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Hey there! If you‘re itching to watch HBO‘s acclaimed new series The Last of Us but can‘t access it in your area, I‘ve got you covered.
As an expert in cloud data security with over a decade of experience, I‘m fascinated by all things digital – including how to bypass geographical restrictions to stream the latest shows. Trust me, with the right VPN, you can watch The Last of Us no matter where you live.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through:
- Exactly how to watch The Last of Us in the US and other countries
- Clever tricks for streaming The Last of Us from anywhere with a VPN
- My top 4 recommended VPNs for accessing the show
- FAQs on getting The Last of Us for free (legally!) and more
So grab your favorite snacks and let‘s dive in!
Contents
Where to Watch The Last of Us in the US and Other Countries
If you‘re in the US, the only official place to watch The Last of Us is HBO Max. You‘ll need an HBO Max subscription to stream it. Here are your options:
Get HBO Max Directly
This is the obvious choice – go straight to the source. HBO Max has two price tiers:
- With ads: $9.99/month
- Ad-free: $14.99/month
Add HBO Max Through Other Services
You can often save money by getting HBO Max as an add-on through another service like:
- Hulu: $14.99/month extra
- YouTube TV: $14.99/month extra
- Amazon Prime Video: $14.99/month extra
Access Via Cable or Live TV Streaming
Traditional pay TV providers like cable and satellite allow you to add on HBO for $15-20 extra per month. Or you can get it through live TV streaming services like:
- DirecTV Stream: $69.99/month basic, HBO add-on $15/month
- Sling TV: $40/month basic, HBO add-on $15/month
- FuboTV: $69.99/month basic, HBO add-on $14.99/month
Now let‘s look at where you can stream beyond the US:
Canada
Canadians can watch on Crave + Movies + HBO package.
UK
Brits can tune in via Sky Atlantic or NOW TV.
Australia and New Zealand
Aussies and Kiwis can binge the show on Binge or Neon.
India
Lucky folks in India can stream on Disney+ Hotstar.
The Rest of Europe
Much of Europe can access HBO Max, including: Germany, Italy, Spain, the Nordics, and more.
But what if HBO Max isn‘t available in your country? Keep reading!
How to Watch The Last of Us From Anywhere with a VPN
If HBO Max isn‘t available where you live, a VPN is the perfect solution. VPNs (virtual private networks) let you spoof your location, bypassing geographic restrictions to stream from other countries.
Here‘s how it works:
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Get a reliable VPN that works with streaming services (more on this below).
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Connect to a server located where The Last of Us is available, like the US. This hides your real location.
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Fire up the HBO Max app or website. They‘ll now think you‘re in the US (or another supported country) based on your VPN IP address.
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Stream The Last of Us freely in HD quality as if you were in the US! Enjoy.
A VPN also encrypts all your network data, keeping you safe and anonymous while streaming. So it adds privacy as a nice bonus.
But aren‘t VPNs banned by Netflix and others?
Yes, streaming platforms try to block VPNs, but top VPNs stay one step ahead with advanced features like:
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Obfuscated servers – Makes VPN traffic seem like regular HTTPS traffic, fooling streaming blocks.
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Dedicated streaming servers – Servers optimized to beat blocks and smoothly stream in HD.
More on how to pick a streaming-friendly VPN below.
3 Clever Reasons to Use a VPN for Watching The Last of Us
Aside from accessing geo-blocked content, there are some other cool benefits of streaming this megahit show through a VPN:
1. Avoid ISP Throttling
Shady ISPs often throttle your bandwidth when detecting streaming traffic. This results in constant buffering and grainy video.
A VPN encrypts your traffic, hiding your streaming activity from your ISP. This prevents throttling, allowing smoother HD streaming.
2. Boost Security on Public Wi-Fi
It‘s best to avoid public Wi-Fi altogether when streaming. But with a VPN, you‘re protected from hackers on public hotspots.
A VPN tunnels and encrypts all traffic, securing it from prying eyes. You can safely stream over public Wi-Fi without worrying about snoops or MitM (man-in-the-middle) attacks.
3. Unblock Extra HBO Max Content
HBO Max has slightly different libraries depending on the country. By switching your VPN location, you can unlock more shows and movies!
For example, connect to the UK to watch critically acclaimed series like Industry and I Hate Suzie. Or connect to Spain to watch Venga Juan or 30 Coins. It‘s like getting multiple libraries in one subscription!
My 4 Recommended VPNs for Streaming The Last of Us
All VPNs are not created equal when it comes to streaming. Buffering kills the vibe!
From my technical expertise and hands-on testing, these 4 VPNs have proven the most reliable for unblocking HBO Max:
1. NordVPN – My Top Choice
With excellent speeds, watertight security, and dedicated streaming features, NordVPN is my #1 recommendation.
I get blazing fast speeds for buttery smooth 4K streaming. And NordVPN‘s specialized obfuscated servers (called NordLynx) effortlessly bypass VPN blocks.
Nord is ideal for newbies too with an easy-to-use app. Helpful features like SmartPlay auto-connect you to the best server.
2. Surfshark – Budget-Friendly Streaming
If you‘re looking to save, it‘s hard to beat Surfshark for a cheap streaming VPN.
Despite being so affordable, Surfshark boasts excellent speeds for lag-free HD streaming. There are 3200+ global servers, including specialty streaming servers.
The apps are very beginner-friendly. And you can use Surfshark on unlimited devices, great for households.
3. CybperGhost – Stream Anything Anywhere
CyberGhost is a streaming fanatic, with dedicated servers for anything you want to watch.
It reliably works with tough services like HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. There are 7000+ servers in over 90 countries.
I get awesome speeds for streaming in crystal clear quality. No buffering or pixelation. And CyberGhost‘s strict no logging policy means rock-solid privacy too.
Grab CyberGhost at 83% off here
4. ExpressVPN – Blazing Fast Speeds
ExpressVPN is a long-time favorite of mine for its unmatched connection speeds. The speeds I get with Express are just insane!
That makes it perfect for streaming The Last of Us in smooth 4K without any hiccups. Their MediaStreamer tech easily gets around VPN blocks too.
ExpressVPN app is very polished and easy to use. Yet, under the hood, it‘s packed with robust security and privacy protections. A true all-around top VPN.
FAQs About Watching The Last of Us With a VPN
Here are answers to some common questions about streaming The Last of Us:
Q: Can I get The Last of Us for free?
Legally the only way is with a free trial like HBO Max‘s 7-day trial. Just don‘t forget to cancel!
Some mobile carriers offer free HBO Max, so check your plan. Ask nicely and a friend may share their login.
But pirating is risky, unethical, and lowers the chance of a Season 2!
Q: Is a free VPN good for streaming?
I don‘t recommend free VPNs as they lack the speed, servers, and advanced tech (like obfuscation) needed to stream smoothly in HD.
Most are too slow, disconnect often, have shady practices like selling data, and impose annoying data caps. Definitely avoid free VPNs for streaming.
Q: Can I use a VPN on HBO Max?
Absolutely! HBO Max actively tries to block VPNs but a premium VPN will have no problems bypassing the blocks. I‘ve streamed hours of their catalog from non-supported countries using my recommended VPNs above.
Q: Is The Last of Us available on Netflix/Hulu/Prime?
Sadly no, The Last of Us is an exclusive HBO Max series. No other streaming services carry it, at least for now. Your only option is HBO Max.
Q: How can I boost my streaming speed for The Last of Us?
Close extra tabs and apps eating bandwidth, restart your router before streaming, set your VPN to auto-connect to its fastest servers (like NordVPN‘s SmartPlay), and try wired ethernet over WiFi if possible.
Binge The Last of Us From Anywhere!
Well, that wraps up this complete guide to streaming The Last of Us using a VPN. Thanks for taking the time to read!
While getting quality VPN protection is highly recommended if bypassing geo-blocks, always be sure to check your local laws first.
Now go enjoy the outstanding storytelling, action, and drama of The Last of Us – no matter where you are! Just a few clicks and you‘ll be reunited with grumpy Joel and brave Ellie.
Stay safe out there, friend. And as Ellie would say, "Endure and survive!"
