN today and enjoy 3 extra months for free. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee so use all of its features risk-free for 30-days.
How to Watch HBO Now in Canada
Here are the steps you need to follow in order to watch HBO Now in Canada or anywhere around the world:
Step 1: First you need to subscribe to a VPN (ExpressVPN is our recommended choice)
Step 2: Download the ExpressVPN app and install it on your device
Step 3: Open the VPN app and connect to the US server (i.e. New York)
Step 5: Go to HBO Now website and click on sign in
Step 6: Enter log-in details
Step 7: Choose a show to watch, for instance, Godzilla
Step 8: Start streaming
Note: If the error comes up again, then you need only to change the US server and then try in Incognito mode of your browser.
What are the Best VPNs to Watch HBO Now in Canada?
We tested over 35+ VPN providers that could bypass HBO Now restrictions but only a handful of VPNs passed the test.
To recommend the best ones, here are the 3 top VPNs to unblock HBO Now in Canada:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our top choice that helps unblock HBO Now and many other streaming services with the help of its 23 US servers.
I connected to its New Jersey-3 server to unblock HBO with ease. I was able to get access on the first attempt.
Not just HBO Now, but you can unblock other channels and streaming services in Canada as well, for example, Xumo TV and Adult Swim, etc.
ExpressVPN may be expensive for some (available at $6.67/month i.e. 12 Months + 3 Months Free), but it is undeniably fast and strong enough to hide your IP address and doesn’t store your logs either.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is also our top choice when you need to unblock HBO Now service in Canada. I was able to access it in a single attempt by connecting to its Salt Lake City server.
It has over 500 US servers and in 20+ different US cities which helps you access any US content including HBO Now with ease. You can even unblock other streaming services in Canada as well, for instance, TVB and Freeview, etc
With a single Surfshark account you can connect with unlimited devices as well and can be used by the entire family.
It is quite affordable too and is available for only $2.49/month and also has a 30-days refund policy.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is another top choice that happens to unblock HBO Now from anywhere in the world including Canada.
It has 1,970+ servers in 15 different cities in the US and all of those servers help you bypass HBO geo-restrictions.
NordVPN has strong encryption and it’s got great speed too. You can connect 6 devices simultaneously with a single account.
It is available at a reasonable price of $3.29/month and gives you a 30-days money-back guarantee.
Why Do I Need a VPN to Watch HBO Now in Canada
You would not be able to watch anything without using a VPN to change your location because HBO Now exclusively makes its content available to US residents.
Due to licensing agreements and copyright ownership, the HBO Now site is geo-restricted outside the United States. You should install a reliable on the device you are working on as there is no other way to change your location aside from using a VPN service.
Installing a VPN will automatically grant you access to HBO Now without any additional restrictions because it will mask your Canadian IP address and give you a US IP address.
Additionally, a VPN service will assist you in protecting your online privacy because it masks the majority of your online actions, ensuring that your privacy is safe.
How to Sign Up with HBO Now (from Canada)
If you don’t have an HBO account just yet, you can follow these steps to create an account with HBO.
It’s a little tricky because HBO only accepts payments from US payment cards and Paypal so you would need to follow an alternate approach that we are about to show you.
Step 1: Connect to any US server (e.g. New York) over ExpressVPN
Step 2: Create a Google Play Store account based on the US region
Step 3: Buy a Google Play gift card from Gift Cards US
Step 4: Install HBO Max from Google Play Store
Step 5: Click on the Profile Icon from the homepage
Step 6: Click on choose a plan
Step 7: Select a subscription package
Step 8: Enter the required information
Step 9: Fund your subscription through a Paypal gift card
Step 10: Enjoy Watching your favorite shows
How to Watch HBO Now on Mobile Phone
Step 1: Connect to a US server over ExpressVPN
Step 2: Install HBO Max from the Google Playstore
Step 3: Open the app and click on the profile icon at the top of the homepage
Step 4: Click on “Sign in to your account”
Step 5: Add your credentials
Step 6: Choose a movie/show to watch, for example, The Bob’s Burgers Movie
Step 7: Enjoy Streaming
List of Shows on HBO NOW
If you are having trouble deciding what to watch on HBO Now, here’s a list of the top trending shows that the audience loves to help you choose where to take start from:
- Westworld
- The Anarchists
- Industry
- Edge of the Earth
- Dodgeball: A True Underdog
- Game of Thrones
- House of the Dragon
- The Time Traveler’s Wife
- The Wire
- Euphoria
- Succession
- True Blood
- True Detective
- Deadwood
- The Pacific
- The Outsider
- Diary of Wimpy Kid
- We Own This City
HBO Now, HBO Max, and HBO GO: How are they different?
| HBO Now | HBO GO | HBO Max |
| HBO Now is a standalone streaming service which means it doesn’t need any TV provider to run. | A total opposite to HBO Now, HBO GO is not a standalone service and requires a TV provider subscription to log in. | HBO Max is a more solid form of HBO Now and HBO GO. |
| HBO NOW has a license to stream other streaming services’ content, for example, STARZ, Discovery+, Paramount Network, etc. | As it’s a cable TV app, it shows content from other channels. | It contains some of its original content and streams WarnerMedia’s content as well. |
| HBO Now has been discontinued as it was similar to the HBO Max app, so HBO Max took over instead. | HBO Go has been discontinued because HBO Max developed a more advanced form. | HBO Max is the only franchise of HBO that is still working because it is a mixed form of both HBO Go and HBO Now, so separate services were unnecessary for the same content. |
| HBO Now costs $14.99 per month. | HBO Go subscription varies with the channel subscription fees. | HBO Max offers two plans for $9.99 per month and $14.99 per month. |
List of Devices to Stream HBO Now
Here’s a list of devices that helps you stream HBO Now:
- Apple iPhone
- iPad
- Android phone
- Android Tablet
- Amazon Fire Tablets
- PC
- macOS
- Google Chromebook
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- LG Smart TV
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Roku
- Samsung TV
- Xbox One and Xbox series S/X
Alternative Streaming Services to Watch in Canada
You can tune in to other streaming services in Canada as well aside from HBO Now, but make sure to employ a reliable VPN to unblock them:
- Watch HBO Portugal in Canada
- Watch HBO Max in Canada
- Watch Discovery+ in Canada
- Watch ViuTV in Canada
- Watch Netflix USA in Canada
- Watch Channel 4 in Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HBO Now still working?
No, HBO Now has been discontinued and its users were converted to HBO Max through Roku. And even if you try to open the HBO Now site, it will take you to HBO Max.
Can you stream live shows on HBO GO?
HBO’s live shows and events require a little time to be prepared for HBO GO, normally available within 24 hours of the original broadcast.
Can I watch HBO for free?
HBO has a free 7-day trial after which you have to get it through Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month.
Conclusion
No adherent movies and TV shows fan hasn’t heard of HBO. You must have watched Game of Thrones, Veep, Silicon Valley, and many more that are produced by HBO.
This big of a streaming service is unavailable outside of the US. It isn’t even unavailable in Canada which is its neighboring country.
The only way you can watch HBO Now in Canada is by using a VPN. We’ve mentioned a few VPNs that we tested and were able to give us access to HBO.
We have also provided a way to sign up with HBO if you’re outside of the US. Do you have a favorite HBO Show? Let us know in the comments below.
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