How to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in UAE Dubai in 2023

Written by: Per-Erik Eriksson

One of the reasons viewers wish to have access to the Indian version of Hotstar is that it offers a wide range of Indian-speaking and Bollywood content. Also, the Indian version is cheaper than the one you can get in Canada or the US. Users have always preferred having to pay less rather than more.

Unfortunately, if you are in the UAE, you will not have access to Disney+ Hotstar. The service is only available in India and Canada, so we suggest getting a VPN if you insist on using that particular version.

In case you don't want to read the entire article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPN services according to our independent tests and research:

ProtonVPN (Free Version) Proton is often referred to as the single most trustworthy company in the VPN business. They focus on security over anything else and offer the best free VPN available. This is the company behind ProtonMail.
NordVPN Best VPN for general work and entertainment purposes. I found it to be reliable, high-speed, and easy to set up, and it's one that I use daily for work.
CyberGhost VPN was voted as the best gaming VPN for 2023 and is one of the cheapest VPN services among the whole top 10.

Why Do I Need a VPN to Access Disney+ Hotstar in the UAE?

Licensing and copyright regulations prohibit the distribution of Hotstar’s service outside of India and Canada. To enforce this regulation, providers use IP tracking to check your device’s location. Therefore, you will not be allowed to use the website if you are anywhere outside the two countries.

Luckily, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) takes care of this problem by assigning you a different IP address. Every reliable VPN provider has thousands of servers worldwide, and by connecting to any of them, you are given the IP address of any of those servers. So, all you need to do to be able to watch Hotstar in the UAE is connect to a VPN server located in India (or Canada).

What Are the Best VPNs for Unblocking Hotstar?

It is worth mentioning that the Indian government has ordered VPN companies to log their users’ data. Decent VPN providers do not wish to put their subscribers’ safety at risk, so they do not have servers in India. However, they allow you to get an Indian IP address through other countries (e.g., Singapore and the UK).

You need to consider many things when choosing the right VPN, so we have made a choice for you. Here are our three VPN favorites which are bound to provide you access to Hotstar (and so much more):

NordVPN

This VPN pro has even more servers (5,200+). However, they are located in fewer countries (59). NordVPN may provide slightly slower speeds, but this is only because it takes safety very seriously. There are numerous safety features, including AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, secure tunneling protocols, Dark Web Monitor, dedicated IP, threat protection, and a strict no-logs policy. In addition, NordVPN allows you to connect to 6 devices simultaneously.

ExpressVPN

Express VPN has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries. It provides excellent speeds on all its servers and unblocks all popular streaming services, including Hotstar. ExpressVPN takes your privacy and safety very seriously, so they have armed themselves with many great safety features. They include military-grade encryption (AES-256), a kill switch, reliable tunneling protocols (e.g., Lightway), and much more. In addition, the provider has a strict no-logging policy, which is extremely important when you are using a VPN for streaming (or torrenting). With one Express subscription, you can simultaneously use the service on up to 5 devices.

Surfshark

With 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, Surfshark can definitely compete with both Express and NordVPN. Its speeds are definitely slower, and there may not be as many safety features. Still, Surfshark has what it takes: AES-256 encryption, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec protocols and a strict no-logs policy. Two of its significant advantages are affordability (only $2.30/month on a 2-year plan) and the ability to use the service on an unlimited number of devices.

How Can I Watch Hotstar in the UAE?

First, buy a reliable VPN (we suggest ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark).

Then, download the VPN app and install it on your device.

Once there, choose a server with an Indian IP address.

Finally, go to Hotstar’s website and enjoy all your favorite content!

How Can I Subscribe to Hotstar in the UAE?

Assuming you have already installed your VPN, find your VPN’s server locations and connect to a server in India.

Then go to Hotstar’s website and choose one of their paid plans.

Next, create an account and select one payment option.

In the end, you need to confirm your registration by entering an Indian phone number.

In Conclusion

Even though Disney+Hotstar has placed geo-restrictions on its content, watching your favorite Indian movies and shows is not impossible. All you need is a trustworthy VPN capable of unblocking it!

A VPN is also helpful because it provides online safety for its users so that nobody can see what you are doing online or use your own information against you.

FAQ

Why isn’t Hotstar available in the UAE?

Content owners and broadcasters have agreements determining which programs are available in which countries. This is why Hotstar may be accessible in Canada but not in the UAE.

Is the use of VPNs prohibited in the UAE?

You are only prohibited from having a VPN in the UAE if you use it to commit a crime.

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