To get more out of a connected television, many people look for a VPN for Smart TV. Here, we explain how to install a VPN on a Smart TV and we share the 5 best VPN in 2026. You can set up a VPN on a Smart TV whatever your set’s brand, whether it’s Sony, Samsung, LG, TCL, Panasonic, Philips, or any other.
Best VPN for Smart TV: quick recap
Here are our top 5 VPN for Smart TV in 2026.
- NordVPN: the best VPN for Smart TV overall
- Proton VPN: the widest range of countries you can reach from your remote
- ExpressVPN: an excellent VPN with very fast speeds
- CyberGhost: a budget-friendly VPN
- Surfshark: a feature-packed VPN for Smart TV
Why use a VPN on a Smart TV?
VPNs can be used for plenty of purposes: you can also read why to use a VPN. With Smart TV use, some scenarios obviously matter less (torrenting, for example). Even so, the benefits around cyber security and anonymity still apply, along with major advantages for streaming. In fact, streaming is the main reason most people search for a VPN for Smart TV.
With a VPN, you can access thousands of programmes that aren’t available in your country. For instance, if you’re in the USA and want to keep using your Canal+ subscription or beIN Sport, you’ll need a VPN offering a French IP address to simulate being located in France and avoid blocking. The same goes for French channels (via Molotov TV, for example), as well as US channels and streaming platforms. There are genuinely lots of different reasons to use the best VPN for Smart TV.
The 5 best VPN for Smart TV in 2026
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is the best VPN for Smart TV in 2026: 9,200 servers in 129 countries, excellent speeds, and an almost instant connection to a server. Those technical strengths-plus a no-logs policy confirmed by a Deloitte audit in February 2026 for the sixth year in a row-are what put it at number one in this ranking.
There are several reasons NordVPN leads this list of the best VPN for Android Smart TV. First, it’s the most complete app across the board. It lets you manually tweak a range of settings such as the protocol, as well as pick specialist servers (P2P, Onion Over VPN, Double VPN, Dedicated IP), which is ideal for matching different setups and user needs.
Another major plus is its huge infrastructure, with 9,200 servers spread across 129 countries. That’s a vast set of regions you can connect to from your Smart TV to unlock content that’s unavailable where you physically are. In our tests, for example, we watched French TV channels from abroad using a NordVPN server located in France. It’s equally handy for viewing Netflix US from France, or switching to Prime Video in the United Kingdom to access geo-blocked titles.
Not only do videos start quickly in HD, but streaming remains steady. We use NordVPN every day on our Smart TV and haven’t run into issues on this front. That reliability is one of the key reasons NordVPN is the best VPN for Smart TV. It’s also worth noting that, unlike some rivals, NordVPN stays enabled for a while even when your television goes into standby.
The provider now offers more than just an encrypted tunnel. Its macOS interface was completely redesigned in April 2026, its app-level Kill Switch (one of the few on the market) cuts off only the apps you choose if the connection drops, and since late May 2026 a next-generation antivirus has been built into the Mac and PC app, including machine-learning anti-phishing. Its identity theft protection service, NordProtect, was also renamed Coveron in June 2026.
All in, NordVPN is a strong option for connected TV users who want the benefits of one of the best VPN right now. One subscription includes 10 simultaneous connections, so you can run it across all your devices-not just your television. You also get a top-tier VPN on Android, Mac, Windows, and more. Our readers also have access to the exclusive code PRESSECITRON, which brings the Basic plan down to €3.37/month over 28 months (24 months + 4 months free).
To try this VPN without risk, use its 100% money-back guarantee for 30 days:
2. Proton VPN
On a television, the question that really matters is straightforward: how many catalogues can I reach using my remote? On that point, Proton VPN beats everyone else with 148 countries available, spread across 20,332 servers and 191 locations. No other provider in this comparison opens up as many national libraries, which is why it takes second place in our selection.
There’s a second advantage-less obvious, but crucial when you’re installing software on a device you don’t fully control: Proton VPN is the only major player whose code is completely open source. Any researcher can audit its apps, including the Android TV version. On a television that already gathers lots of data about your viewing habits, knowing exactly what installed software does is not a minor point. Its no-logging audits, signed by Mozilla and Securitum, round out the package.
Based in Switzerland, the company first became widely known for Proton Mail, its encrypted email service. The app is easy to install and feels intuitive day to day, whether you’re a beginner or already familiar with this kind of tool. Only the first sign-in can feel a bit tedious due to account synchronisation. Rather than choosing a specific server, you select a country location and the VPN for Smart TV handles the rest by picking the fastest server for your setup.
Connection takes just a moment, and you’re ready to enjoy exclusive content-especially on the most popular VoD platforms (French channels, both public and private, are covered too). Speeds aren’t breathtaking, but they’re enough for smooth playback. Still, make sure your underlying connection is strong if you want to watch films properly in HD. The VPN Plus plan is €2.99/month over 2 years, with 10 simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The wider Proton ecosystem also keeps expanding: after Proton Meet (an encrypted video-conferencing solution) and Proton Workspace (an alternative to Google Workspace), both launched in April 2026, the company rolled out Lumo 2.0 at the end of June 2026-a major update to its privacy-focused AI assistant. This remains a standalone product, separate from the VPN subscription.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is among the best VPN for Smart TV in 2026 and remains one of the strongest alternatives to NordVPN if you want a no-compromise solution. Whatever device you plan to use it on, you get a high-quality app that’s easy to use and extremely capable.
ExpressVPN ranks so highly because it delivers exceptional speeds. As we explained in our piece on the fastest VPN, ExpressVPN posts very high upload and download rates thanks to its in-house Lightway protocol. That’s particularly important for streaming, which is very likely how you’ll use it on a television.
Stability is another clear strength. Few things are more annoying than a VPN connection that drops every 10 minutes. With ExpressVPN, disconnections are uncommon, and when they do happen the VPN reconnects to the server within seconds. It’s also worth mentioning that ExpressVPN became an official FIFA partner for the 2026 World Cup, which fits a popular big-screen use case: watching sports broadcasts while abroad.
The third reason ExpressVPN belongs among the best VPN for Smart TV is how straightforward the app is. In two clicks, you open it from your TV’s home screen and join a server. The same ease applies if you need a VPN that works on Apple TV. A subscription covers 10 to 14 devices simultaneously depending on the plan, starting at €2.29/month over 28 months. The Advanced and Pro plans add ExpressKeys (a password manager) and ExpressMailGuard, which generates unlimited email aliases.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is one of the best VPN for Smart TV in 2026, largely thanks to its excellent value for money. While it’s a bit slower than NordVPN or ExpressVPN (see the CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN comparison), it still provides speeds that are easily sufficient, including for high-definition streaming.
What we particularly like about CyberGhost is that once the app is installed and launched, you don’t have to type in your login details (email and password). That might sound minor, but entering this information with a remote quickly becomes a chore. This simplification is useful enough to count as a real advantage.
CyberGhost handles the syncing in a smart way: go to cgvpn.info/link on your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Sign in, and you’ll receive a 4-letter code to enter on your TV. If you’d rather use the classic email-and-password sign-in, that’s still available.
It’s a small detail, but it shows CyberGhost has clearly thought about optimising the Smart TV experience. As you’d expect, it’s also straightforward and pleasant to use. Across devices, CyberGhost VPN provides access to more than 12,000 servers in 100 countries and 126 locations worldwide.
CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, the longest on the market, and a sizeable discount on its long-term plan at €1.59/month over 26 months. We’ve also published a dedicated piece listing the promotions and promo codes currently available at CyberGhost.
5. Surfshark
Finally, Surfshark is one of the best VPN for Smart TV in 2026, and it’s the one that impressed us most in terms of user experience. The app is genuinely pleasant to use and, like CyberGhost, it includes a clever sign-in method that avoids typing your email and password with a remote.
The interface looks great and is easy to get to grips with. For speed, it sits roughly 25% behind NordVPN and ExpressVPN, but it will still be more than enough if your base connection is strong. To log in, you scan a QR code using your smartphone or tablet; the whole process takes about 10 seconds. The traditional email-and-password method remains an option as well.
In April 2026, the provider launched Dausos, its first proprietary protocol, available in Beta on macOS. Built on AEGIS-256X2 encryption designed to resist post-quantum threats, it claims up to 30% more speed compared with standard protocols-an improvement that will directly benefit 4K viewing comfort. Its technical implementation has been independently audited by Cure53.
Founded in 2018, Surfshark marked its 8th anniversary in April 2026 with 4,500 servers in 100 countries and unlimited simultaneous connections, a unique advantage in the premium market. It’s also one of the most affordable options in our selection, starting at €1.99/month over 27 months (24 months + 3 months free). The money-back guarantee runs for 30 days.
Comparison table of the best VPN for Smart TV
| VPN | Servers | Countries | Connections | Price/month | Guarantee | Smart TV advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9,200 | 129 | 10 | €3.37 (28 months) | 30 days | Stays active in standby, most complete app |
| Proton VPN | 20,332 | 148 | 10 | €2.99 (2 years) | 30 days | The highest number of accessible national catalogues |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000 | 105 | 10 to 14 | €2.29 (28 months) | 30 days | Lightway speeds, Apple TV compatible |
| CyberGhost | 12,000+ | 100 | 7 | €1.59 (26 months) | 45 days | Four-letter code sign-in, no on-screen keyboard |
| Surfshark | 4,500 | 100 | Unlimited | €1.99 (27 months) | 30 days | QR-code authentication in 10 seconds |
How to install a VPN on a Smart TV
Depending on your television’s model, installing a VPN on a Smart TV can be more or less straightforward. Even if your TV is connected, it doesn’t necessarily allow a virtual private network to be installed by default.
So we’ll cover two scenarios:
- If you have an Android Smart TV (Sony, LG, TCL…)
- If your Smart TV is not Android (Samsung, Philips…)
In both situations, you can use a VPN on your Smart TV. However, the steps are a bit more involved if your TV doesn’t run Android and doesn’t have the Google Play Store.
Installing a VPN on an Android Smart TV
The easiest method is to install your VPN directly from the Google Play Store on your Android Smart TV. This applies to many Sony televisions, and also some LG and TCL models. Simply open the Play Store on your TV, search for the VPN by name, download it, and install it. It usually takes no more than a minute.
Beforehand, you’ll need to subscribe to one of the best VPN for Smart TV plans covered in this article. Once the VPN is installed on your Android Smart TV, sign in and connect. That’s all there is to it.
Installing a VPN on a non-Android Smart TV
Not all connected televisions run Android. That means the process becomes more complicated-or, in some cases, not possible. Don’t worry: you don’t need to rush out and buy a new TV.
A quick warning: if you own a Samsung TV, for example, a provider may claim its VPN works on your television. In practice, this will always be Smart DNS, not a Virtual Private Network.
The fix is straightforward. Buy an Amazon Fire TV Stick for under €30 and plug it into your television. You can then install VPN apps via the Fire TV Stick, just as we explained in our article covering the best VPN for Fire TV.
Free VPN on a connected TV: does it exist?
The top 5 above includes only paid VPN. So can you use a free VPN on your Smart TV? While free options do exist, we don’t recommend choosing a 100% free service. This applies even to the better-known ones, such as Proton VPN Free, TunnelBear, or PrivadoVPN.
There are several reasons:
- Data caps: very often you’ll be limited to 10 GB-or even just 2 GB-per month, which only covers a few dozen minutes of streaming.
- Too few servers and speeds that are frequently disappointing.
- A limited selection of countries on free VPN servers compatible with major Smart TV models. You’ll often be restricted to 3 or 5 countries, which is very limiting.
- Weaker security. Many free services fund themselves by selling users’ browsing data, which undermines your privacy.
If you really don’t want to pay anything, the best approach is to use the money-back guarantees offered by NordVPN, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost. It’s only a temporary option (valid for 30 to 45 days depending on the provider), but it’s far better than relying on a completely free service.
Conclusion: NordVPN is the benchmark VPN on Smart TV
We’ve reviewed the best VPN for Smart TV in 2026. While NordVPN remains our favourite with 9,200 servers in 129 countries, the others perform very well too, offering strong apps that are easy to control from your remote while you relax on the sofa. If your top priority is the number of national catalogues you can reach, Proton VPN-with 148 countries-is the most credible alternative.
As a reminder, even if your Smart TV doesn’t include the Android environment (as is often the case on Samsung or Philips models), you can still use an Amazon Fire TV Stick. This small device lets you download VPN provider apps directly from the Amazon Store and enjoy the same benefits.
FAQ
Can I use a free VPN for Smart TV?
Although free VPN for Smart TV exist, we don’t recommend them. As well as poor speeds, they tend to be unstable and make streaming frustrating. It’s far better to choose a paid option like ExpressVPN than a free VPN for Smart TV.
How do I install a VPN on a TV?
Installing a VPN on Smart TV is very easy if your television uses Android. In that case, simply subscribe to the VPN, then find the app in the Play Store from your connected TV. If you’re not on Android, you can use a Fire TV Stick to install apps from the Amazon Store. It’s very simple and costs under €30.
Can I install a VPN on a Samsung TV?
Many Samsung Smart TV users want to install a VPN. You can’t do this directly through Samsung’s ecosystem. The best approach is to plug a Fire TV Stick into your Samsung TV so you can download and install VPN apps via the Amazon Store.
What are the best deals for Smart TV?
Our favourite VPN for Smart TV are ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, and NordVPN. All of them are fully translated into French and offer high-quality apps that you can control easily from your remote.
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