The best smart TV VPNs of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

What is the best VPN for your smart TV right now?

ZDNET’s favorite virtual private network (VPN) for smart TVs is NordVPN. This VPN combines excellent speed, server connections, security, and a plethora of ways you can use it with your Android-based TVs, Apple TVs, Amazon Fire Sticks, and gaming consoles. Subscriptions begin at $3.39 per month.

Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested

As a team, ZDNET writers have decades of experience testing and reviewing VPN software. We understand how important VPNs can be in improving online privacy and security. To provide the best recommendations, we constantly monitor the market, conduct our own investigations and tests, and take note of user feedback.

Read on to find the best smart TV-compatible VPNs in 2025.

The best smart TV VPNs in 2025

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Few smart TVs have native VPN support unless they are based on the Android operating system. Therefore, we recommend VPNs based on speed, strong connectivity, and multi-platform support. NordVPN rates well in all of these categories.

The VPN provider’s software is compatible with a host of systems and hardware, and NordVPN also provides useful guides on smart TV installation.

If you want to use NordVPN on your smart TV, you have a few options — download and install native apps for Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, install the VPN on your router, share your internet connection through Ethernet cables, or purchase a router with the VPN pre-installed such as the Privacy Hero 2.

Also: NordVPN review

NordVPN often earns the top spot in our VPN recommendations. It provides excellent speeds, a server selection including 111 countries, and strong stability. Customers like the support on offer and the ease-of-use.

Our favorite smart TV VPN can be costly. The best deals are with two-year contracts, starting at $3.39 per month. Alternatively, one-year plans begin at $5 per month. One month of access costs $13.

A recent independent audit and penetration test found that the VPN worked as intended, while several high-level security vulnerabilities were discovered and patched.

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ExpressVPN provides some of the best speeds — and minimal speed loss — in our tests, is easy to use, and is compatible with a range of platforms and operating systems.

To use this VPN with your smart TV, refer to ExpressVPN’s guides for assistance. This VPN provides native apps for use with systems including Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also install the VPN directly onto your router, or you can opt for an Aircove router with this VPN built in.

If you’re still having trouble, you can use ExpressVPN’s DNS-based MediaStreamer service. MediaStreamer improves streaming, but it won’t provide the same protection a VPN.

Also: ExpressVPN review

If pricing was more in line with its competitors, ExpressVPN could have secured the top spot. If speed is king, you might be tempted to pay. Annual plans are priced at $5 per month during the company’s current promotion. Four months of free access are included.

If you want to sign up for a six-month contract, you will pay $6.67 per month with three months free. One month of service costs $12.95. In a recent change, ExpressVPN now also offers student deals.

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Surfshark often ranks as one of the best affordable VPNs in our recommendations. It’s excellent value for money and provides you with a solid server network, user-friendly mobile apps, and unlimited simultaneous connections.

Like its competitors, Surfshark has provided comprehensive guides for setting up the VPN with smart TVs. Native apps for systems including Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV are available, alongside Roku and Chromecast. You can also set up Surfshark on your router if you would prefer blanket VPN coverage in your home, including your TVs.

Also: Surfshark VPN review

Customers like the VPN’s user interface and ease of use, and we agree. While initial connections can be slow, once you’re connected to a server, this is a set-and-forget VPN. There is also a useful pause function if you want to access a service temporarily without a VPN connection.

The cheapest Surfshark subscription is two years for $2.19 per month. Alternatively, you can sign up for one year and pay $3.19 per month or pay $15.45 for just one month of access. One- and two-year contracts also provide you with three months of free access, which gets added to the length of the contract.

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Private Internet Access, also known as PIA, is one of our favorite open-source VPNs that puts security and privacy first.

While PIA’s interface could do with an update, it works well on the big screen and can be used with smart TVs through your router, native apps for Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV, or by sharing your PC’s internet connection.

Also: Private Internet Access review

During our speed tests, PIA performed reasonably well, and we liked the usability and flexibility of this VPN service. Customers applaud its Linux support and also note PIA’s open-source approach as a benefit.

The best deal right now for PIA access is a two-year contract which costs only $2.19 per month and comes with two months of free service. You can also sign up for six months for the equivalent of $7.50 per month. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

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IPVanish is another great option for smart TV use, especially if you’re a fond console or PC gamer. When you select a server to connect to, you can easily access latency and ping statistics. This reduces lag and ensures privacy without disrupting your gaming session.

IPVanish works best on Android TV and Amazon Fire TV, but an Apple TV native app is also available. You can also install the app on your router or share your internet connection via a PC or hotspot through a mobile device with the VPN installed.

If you need help, you can refer to IPVanish’s setup guides, although the website could do with better organization around navigating them.

Also: IPVanish review

We like IPVanish’s highly customizable service, which allows you to choose from various encryption protocols and other configuration settings. The company has also recently expanded its server network, putting it on par with competitors including NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

Customers say they appreciate the professional service and customer support.

IPVanish is an affordable VPN as long as you are willing to sign up for a two-year contract. If so, you will pay only $2.19 per month. The annual plan is also relatively cheap at $3.33 per month. If you only want one month of VPN service, expect to pay $13 or take advantage of the IPVanish 30-day money-back guarantee.

Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company. For more information, see our Editorial Guidelines.

IPVanish features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers | Logging: None, except billing data | Locations: 108 countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.3 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.5

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Also: The best streaming VPNs: Expert tested

Smart TV VPN	Compatibility	Server network (countries)	Price
NordVPN	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, routers	111	$3.39 per month
ExpressVPN	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, routers	105	$5 per month
Surfshark	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, routers	100	$2.19 per month
Private Internet Access	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, routers, Fire TV, NAS	108	$2.19 per month
IPVanish	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, routers	103	$2.19 per month

VPN services are designed to improve your online privacy. VPNs create encrypted tunnels between your device and internet services, masking your IP address and making it more difficult to eavesdrop and monitor you. They are not a silver bullet for security but, instead, are an important tool in our arsenal.

For smart TVs, a VPN can stop your internet service provider (ISP) from monitoring what you are streaming, and where from, and can also be used to change your location. In some cases, this can help you avoid throttling or give you the ability to bypass geolocation blocks — although the latter is a legally gray area.

See also: What is a VPN and why do you need one?

How to set up a smart TV VPN

firestick vpn install — Charlie Osborne | ZDNET

Once you’ve chosen the smart TV VPN you want, you should check whether a native app is available. The most common TV operating system with native apps is Android TV, although you can often use a VPN on your Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV.

Find your app in your TV’s repository, typically in its centralized smart hub. After installing the app, open it and log in to the service with the username, email, and password you created when you subscribed. Alternatively, some VPNs allow you to log in through a QR code or a one-time passcode.

Once your VPN has been installed, select a country or preferred server, and you’re done.

If the VPN you want to use is unavailable for your TV, you may have to set up a VPN service on your router instead. Most VPN providers have extensive FAQ sections on their sites detailing how to complete a manual setup.

See also: How to set up a VPN on your router

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by the ZDNET team. We’ve been talking about VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.

ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure.

We analyzed the best VPNs for smart TVs using the following criteria:

Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect through a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to use with a VPN, you need a service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections.
Security: There’s no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about improving security and patching reported bugs.
Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations performed well given these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming, including when you are running a VPN on your TV.
Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our smart TV VPN recommendations naturally have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for this hardware. In particular, we always look for Android TV and Fire TV compatibility.
Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.
Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety.
Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

Choose this VPN…	If you want…
NordVPN	The best smart TV VPN overall. NordVPN is compatible with a variety of TV platforms and provides you with high speeds, security, and stability. You also have an excellent selection of servers to choose from.
ExpressVPN	A speedy smart TV VPN. While it is more expensive than many competitors, this multi-platform option will give you fantastic speeds for streaming. We’d like to see ExpressVPN offer unlimited simultaneous connections, but it’s still enough to protect many of your devices.
Surfshark	An affordable smart TV VPN. Surfshark has consistently low pricing, decent speeds, and an attractive user interface. It’s not quite as fast as some of its competitors, but Surfshark provides excellent value for money.
Private Internet Access	An open-source smart TV VPN. Private Internet Access has an open and transparent approach to security for protecting your devices. Unlimited simultaneous connections are on offer and so you’ll never have to worry about simultaneous use restrictions.
IPVanish	A gaming-ready VPN. IPVanish offers reasonable speeds for a reasonable price and provides server information that allows you to pick the right option to reduce lag. You can also protect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.

When you are selecting your new smart TV VPN, consider the following factors:

Price: You need to weigh the overall price of your new VPN plan. Try to take advantage of promotions, but ignore countdown timers — they typically are just marketing tools. While top-notch VPNs can cost upwards of $10 per month, many are available for only a few dollars per month. Although, you will likely have to pay upfront.
Apps: When selecting a VPN, try it first to ensure you like its accompanying TV app. Some VPNs, for example, have great desktop software but are lacking elsewhere, meaning they are not as intuitive or easy to use. You might be able to find a native smart TV app, or you may have to install the VPN directly on your router or third-party devices, such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Security: Choose a reputable VPN provider that emphasizes user privacy and security. Frequent patch updates, transparent disclosure of security incidents, warrant canaries, and no-logs policies are all important factors. Open source VPN solutions can also be excellent options.
Simultaneous connections: If you’re paying for a VPN suitable for your smart TV, you might still want to use it across multiple devices, such as a desktop, a laptop, or a smartphone. We recommend that you sign up for a plan supporting at least six devices. Many paid VPN plans now offer unlimited connections.
Contract length: You must also decide how long you want to use a VPN. If you opt for a two-year term, you tend to secure the best prices, but other options are also available. After you’ve made a selection, you typically have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Free VPNs: There are some free VPNs that are compatible with smart TVs, but you will need to accept limitations or restrictions. For example, even if a free VPN plan isn’t throttled in terms of speed, you may be limited to a small selection of servers — and a heavy traffic load will impact the speed available.

If the only reason you want to install a VPN is to mask your IP address and change your location to access a streaming content library outside your original location, then perhaps it is worth it — but you will likely have to pay for the privilege. Considering how useful VPNs can be in protecting your online privacy outside of smart TV usage, we recommend using one on your PC and mobile device.

While there are free VPNs and free VPN plans, the majority will come with heavy restrictions on speed and server choice, and some providers might display ads or sell your information. Considering that you will likely want to access content such as TV shows or films, you will need a VPN without speed limits — and these tend only to be available with paid subscriptions.

Free VPNs usually come with caveats like the sale of your data, extremely limited server networks, or throttled speeds. If you want to use a free VPN before taking the plunge and signing up for a paid service, the only free VPNs we recommend trying out with a smart TV are Proton VPN, Windscribe, and Hotspot Shield.

Samsung devices have Knox, a built-in VPN client best suited for business use, as it requires manual configuration and is extremely basic. Most of the time, consumers will opt for a paid, third-party VPN service instead.

Most smart TV models do not offer VPN services out of the box, including those from Samsung. Instead, you will need to find a VPN app in an Android TV hub when available — Tizen OS is unlikely to have VPN apps — install a VPN on your router or bridge the gap by using a device connected to your TV such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Yes, you can. One of the reasons VPNs are so popular is that they can be used to access different geo-locked content libraries across streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.

Also: The best VPN for streaming: Expert tested

Keep in mind that this is a legally gray area. You may be breaking a streamer’s terms of service by switching your location to access a library typically only available in another area. Furthermore, if they detect VPN usage, some services limit content libraries to only media available under universal licenses.

Yes, smart TV VPN services are legal in the United States, but legality varies from country to country.

Check the laws of your location before using a VPN. Some countries, such as North Korea and Belarus, ban their use outright, whereas others, including Russia and China, frown upon it.

For a list of countries where VPN usage is illegal, check out NordVPN’s guide.

To ensure a safe and reliable VPN experience, first choose a reputable vendor known to have a strong security background.

Next, compare your IP address before and after enabling a VPN connection. You can find this under your device’s settings — typically under Wi-Fi — or by visiting whatismyipaddress.com. If they both display the same IP, your VPN may not be working properly.

You can also visit dnsleaktest.com to see if any domain name service (DNS) leaks are detected while you are using a VPN, which could be a sign that your information is being leaked.