Best VPN for Smart TV
Looking for the best VPN for your smart TV? Want to watch your favourite shows directly on your smart TV? Unlock geo-restricted content with the best smart TV VPNs by following our advice below.
Our Smart TV VPN reviews explained
Streaming TV shows and movies on your smart TV ensures you can enjoy the best shows without the need for other devices. Smart TV VPNs can be used alongside popular applications such as, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, YouTube, Showtime, Spotify etc. A smart TV VPN unblocks geo-restricted content giving you total freedom and additional privacy benefits. Some of the best shows are licensed in particular countries meaning viewers can’t access certain applications or are limited as to what they can stream. Our favoured smart TV VPNs give free access to great content and additionally protect multiple devices with your chosen VPN.
What do you need from a VPN for Smart TV?
We thoroughly test all our recommended VPN providers to ensure they have a dedicated TV application as well as super easy installation instructions. Additionally, we check to see if they offer great VPN server availability and high speeds so watching HD/4K content is truly uninterrupted. Our top recommended VPNs for Smart TV all offer the following:
- Large choice and worldwide VPN server locations
- The highest VPN speeds for content streaming
- Smart TV VPN compatibility
- Strict log and privacy policies
- Easy to use with additional benefits
Melvyn's top 5 VPNs for Smart TV
CyberGhost
CyberGhost are an exceptional VPN provider with industry leading levels of privacy, worldwide server locations ideal for torrenting with user friendly applications that flawlessly unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other popular streaming services. If you want a super-fast, zero logs, easy to use VPN… then look no further!
Compatible with
Summary
Super-fast, zero logs, easy to use apps and friendly 24/7 customer support… you can see why it’s our number one recommended provider!
Our score:
5.0
★★★★★ 5/5
Price from:
$2.75
per month
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the best and most popular VPN providers out there. It strikes the perfect balance for privacy concerned users and those looking for lightning fast speeds. It’s great for unblocking content such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer and also supports P2P and torrenting. Add to this its no logs policy and impeccable security, Nord sure does tick all the boxes!
Compatible with
Summary
Outstanding speeds, zero logs, and award winning 24/7 customer support… NordVPN is up there with the very best in the VPN market!
Our score:
4.9
★★★★★ 4.9/5
Price from:
$3.71
per month
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN are one of the most recognisable names on the market, offering best-in-class zero logs privacy, fantastic speeds, awesome features and easy to use applications. ExpressVPN is a true market leader, and whilst it comes with a premium price tag (compared to others), users are rewarded with an outstanding product!
Compatible with
Summary
Blazing-fast speeds, exceptional app usability and 24/7 customer support… ExpressVPN is a real force to be reckoned with!
Our score:
4.8
★★★★★ 4.8/5
Price from:
$8.32
per month
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN are a first class, zero logs VPN provider and are one of our top picks if you’re concerned about online privacy. Combining market leading security with excellent speeds produced from its global network of servers, you can safely enjoy torrenting or stream HD content from all the popular providers such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer with ease. Private by name and private by nature… this VPN is hard to beat!
Compatible with
Summary
Exceptionally privacy focused, ultra-quick download speeds and ridiculously competitively priced… you don’t want to overlook PrivateVPN!
Our score:
4.7
★★★★★ 4.6/5
Price from:
$1.89
per month
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a high speed, privacy focussed, zero logs VPN offering Secure Core and strong encryption to keep your online activity private. Packed with a range of premium features, this VPN is an ideal choice for secure everyday browsing, streaming and P2P file sharing. Users taking out their high-end visionary plan can also benefit from their superb email service ProtonMail which offers total anonymous, end-to-end encryption in an easy to use email client.
Compatible with
Summary
Superior Secure Core protection, a whole host of premium features and great speeds… casual and business users will love ProtonVPN!
Our score:
4.7
★★★★★ 4.6/5
Price from:
$4.00
per month
Smart TV related news
Smart TV VPN FAQs...
Do I need a VPN for my smart TV?
Smart TV’s have revolutionised how we watch TV shows on demand without the need for sitting at a computer, laptop or tablet. You can of course watch content through your favourite applications without a VPN. However, you will be limited to viewing content that is geographically available to your IP address. For example you will need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer outside of the UK or if you want to unblock Netflix a VPN will be a great addition for you access US Netflix. A smart TV VPN allows you to locate to a different server in a separate location, as opposed to your physical location, enabling access to more content or applications that are blocked.
Which VPNs are fastest for smart TV?
As its main use is to stream video, we have selected the best VPNs for speed to ensure users have a smooth experience and don’t suffer from lagging or buffering issues. Of course, you do need a good internet connection to watch high quality videos. A smart TV VPN can also prevent your ISP from reducing your speeds if they detect streaming activity.
Which smart TV’s work with VPNs?
As long as your smart TV can connect to a Wi-Fi network, you can use a smart TV VPN. There are several VPNs that can be installed directly on to your smart TV whilst others will require connection to your Wi-Fi router or tethered from another device acting as a hotspot giving your TV internet connectivity. If you have an android TV, a VPN can be installed directly.
How to setup a VPN on smart TV
There are two main ways to set up a VPN on your smart TV. The first is to download your chosen VPN directly on to your TV such as via Google play store on Android TV’s.
If your chosen VPN isn’t available, its quick and easy to share a connection from another device directly to your TV such as using your mobile as a hotspot or connecting an Ethernet cable from your PC or Mac. You will be able to find more information on whether your VPN will be compatible with your Smart TV by either visiting your VPN suppliers website or by simply doing a quick Google search. Don’t forget, many other users will be thinking the same as you so Google is your friend!
Is a VPN safe to use on a smart TV?
Using one of our recommended smart TV VPNs will give you superb online privacy protection. It is important to remember that your smart TV is just as vulnerable to hackers in the same was as your other connected devices. Your activity is therefore traceable by ISP’s and government agencies. By installing a VPN on your smart TV, this eliminates external threats.
Is using a VPN on a smart TV legal?
Yes, in most jurisdictions using a VPN on your smart TV is perfectly legal. In some high risk countries with much stricter government censorship, it may be the act of accessing the restricted content, as opposed to using a VPN, which is consider illegal.
Does Netflix work with a VPN on a smart TV?
Yes. Simply download one of our recommended smart TV VPNs, switch your VPN on and choose your desired server location. Sit back, hit the play button, and enjoy your unlocked Netflix and other streaming sources that may have been geo-restricted to you previous.