The Best VPN for Smart TV

Why Use a VPN for Your Smart TV?

You might wonder why it’s necessary to use a VPN for your smart TV. The reason is straightforward. A VPN server serves as a bridge between you and your desired content, bypassing geographic limitations and unlocking a trove of content. Imagine being in Australia and watching content only available in the US or the UK. Now that’s what we call a truly global streaming experience!

But the benefits of a VPN aren’t limited to the content alone. It’s also about maintaining privacy and securing your streaming experience. The VPN connection offers the following benefits:

• Safeguards your smart TV by employing robust encryption, thereby protecting your online activities from unauthorized access

• Shields your streaming activities from potential cyber threats

• Maintains user privacy

Having the world at your fingertips allows you to access a wide range of geo-restricted content, including streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Apple TV. Sports events, live broadcasts, and much more can be accessed from the comfort of your couch. Now, isn’t that a smart move for Samsung smart TV users?

Top VPN Providers for Smart TVs

The market is brimming with VPN providers, all claiming to be the best. So, how does one navigate this plethora of options? Here are some of the leading players in the VPN market.

NordVPN, a popular choice, demonstrates superior speed performance compared to many of its competitors, such as Surfshark, which is beneficial for smart TVs that support VPN apps. However, Surfshark has its own perks. It offers secure, high-speed streaming and a solution to bandwidth throttling, making it an excellent choice for smart TV apps.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN is highly regarded as a top smart tv vpn option for Samsung Smart TVs. It’s praised for its robust security and privacy features, extensive range of capabilities, and high-speed performance.

And then, there’s CyberGhost, which offers advantages like:

• Improved privacy

• Access to TV content from various locations

• The ability to stream in 4K

• The integration of SmartDNS for additional benefits when used with Android TVs.

Setting Up a VPN on Android-based Smart TVs

Having unlocked the potential of a VPN, the next step is to set it up on your Android-based smart TVs. You may wonder, why Android? The answer is simple - versatility. Android TVs support a wide array of VPN apps, making it a breeze to install and set up a VPN.

To get started, all you need to do is open the Google Play Store on your TV and search for the VPN app you wish to install. Once you’ve found the app, proceed with downloading and installing it. Voila! You’re all set to stream without limits.

But wait, what if your Android TV doesn’t support the VPN app directly? No worries, we’ve got you covered. You may want to consider setting up the VPN on your router to ensure that all devices connected to the network, including your TV, are covered.

Configuring VPNs on Non-Android Smart TVs

But what about non-Android smart TVs? Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about those. Even if you’re using a Samsung Tizen OS or an LG webOS, there are ways to configure VPNs on your smart TV.

We’ll examine some of these methods in the subsequent sections.

Sharing VPN Connection via Ethernet

Ethernet, the good old wired network connection, can come handy when setting up a VPN on your smart TV. Sharing your VPN connection via Ethernet involves using a device that is already connected to a VPN, and then connecting an Ethernet cable from this device to your smart TV.

To facilitate this, you can use VPN clients that support this feature or hotspot software like Speedify and Connectify Hotspot. Your TV can then establish internet connectivity through the VPN-secured device, effectively extending the VPN coverage to your TV.

However, it’s not always smooth sailing. Not all VPN services are compatible with router installation. Plus, if your VPN connection gets interrupted, your actual network information is at risk of being exposed.

Despite these potential limitations, sharing a VPN connection via Ethernet can be a valuable solution for non-Android smart TVs.

Creating a VPN-Protected Wi-Fi Hotspot

If a wired connection sounds a bit too old school for your taste, there’s another way. You can create a VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot. It’s a handy method to cover all your devices, including your smart TV, under the protective umbrella of a VPN.

For Windows users, you need to follow these steps:

1. Head over to Settings, then Network & Internet, and select Mobile hotspot.

2. After enabling this feature, proceed to Settings again, then Network and Internet, and choose Change adapter options.

3. Right-click on your VPN connection and select Properties.

4. In the Sharing tab, activate ‘Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection’ and select your Wi-Fi adapter from the dropdown menu.

Mac users can initiate a VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot by following these steps:

1. Configure and connect the VPN.

2. In System Preferences, navigate to the Network icon.

3. Add a new network interface.

4. Select your VPN from the dropdown list.

5. Designate Wi-Fi as the interface for sharing your connection.

6. Activate Internet Sharing to share your VPN connection over the created Wi-Fi network.

Installing VPN on Home Router

For a more comprehensive solution, consider integrating a VPN into your home router. This way, you can extend protection to all devices connected to your network, including your smart TV.

To kickstart the process, access your router’s configuration panel, locate the VPN tab or option, and follow the VPN setup instructions provided by your VPN client. Bear in mind, these steps may differ depending on your specific router model and VPN service.

For a seamless experience, it’s recommended to use routers from reputable brands such as:

• 12VPN

• AceVPN

• AirVPN

• Astrill

• Azire VPN

Certain routers like InvizBox 2, Vilfo, Synology RT2600AC, and Asus RT-AC86U AC2900 Dual have gained popularity for their suitability for VPN use.

Streaming Services Compatibility

With the technicalities out of the way, we can now focus on the entertaining aspect - streaming! The compatibility of streaming services with VPNs is crucial for a smooth and immersive viewing experience. Some of the top streaming services that are compatible with VPNs are:

• Hulu

• YouTube

• BBC iPlayer

• Amazon Prime Video

• Netflix

• Max

Netflix, for example, limits access to TV shows and movies to those for which it holds global rights when using a VPN. On the other hand, Hulu can be accessed from different locations using a VPN by downloading the Hulu app on your smart TV and beginning to stream. BBC iPlayer is also compatible with VPNs on smart TVs.

However, using Amazon Prime with VPNs on smart TVs may lead to issues such as the VPN not functioning properly with Amazon Prime Video, encountering the Amazon Prime HTTP proxy error, and Amazon Prime detecting and blocking VPNs. But with the right VPN provider, these hurdles can be easily overcome.

Overcoming Common VPN Issues on Smart TVs

Despite enhancing your streaming experience, VPNs can occasionally present their own set of challenges. One common issue is a slow VPN connection. This can be attributed to ISP throttling or restrictions within your internet plan. To address this, consider utilizing a wired connection, investigating potential ISP throttling, and experimenting with different VPN servers.

Another common issue is a VPN connection dropping. This could occur due to:

• Network issues

• Incorrect router configurations

• Faulty DNS settings

• Incorrect VPN settings

• Server overload

Troubleshooting these issues and selecting a less crowded server to reduce server load can help establish a stable connection.

Tips for Choosing the Right VPN for Your Smart TV

Selecting the appropriate vpn for smart tv might appear intimidating. Fear not, here are some guiding tips.

Consider the following factors when choosing a VPN for your smart TV:

1. Speed: Utilizing a VPN could potentially reduce internet speed, affecting your streaming quality.

2. Server location: The location of the VPN server is crucial as it determines the location that your smart TV connects to, impacting your streaming experience and access to geo-restricted content.

3. Encryption: Look for VPNs with robust 256-bit AES encryption to safeguard your connection and preserve your privacy.

Other factors to consider include:

• Security

• Server reliability

• VPN protocol options

• Bandwidth limitations

• The availability of a kill switch feature

• Multi-hop capability

• Pricing and subscription plans

• Server locations

Alternatives to VPNs: Smart DNS and Proxy Services

If you’re exploring alternatives to VPNs, consider Smart DNS and proxy services. SmartDNS leverages your DNS to circumvent geographical restrictions on websites and services, enabling access to streaming content on various devices, including smart TVs.

While Smart DNS offers faster speeds compared to VPN and is generally more cost-effective, it lacks data traffic encryption and doesn’t offer the same level of security and privacy as a VPN.

Similarly, a proxy service serves as an interface between the user and the internet, transmitting data between the user’s device and the web, enabling them to access websites without disclosing their actual IP address. While proxy services offer heightened online security and privacy, they lack encryption, leaving your data vulnerable to potential threats.

VPNs and Privacy Concerns

Despite the numerous benefits of a VPN, it’s important to be aware of privacy considerations. Some common concerns include:

• Potential vulnerability to security breaches in the web browsers of TVs

• Gathering of personal information via smart TVs

• Potential infiltration of harmful software if the TV lacks protection from anti-malware software and firewalls

While VPNs can encrypt and conceal internet traffic, thereby offering enhanced privacy, it’s important to remember that VPN providers have potential access to your private information. There have been instances where certain free VPN services incorporated tracking and allowed third-party access to user data.

Therefore, it’s essential to review the level of encryption, the security features provided, and most importantly, the provider’s logging policy. A provider that keeps no logs of user activity is generally preferred for maintaining privacy.

Summary

In conclusion, using a VPN for your smart TV can greatly enhance your streaming experience by providing access to a global library of content, maintaining privacy, and ensuring secure streaming. But it’s essential to choose the right VPN, considering factors like speed, server locations, and security features. While there are alternatives to VPNs like Smart DNS and proxy services, they don’t offer the same level of security and privacy. And although VPN providers have potential access to your private information, choosing a reliable provider can mitigate this risk.