Your smart TV is a vector for data privacy exposure — but these VPNs can help keep your viewing activity hidden from prying eyes.
Best Overall VPN
ExpressVPN
Privacy protection and fast speed
ExpressVPN is hard to beat in terms of speed, security, and unblocking features. Following a setback in 2020, ExpressVPN has regained its position as the fastest VPN that we have tested. In our speed tests, ExpressVPN only caused us to lose 2% of our bandwidth, so whether you’re streaming in 720p or 4K UHD, you should have no trouble getting enough speed for a seamless experience.
Its vast global network of VPN servers covers practically every geographic region you’d want access to, and it unblocks Netflix and other streaming services more consistently than most other VPNs. It also boasts servers in 94 countries.
While all of our top-rated VPNs are highly compatible with a wide range of platforms and operating systems, ExpressVPN stands out for Smart TV users thanks to its extensive FAQs, setup guides, and troubleshooting articles. This is especially true if you’re connecting your TV to multiple consoles and devices. Additionally helpful in this situation are ExpressVPN’s no-questions-asked, 30-day money-back guarantee and its round-the-clock customer service.
You can also use ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling feature with its custom router app to run some devices (like your smart TV) over the VPN and other devices over your home network connection. The router app also has a feature called Network Lock killswitch, which safeguards your privacy by cutting off your internet access in the event that the VPN disconnects for any reason.
Installing the ExpressVPN app directly on your smart TV eliminates the need for router setup if you own a Fire TV or Google TV.
It’s also easy to set up ExpressVPN’s Media Streamer smart DNS feature on any smart TV. Remember that even though smart DNS can assist you in unblocking geo-restricted content, you won’t have the same level of privacy protection as you would with a VPN connection because your connection won’t be encrypted. Nevertheless, Media Streamer can be a decent choice for you if you’re a casual user and streaming is your main goal in this case.
All of this, though, has a cost. Although ExpressVPN is among the priciest VPNs, it might be the greatest for smart TVs. For $100 a year (which includes three extra months, for a limited-time deal totaling 15 months of service), ExpressVPN’s best plan allows five simultaneous connections. Alternatively, you can choose to pay $60 for six months or $13 per month.
Best Cheap VPN
Surfshark
Extensive features at a great price
Surfshark has an amazing array of privacy and security features, an easy-to-use interface, an infinite number of simultaneous connections, and a vast global network. Furthermore, it remains much less expensive than the majority of its rivals. For this reason, Surfshark was selected by The Tech Fun editors as the Best Value VPN for 2022.
Some of the more noteworthy features of Surfshark include split-tunneling, camouflage mode (which conceals the fact you’re using a VPN), NoBorders mode (which allows you use Surfshark in regions where VPNs are restricted), and multihop VPN connections, in addition to standard VPN features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. Additionally, Surfshark’s CleanWeb technology will be available to you, assisting you in avoiding phishing scams and blocking malware and advertisements.
We’re eager to see Surfshark introduce its Nexus network, which links all of the VPN’s servers together and lets you select which ones to route your connection through, over the course of the upcoming year. While the functionality is largely the same as Tor, Surfshark claims it is faster. The Nexus network can provide you with a few extra layers of protection when using a VPN thanks to its Dynamic MultiHop, IP Randomizer, and IP Rotator features. This can be especially helpful for users who have sensitive privacy needs.
According to Surfshark, no user activity is logged. Additionally, Surfshark’s security was deemed “solid” by German cybersecurity firm Cure53 in their 2021 security audit, despite the fact that no-logging claims are practically impossible to verify with 100% certainty. A new audit is expected by year’s end, according to Surfshark.
Although Surfshark and NordVPN share the same corporate parent, Telsonet, as of February 2022, Surfshark asserts that it is legally obligated to refrain from sharing any information between the two companies that would violate its terms of service or privacy policy. There is nothing in either document that suggests Surfshark is required to share user data with its parent company or any of its siblings, including NordVPN.
Consistently ranked among the fastest VPNs available is Surfshark. That’s why we were shocked to find that during our speed test, Surfshark gave us one of our few problems. With an internet speed loss of only 19%, it continues to be among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, but we were disappointed with the uneven speed results we saw in some places. While speeds to New York were slower than those to the UK and even Australia, speeds to Europe and Singapore were inconsistent, sometimes falling as low as 9Mbps to Singapore. Surfhark currently offers more than 3,200 servers across 99 countries, and it is actively growing its server network. The continued expansion of its server network could potentially help bring some more consistency to the VPN’s speeds.
While Surfshark performed flawlessly in our tests when unblocking Netflix and Amazon Prime Video content, we encountered significant difficulties when trying to access Disney Plus. We tested a number of servers in the US and other countries where Disney Plus is accessible, and when we connected to a server in Boston, we were eventually able to access the content. It might require you to perform your own server tests prior to being able to access Disney Plus content using Surfshark.
Lower initial costs are offered by Surfshark, but they increase after the first billing cycle. Nevertheless, Surfshark is able to maintain lower costs than the majority of other VPNs, which helps it win Th tech Fun Editors’ Choice for Best Value. The annual plan costs $48 for the first year and $60 for each subsequent year of service after that. If you choose the two-year plan, the first two years’ total cost will be $60 up front, and subsequent years’ costs will be $60 a year. The $13 monthly plan offered by Surfshark remains unchanged. Surfshark provides a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with the service for any reason.
Best Connectivity
NordVPN
Reliable VPN with multi-device use
One of the biggest and most well-known brands in the sector is NordVPN. And with good reason: NordVPN is a top-notch VPN that provides nearly everything you could ask for in a high-quality VPN service. It features an outstanding worldwide network of servers, many of which are tailored for specific tasks like security and streaming, and it’s quick, safe, and simple to use on all platforms.
Because of NordVPN’s excellent security and speed, users can enjoy a seamless streaming experience while maintaining the privacy of their online activities. You can use OpenVPN, NordLynx VPN, IKEv2/IPsec, or AES 256-bit encryption with NordVPN, and you’ll be safe and secure behind these protocols. Built on top of the WireGuard protocol, NordLynx employs a double network address translation (NAT) system to help safeguard your privacy while providing you with the fast speeds possible through the WireGuard protocol. This system assigns a unique IP address to each VPN tunnel and the same IP address to each user. In essence, this double NAT system gives you completely private internet access by making sure that none of your personal information is kept on the VPN server.
You can find helpful instructions on how to set up NordVPN on your smart TV in the Help section. Along with detailed instructions for configuring the VPN on your Fire TV and Google TV, the instructions cover configuring the VPN on a variety of routers.
All in all, it’s a fantastic VPN and a wise pick for smart TVs. In terms of cost, NordVPN is in the middle of the pack; the monthly cost of its two-year subscription plan is $3.29. Because of its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can always give Nord a try if you’re not sure if it’s the best option for you.
Best Unblocking
Hotspot Shield VPN
Super-fast for streaming
We wouldn’t advise Hotspot Shield for critical VPN use because of its US jurisdiction and use of the closed-source, proprietary Hydra VPN protocol. If privacy and security are not your top priorities, Hotspot Shield is a great smart TV VPN. We may not be entirely convinced by Hotspot Shield’s privacy safeguards, but we appreciate how quick it is.
You can stream content on your smart TV with it as well. With servers spread across more than 80 nations, Hotspot Shield gives you access to a vast range of geographical areas.
But there’s a lot that can be improved with Hotspot Shield’s support section and overall customer service experience. It may take some time to locate what you’re looking for because the Support section is a little confusing and Search doesn’t always return the results you’re looking for. Additionally, only premium subscribers have access to the live chat feature. The setup instructions are adequate once you locate what you’re looking for, but the setup process isn’t as straightforward as it is with other VPNs. Similar to the other apps on this list, Hotspot Shield provides instructions on how to configure your router for a VPN as well as apps for Fire TV and Google TV.
A very quick smart TV VPN that excels at unblocking content in Hotspot Shield is yours for just $7.99 a month for an annual subscription, or $2.99 a month for a three-year subscription. But, ExpressVPN or the other two mentioned above would be a better choice if you have any concerns about the service’s US jurisdiction.
Best Beginner VPN
CyberGhost VPN
Easy-to-use VPN for Smart TV
Although it’s not the fastest VPN available, you should have no trouble buffer-free streaming. Furthermore, CyberGhost has one of the best global network coverages thanks to its servers spread across 91 countries.
Although CyberGhost doesn’t offer custom router firmware like ExpressVPN, it does offer comprehensive instructions in its Help center on how to connect CyberGhost VPN to your smart TV via a router. You can download the CyberGhost VPN app straight to your TV if you own a Fire TV or Google TV. Additionally, CyberGhost VPN provides a smart DNS solution that enables you to access its DNS servers located in Japan, the US, the UK, and Germany.
Additionally, Cyberghost VPN can be very reasonably priced. CyberGhost is available for just $2.29 a month if you choose the three-year plan, which also includes three months free of charge. However, at $4.29 a month, it’s still one of the less expensive options if you prefer the flexibility of a one-year subscription plan. One of the least expensive VPNs for smart TVs, it’s also quite good if you don’t mind a VPN with limited customization options.
About VPNs for smart TVs
Having a smart TV that is connected to the internet is the best option when it comes to entertainment options for your home. Using a smart TV, you can watch your preferred TV series and films by using well-known streaming services and apps. However, having access to these services can also put your personal data at risk. Installing the best smart TV VPN can allay your concerns and prevent prying eyes from accessing your information, protecting your personal information. Not to mention the extra benefit of utilizing a VPN for smart TVs: With the help of this safety tool, you can get around region-based content blocks and access Netflix and all the other major streaming services without any restrictions.
It’s safe and wise to use a smart TV VPN to protect your personal information. Your online activities will remain private with the help of a reliable, well-researched virtual private network that encrypts your data using a distant, secure server. Therefore, everything you see and click on the internet when connected to a VPN is hidden from prying eyes, including your internet service provider. In the absence of these safeguards, your internet service provider has the ability to track what content you view on your smart TV, gather information, and sell it to third parties so they can target you with advertisements.
Similar to any other internet-connected device, smart TVs pose security risks. Devices connected to the internet can be compromised if the proper safeguards aren’t in place. Hackers or government agencies can obtain your viewing history, password intercepts, smart TV compromise, and more. It’s critical to reduce those dangers and prevent nefarious actors from learning about your watching preferences.
The top VPN for smart TVs should provide strong security, quick speeds, friendly customer service, cross-platform compatibility (working with both Android and Amazon Fire devices and VPN routers), and the capacity to unblock streaming services. (Avoid free VPN services; they can compromise your privacy and often have data and bandwidth limits that render them virtually ineffective for use with your smart TV.) We have selected the top five VPN services for your smart TV based on the aforementioned characteristics.
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