How to Watch Handmaid’s Tale Online in 2024: Free & Paid Options
A totalitarian government condemns fertile women to a life of servitude in chilling drama series The Handmaid’s Tale. If you’re ready to stomach the aftermath of season 4’s staggering finale, read on to find out how to watch The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 from anywhere.
Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)
Last Updated: 2024-10-24T11:40:20+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Watch Handmaid’s Tale
- Browse to nordvpn.com and grab a 73% discounted plan.
- Download and install the NordVPN client.
- Connect to a U.S. server, buy and redeem a Hulu gift card
- Log in to Hulu and stream ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’
Best VPNs for Streaming Handmaid’s Tale:
- NordVPN — Unrivaled protection and blazing-fast connections. Get 73% off on the Basic two-year plan.
- Surfshark — Best value VPN for multi-device households. New subscribers get up to 86% reduced rates on long-term plans.
- ExpressVPN — High-end VPN that welcomes beginners. Check out ExpressVPN with a 30-day return policy, and grab extended plans at a 49% discount.
Facts & Expert Analysis:
- If you’re not in the U.S., you’ll need to use a VPN to access your Hulu account via a U.S. server.
- If you don’t have a Hulu account because you don’t have a U.S. payment method, you can buy a Hulu gift card from an online vendor.
- NordVPN is our top VPN recommendation for Hulu. Surfshark and ExpressVPN are also excellent choices.
The Hulu adaption of Margaret Atwood’s classic novel The Handmaid’s Tale stars Elisabeth Moss as protagonist June Osborne as she leads the rebellion against a totalitarian society that exploits women. The series is easy to watch if you’re in the U.S., but if not, we’ll show you how to watch The Handmaid’s Tale wherever you are.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a Hulu original, so the fifth season will be released there. Hulu is a U.S. streaming service, so regional restrictions prevent viewers from outside the U.S. from accessing it.
Fortunately, there are workarounds that will allow you to subscribe to and watch content on Hulu even if you’re not in the U.S. — such as using a great streaming VPN, like NordVPN. Read on to find out more.
Not available in your country?
Watch The Handmaid’s Tale now on Amazon Prime Video and other streaming platforms.
Status checked 2024/10/28:
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09/12/2022
Updated this guide to show how to watch the latest season of The Handmaid’s Tale.
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10/01/2024
We adjusted the provider rankings to account for recent changes in the VPN landscape.
How to Watch The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 5 Release Date
The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 will be released on Hulu on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. The first two episodes will be released on this date, and the remaining episodes will be released every Wednesday after that. It’s still uncertain whether the fifth season will be the final one.
Since Hulu is geoblocked to the U.S., you’ll need to use a VPN (virtual private network) to access Hulu if you’re outside the U.S. This includes Hulu subscribers from the U.S. who are traveling elsewhere. We’ll show you how to use a VPN to stream The Handmaid’s Tale online further down.
Where Else Can I Watch The Handmaid’s Tale?
In the U.K., The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 will air on Channel 4, though the exact date and time hasn’t yet been confirmed. If you’re in the U.K., keep an eye on Channel 4’s TV guide — which you can also find online — for the release date. The fourth season and previous seasons are available on Hulu.
In the U.K., seasons 1 through 4 are free with an Amazon Prime Subscription, but not in the U.S. On Amazon Prime Video U.S., you need to purchase seasons or episodes. You can also buy the series on Vudu and iTunes.
The Amazon Prime Video and Hulu apps are compatible with most smart TVs and streaming devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Firestick, so you can watch them on the big screen.
Where to Watch The Handmaid’s Tale Free
Hulu offers a free trial, so if you’re in the U.S., you can use this to watch The Handmaid’s Tale. If you don’t have a U.S. payment method, you won’t be able to get Hulu’s free trial, as you have to enter payment details when signing up.
If you want to rewatch previous seasons, though, you can get a free trial with Amazon Prime. As The Handmaid’s Tale is free with Prime in the U.K., you’ll be able to access it if you connect to a U.K. server on a VPN.
How to Stream The Handmaid’s Tale With a VPN
This section explains how to sign up for and stream Hulu on compatible devices if you don’t live in the U.S. or have a U.S. payment method.
If you already have a Hulu account in the U.S. but are traveling elsewhere, you only need to follow the steps for using a VPN. You do not need to purchase a Hulu gift card.
- Get NordVPN
Go to NordVPN’s website and sign up for a plan. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Download NordVPN
Navigate to the apps page and select the NordVPN app for your device. Click “download” on the next page.
- Connect to a U.S. Server
Open the NordVPN app and connect to a U.S. server. If you experience any difficulties, try connecting to a different U.S. server.
- Purchase a Hulu Gift Card
Visit an online vendor like mygiftcardsupply.com and purchase a Hulu gift card. Make sure you add enough credit to the gift card to cover the Hulu subscription you want. You will receive your gift card code by email.
- Redeem Your Gift Card
Redeem your gift card on Hulu. If you’re asked to provide a U.S. zip code, google one to use.
- Stream The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu
Log in to your Hulu account and start streaming.
The 3 Best VPNs for Watching The Handmaid’s Tale
There are so many VPNs out there, all claiming to be the best. If you’re just getting started, it can be hard to sift the diamonds from the dust. Here are our top recommendations for streaming if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices.
1. NordVPN— Best VPN for Streaming Handmaid’s Tale
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming thanks to its exceptional speeds — download speeds in particular as per our recent speed tests. This means you’re less likely to have to endure lags or buffering when binging on Hulu or other streaming services. Plus, you get an ad blocker for uninterrupted streaming.
Though the monthly and yearly plans aren’t the cheapest, its two-year basic plan is pretty reasonable. To find out more, check out our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Cheapest VPN for Streaming Handmaid’s Tale
Very Fast
Very Fast
Good
Surfshark is a great budget alternative to NordVPN. With its unlimited simultaneous connections, you can install it on every device you and your family own and stream The Handmaid’s Tale on every screen in the house. Plus, it’s fast and blocks ads. You’ll have to pay extra for advanced features, but Surfshark’s cheapest plan should be good enough for basic streaming.
That plan will cost you just $1.99 per month on a two-year plan, and comes with a one-month refund window in case you want to try the service. Read our full Surfshark review for more.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $59.76 for one year, $59.76 per year for the two-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $79 for one year & $79 per year for the two-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN— Best Beginner-Friendly VPN for Streaming
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN that’s more than capable of streaming The Handmaid’s Tale. It has some of the best speeds out there, can unblock most streaming platforms, and blocks ads to boot. Plus, it’s extremely easy to use, connecting to a VPN server taking just a click of a button.
However, ExpressVPN is also one of the most expensive VPNs, costing $6.66 per month on a yearly subscription. Thankfully, you get a 30-day refund period to try it out risk-free. Read our full ExpressVPN review for more.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
Best Free VPN for The Handmaiden’s Tale: PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN. It can unblock most streaming platforms and has pretty decent speeds for a free VPN. However, its free plan comes with just 10GB of data and it only covers 9 countries (the U.S. is included though). That might be enough for watching a few episodes on a layover, but not enough for binging the whole show.
If you want to do that you’ll need to subscribe to a paid plan, starting at $1.99 per month on a two-year commitment — as affordable as Surfshark. You also get ad blocking, and social media and adult site censoring. The same 30-day money-back guarantee is in place as our other suggestions. Read our PrivadoVPN review for more.
- 10GB
- 1
- *Billed $44.85 for the first 15 months, then $59.88 every 12 months. *Billed $53.73 for the first 27 months, then $95.76 every 24 months.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
Final Thoughts
Wherever you are in the world, there’s no need to be put off by Hulu’s geoblocks. With NordVPN’s risk-free 30-day refund period, you can watch The Handmaid’s Tale online from anywhere.
We hope our guide has helped you get geared up to revisit The Handmaid’s Tale and stream the new season on Sept. 14. Do you use a VPN to access Hulu from outside the U.S.? How effective is it at breaking through the geoblocks? Let us know in the comments and, as always, thanks for reading!
FAQ
No, The Handmaid’s Tale is a Hulu original series.
The Handmaid’s Tale seasons 1 through 4 are free with a Prime subscription in the U.K., but not in the U.S.
You can watch The Handmaid’s Tale season 4 on Hulu or Amazon Prime U.K. If you don’t mind buying it, you can get it on Amazon Prime U.S., Vudu or iTunes.