The Last of Us is the latest video game franchise to be adapted into a blockbuster TV series, courtesy of HBO. The series has been an early critical success, but unfortunately it’s only available for streaming in specific regions. If you’re looking for a way to watch The Last of Us from anywhere in the world, we’d recommend the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
This guide will explain how to bypass geographic restrictions with a VPN to watch The Last Of Us, unblocking lots of additional content in the process.
What’s the best way to stream The Last of Us from anywhere?
A VPN allows you to spoof your IP address by connecting to a relevant server. For example, if you want to access HBO Max from outside the United States to watch The Last Of Us, you can choose a US location, and you’ll be assigned a relevant IP address.
We’ll go through each of the best VPNs for The Last of Us in detail below, but here’s a quick roundup if you’d prefer the key information upfront.
Best VPNs for streaming The Last of Us:
- ExpressVPN: Our top recommendation for streaming The Last of Us. Impressive speeds, strong security features, US servers for HBO Max, and our top pick for streaming. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN: The best affordable VPN to watch TLOU. Thousands of high-speed servers, advanced security, and user-friendly apps for all devices.
- Surfshark: Wallet-friendly provider that can be used with unlimited devices and boasts a private search engine, great speeds, and works with HBO Max effortlessly.
- Private Internet Access: Comes with a court-proven zero-logs policy, various high-speed servers dotted throughout the US, and unblocks HBO and various other streaming services.
- PrivateVPN: A great choice for budget-conscious users, including sleek apps and access to multiple blocked streaming sites for TLOU.
How to watch The Last of Us online with a VPN
The easiest way to catch The Last Of Us is via HBO, which holds broadcasting rights in various regions such as the US. It has also been licensed to a few additional streaming services, including Sky in the UK.
If you don’t have access to HBO or a broadcaster that has rights for TLOU, normally you’d be out of luck. However, you’ll be able to bypass restrictions quickly with a VPN, changing your location so you appear to be in the United States or anywhere else in the world.
If you’re not sure what to do, there’s no need to worry, as the setup process is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started with almost any VPN. For this guide, we’ll use HBO Max, which is available in the USA.
Here’s how to watch The Last of Us online:
- Pick a VPN that can be used with HBO Max. (Check out our top recommendations below.)
- Download the relevant VPN app to your device.
- Sign in, andselect a US server. (This will give you a US IP address.)
- Once you’ve connected to the server, open HBO Max and sign in or sign up.
- You should now be ready to watch The Last Of Us.
It's a simple solution for accessing geo-blocked content. Some VPNs will also work with other international streaming platforms, including the likes of BBC iPlayer and Netflix.
ProPrivacy.com does not condone copyright infringement. We strongly recommend that all readers purchase a subscription with a licensed broadcaster in their home country. The information on this page is for those who cannot access services they have legitimately paid for.
Where can I watch The Last of Us online?
At the time of writing, The Last Of Us is available in a number of different regions.
Countries where The Last of Us is available:
USA
- HBO Max – $9.99/month
HBO Max has exclusive rights in the US, and there’s no free trial of the service available. You’ll be able to lower the price to $9.99 per month if you don’t mind adverts. The first episode of The Last Of Us aired on January 15th.
Australia
- BINGE – from AU$10/month
- Foxtel – AU$49/month (Need Foxtel+ package to watch HBO content)
Airing on January 16th, Foxtel TV customers can stream The Last Of Us via the Foxtel Go app. Otherwise, you can sign up for Binge, with prices starting at $10 AUD per month. Binge comes with a two-week free trial.
Canada
- Crave – from CA$20/month
Crave is where you’ll find TLOU streams in Canada. It comes in at $19.99 CAD per month, or $9.99 per month for mobile devices. Each has a seven-day free trial you can take advantage of.
UK
- Sky – £9.99/month (Sky Atlantic on NOW TV)
In the UK, Sky Atlantic via NOW TV is the easiest way to watch the show, unless you’re a Sky TV customer with access to the Sky Go app. NOW TV and an Entertainment Pass is priced at £9.99 per month, and there’s a seven-day free trial. The first episode aired on January 16th.
NZ
- NEON – from $12.99/month
Others
- HBO Asia – Varies in the region
- HBO Max – Varies in the region
- HBO Nordic – Varies in the region
Essentially, you’ll have to watch TLOU via a version of HBO, or by using a service like Sky in the UK, which licenses HBO content to show on Sky Atlantic.
The best VPNs for streaming The Last of Us | In-depth analysis
With hundreds of competing VPN services to choose from, it can be tough to pick the best provider for the job. For example, the best VPN for TLOU might not be the service we’d recommend for accessing torrents securely.
We used the following criteria to come up with this list:
- Fast speeds
- Comprehensive server network
- Ability to mask VPN activity
- Privacy and security features
- User-friendly apps for popular devices
- Value for money
Here’s a rundown of our best VPNs to use to watch The Last of Us:
ExpressVPN is our top pick for watching The Last Of Us, thanks to excellent speeds, reliability, and how easily it unblocks streaming platforms like HBO Max. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN is always going to be high on the list if you’re looking for a provider to bypass streaming restrictions with no hassle. This includes HBO Max, making it easy to watch TLOU from anywhere in the world. As well as being able to access the most restricted sites and services, it has some of the fastest connection speeds on the market thanks to its custom Lightway protocol. It’s packed to the brim with features, and there are apps and support for a wide collection of platforms, including routers, smart TVs, and various streaming devices. Split tunneling allows you to choose which traffic to route through the VPN, and TrustedServer technology ensures that your data is never written to a hard drive. Servers in 94+ countries mean that you’ll be able to connect to a local version of HBO from anywhere, or you could even check out other options like Foxtel (Australia) or Sky Go (UK). There’s a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee so you’ll be able to test out speeds for yourself, and it ticks all of the boxes if you want to streamThe Last of Us, and more. NordVPN is our top budget pick for watching TLOU from anywhere. It has lots of locations, various unique features, superb speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Coming in a close second, NordVPN is another capable provider that gives access to various international streaming services with a couple of clicks. Its Smart Play feature will unblock over 150 platforms, including HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, ABC Go, Zattoo, Cartoon Network, Shudder, WeTV.com, Telemundo, VH1, Vevo, TNT Drama, Sundance.tv, StarTrek, Spike, PBS, Slacker, NBC Sports, FoodNetwork, DramaFever, Discovery, and Crackle. As with Express, it’s a service that goes far beyond the norm, with a proprietary protocol (NordLynx) that offers a mix of top performance and enhanced security. It has had its zero-logs policy audited by PWC, while features include bare-metal servers, obfuscation, and Threat Protection, helping the user to avoid malware, ads, and trackers. If you’re on the lookout for a more affordable VPN to watchThe Last Of Us, Nord should definitely be on your radar. It has over 5,400 servers in 60+ countries, with coverage in 15+ different cities. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark is another viable choice for watching TLOU from anywhere. Unlimited simultaneous connections make it even more affordable. It unblocks lots of content, has Smart DNS, great connection speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark is another affordable option for watchingThe Last Of Us, packaged with the added benefit of being able to connect as many devices as you like with a single account. A total of 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries is a respectable amount, and they can be used for HBO and so much more, including accessing Netflix in over 30 different countries. Features such as multi-hop servers, split tunneling, and CleanWeb help to improve security and privacy. On that front, it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, and Surfshark has been independently audited so you won’t have to take any claims at face value. Servers are RAM-only, and Smart DNS can be used to set up the VPN with a smart TV. Surfshark comes with a simple 30-day money-back guarantee. It also offers Android, iOS, and Mac users a seven-day free trial, but you’ll need to cancel a day beforehand if you change your mind. PIA is a dependable option for watching TLOU and more. 10 simultaneous connections, multiple advanced features, emphasis on the United States, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Private Internet Access (PIA) combines strong security with speedy servers, and it’ll work seamlessly with the likes of HBO if you’re aiming to watchThe Last Of Us. It’s not as fast as the VPNs we’ve mentioned above, but it’s still more than quick enough to stream content in 4K. Based in the United States, it’s arguably not the best location to headquarter a VPN service compared to more privacy-friendly options such as Panama. However, it does mean that PIA has a large collection of US servers to choose from, and that the VPN has a lot of experience with providing access to streaming platforms in the country. (While it is based in the USA, PIA has proven its no-logs policy in court multiple times.) You’ll be able to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, while advanced features include port forwarding, obfuscation (stealth), and split tunneling. It can be a little tough to get used to for beginners, but you can test PIA for yourself thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee. PrivateVPN ticks all of the boxes and can be used to watch TLOU from various locations. WireGuard, cheap deals, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. PrivateVPN rounds out the list, offering detailed guides for accessing HBO from anywhere in the world. It’s true that it doesn’t have the largest collection of servers, but it emphasizes quality rather than quantity, and is another viable pick for bypassing streaming restrictions. This includes the ability to unblock 16 different Netflix regions, as well as additional services like BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime. Based in Sweden, it benefits from strong local data laws, although it hasn’t been audited by a third party as of yet. There was no lag or stuttering during testing, and it offers a choice of VPN protocols, along with features like port forwarding, and lots of affordable deals. (In fact, it’s our top pick as the best cheap VPN for 2024.) You can try the service in full thanks to its 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee. See for yourself why this VPN offers outstanding value for money. For information about how we review PrivateVPN and other services, check out our how we review VPNs page. 1. ExpressVPN
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How does ProPrivacy review VPNs?
Finding the best VPN for a specific job isn’t easy, and nobody knows that better than our dedicated team of researchers at ProPrivacy. There are hundreds of VPNs on the market nowadays, and the vast majority of them manage to overpromise and underdeliver in some shape or form.
Before any of these VPNs claimed a spot on this list, they had to meet the following criteria:
- Security: Strong security ensures that your data is protected at all times, including robust encryption and the latest protocols.
- Top speeds: The VPN needs to be fast enough for video streaming, ensuring no lag while watching content like TLOU.
- Server network: It must have a large network of servers in various locations, giving you multiple options to connect with.
- Ability to mask VPN activity: Sites and streaming platforms should have no idea that you’re using a VPN to connect to their service.
- Additional privacy and security features: Whether it’s split tunneling, or custom protocols, we look at notable additional privacy and security features.
- User-friendly apps for popular devices: Beginner-friendly apps for all popular devices, and user-friendly VPN services.
- Value for money: From affordable deals, to trustworthy guarantees, we ensure that the VPNs offer good value for money.
How to pay for HBO Max outside the USA?
You will have to jump through a few hoops in order to be able to pay for the streaming service outside of the USA. To sign up for HBO Max, you will be required to enter a valid US card number including a ZIP code.
However, you don’t actually need a US credit or debit card, because you can use a virtual credit card to purchase HBO Max from abroad. For example, you can sign up for a service like US Unlocked, add funds to a virtual credit card, and use that to purchase an HBO Max subscription with no restrictions. As well as the virtual credit card, you’ll be assigned a valid US billing address and ZIP code. That’s everything you need to get started.
How does a VPN bypass online restrictions?
Most sites and services use your IP address to determine your current location. This is often estimated to some extent, but it’s easy to see which country you’re in at any given time. A VPN can be used to hide your IP address, tricking websites and online services into giving you access to previously blocked websites and apps. However, only some providers can bypass the blocks seen with streaming platforms like Sky, Binge, and HBO.
How to watch The Last of Us online from anywhere: FAQs
Can I use a free VPN to watch The Last Of Us?
We’d advise against the use of a free provider, especially if you’re also aiming to improve online privacy. In terms of performance, a number of free VPNs will have US servers, but these are likely to be overloaded, and speeds are going to be capped. The same is true for bandwidth, which makes it almost impossible to stream content like TLOU. (In fact, the majority of free VPNs will struggle to unblock HBO Now in the first place.)
Security and privacy risks are also worth considering. This can be in the form of data leaks, or even the VPN selling your information to third parties. You’ll also have to deal with lots of adverts and trackers.
Will there be a Last Of Us season 2 on HBO?
At the time of writing, there hasn’t been official confirmation from HBO. Regardless, it seems increasingly likely that there will be a second season given the critical success TLOU has seen thus far. (There’s also a sequel to the first game, and it’s likely to follow similar story beats.)
Will a VPN slow down my internet connection?
Your connection will be routed to and from the VPN server, so there is a chance that it could slow down speeds to some extent. However, any loss in speed is negligible if you’re using one of the premium providers we’ve listed above. All of the VPNs we’ve mentioned offer unlimited bandwidth, and you may even see improved results if you’re being throttled by your ISP.
If you’d like to learn more about how we test providers, take a look at our VPN speed methodology guide.
Do I need to have played The Last of Us to watch the show?
No, you don’t need to be a gamer to watch the new season of The Last Of Us. Given it appears to be a faithful retelling, you’re probably better off going in blind as you won’t know what’s going to happen. There may be some deviations from the main plot, but it’s still far too early to say.
Who stars in the Last of Us TV show?
As well as the original voice actors (Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson) making a cameo, there’s a strong cast of notable actors who make up the main cast:
- Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) as Joel
- Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Ellie
- Nico Parker (Dumbo) as Sarah
- Gabriel Luna (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Tommy
- Merle Dandrige (Sons of Anarchy) as Marlene
- Anna Torv (Fringe) as Tess