If you're familiar with online safety software, chances are you've heard of VPNs. If not, a virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic, helping you to stay safe and anonymous online. However, you may not know that a VPN can help your streaming service subscriptions go further. Having one of the best VPNs for smart TV means you can watch sports, shows, and movies from around the world.
But, therein lies a conundrum: the search for the best smart TV VPN can be tricky, especially since you've got dozens of providers to choose from. Join me below as I dig deep into the best VPNs out there today to explain which smart TV VPN providers you should consider in 2024, and why.
Best smart TV VPNs in 2024
The best Smart TV VPNs today
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✔️ You're privacy-focused. Express VPN's numerous audits, coupled with its incident-free history of protecting its users genuinely inspire confidence (regardless of whether you're in Europe, the US, or even China!).
✔️ You're looking to stream content globally. ExpressVPN is incredibly reliable across numerous streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and many more.
✔️ You're looking for a set-and-forget VPN. Be it the best VPN for smart TVs, or an all-round VPN service, ExpressVPN is the go-to choice.
❌ You're on the market for a Linux app. Because ExpressVPN doesn't have a Linux-native GUI, you'll have to use command line to operate it (although it is available and works quite well on Linux).
❌ You're after a bargain. In my testing, ExpressVPN outperforms rivals like Surfshark and NordVPN. However, its performance does come at a price, which is higher than that of said competitors.
With wide-range smart TV unblocking features, excellent security and lightning-fast speeds, it's easy to see why this VPN has taken the lead as our top smart TV VPN. ExpressVPN just works, whenever and however you need it.
In the words of Tina Turner, ExpressVPN is, for smart TV VPN users, simply the best. In my ExpressVPN review I found it to be super-secure, great for VPN veterans and newbies alike and a streaming powerhouse.
Privacy-wise, ExpressVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, thanks to a 4096-bit RSA certificate, 256-AES encryption, and a plethora of protocols (including ExpressVPN's own in-house-developed gem named Lightway). An ad blocker and the Keys password manager come as standard.
146 server locations across 105 countries combine to account for more than 3,000 TrustedServer (RAM-only) servers, meaning that none of your information can be stored physically. ExpressVPN makes strong privacy claims on-site, which are backed up by independent audits of its apps and no-logging policy.
When it comes to speed, this provider is more than fast enough for pretty much any purpose. The most recent testing round clocked top speeds of 410Mbps using the previously mentioned Lightway, but it's absolutely more than fast enough for most uses. Drop outs are extremely rare (almost non-existent).
One of the things I've found most satisfying about ExpressVPN (besides all of its servers being torrent-optimized) is that it is one of the best streaming VPNs, unblocking every single streaming service I threw at it. It had no issue unblocking niche sites like 9Now, Channel 4, ITV, and 10Play, but also popular streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix.
It's also incredibly easy to get started, thanks to its intuative apps and one-click connection feature, meaning you can get streaming on your smart TV quickly and painlessly.
One area that it does fall behind the competition is price, with costs from $6.67 per month – more than double the price of competitors NordVPN and Surfshark. With this being said, Tom's Guide reader's can get 3 months extra free when they sign up, and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can
You'll undoubtedly find more expert-level features if you go with one of its rivals; but, for most users, ExpressVPN is genuinely the best choice.
✔️ You like value for money. While this provider certainly isn't among the most affordable, you get more than plenty of bang for your buck.
✔️ You want more than a VPN. Online privacy and security features are plentiful. You get ad-blocking and malware detection for free, NordPass and NordLocker as add-ons.
✔️ Netflix & streaming are your reasons for wanting a VPN. Capable of getting access to almost every streaming site in the world, NordVPN decimates all when it comes to unlocking global Netflix libraries.
❌ You're a torrenter extraordinaire. While some of its servers are capable of this activity, NordVPN pales in comparison to Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN in this regard.
❌ You prefer simplicity. While there is plenty of power at your disposal in NordVPN's apps, they can, at times, feel complex to use and clunky.
If you're in the market for a true all-rounder, with impeccable unblocking skills and great security and privacy, then NordVPN is an excellent choice for a smart TV VPN.
NordVPN tops the list of as the best VPN service and as a smart TV VPN it's certainly no slouch, either. In my NordVPN review, I found that this VPN provider has much to offer both within and outside the realm of VPNs.
One of the real pulls for NordVPN is its affordability. At the time of writing, the best price is $3.09 per month, significantly less than ExpressVPN.
However, you do get plenty of bang for your buck, as NordVPN is one of the most private VPNs. Industry-standard AES-256 encryption is one example, coupled with features designed to keep your data as safe as possible like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. You happen to be in China and are facing restricted VPN use? No problem—Nord's obfuscated servers solve this issue without breaking a sweat.
You also get reliable DNS leak protection (however, split tunneling is only available on Android and Windows), and there are two kill switches on Windows (system and app) should your connection drop. Those interested in genuine security will love NordVPN's recently confirmed no-logs status: a feat bested only by close rival ExpressVPN, and only in sheer number of audits.
Unblocking power is a VPN's bread and butter, and Nord effortlessly unblocked almost every streaming service I placed before it. The desktop apps are easy to use, powerful, and intuitive, although I've found the map-based interface to work much better on larger screens, while the experience is somewhat lacking on handheld devices.
The device allowance recently got a boost from 6 to 10 on a single subscription, making NordVPN one of the best smart TV VPN services (and overall VPN providers) money can buy.
✔️ You want protection on countless devices. Thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections, you can use a single Surfshark plan on as many different devices as you like.
✔️ You're a speed demon. Topping out at 950 Mbps, Surfshark is just as quick as the number 2 entry on this list, the much pricier NordVPN.
✔️ You want your wallet to be grateful. Surfshark is (there's no other word for it) a genuine bargain!
❌ Torrenting is your deciding factor. Effective torrenting is absolutely possible with Surfshark. However, you'll be better off with PIA or ExpressVPN if your main use is sharing P2P.
❌ You rely on your kill switch. On a previous occasion, one of my colleagues was able to break Surfshark's kill switch under stress testing.
Surfshark is a remarkably budget-friendly VPN solution that doesn't compromise its reliability and unblocking capabilities.
It's impossible (not to mention idiotic) to dismiss Surfshark as one of the best VPNs for smart TVs solely because of its affordability. If anything, it continuously outperforms competitors twice its price. It's just mind-boggling how good Sufshark is!
All of the essentials are there: the super-fast WireGuard protocol, split tunneling, a kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and straightforward apps.
Thanks to a considerable increase in connection speeds, I maxed out at a stomach-tingling 950 Mbps on a 1 Gbps connection, making Surfshark the fastest VPN on the market, beating CyberGhost, PIA, and ExpressVPN. Despite streaming issues previously noted by some of my colleagues (which plague every provider at some point, to be fair), I also found streaming to be quite reliable.
Then, there's Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous connections policy, which neither ExpressVPN nor NordVPN have. Add the full GUI you get if you use the service as a Linux VPN (most other providers are limited to the command line), and you're left with tremendous value for money at under $2.50/month, making it the best cheap VPN service around.
Interestingly, one of my colleagues' rigorous testing of Sufshark's kill switch did manage to catch it out and get it to reveal our true IP address.
However, overall, Surfshark stands as a rarity in the VPN industry, thanks to its successful (and enduring) combination of an incredibly low price and genuinely premium features. Bravo, Surfshark!
✔️ You prefer a VPN provider that advocates internet freedom. Among other things, Proton as a company has demonstrated its commitment to internet freedom by offering free servers dedicated to accessing the unbiased reporting of Deutsche Welle.
✔️ You'd like to benefit from a decent free plan. Be it for fun or emergencies, Proton's free service can be very useful, despite being no match for its paid plan.
✔️ You value privacy just a bit more than other features. In July 2024, ProtonVPN passed a third no-logs audit, demonstrating the consistency of its commitment to protecting its users.
❌ You expect round-the-clock, comprehensive support. Live chat isn't available 24/7, and although ProtonVPN has superb articles, they can be a little technical for a casual VPN user.
❌ You're in the market for a bargain. While Proton isn't the most expensive VPN out there, it is fairly pricey when compared to Surfshark, NordVPN and PIA.
Once a fairly complex and techy VPN solution, Proton VPN is today an accessible service that works surprisingly well for streaming.
Proton comes right out the gates with strong encryption across the board, a kill switch to protect you if your connection ever fails, and fully open-source apps.
Proton also has one of the best free VPN apps around, although we can't really recommend using it for streaming on your smart TV. Free users get a generous 100 servers in three locations. Conversely (and deservedly), paying users have access to over 6,500 servers in 110+ countries, all of which puts Proton's server network right up there with the previous entries on this list.
Unlike IPVanish and Surfshark, ProtonVPN allows paying users to have up to 10 devices at any one time. As there's no data cap (meaning you can stay connected 24/7), that's quite generous and should be more than plenty for the vast majority of customers.
There's no denying Proton's unblocking power, either. In addition to successfully unblocking Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and tons of Netflix locations, what really blew me away were its dedicated servers for accessing the unbiased Deutsche Welle news outlet.
Additionally, in my last round of testing, connection speeds improved by a considerable margin. The WireGuard speeds clocked an astounding 950+ Mbps, putting this provider in the prestigious and exclusive fastest VPN services club.
$4.49/month over 2 years is currently its most affordable paid plan. If you plan on using Proton's unique features, the extra dollars will be worth it. If you're but a casual user, you shouldn't ignore looking into PureVPN or Surfshark.
✔️ You'd like to have access to a server in every US state. This feature is excellent if you need to research medical procedures banned in your state, or get around shopping restrictions and sporting blackouts.
✔️ You prefer to have proof of a no-logs policy. Reliability-wise, it doesn't get much better than PIA: this provider has had its claim of no logging proven in court twice.
✔️ You're fond of Linux. One of the few VPN services to offer a Linux-native GUI (Sufshark being another), PIA is a superb choice for Linux aficionados.
❌ Simplicity is a deciding factor. Inexperienced users may be intimidated by the additional settings and functionality.
❌ Connection speed is a priority. While PIA certainly isn't slow—peak speeds went up to around 360 Mbps in my tests—there are much faster VPN services out there.
A proven zero-logging policy, rock-solid privacy, and deep customization options make Private Internet Access a VPN to be reckoned with.
Private Internet Access (or PIA) is a great smart TV VPN which has proven its dedication to privacy in court no less. In our PIA review, we noted that as a VPN, PIA excels in just about every area, including streaming.
If you're willing to sign up for a lengthy plan, Private Internet Access is one of the best cheap VPN services solution. As with most providers, you'll likely find the best price on the two-year plan (currently $2.03/month + 4 months free).
Following several already impressive performances, PIA has improved significantly when it comes to unblocking streaming content. It successfully unblocked Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, multiple Netflix locations, including smaller sites like 9Now and 10Play.
Then there's PIA's torrenting ability. As one of the best torrenting VPNs, it permits torrenting on any server, with the port-forwarding function customized for P2P sharers. In all honesty, many VPNs don't deliver such reliable connections, not to mention that most of them aren't that P2P-friendly.
Besides being able to choose your level of encryption, you'll have access to both WireGuard and OpenVPN. The kill switch worked flawlessly during my testing, all of the apps are open-source, and the no-logs policy is as confidence-inspiring as they come.
On the downside, support is one of the few areas Private Internet Access could improve. A live chat feature was introduced some time ago, so I'm hoping it'll cut down query time. The written articles are sparse, though.
I'd say Private Internet Access is worthy of consideration if you're on the market for a stable and secure VPN. Should you go for the two-year subscription plan, it'll also prove to be on the more affordable end of the VPN service spectrum.
Smart TV VPN FAQs
What's the best Smart TV VPN?
ExpressVPN is the best Smart TV VPN, and it's by a good margin, too. Firstly you'll get excellent VPN performance on devices that support it, but the MediaStreamer Smart DNS is a godsend for those who have Samsung or LG TVs. Router support is also easier than usual thanks to a dedicated app, which means ExpressVPN is great whether you have an Android or Fire TV, a Samsung, LG, Sony, or any other brand or operating system.
What differences are there between Smart TV operating systems?
If you’re using an Android TV or Fire TV, things are simplest, and your main consideration will be what the VPN can unblock. This is because a you'll be able to install a true VPN on your TV, and you'll also have access to an app store that stocks them.
However, for Samsung's Tizen and LG's WebOS, you’ll need a service that supports Smart DNS. While this doesn’t give you the encryption and privacy of a true VPN, you’ll be able to switch your location to just about anywhere and access blocked content.
For Roku and lesser-known TV systems that don’t support VPNs or Smart DNS, your only option is to install a VPN on your router. While this can be more complex, it does give you absolute protection on any device connected to your Wi-Fi, and is also the only way to encrypt your traffic on anything other than Android or Fire – plus, some VPNs offer dedicated router apps to make it much easier to set up.
What is Smart DNS?
Smart DNS is a way of spoofing your location when you either don't want to, or simply can't use a VPN connection. The most common reason to do so is to unblock streaming services on Smart TVs.
Rather than how a VPN directs all of your traffic through a different server, Smart DNS only diverts your DNS (Domain Name Server) information. While this does not protect your privacy because your traffic is not encrypted, it's enough to fool streaming services.
Another bonus is the fact that it slows your connection far less than a VPN. While we'd say most of our picks here are fast VPN services, Smart DNS is even quicker.
Why do I need a Smart TV VPN?
Wherever you are in the world, there will be a huge amount of content online that you won't be able to access. That could be iPlayer in US, Hulu in the UK, any number of regional Netflix libraries and tons more regional services.
With a Smart TV VPN, you can relocate yourself and access any and everything you want to watch.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
