If you’ve tried to watch HBO Go from Canada, you’ve probably come across the following message:

As is the case with many streaming services, the content is geo-restricted which means you’ll need a VPN in order to access it.

VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, routing it through a VPN server of your choosing. This makes it appear as if you’re browsing from another location. By connecting to a VPN server in the US, for instance, you can obtain a US IP address and unblock HBO Go, allowing you to watch Game of Thrones season 8 and more.

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of recommended VPNs to watch HBO Go from Canada:

How to watch HBO Go from Canada with a VPN

You can watch HBO Go from Canada within a matter of minutes. All you have to do is follow these quick and easy steps.

Best VPNs for watching HBO in Canada

Choosing the best VPNs to watch HBO Go from Canada

We’ve tested a number of VPNs and only selected those that work with HBO Go while offering the following.

To watch HBO Go from Canada:

  • Sign up with a VPN that is able to unblock HBO Go – we particularly recommend ExpressVPN for watching HBO Go from Canada.
  • Download and install the app from the VPN provider’s website. You may also have the option of a browser extension for Chrome or Firefox if you prefer.
  • Open the VPN app or browser extension and connect to a server in the US.
  • Go to the HBO Go website or app and select the content you want to watch which should now be unblocked.
  • If you’re still encountering the same error message, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. It may also be worth trying numerous servers in case some are blocked.

Criteria for selecting VPNs

  • Fast and reliable servers in the US for streaming
  • Strong security with encryption and no-logs policy
  • Customer support via live chat and email
  • User-friendly apps for desktop and mobile
  • Money-back guarantee for risk-free testing
  • Allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously

Best VPNs for HBO Go

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to watch HBO Go from Canada:

1. ExpressVPN

                    Jan 2023

unblocks hbo goTested Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN operates servers in over a dozen US cities including New York and Los Angeles. Impressively, it has servers in a total of 94 countries, which makes it perfect for unblocking region-locked platforms (such as Netflix) wherever you are. What makes this the best VPN for HBO Go from Canada is its fast and reliable speeds. You can enjoy consistent streaming without buffering or lag thanks to this VPN’s unlimited bandwidth.

We can recommend ExpressVPN to anyone, including those who are first time VPN users. That’s because this VPN service provides apps that are very simple to use. It’s quick and easy to select and connect to a server, plus you can adjust various preferences in the options menu. Another standout feature of ExpressVPN is its 24/7 support service which is available via live chat and email. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and always able to help when you need them to.

ExpressVPN takes your online security seriously. It protects you with 256-bit AES encryption and doesn’t keep any activity or connection logs of its users. There’s also DNS and IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, and a kill switch, providing a very high level of security. When you combine all of this with the 30-day money-back guarantee, it becomes clear ExpressVPN is well worth considering.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers. There’s also the option of browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

BEST VPN TO WATCH HBO GO FROM CANADA:ExpressVPN is our #1 choice. It’s excellent at unblocking geo-restricted content such as HBO Go and Netflix US. The servers are fast and consistent for streaming and the apps very easy to use. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Pros:

  • Fast servers in US cities including Los Angeles and New York
  • Unblocks most content including HBO Go, Netflix and BBC iPlayer
  • Huge network of over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
  • Secure service with encryption and DNS leak protection
  • 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
  • User-friendly apps for a wide range of operating systems

Cons:

  • Only allows up to 3 simultaneous connections (some offer 6 or more)

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

2. NordVPN

unblocks hbo goTested Jan 2023

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

You’re unlikely to have any trouble with this easy-to-use VPN service as it has user-friendly apps for a wide range of devices. Regardless, there’s always the option of contacting NordVPN’s 24/7 customer support. This Panama-based provider operates a strict no-logs policy and further secures your data with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks, NordVPN offers extra security through obfuscated servers and double VPN functionality.

You can use NordVPN via its apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also offered. Select routers can be installed manually.

EXCELLENT VALUE:NordVPN has 1,800 servers in the US and easily unblocks services like HBO Go and Netflix US. Use it to connect up to 6 devices. Apps are easy for beginners to use and there’s 24/7 support with live chat. Strong security offering. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Unblocks streaming services such as HBO Go and Netflix

  • Vast network of servers, 1,800 of which are in the US

  • Operates a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy

  • Live chat support available 24/7

  • Allows up to 6 simultaneous connections

  • Some servers can be a bit hit-and-miss

Read our full NordVPN review.

3. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is a VPN service that offers speed and security in equal measure. It works well with HBO Go and has just over 700 servers in the US. Plus, it has more than 3,700 servers worldwide meaning it has one of the larger VPN server networks around. CyberGhost offers unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds, making it ideal for streaming high-quality video online. Notably, you can have up to 7 simultaneous connections, so it offers particularly good value.

One of the best things about CyberGhost is that you can try it out risk-free for 45 days. If it’s not for you, you can simply take advantage of the money-back guarantee. There’s also live chat support should you have any doubts. This VPN helps to improve your online security through its use of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, an automatic kill switch. It also has a strict no-logs policy, allowing you to maintain your online privacy.

SPEED AND SECURITY:CyberGhost offers seamless streaming of HBO Go thanks to its fast US servers. Allows you to connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. Live chat support and strong security with encryption and no-logs policy. 45-day money-back guarantee.

  • Over 700 servers in the US for watching HBO Go from Canada

  • Unlimited bandwidth for streaming without lag and buffering

  • Strong security with encryption and a strict no-logs policy

  • Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously

  • Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee

  • Doesn’t offer an app for Linux

Read our full CyberGhost review.

4. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish is based in the United States and operates hundreds of servers there. These servers are located in over a dozen US cities including Chicago, Las Vegas, and New York. Speeds are consistent and fast enough for streaming HBO Go content. Indeed, IPVanish is also able to unblock the US version of Netflix. What makes IPVanish stand out is that you can use it on up to 10 devices simultaneously, meaning it’s perfect for families.

The apps provided by IPVanish are simple to use and make it easy to choose and connect to a server. 24/7 live chat support is offered should you have any questions while using the service. IPVanish owns its own servers rather than renting them, so there’s no risk of any third party having access to your data. It doesn’t collect connection or activity logs and uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your internet traffic. There’s also protection from IPv6 and DNS leaks, as well as a kill switch feature.

CONNECT 10 DEVICES:IPVanish lets the whole family watch HBO Go from Canada with up to 10 simultaneous connections. Features 24/7 live chat support and protects your privacy with advanced encryption and a kill switch. 7-day money-back guarantee.

  • Servers in dozens of US cities for unblocking HBO Go

  • Doesn’t collect logs of your connections or activity

  • Lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously

  • Live chat support available 24/7

  • No option to pay in Bitcoin/cryptocurrency

  • Doesn’t offer any browser extensions

Read our full IPVanish review.

5. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN offers high-speed servers in multiple US cities including Los Angeles and New York. Aside from letting you watch HBO Go from Canada, PrivateVPN unblocks most streaming services including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. You can also use PrivateVPN to connect up to 6 of your devices simultaneously. Unlimited bandwidth means you’ll rarely come across performance issues be it buffering or lag.

This is a very easy VPN service to use thanks to the user-friendly desktop and mobile apps. Customer support is provided by the developers themselves and there’s even remote help available in case you’re having any problems. PrivateVPN offers a number of features that help protect your privacy. These include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. The Swedish VPN service also has a no-logs policy with PrivateVPN stating that even they don’t know what their users are doing online.

PrivateVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Linux and routers require manual installation.

FAST US SERVERS:PrivateVPN offers excellent speeds for streaming. Unblocks HBO Go, Netflix US and more. Connect up to 3 devices simultaneously. Apps are beginner-friendly while security is provided via encryption and a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Fewer servers than the other VPNs in this list
  • Limited selection of apps and no browser extensions on offer

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Can I use a free VPN to watch HBO Go from Canada?

Many paid VPNs don’t work with HBO Go, never mind free services! That’s because like Netflix US, HBO Go actively blocks many VPNs. Free VPNs tend to have very few servers and these are quickly blocked by most major streaming services. In contrast, the best paid VPNs have hundreds and even thousands of servers, making them much harder to detect, and ensuring you can unblock HBO Go from Canada.

Apart from having a small network of servers, the average free VPN has far too many users. Many free VPNs choose to restrict the bandwidth of users in order to be able to better handle this. However, the result is that while they may be tolerable for basic browsing, streaming becomes a near impossible task with slow buffering and frequent interruptions.

A free VPN probably won’t unblock HBO Go and, even if it does, performance is likely to be poor. However, free VPNs are also lacking in security. Many don’t use encryption to secure your data while others log your activity and sell it to third parties. If you want high quality performance and the highest level of privacy, choose one of the VPNs recommended above instead.

What is HBO Now?

Both HBO Go and HBO Now allow you to stream HBO’s entire catalog of TV shows and movies. The difference is that while HBO Go requires you to have a television subscription in order to use it, HBO Now is a standalone service with no such requirement. The VPNs we’ve shortlisted are able to unblock both services.

What can I watch on HBO Go?

HBO Go lets you stream content from the American premium cable network HBO. This includes a wide range of movies and TV shows including Game of Thrones season 8. Further categories include ‘Kids’, ‘Sports’, ‘Comedy’ and ‘Documentaries’. Here’s a quick list of some of the movies and TV shows you can watch on HBO Go from Canada:

  • Game of Thrones

  • Band of Brothers

  • The Wire

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm

  • True Detective

  • Westworld

  • Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

  • Deadpool 2

  • BlacKkKlansman

  • The Hangover