Every episode of South Park is on HBO Max (now Max) but the streaming service is only available in the US. Luckily, you can use a VPN to regain access to your Max account while traveling outside the States. This is because VPNs let you appear as if you’re browsing from the US, allowing you to watch South Park from abroad.
I’ve put together this easy guide for streaming South Park on HBO Max anywhere with a VPN. It’ll show you how to unblock Max in 3 quick steps and catch up with Cartman and the gang no matter where you travel. Plus, my team and I tested 25+ services and shortlisted 3 of the best VPNs that work with Max and are fast enough for 4K viewing.
My VPN recommendation is ExpressVPN. With plenty of US locations and excellent speeds, it’s great for streaming South Park in UHD without buffering. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. In case you don’t like it, getting a refund is easy.
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Quick Guide: How to Watch South Park on HBO Max in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. ExpressVPN is ideal for streaming South Park on HBO Max, offering fast speeds and lots of reliable US servers. You can try ExpressVPN without risk (it has a 30-day money-back policy).
- Connect to a US server. A US VPN server will give you a US IP address, allowing you to access Max.
- Start watching. Enjoy secure access to your HBO Max account and watch South Park from anywhere.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch South Park on HBO Max
Due to licensing agreements, HBO Max content is only accessible in certain regions. When you access the streaming site, your IP address is checked to determine your location. If the platform detects that you’re not in the right country (e.g. outside the US), it’ll block your access. This means that if you’re a US resident traveling to a region where HBO Max isn’t available, you’ll lose access to your usual favorites like South Park.
Access to Max is blocked in many countries
A VPN lets you spoof your IP address and regain access to your HBO Max library. VPNs reroute your internet traffic through a server in your chosen country, masking your real IP address with one from that location. This makes websites think you’re in a different region, giving you access to the content you want. For example, connecting to a US VPN server lets you use a US IP address, which in turn lets you access your Max account and stream South Park.
However, not all VPNs can bypass HBO Max’s restrictions. Max attempts to block VPN connections, so you’ll need a quality VPN that maintains a wide range of US IP addresses that work with the platform and can remain undetected. That’s why I tested numerous VPNs to find the ones that consistently work with Max — all listed below.
Best VPNs to Watch South Park on HBO Max in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Overall Fastest VPN for Watching South Park on HBO Max in 4K
![Small assortment of technological devices compatible with ExpressVPN.](https://www.vpnmentor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/expressvpn-autoresized86X.png)
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Best Feature | Lets you reliably stream South Park on HBO Max in 4K without buffering |
Server Network | 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including 24 US locations in New York, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, and more |
Device Connections | 8 simultaneous device connections |
Compatible with | Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, smart TVs, and more |
ExpressVPN offers excellent speeds that are ideal for 4K streaming. All VPNs reduce your speeds somewhat, usually by over 30% or more. However, when testing ExpressVPN’s US servers, I recorded excellent results. My speeds didn’t drop below 93Mbps (just a 7% drop from my normal connection speeds), allowing me to watch South Park in the highest quality without buffering. For reference, HBO recommends speeds of over 50Mbps for UHD viewing.
There are servers in 24 US cities, giving you easy access to South Park on Max. During a trip to Spain, I had no difficulties accessing my Max account when I connected to the New York server. The overall server network is huge, so I never ran into any servers overloaded with users, which can lead to disconnects and speed drops. My connection remained stable throughout all my tests, with no sudden interruptions.
I had no buffering or audio stuttering watching South Park on Max
ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature is another highlight, allowing you to unblock HBO Max on non-VPN-friendly devices like smart TVs and gaming consoles. I easily set it up on my Xbox Series S in under 5 minutes by entering a short code in the network settings. This is super convenient if you want to watch South Park on the big screen.
While the service offers exceptional features, it does come with a slightly higher price tag. However, ExpressVPN frequently offers deals and promotions to help you save money. I got 49% off and 3 extra free months by opting for the 12-month plan, bringing the price down to just $6.67/month. I also tested the 30-day money-back guarantee and getting a refund is easy. I simply contacted the 24/7 live chat support and asked to be refunded — after 3 days, I got my money back in my account.
Useful Features
- IP/DNS leak protection. Some VPNs will inadvertently leak your real IP address or DNS requests. This can reveal your real location to Max, blocking you from the platform. However, in my tests, ExpressVPN never once leaked my IP address or DNS queries. I had consistent access to my favorite episodes of South Park.
- Simultaneous device connections. You can connect the VPN to up to 8 devices at the same time. This means you can stream South Park on your laptop while unblocking other US content on your smartphone, without slowdowns.
- Easy-to-use apps. ExpressVPN’s apps are user-friendly, intuitive, and highly responsive — so you don’t need to be a VPN expert to use them.
- Unlimited bandwidth. Your data usage and bandwidth isn’t limited with ExpressVPN, so you can watch as many episodes of South Park as you want without hitting any caps.
Watch South Park With ExpressVPN >>
2. CyberGhost — Dedicated HBO Max Servers to Unblock and Watch South Park Anywhere
Best Feature | Specialty Max servers to easily watch South Park from anywhere |
Server Network | 9,487 servers in 91 countries overall, giving you global coverage |
Device Connections | 7 simultaneous device connections |
Compatible with | Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, smart TVs, and more |
CyberGhost comes with servers specifically designed to unblock HBO Max. Under the “For streaming” tab in the server panel, I simply searched for “Max” and found several servers optimized specifically for the site. I tested one of CyberGhost’s dedicated US Max servers and had no issues accessing the platform.
Using the optimized servers, I easily accessed my HBO Max account abroad
Despite not matching ExpressVPN’s speed, CyberGhost provides good speeds for streaming in Ultra HD. Connected to its US server, I experienced no buffering watching South Park even though I was 9,564km away (distance from the server usually impacts your speed). My connection remained above 89Mbps — only an 11% decrease from my base speed and more than fast enough for Max’s 4K setting.
You can quickly dive into South Park thanks to CyberGhost’s user-friendly app. During testing, I set up a shortcut to HBO Max using the Startup rules feature. This automatically launches my browser (where I set HBO Max as my homepage) whenever I start the VPN. As a result, I just have to click once to enable the VPN, launch my browser, load Max, and start watching.
One minor downside of CyberGhost is that its monthly plans are relatively expensive and come with a short money-back guarantee period (only 14 days). However, if you opt for a long-term plan, the price drops to just $2.19/month, and you get an extended money-back guarantee on top. This means you can test CyberGhost risk-free for 45 days. If it doesn’t meet your standards, getting a refund is simple.
Useful Features
- Split-tunneling. CyberGhost allows you to choose to only route HBO Max through the VPN — every other website can stay on your local internet. This can be very useful if you want to browse local sites that aren’t accessible on a US IP address while streaming South Park.
- Router compatibility. CyberGhost gives you 7 simultaneous connections. But you can also install it on your router and use the service on every device on your network without limits.
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3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Unlimited Device Connections To Watch South Park on Any Screen You Like
Best Feature | Your entire household can stream with Max on their own devices at the same time |
Server Network | 29,650 servers in 84 countries, with 53 cities to get an IP for HBO Max |
Device Connections | Unlimited simultaneous device connections |
Compatible with | Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, routers, smart TVs, and more |
PIA gives you unlimited connections, so you and your household can watch South Park on different devices without running into any device limitations. It offers unlimited bandwidth too, so there’s no restriction on how many episodes you can get through. I set up PIA on my laptop, smartphone, desktop, and iPad and didn’t see any speed decrease while streaming Max on all of them.
It can also be optimized for faster streaming speeds. While PIA supports the most secure 256-bit AES encryption, it also has 128-bit AES. This is still safe but much faster. You can also switch VPN protocols (the set of rules that securely tunnels your traffic to the VPN server). During testing, I reduced the encryption level from 256-bit to 128-bit and enabled the fast Wireguard protocol. My speeds increased from 78Mbps to 86Mbps — more than fast enough for streaming South Park without buffering.
Switching PIA’s settings around just takes a few clicks
The one issue with all of PIA’s settings is that they can be a bit complex if you’re new to VPNs. However, the app is preconfigured for fast streaming, so you don’t have to touch any settings if you don’t want to. Like CyberGhost, there are also specialized US streaming servers that work with HBO Max — making it easy to find the right server. I tested one of the US West streaming-optimized servers and it worked with South Park on the first try.
You can get PIA for just $2.03/month if you opt for a long-term subscription. I recommend the 3-year subscription as it offers the best value. The service also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for free.
Useful Features
- 24/7 live chat. If you do have any issues with PIA’s settings, it offers round-the-clock support.
- MACE ad blocker. This useful feature eliminates bothersome third-party ads while streaming HBO Max. During my tests, it worked on both the Max site and the app.
Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN to Watch South Park on HBO Max
Every VPN on my list provides reliable access to HBO Max to stream South Park without buffering. However, if you prefer to conduct your own tests, you can use my checklist:
- US servers. All of Max’s content is available in the US, so make sure your VPN has US servers for quick and easy unblocking.
- Fast speeds. Go for a VPN that doesn’t drop your connection by more than 50%. HBO Max recommends speeds of 50Mbps for smooth and uninterrupted UHD streaming.
- Reliable customer support. Look for 24/7 customer support, ensuring helpful assistance whenever you need it — no matter where you are in the world.
- Device compatibility. If you want to watch South Park on HBO Max using all your favorite devices, select a VPN that is compatible with multiple operating systems.
- Trustworthy money-back guarantee. A reliable refund policy lets you test your chosen VPN without taking any risks.
Watch South Park With ExpressVPN >>
FAQs on Watch South Park on HBO Max With a VPN
What devices can I watch South Park on?
HBO Max is compatible with computers, mobiles, and TV devices — either via its website or the Max app. However, if you want to watch Max with a VPN, make sure you get a VPN that works with all your chosen devices too.
Here’s a list of devices you can use to watch South Park:
- Smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android)
- Computers and laptops (Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook)
- Smart TVs (Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Vizio, etc.)
- Streaming devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick, Chromecast, etc.)
- Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
- Web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, etc.)
Can I watch South Park season 26 online for free?
No, you need an HBO Max subscription. Max is only available in the US, too. If you’re currently outside of the licensed region, you’ll need a quality VPN with reliable US IP addresses to watch South Park season 26.
Is South Park available on other streaming sites like Hulu, Paramount, or YouTube?
Regular episodes of South Park are only available to stream on Max. If you’re outside the US, where Max is available, you can use a VPN with US servers to access your HBO Max account.
Here are other services you can use to watch some South Park episodes:
Service | Subscription Required? | Region | The Catch |
Hulu | Yes | US only | You can only watch South Park live on Hulu, which requires a +Live TV subscription. |
Sling TV | Yes | US only | Sling does air the newest season but it runs behind Max — so it doesn’t have the latest episodes. |
Comedy Central | Only available with other pay-TV subscriptions like DirecTV, though you can get a free 24-hour “Viewing Pass” | US only | Doesn’t show the newest seasons. |
Paramount+ | Yes, also available through Amazon Prime Video | US, UK, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latin America | Only offers some specials, such as South Park The 25th Anniversary Concert. |
YouTube | No, free | Everywhere (excluding some countries that have blocked it like China, Iran, Eritrea, North Korea, and Turkmenistan) | Has some clips and teasers but not full episodes. |
10Play / 10Shake | No, free | Australia only | Only has some episodes from older seasons. |
Sky TV / NOW TV | Yes | UK only | Restricted to episodes from seasons 9-11. |
South Park Studios website | No, free | International | Used to make full episodes available to watch but most videos are now listed as “Currently unavailable” and you can only watch random episodes. |
Can I watch South Park on HBO Max outside the US?
Yes, but you need a VPN. Max is only available in the US and even international versions of HBO Max don’t carry every episode of South Park. The only way to watch every South Park episode outside the US is with a VPN. VPNs mask your actual location and let you borrow an IP address from a different region, bypassing HBO Max geoblocks.
Can I watch South Park on HBO Max using a free VPN?
It’s not recommended. Free VPNs typically have small networks and intentionally restrict your speeds, bandwidth, and data usage — making them unusable for streaming. It’s better to try a reputable paid VPN with a money-back guarantee. That way, you’ll get reliable access to South Park on HBO Max.
Even if you find a free service without a bunch of limitations, free VPNs are rarely safe to use either. Some collect and sell your browsing history to the highest bidder while others hide malware in their downloads.
Watch South Park on HBO Max in Minutes
A VPN is the easiest way to catch all episodes of South Park on HBO Max while traveling outside the US. All the recommended VPNs on my list can successfully access Max and offer fast speeds that let you watch South Park in uninterrupted UHD quality. None of them limit your bandwidth and they’re all safe to use.
That said, ExpressVPN is my top pick for watching South Park on Max. With multiple US servers, fast speeds, and compatibility across various devices, it’s ideal for streaming. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test ExpressVPN risk-free. In case it doesn’t meet your standards, getting a refund is simple.