Hotstar is a popular OTT service with 90% Indian content. It gained popularity in early 2017 and gained 8 million subscribers before its acquisition by Disney Plus in 2020. If you are here to find out how you can watch Hotstar from the United States and stream Asia Cup 2023 along with other Indian content, read this guide to the last.
How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in the USA in 2023| Quick Guide
Hotstar was launched in the US in 2017 to cater to the streaming needs of Indian content consumers in the US, but the service was pulled back in November 2020. If you are in the United States and want to watch Hotstar, then follow these steps:
- Sign up for ExpressVPN for Hotstar (12+3 month free special deal)
- Download the VPN from your app store*
- Install and run the app
- Log in using your credentials
- Connect to any Indian server (Mumbai recommended)
- Get the Disney+ Hotstar app or open Hotstar in your browser
- Sign-up for a Hotstar subscription (optional step, required for premium Hotstar content)
- Log in using your credentials
- Stream your favorite movie, show, sport, or program on Disney+ Hotstar from USA
*If youâre on a desktop i.e. Mac or a PC, go to the ExpressVPN website, sign in, and go to the dashboard
** Step 7 is optional, as Hotstar also offers free streaming. However, a lot of programs on Disney+ Hotstar will require you to get a premium plan, and if you click on most of those programs, you will keep seeing the subscription prompt.
How to Sign up for Disney+ Hotstar from the USA with a VPN
This process is very easy, at least in theory. With a VPN, you can get an Indian IP. However, you will need an Indian phone number as well to register from the Indian region and be able to access all the Indian content. The number is only required for a one-time verification. You enter your phone number while signing up, and Hotstar sends you a verification code that you punch in to verify to Hotstar that you are true, an Indian user. So, if youâre not in India and need an Indian number, you can:
- Use one of the free sites that offer a temporary phone number inbox
- Ask a relative or a friend for a number, then ask them to verify the Hotstar code
Method # 1 â Get a Hotstar Account from USA with an Indian phone number
You will need a friend or a relative who is living in India and can supply you with his/her Indian Phone number. You can then enter the phone number in Hotstar’s system and ask for the verification code from your friend. Here are the detailed steps:
- Get ExpressVPN for Hotstar (12+3 month deal with 30day money-back guarantee)
- Download and Install the VPN app on your device
- Connect an Indian IP address from the list
- Now open Hotstar.com and click on the subscribe button
- Click on the Subscribe button on the top right corner
- Select a streaming package between Super and Premium
- Enter an Indian phone number and ask your friend/relative for the verification code
- After you enter the verification code, select the payment method
- Now you have successfully subscribed to Hotstar from the US so enjoy
Method # 2 â Subscribe to Disney+ Hotstar from USA with an Online Indian Phone Number (100% Working)
There are several online websites that supply Indian phone numbers for verification codes. Just follow these simple steps to get Disney+ Hotstar in the United States via an online Indian phone number.
- Get ExpressVPN for Disney+ Hotstar ($6.67/mo with a 30day free trial)
- Download the VPN app on your device and connect to an Indian IP address
- Now open Hotstar.com and click on the subscribe button
- Select the streaming plan between Super and Premium
- Now go to receive-sms-free.cc and select an Indian number (You can also google other websites that provide Indian numbers)
- Enter your selected number on Hotstar.com and wait for the verification code
- Keep refreshing the phone number on the website until you get the code for Dsiney+ Hotstar
- Enter the verification code on Hotstar.com and done
- You have successfully subscribed to Disney+ Hotstar in USA
Best VPN to Watch Indian Disney+ Hotstar in the US?
We at The StreamBible have tested more than a dozen VPNs. While most of them work okay, weâve found only two options that stand out in the area of streaming. When other apps were buffering content on Disney+ Hotstar or just flat-out giving a VPN-detected error, these two options smoothly stream everything with no lag, load time, and buffer.
1- ExpressVPN: Best VPN For Disney+ Hotstar in the USA in 2023
Disney+ Hotstar works best with ExpressVPN based on our repeated testing. We tried connecting to an Indian server based on our 100 Mbps connection, and after the connection, we were getting 82.7 Mbps in downloading and 45.5 Mbps in upload.
The streams also didnât buffer mid-way. Whatâs more, ExpressVPN also offers thousands of servers across 94 countries and 160 different locations. This means ExpressVPN doesnât just work with Disney+ Hotstar, it also enables access to other streaming channels and libraries like HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer in the US.
As most people know, ExpressVPN is a premium virtual private network brand and, therefore has a price tag that might be a little on the higher side. Itâs one-year plan costs USD 6.67 a month with three months for free. Users get billed USD 99.95 one time and get a whole year of freedom to unblock all the streaming channels. On top of that, ExpressVPN is throwing in another 3 months for free.
2- NordVPN: Another Best Disney+ Hotstar VPN in the USA
NordVPN is a solid competitor to ExpressVPN when it comes to accessing Disney+ Hotstar in US. It offers close to the same speeds as ExpressVPN â 80.2 Mbps in downloading and 48.8 in uploading â It has more than 5000 servers in more than 60 different countries â meaning you can unblock all the other channels like Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Voot in USA and more â it streams Hotstar Disney+ in Germany flawlessly and best of all, it costs a little less too.
When you get a 2-year NordVPN subscription plan, you only pay USD 78.96 and youâre good for the next two years. Thatâs less than half of what youâre paying for Express for two good years.
A couple of excellent features about both ExpressVPN and NordVPN is that both VPN support multiple devices per subscription. Subscribe once and use these apps on multiple devices simultaneously.
The other feature worth mentioning here is their 30day money-back guarantee. Both VPN providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee meaning if the VPN isnât able to satisfy your streaming needs, you can always demand a refund within 30 days of buying the plan.
Last but not the least, both ExpressVPN and NordVPN have excellent customer support. If you ever feel your VPN app isnât working as it should be, just get in touch with their support team. From making your streaming channels work with the VPN to offering a refund, their teams can always be relied upon to get the job done.
Is Hotstar Available in the United States
Unfortunately, Hotstar is not available in the US. The service was previously available for US consumers, but after its acquisition by the Walt Disney Company, Hotstar was discontinued from the US, UK, and Canada.
But with an ExpressVPN subscription, you can easily watch Hotstar from the US. Read this detailed guide and follow the below-mentioned steps.
Why do you need a VPN for Hotstar in USA
Hotstar was once limited to India only as it is a channel of the Star India group. But when Disney+ acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, Starâs parent company, the channel was rebranded to Disney+ Hotstar and was made available in more regions.
While this did come as good news to binge streamers, Hotstarâs content is slowly but surely moving to a premium model. More and more content is now pay-to-watch. On top of that, Hotstar is still unavailable in a lot of countries, including the major nations like the US. But thatâs sadly not all either as Hotstarâs Indian library has some of the most demanded shows, movies, and programs, and that Indian library can only be accessed from India, but you can watch Hotstar from Australia or anywhere else with a VPN.
Some Disney+ Hotstar channels aside from Disney+ Hotstar India include Disney+ Hotstar Malaysia, Disney+ Hotstar Thailand, Disney+ Hotstar Indonesia, Disney+ Philippines, Disney+ Hotstar Vietnam among others. In the Northern American region and in the UK, the channel operates as just Hotstar. Also, note that the libraries for all of these regions vary.
How to Subscribe to Disney+ Hotstar at the Cheapest Rates?
Disney+ Hotstar subscription rates vary from plan to plan but, more importantly, from country to country. If youâre in the US, youâre probably going to see a higher price for the said plan. However, if you use an Indian server, not only will you be able to access some of Hotstarâs content for free, but you will also be able to subscribe for a lot cheaper than any of the major regions like the US, for example.
Disney + Hotstar Cost?
Hereâs the thing â if youâre in the US or the UK, youâre going to get a Hotstar subscription for more. If you however change your region to India, you will be getting the subscription plan for less than half the price. Here are some price plans for Disney+ Hotstar:
- Indian price: USD 4.00/month for a USD 20.06/year subscription
- UK price: USD 11.99/month and USD 77.36/year subscription
- USA price: USD 9.99/monthly and USD 74.99/yearly subscription
It totally works. You can even use a VPN and check out the prices yourself.
What Devices Are Supported for Disney+ Hotstar?
Disney+ Hotstar has its dedicated app for most platforms, including:Â
- Android phonesÂ
- Android tabs
- Android Smart TVs
- Android TV boxes
- Chromecast
- iPhone
- iPad
- Apple TV
- Amazon Firestick
- Windows PC (web)
- Mac (web)Â
Note that with a Windows PC, Mac, or Linux desktop or laptop, you will have to use a browser and stream Disney+ Hotstar via your web browser.
Also note that with Roku and Apple TV, VPN apps will not work, and you will have to manually configure ExpressVPN via your router settings to make Apple TV work with Hotstar.
Unable to Connect to Hotstar in USA with a VPN?
So you know about the VPN hack and have already tried it but to no gain. If youâre getting the good old âContent Unavailableâ error, that still doesnât mean the hack above doesnât work. There could be a multitude of reasons why youâre unable to access Hotstar outside India. Some of them include the following:
- using a free VPN
- connection to a server that doesnât support Hotstar
- IP leak or the connection dropping
- not refreshing the webpage after using a VPN
The safest way is to invest in a quality VPN and then connect to an Indian server. Then, refresh the page. If it still doesnât work, leverage the real benefit of a paid VPN service and contact the VPN providerâs support team. Customer care teams are available every hour, 365 days a year. Just get in touch with them, state your issue and get immediate help unblocking Disney+ Hotstar in the USA on your device.
Can I Access Disney+ Hotstar for Free in USA?
So bluntly put, can you watch Disney+ Hotstar free outside India? Yes, you can, sir. Some of the programming on the Indian Disney+ Hotstar is totally free so if youâre connected to an Indian server IP from the USA or literally anywhere, you can access all the free content.
On top of that, Hotstar offers two paid subscription plans, VIP and Premium. The VIP plan is relatively cheaper and costs INR 299 a month which is roughly USD 3.95 at the time of this writing. The premium plan is INR1499 a month which approximates USD 19.78 a month.
Is Disney+ Hotstar USA Still Available? Where is Hotstar USA Content?
Nope. Sadly, Disney Plus officially ended its support for Hotstar in the USA in November 2021. However, The content previously available on Hotstar USA has moved to Hulu and ESPN+.
The good news here is that the Disney+ bundle unblocks ESPN+ and Hulu as well. So if you have a Disney+ sub, you can already access the American Hotstar content, but via the Disney+ bundle of course.
How to Unlock Indian Channels on Hotstar | Access Indian Channels in USA
Easy, use a VPN with an Indian IP. All content available on the Indian library along with a huge list of Indian TV channels, can be accessed on Hotstar via ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Hotstar India Channels that are not on Hotstar in the USA
These are some of the channels not available on Hotstar in the USA:
- StarPlus
- Star Parvah
- ABP News
- 9XM
- Star Sports Select 1 (HD)
- Star Sports Select 2 (HD)
- FOXlife
- Channel V
- SHOWTIME
- HBO Original Programming
- ABC Studio
If you are into sports, here is a complete guide to watch Cricket World Cup 2023 in USA on Hotstar.
Hotstar Device Compatibility in the USA
Smartphones, Tablets & Mobiles
- iOS 10 and over
- iPad 10 and over
- At least Android mobile 4.4.4Â
Browsers on Computers or Laptops
- At least Google Chrome ver. 75
- Safari ver .11 and over
- At least Microsoft Edge ver. 79
- Mozilla Firefox
- Opera
- Vivaldi
- Brave
- Falkon
- UR Browser
Other devices
- Apple TV OS 11 and above (Gen 4 and above)
- Android TV OS 7 and above
- Google Chromecast Firmware 1.43 and above (Gen 2 and above)
- PS4/PS4 Pro
- PS5
- Xbox One S/X
- Xbox Series S/X
- Amazon Firestick
Top Disney+ Hotstar Movies For Indian Hotstar users in the USA
English
- Bad Education
- The Art Of Racing In The Rain
- Murder On The Orient Express
- We Bought A Zoo
- Gifted
- Secretariat
- Kingsman
- The Shape Of Water
- In Her Shoes
- Independence Day
- Black Swan
- All Marvel movies
- All Star Wars films
- Wedding Seasons
Indian Movies
- The Great Indian Murder
- Atrangi Re
- Shiddat
- Sanak
- MGR Magan
- Special OPS 1.5
- Indiaâs Most Wanted
- Badhaai Ho
- Big Boss
- Masterchef India
- Yeh Rishtey Hain
- Koffee with Karan
- Sanjivani
- Savdhaan India
- Shararat
American TV Shows
- The Plot Against America
- City On A Hill
- Billions
- The Outsider
- Chernobyl
- The Affair
- The Mandalorian
- Twin Peaks
- Watchmen
- Big Little Lies
- True Detective
- Succession
- Jett
- Modern Family
- Sharp Objects
- The Wire
- The Night Of
- Five Days
- Game of Thrones
- The Newsroom
Hotstar Content will be Available in 2023
Some of the hottest and most talked-about Disney+ Hotstar shows for the upcoming month of April that you can stream on Hotstar include:
- Weekend Family â Season 1
- Maraan
- Moon Knight
- Turning Red
- Haunted Mansion
- Crazy Love
- Rudra: The Edge of Darkness
- West Side Story
Frequently Asked Questions to Watch Hotstar in USA
1- Is Hotstar available in USA in 2023?
No. Hotstar was introduced in the US market as well but was quickly pulled off by the November of 2021. As of 2023, Hotstar is not available natively in the USA.
2- Can Hotstar run in the USA?
By default, Hotstar is inaccessible in the US. However, you can use a VPN to access all the content of Indian Hotstar in UK and USA easily.
3- Is Hotstar good in the USA?
The US Hotstar isnât available anymore. But there is still a soaring demand for Indian and other non-US libraries of Disney plus Hotstar because of American and the original non-American content.
4- Are Hotstar and Disney Plus Hotstar one and the same?
Yes, Hotstar and Disney Plus Hotstar are one and the same. This change in name happened because, in 2019, Disney Plus officially acquired 21st Century, which was the parent company of Star group, which in turn owned Hotstar, therefore gaining ownership of the channel.
5- What is the Difference Between Purchasing Hotstar and Disney+ Hotstar?
Getting a Hotstar and Disney+ Hotstar sub are technically two different things. When you get Hotstar separately, you get access to Hotstar only â no Disney+, no Hulu, or ESPN+. However, if you get a Disney Plus subscription, you get Hotstar free with it along with other channels. But Hotstarâs library will again be subject to your IP/region.
6- Which country can access Hotstar for free?
India. For now, only those accessing the channel from India (or an Indian IP) have access to Hotstarâs free content. The future of free content is uncertain, and itâs highly likely that Hotstar will move to a 100% subscription model.
7- Hot to Fix the VPN detected Error in Hotstar?
Hotstar VPN detected Error is one of the most common errors faced by Hotstar users in the United States. This means that Hotstar’s system has detected that you are using a VPN or a proxy service. This usually happens when you are trying to circumvent Hotstar’s library with a free VPN; therefore, use a workable VPN and stream Disney+ Hotstar in the United States with ease.
Wrap Up:
So there you have itâall the info and workarounds you needed to know to watch Hotstar from USA. Just make sure to use a VPN and connect to an Indian IP before you access Hotstar in the US to access the biggest library possible.Â
Our team of experts tested ExpressVPN to watch Hotstar in USA last month, and it worked perfectly. We used the virtual server “India via Singapore,” and it was effective enough to unblock Hotstar from USA, and we watched West Side Story.