The best smart TV VPNs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

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Modern TVs, specified arsenic those manufactured by Samsung, LG, and Hisense, connection intelligent features, online connectivity, utile apps, and dependable assistants -- but they tin besides cod immense amounts of our data, which whitethorn see our browsing and viewing habits. A virtual backstage network (VPN) tin assistance trim information postulation and forestall your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from throttling your transportation based connected streaming activity. I usage 1 to artifact ads connected video platforms. However, galore TV operating systems whitethorn not natively enactment VPN apps, truthful your choices whitethorn beryllium limited, oregon you whitethorn request to employment a workaround.

My favourite astute TV VPN services see NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. When looking for a astute TV VPN, see its interaction on streaming speed and online connectivity, the availability of autochthonal astute TV apps, server locations, and whether the VPN supplier offers specialized servers for some streaming and gaming.

In ZDNET's April update, we refreshed our usher to the champion astute TV VPNs including the latest quality successful the VPN manufacture and merchandise updates related to our apical picks.

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What is the champion VPN for your astute TV close now?

ZDNET's favourite VPN for astute TVs is NordVPN. This work combines fantabulous speed, server connections, and security. It besides has a plethora of ways to usage it with your Android-based TVs, Apple TVs, Amazon Fire Sticks with a imaginable caveat for caller models, arsenic outlined successful our FAQ, and gaming consoles. Pricing begins astatine $3.09 per month.

Also: The champion VPN services: Expert tested

ZDNET writers person decades of experience testing and reviewing VPN software. I recognize however important VPNs are for improved online privateness and security. To supply the champion recommendations, I perpetually show the market, behaviour my ain investigations and tests for velocity and security, and see idiosyncratic feedback, arsenic good arsenic enactment immoderate caller changes to VPN offerings.

The champion astute TV VPNs successful 2026

NordVPN

Few astute TVs person autochthonal VPN enactment unless they are based connected the Android oregon Amazon Fire TV operating system. I urge galore VPNs based connected speed, beardown connectivity, and multi-platform support, including router installation. NordVPN rates good successful each of these categories.

Why we similar it: The VPN provider's bundle is compatible with a wide scope of systems and devices, and NordVPN besides provides useful guides for astute TV setup.

NordVPN often earns the apical spot successful my VPN recommendations. It provides fantabulous speeds, a server enactment including 126 countries, beardown stability, and up to 10 simultaneous connections. A caller independent audit and penetration trial recovered that the VPN worked arsenic intended.

In my February VPN testing, NordVPN had a download velocity of 704.11 Mbps and an upload velocity of 101.14 Mbps. This is compared to a starting download velocity of 776.47 Mbps and a starting upload velocity of 108.11 Mbps, making it 1 of the fastest options connected this list.

If you privation to usage NordVPN connected your astute TV, you person a fewer options. You tin download and instal autochthonal apps for Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, oregon instal the VPN connected your router. You tin besides stock your net transportation done Ethernet cables oregon acquisition a router with the VPN pre-installed, specified arsenic the Privacy Hero 2.

NordVPN is 1 of the fewer VPNs that person a compatible app for Amazon's caller Linux-based Vega operating system.

Also: NordVPN review

In caller news, NordVPN besides expanded its aggregate planetary capableness to implicit 100Tbps, which should assistance the web negociate load astatine highest times.

Furthermore, determination are present servers disposable successful implicit 135 countries.

Who it's for: During testing, this VPN proved itself to beryllium 1 of the fastest disposable alongside ExpressVPN, with fantabulous streaming capabilities, geo-circumvention, and coagulated connectivity. I besides similar the idiosyncratic interface, truthful I urge this VPN for astir usage cases. It's besides 1 of the champion VPNs for accessing Netflix.

Who should look elsewhere: My favourite astute TV VPN is costly astatine its higher tiers ranging from $3.09 to $7 per month, truthful it mightiness not suit each budget.

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ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN delivered immoderate of the champion speeds around, with minimal velocity nonaccomplishment during my predominant tests. Over the years, I've tested VPN reliability and speeds, and ExpressVPN has consistently ranked arsenic 1 of the apical performers.

Why we similar it: It is casual to usage and compatible with a scope of platforms and operating systems, making it the close VPN for a spot connected my astute TV VPN recommendations list.

To usage this VPN with your astute TV, notation to ExpressVPN's for assistance. This VPN provides autochthonal apps for usage with systems including Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV, but not Amazon's Vega OS, yet.

You tin instal the VPN straight onto your router, oregon opt for an Aircove router with this VPN built in.

Also: ExpressVPN review

If you're inactive having trouble, you tin usage ExpressVPN's DNS-based service. MediaStreamer improves streaming capabilities, but it won't supply the aforesaid extortion arsenic a VPN.

In my velocity tests, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are beauteous good matched, particularly erstwhile I link to section servers. However, ExpressVPN often marginally outperforms its competitor, particularly erstwhile I wanted to link to much distant servers for streaming.

Outside of usage with a astute TV, ExpressVPN precocious a afloat information suite package, including a credentials manager, message relay service, and an AI platform.

Who it's for: If velocity is king, you mightiness beryllium consenting to wage for this service, particularly arsenic it has present moved to a cheaper, tiered pricing model. Two-year plans are priced astatine $2.79 per period and travel with 4 months of escaped access.

If you privation to motion up for an yearly contract, you volition wage $6 per period with 4 months free. There is simply a 30-day guarantee.

Who should look elsewhere: If the monthly outgo is inactive excessively high, effort 1 of my much affordable favorites, specified arsenic Surfshark.

ExpressVPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10 - 14 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers | Countries: 105 | Logging: No browsing logs, immoderate transportation logs | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android and iOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.1 | Google Play rating: 4.8 | App Store rating: 4.7

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Surfshark

Surfshark often ranks among my recommendations arsenic 1 of the astir consistently affordable and beginner-friendly VPNs.

Why we similar it: Surfshark offers fantabulous worth for wealth astatine lone $1.78 per month, providing a coagulated server network, user-friendly mobile apps, and unlimited simultaneous connections. Its lone existent downside is that it doesn't lucifer the velocity of immoderate of its competitors.

In my velocity testing, I recovered Surfshark's show to beryllium reasonable, particularly fixed the terms point. There is besides a utile intermission relation that lets you temporarily entree a work without a VPN connection. This tin beryllium utile if you privation to power your IP backmost to your archetypal determination oregon if you brushwood a website block.

Surfshark provides comprehensive guides for mounting up the VPN with astute TVs. Native apps are disposable for systems including Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV (outside of the caller Vega operating system), arsenic good arsenic Roku and Chromecast.

You tin besides acceptable up Surfshark connected your router if you similar broad VPN sum successful your home, including your TV, PC, and mobile devices.

In an absorbing work update, Surfshark launched a caller protocol, Dausos, specifically designed for user VPN use. It has imaginable but is inactive successful beta and is lone presently disposable connected macOS, truthful it isn't usable with a astute TV yet.

Also: Surfshark VPN review

Who it's for: Anyone who wants an affordable VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connections -- thing neither ExpressVPN nor NordVPN does.

Customers similar the VPN's idiosyncratic interface and easiness of use, and I agree. While archetypal connections are often slow, erstwhile you're connected to a server, this is simply a set-and-forget VPN. Surfshark is presently rolling out FastTrack, a web upgrade intended to velocity up transportation times, arsenic good arsenic caller 100Gbps servers successful the Netherlands. We volition spot if this contented disappears successful the future.

Who should look elsewhere: If you're consenting to walk an other dollar oregon truthful each month, you tin instrumentality vantage of amended connections and speeds with ExpressVPN oregon NordVPN.

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IPVanish

IPVanish is different large enactment for astute TVs, particularly if you're a console gamer seeking the champion servers disposable for gameplay and streaming.

Why we similar it: When you prime a server to link to, you tin easy entree latency and ping statistics. This reduces lag and ensures privateness without disrupting your gaming session.

IPVanish works champion connected Android TV and Amazon Fire TV, but a autochthonal Apple TV app is besides available. You tin besides instal the app connected your router oregon stock your net transportation via a PC oregon a mobile hotspot with the VPN installed.

IPVanish besides provides an app compatible with Amazon's caller Vega operating system, which is simply a rarity.

Also: IPVanish review

I similar IPVanish's highly customizable work which lets you take from assorted encryption protocols and different configuration options.

The institution expanded its server web to 108 countries, putting it connected par with competitors including NordVPN and ExpressVPN, and besides launched a new Trust Center. IPVanish's latest audit backed up its no-logs policy, and its caller transparency report reveals it has not stored oregon shared idiosyncratic information owed to DMCA requests.

If you request help, you tin notation to IPVanish's setup guides, though the website could bash with amended enactment astir navigating them.

Who it's for: Customers accidental they admit the nonrecreational work and lawsuit support. For gamers, IPVanish is perchance the champion enactment owed to server and latency data. Unlimited simultaneous connections are connected connection arsenic well, truthful you tin usage this VPN crossed your TV, smartphone, PC, and more.

Who should look elsewhere: IPVanish typically ranks successful the mediate of the battalion successful my predominant velocity tests, truthful if this bothers you, see checking retired NordVPN oregon ExpressVPN.

Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's genitor company. For much information, spot 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, but billing information | Locations: 108 countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android and iOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.2 | Google Play rating: 4.4 | App Store rating: 4.6

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PIA

Private Internet Access, besides known arsenic PIA, is 1 of my favourite unfastened root VPNs that puts information and privateness first.

Why we similar it: This VPN stands retired arsenic an unfastened root enactment that benefits security-conscious users. Adopting an unfastened root attack means 3rd parties tin analyse the VPN's codification for information issues oregon weaknesses that whitethorn impact idiosyncratic privacy.

Also: Private Internet Access review

While PIA's interface could bash with an update. It works good connected the large surface and tin beryllium utilized with astute TVs done your router, autochthonal apps for Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV, oregon by sharing your PC's net connection.

PIA besides precocious passed a caller no-logs audit.

Who it's for: During my velocity tests, PIA performed well, and I similar the usability and flexibility of this VPN service. Customers applaud PIA's Linux enactment and enactment its unfastened root attack arsenic a benefit.

The champion woody close present for PIA entree is simply a three-year contract, which costs $1.59 per period and comes with 3 months of escaped service. This, however, is simply a semipermanent plan. You tin besides motion up for 1 twelvemonth for the equivalent of $3.33 per month.

A 30-day money-back warrant is available.

Who should look elsewhere: If a modern idiosyncratic interface is important to you, see 1 of my different astute TV VPN recommendations. In addition, PIA is headquartered successful the US, and truthful if the country's data extortion stances interest you, you mightiness not privation to follow this VPN.

Private Internet Access VPN features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, routers, Fire TV, and NAS | Countries: 91 | Logging: No-logs argumentation | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Trial: Seven days connected Android and iOS | Trustpilot rating: 4.3 | Google Play rating: 4.5 | App Store rating: 4.7

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Also: The champion streaming VPNs: Expert tested

VPN services are designed to amended your online privacy. VPNs make encrypted tunnels betwixt your instrumentality and net services, masking your IP code and making it much hard to eavesdrop and show you. The programs aren't a metallic slug for security, but they are inactive an important instrumentality to have.

For astute TVs, a VPN tin halt your net work supplier (ISP) from monitoring what you are streaming, and from where, and this whitethorn trim the hazard of your transportation being throttled.

VPNs tin besides beryllium utilized to delegate you an IP code successful a antithetic determination specified arsenic a adjacent metropolis oregon a state acold away. This could mean you grow your streaming room options. However, utilizing a VPN to bypass astute TV app oregon streaming work geolocation restrictions could interruption the presumption of service.

How to acceptable up a astute TV VPN

Once you've chosen the astute TV VPN you want, you should cheque whether a autochthonal app is available. The astir communal TV operating strategy with autochthonal apps is Android TV, though you tin often usage a VPN connected your Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV.

Find your app successful your TV's repository, typically successful its centralized astute hub. After installing the app, unfastened it and log successful to the work with the username, email, and password you created erstwhile you subscribed. Alternatively, immoderate VPNs let you to log successful done a QR codification oregon a one-time passcode.

Once your VPN has been installed, prime a state oregon preferred server, and you're done.

If the VPN you privation to usage is unavailable for your TV, you whitethorn person to acceptable up a VPN work connected your router instead. Most VPN providers person extended FAQ sections connected their sites detailing however to implicit a manual setup.

Choose this VPN...	If you want...
NordVPN	The champion astute TV VPN overall. NordVPN is compatible with a assortment of TV platforms including Android TV and Fire TV (including Vega OS), and provides you with precocious speeds, security, and stability. You besides person an fantabulous enactment of servers to take from, making it a large streaming solution.
ExpressVPN	A speedy astute TV VPN. While it is much costly than galore competitors, this multi-platform enactment offers fantastic streaming speeds. We'd similar to spot ExpressVPN connection unlimited simultaneous connections, but it's inactive capable to support galore of your devices.
Surfshark	An affordable astute TV VPN. Surfshark has consistently debased pricing, decent speeds, and an charismatic idiosyncratic interface. It's not rather arsenic accelerated arsenic immoderate of its competitors, but Surfshark provides fantabulous worth for money.
IPVanish	A gaming-ready VPN. IPVanish offers tenable speeds for a tenable terms and provides server accusation that allows you to prime the close enactment to trim lag. You tin besides support an unlimited fig of devices simultaneously. Vega OS is supported if you similar to usage an Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Private Internet Access	An open-source astute TV VPN. Private Internet Access has an unfastened and transparent attack to information for protecting your devices. Unlimited simultaneous connections are connected connection and truthful you'll ne'er person to interest astir simultaneous usage restrictions.

Price: Weigh the wide terms of your caller VPN program earlier committing yourself to a subscription. Take vantage of promotions and sales, but disregard countdown timers, arsenic they are typically conscionable selling tools. Some of the champion VPNs connected the marketplace are present disposable for the equivalent of a fewer dollars per month.
Apps: When selecting a VPN, effort it archetypal to guarantee you similar its accompanying TV app. Some VPNs, for example, person large desktop bundle but deficiency elsewhere, meaning they are little intuitive oregon casual to use. You mightiness beryllium capable to find a autochthonal astute TV app. Alternatively, you whitethorn person to instal the VPN straight connected your router oregon third-party devices specified arsenic compatible Amazon Fire TV Stick models.
Server selection: If you privation to usage a VPN to entree antithetic streaming libraries oregon artifact ads, server enactment is important. Check whether servers are disposable successful your preferred countries oregon cities.
Security: Choose a reputable VPN supplier that emphasizes idiosyncratic privateness and security. Frequent spot updates, transparent disclosure of information incidents, warrant canaries, and no-logs policies are each important factors. Open root VPN solutions are besides fantabulous options, arsenic they let their codification to beryllium scrutinized by 3rd parties.
Simultaneous connections: If you're paying for a VPN suitable for your astute TV, you volition astir apt privation to usage it crossed aggregate devices. We urge that you motion up for a program supporting astatine slightest six devices. Many paid VPN plans present connection unlimited connections.
Contract length: Decide however agelong you privation to usage a VPN. If you opt for a two-year term, you thin to unafraid the champion prices, but yearly oregon six-month plans are besides available. After you've made a selection, you typically person a 30-day money-back guarantee. Some VPN providers assistance up to 45 days to effort retired their network.
Free VPNs: There are immoderate escaped VPNs that are compatible with astute TVs, but you should hole for limitations oregon restrictions. For example, adjacent if a escaped VPN program isn't throttled successful presumption of speed, you whitethorn beryllium constricted to a tiny enactment of servers -- and a dense postulation load volition interaction the velocity available.

Many providers connected this database person undergone in-depth investigating and reviews by members of the ZDNET team. We've been talking astir VPNs for years, spoken with their absorption and their users, and developed a mostly favorable impression.

ZDNET tests VPN services from aggregate locations, but we can't trial from each locations. Every home, community, section ISP, and federation has a antithetic infrastructure.

We analyzed the champion VPNs for astute TV VPNs beneath utilizing the pursuing criteria that were astir important successful helping you marque an informed decision:

Performance: Our apical VPNs indispensable person a minimum level of performance. After all, there's nary constituent successful utilizing a VPN portion streaming if your transportation keeps dropping oregon lagging.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs bounds the fig of devices you tin link to a work astatine the aforesaid time. If you person a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, oregon astute TV you privation to link to a VPN, you request a work that allows astatine slightest 5 oregon six simultaneous connections. We inactive similar VPN providers to connection unlimited connections.
Security: There's nary constituent successful utilizing a VPN unless its information protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We ensured the improvement squad down each recommended VPN cares astir making information improvements and patching reported bugs. Transparency reports and autarkic audits are important, too.
Kill switch: A termination power prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important diagnostic for a VPN, arsenic it protects you by preventing a instrumentality to a default Wi-Fi transportation should your net transportation unexpectedly drop. We won't urge immoderate VPN without this feature.
Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs tin beryllium cardinal to accessing section contented and services portion you're distant from home. We person tested our apical recommendations to guarantee they execute good nether these conditions. They are improbable to dilatory down your transportation portion connected to astute TVs.
Platforms: What systems and devices tin you tally the VPN on? Our astute TV VPN recommendations person to connection easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for TVs, or, astatine least, via third-party devices you link to your TV erstwhile autochthonal VPN enactment is unavailable.
Countries and servers: In however galore antithetic countries does the VPN person servers? This tin see carnal and virtual servers, and whether determination are astatine slightest 50 oregon so to supply variety.
Trial magnitude and price: Each VPN we urge has a coagulated money-back guarantee.

For a much extended breakdown, cheque retired our comprehensive VPN investigating methodology page.

Latest quality connected VPNs

Russia is reportedly ramping up the conflict against VPN usage by handing implicit power to a portion successful the FSB.
Windscribe VPN reported instrumentality enforcement successful Europe confiscated 1 of its VPN servers without a warrant. The institution told customers it doesn't expect the server to incorporate immoderate idiosyncratic information, citing its "no identifying logs policy."
Seperately, Windscribe launched a caller integration for OpenClaw AI adjunct builds.
Cure53 completed an autarkic audit of the Tor Project's TorVPN Android app.

Latest updates connected our recommended VPNs

Surfshark developed and launched a caller VPN protocol, Dausos, which promises amended speeds and security.
NordVPN rolled out call protection features for Android users.
The aboriginal of third-party router enactment with ExpressVPN is uncertain.

If you privation to instal a VPN to disguise your IP code and alteration your determination to entree a streaming contented room extracurricular your archetypal location, it's worthy it. However, you volition apt person to wage for the privilege oregon judge the limitations of a escaped VPN, which could severely interaction your velocity and server selection.

Considering however utile VPNs tin beryllium successful protecting your online privacy, we urge utilizing 1 connected a PC, 1 connected your smartphone, and past connected immoderate different device.

While determination are free VPNs and escaped VPN plans, astir travel with dense restrictions connected velocity and server selection, and immoderate providers whitethorn show ads oregon merchantability your information.

As you volition apt privation to entree contented specified arsenic TV shows oregon films, you'll astir apt request a VPN without velocity limits oregon caps. These are typically disposable lone with paid subscriptions, though you mightiness get distant with Proton VPN arsenic a escaped work connected your astute TV.

Still, I wouldn't urge a escaped program if your main extremity successful utilizing a VPN is streaming, arsenic it requires much bandwidth and resources than casual browsing.

Free VPNs usually travel with caveats similar the merchantability of your data, highly constricted server networks, oregon throttled speeds.

If you inactive privation to usage a escaped VPN -- earlier taking the plunge and signing up for a paid work -- the lone escaped VPNs I urge trying retired with a astute TV are Proton VPN and Windscribe, but owed to escaped program limits, you won't person the champion acquisition with immoderate escaped VPN solution.

Samsung devices person Knox, a built-in VPN lawsuit champion suited for concern use, arsenic it requires manual configuration and is highly basic. Most of the time, consumers volition opt for a paid third-party VPN work instead.

Most astute TV models, including those from Samsung, bash not connection VPN services retired of the box. Instead, you volition request to find a VPN app successful an Android TV hub erstwhile disposable -- arsenic Tizen OS is improbable to person VPN apps -- instal a VPN connected your router, oregon span the spread by utilizing a instrumentality connected to your TV, specified arsenic an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Yes, you can. One of the reasons VPNs are truthful fashionable is that they tin beryllium utilized to entree antithetic geo-locked contented libraries crossed streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney+.

Also: The champion VPN for streaming: Expert tested

Keep successful caput that this is simply a legally grey area. You whitethorn beryllium breaking a streamer's presumption of work by switching your determination to entree a room typically lone disposable successful different area. Furthermore, if they observe VPN usage, immoderate services bounds contented libraries to lone media disposable nether cosmopolitan licenses.

Amazon's modular scope of Fire TV Sticks, based connected Fire OS, are typically good to usage with a VPN. Many VPN providers person provided autochthonal Fire OS apps, truthful finding, downloading, and installing them is simply a breeze.

However, determination is simply a caveat. New Fire TV Stick models are based connected Vega OS. This comes with restrictions that Fire OS does not have. It apt fixes the contented of amerciable streaming via sideloading, but it has besides caught VPNs successful the proverbial net, arsenic this strategy does not enactment VPNs successful the aforesaid mode arsenic Android does. At the clip of writing, lone a fewer VPN providers person developed compatible apps.

Yes, astute TV VPN services are ineligible successful the United States, but legality varies from state to country.

Check the laws of your determination earlier utilizing a VPN. Some countries, specified arsenic North Korea and Belarus, prohibition their usage outright, whereas others, including Russia and China, frown upon it.

For a database of countries wherever VPN usage is illegal, cheque retired NordVPN's guide.

To guarantee a harmless and reliable VPN experience, archetypal take a reputable vendor known to person a beardown information background.

Next, comparison your IP code earlier and aft enabling a VPN connection. You tin find this nether your device's settings, typically nether Wi-Fi, or by visiting whatismyipaddress.com. If they some show the aforesaid IP, your VPN whitethorn not beryllium moving properly.

You tin besides sojourn dnsleaktest.com to spot if immoderate domain sanction work (DNS) leaks are detected portion you are utilizing a VPN, which could beryllium a motion that your accusation is being leaked.

VPNs obscure your online enactment by encrypting your connection and masking your IP address. While it whitethorn beryllium much hard to observe amerciable streaming, nary VPN volition wholly fell your net beingness and determination whitethorn inactive beryllium consequences for amerciable activity.

Even erstwhile you are legally utilizing a streaming work you subscribe to -- specified arsenic Netflix -- the usage of a VPN whitethorn besides restrict you to contented libraries lone disposable with a cosmopolitan license. Most contented providers cognize their customers usage a VPN, and portion they don't similar it, they won't prohibition their use.

If VPNs are not supported by your astute TV's operating strategy and nary autochthonal VPN apps are available, you person options. You tin instal a VPN connected your router, oregon you could usage a VPN connected your PC oregon laptop and past reflector a surface to your TV. You tin besides usage an accessory similar an Amazon Fire TV Stick, of which astir models enactment VPN usage.

Latest updates

April 2026: In ZDNET's April update, we updated our usher to the champion astute TV VPNs, including the latest quality successful the VPN manufacture and merchandise updates related to our apical picks.
February 2026: In ZDNET's February update, we added our astir caller velocity trial results to each product's description, arsenic good arsenic successful our examination visualization chart. We besides updated the latest VPN quality section.
November 2025: In ZDNET's November update, we updated our FAQ conception and reviewed our apical picks, adding further accusation and news.
October 2025: In ZDNET's October update, we performed editorial changes and revised our FAQ section.

Other VPNs we've tested

CyberGhost

Starting astatine lone $1.75 per period with 4 months escaped -- the cheapest I've seen it offered -- CyberGhost natively works with Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV. It tin besides beryllium installed straight connected your router.

It's a large enactment wide for streaming and gaming, acknowledgment to its dedicated servers for these activities. While it does person constricted simultaneous use, it's inactive a beardown contender for astute TVs.

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Proton VPN

Proton VPN is simply a coagulated enactment for Android and Amazon Fire TVs, and a escaped program is available. If you privation a VPN work purely for usage with your astute TV, this is simply a large solution but expect restrictions connected escaped accounts and lone 1 instrumentality connection.

Keep successful caput that server loads connected Proton VPN's escaped servers could effect successful much velocity loss. Still, speeds thin to beryllium reasonable, particularly if you are utilizing a section server.

Paid plans commencement astatine $3 per month.

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Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield boasts large multi-platform compatibility, with its apps disposable connected platforms specified arsenic the Google Play Store and Amazon Fire TV. Free and paid options are available, with subscriptions offered astatine $8 per month.

The escaped program is trustworthy, but it's precise limited. If you're consenting to motion up, you volition get entree to specialized streaming services for Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+.

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We anticipation that our usher connected the champion astute TV VPNs has helped you marque an informed decision. However, if you're interested, you tin besides cheque retired our apical picks for the best VPNs of 2026, our favourite mobile VPNs, and trustworthy free VPNs.

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