How to Watch Starz With a VPN in 2024 – Fully Tested
Starz is one of the most popular streaming platforms out there. However, the Starz app is only available in the USA and Canada. This means that if you’re a fan of popular shows like American Gods, you won’t be able to watch them unless you are in these countries.
Technically, you can use a VPN to circumvent location restrictions on Starz. Keep in mind that using a VPN to view more content on Starz violates Starz’s terms of service. We do not condone copyright infringement and strongly advise against it.
You can still use a VPN to watch Starz securely. Our team in the US and Canada ran multiple tests and found ExpressVPN is the best for streaming — you can try it with Starz risk-free and get a full refund if you’re not satisfied.
Quick Guide: Watch Starz With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Get a VPN. ExpressVPN’s speeds give you bufferless Starz shows and movies. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN’s streaming-optimized network. It’s supported by a full 30-day guarantee so if you don’t like it, you can get your money back.
- Connect to a local server. Servers closest to your location will have the best speeds for watching Starz without interruption.
- Start watching Starz.
Important! My team and I do not support copyright violation. However, the VPNs we recommend here won’t track what you do online, so using your VPN correctly is your responsibility. Make sure not to violate Starz’s Terms of Service.
The Best VPNs to Watch Starz in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest Servers for 100% Lag-Free Starz in HD
Key Features:
- Over 3,000 high-speed servers in more than 105 countries
- Watch Starz on up to 8 devices at once
- 24-hour live chat for immediate help
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Even in maximum definition, ExpressVPN’s ultra-fast servers always gave me lag-free video when I watched shows on Starz. During my speed tests I got results ranging from 75-100Mbps, which is more than fast enough to stream in HD on 8 or more devices at the same time. I never had to worry about missing a single explosion during Bad Boys for Life with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
To help me find the fastest server for buffer-free shows on Starz, ExpressVPN has a handy speed test tool. I selected my region (the US) and ran the test, then found the server with the lowest load and ping. “Load” is how full a server is (overcrowded servers are laggy). “Ping” is how long it takes for your device to share data with the VPN server. Completing the test and finding the best server only took about a minute.
Every one of ExpressVPN’s servers are pre-optimized for streaming, so all you have to do is find the fastest option in your country. This adds it to your favorites menu for one-click access. This makes it really easy for you to return to your preferred server quickly and connect instantly any time you want to watch your favorite dramas, comedies, documentaries, and more on Starz.
If you’re the type who likes to try before you buy, there’s no risk to try ExpressVPN to watch Starz since this provider comes with a full money-back guarantee. If you decide you don’t like it and want to watch Starz with a different VPN, you can get a refund via live chat. I tested it myself, and the process was completely “no questions asked.” I had my money back just 2 days after sending my refund request to support.
ExpressVPN works with: Smart TVs, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
ExpressVPN also works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, YouTube TV, CBS, ABC, Peacock, Paramount+, and more.
2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Watching Starz Lag-Free on Amazon Prime Video
Key Features:
- 11,780 servers spanning 100 countries
- Includes an Amazon Prime Video-optimized server for lag-free Starz content
- Watch Starz on up to 7 devices at the same time
- 24-hour live chat help is there whenever you need it
- 45-day money-back guarantee
With an Amazon Prime Video server optimized for lag-free TV and movies, CyberGhost is an especially great option if you subscribe to Starz via Amazon. Just select the Amazon Prime Video server in the “For Streaming” menu, and click connect. You’ll be able to log into your Amazon Prime account instantly and start watching your favorite Starz shows and movies. Aside from 2-3 seconds of initial buffering, I had zero lag during my tests. When I watched The Luminaries in HD, my episode played with no interruptions or sudden pixelation.
Since servers can become overcrowded and slow down, I was concerned about CyberGhost only having a single US Amazon Prime Video server. That’s why our team in the US tested the regular servers in the country as well. They found every US-based CyberGhost server supported HD streams on Starz. They had to deal with an extra 3-5 seconds of initial lag, but other than that, the streams were perfect.
I love that CyberGhost has an ad blocker, which prevents marketers from slowing down your stream and violating your privacy by gathering data. It automatically stops malicious URLs and known ad bots, so you don’t have to do anything. Just enjoy the smoother, more reliable streams that come when your device isn’t slowed down by annoying cookies and trackers running in the background.
If you’d like to try it before you commit to a subscription try CyberGhost’s money-back guarantee. It gives you 45 days to test it, and you can get a refund if you decide to go with a different provider. I tested the policy via 24/7 live chat, and the customer service representative processed my refund request without even asking why I was canceling. I had the money in my bank account 3 days later.
CyberGhost works with: Smart TVs, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Chrome, Firefox, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
CyberGhost also works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, YouTube TV, CBS, Peacock, Paramount+, and more.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Massive Server Network for Watching Starz With No Crowding-Related Slowdowns
Key Features:
- 35,000+ servers in 91 countries
- Reliable speeds ensure your streams aren’t interrupted by buffering
- Watch Starz on up to unlimited devices
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA has the largest server network on any VPN on this list. There are so many server options for watching Starz that you won’t experience slowdowns due to overcrowding. Smaller networks get filled up with users quickly, causing lag that ruins the tension during a show. Our US team tried PIA’s servers to watch an episode of Blindspotting and never encountered buffering, interruptions, or a drop in quality.
You can use PIA on up to unlimited devices — enough to share it with friends or family who are also paying Starz subscribers. I connected to PIA and tested streaming on 7 devices at once (3 Windows PCs, 2 Androids, and 2 iPhones), and just had to wait for 10 seconds of extra initial buffering. After that my video quality was perfect, and I still had a few extra connections left over to share. I found one other VPN that works with Starz (IPVanish) that offers unlimited devices, but I’ve never needed more than 10 at a time myself.
Using PIA’s split tunneling functionality, you have the option to exclude specific apps from the VPN connection, keeping them unprotected. Consequently, I can now enjoy uninterrupted streaming of Starz while ensuring that my online banking app does not trigger any fraud alerts when checking my balances from an unfamiliar IP address.
To favor speeds over security for faster streams on Starz, PIA lets you use 128-bit encryption. Since military-grade 256-bit encryption isn’t really necessary for low-risk activities like watching TV or movies, a lower encryption level gives you more reliable speeds. This lowers the risk of lag. Whether you watch on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or another device, PIA lets you adjust the encryption level in all its apps.
With lower prices than any other VPN on this list, PIA is very affordable. However, you are still free to test its servers for 30 days if you try PIA’s servers using its money-back guarantee. You can get a refund if you don’t like it — while I had to submit a support ticket instead of using live chat, I got a reply in under 5 minutes. The agent said that my refund had been processed, and I had my money within 4 days.
PIA works with: Smart TVs, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, routers, Chrome, Firefox, and Xbox.
PIA also works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, YouTube TV, ABC, Peacock, Paramount+, and more.
FAQs on Watching Starz With a VPN
Can I watch Starz for free?
You can get a free trial of Starz if you’re a new subscriber to Amazon Prime. To watch the Starz live broadcast, you can use free trials of TV services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Philo. They all have trials spanning between 3-7 days, so you can watch Starz free for a short period.
You should never use a free VPN to watch Starz. Even though some free providers are pretty good, they have tight data and server limits that make watching more than 1 or 2 episodes impossible. Most providers also serve you ads to make money. The worst of them are completely fake VPNs that are actually malware, tricking you into handing over your data to hackers.
You can easily avoid the risks of a free provider by trying a premium VPN with a risk-free guarantee. All the best VPNs all backed by guarantees of 30 days or more. You can just get your money back if you change your mind. CyberGhost has a really generous refund period of 45 days, so you can combine it with the free trial of a live TV service to catch up on a few episodes, then get a full refund.
Can I watch Starz on Netflix, Hulu, PS4, Chromecast, and other platforms?
Starz is available on Hulu + Live TV, but it can’t be added to Netflix or PS4. However, you can still watch Starz on PS4 using the Hulu or Amazon Prime apps, which both offer it for an additional fee. If you have Chromecast, you can also cast Starz straight to your smart TV.
The devices that Starz has native apps for include:
- Tablets: Apple, Amazon, and Android tablets
- TV Boxes: Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Android TV, Roku
- Consoles: Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox Series X|S
- TVs: Select 2014 and newer Sony TVs, LG TVs, and Samsung Smart TVs
- Operating Systems: Windows, OSX
- Browsers: Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Edge
Starz has mobile options for Android and iOS as well, and every VPN on this list works with these devices. However, out of all the providers I tried, I got the fastest speeds from ExpressVPN during my tests. If you want to test ExpressVPN on your preferred device before making a final decision, it has the full backing of a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What Starz channels can I watch on Amazon Prime Video and Hulu?
Hulu + Live TV and Amazon Prime + Starz both have the Starz channel live, as well as select movies and reruns of shows. Even without the Starz add-on, many shows and movies are available to Amazon Prime Video subscribers or with a free IMDB TV account like:
| Shows: | Movies and Documentaries: |
| Run the World | Bad Boys for Life |
| Counterpart | Zack and Miri Make a Porno |
| Survivor’s Remorse | Dior and I |
| Spartacus | Leave No Trace |
| The Missing | Annie |
| Howard’s End | Charlie’s Angels |
| Scream Queens | Escape Plan |
| My Name is Earl | Confronting a Serial Killer |
| Mad Men | Blue Valentine |
Lionsgate owns Starz, so movies that were produced by Lionsgate are usually available on other sites (like Hulu) as well. For the full library of Starz shows and movies on Hulu or Amazon Prime, you have to pay for the Starz Add-On. This gives you all the same content as a subscription to the native Starz app including shows like P-Valley, Spartacus, and The Girlfriend Experience, and movies like Zombieland and Bloodshot.
Is STARZPLAY different from Starz?
What countries is Starz available in?
Due to licensing restrictions, you can only sign up for Starz if you live in the US or Canada. However, the international STARZPLAY app has the most Starz content and is available in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, India, and Pakistan.
What else can I do with a VPN?
In addition to supporting high-quality streams on Starz, a powerful VPN can:
- Share torrents safely by taking the risk out of using P2P sites. Just keep in mind that it’s illegal to share copyrighted material like a movie (even if you paid for it), and you should never use a VPN to break the law.
- Avoid speed throttling from your ISP when they slow down your connection for using too much bandwidth.
- Protect your passwords, location, and other data by giving you an encrypted tunnel that hides your online activities from hackers and spies.
Stream Starz with a VPN
A VPN is important to make sure your connection is private while streaming Starz. However, only a few VPNs out there can give you a connection safe and fast enough to provide UHD quality.
To get into my Amazon Prime Video account and watch Starz lag-free, ExpressVPN worked every time. I never got buffering during an important moment, and could always watch in full HD. Best of all, it lets you try ExpressVPN without risk because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you decide ExpressVPN isn’t the right fit, you can get your money back.
