Best VPNs for Apple TV in 2023

Apple TV is an excellent streaming device that you can use to enjoy popular streaming platforms right until you encounter geo-restricted content. Fortunately, a VPN that’s compatible with Apple TV can help you out.

Features, such as Smart DNS or compatibility with a router, ensure you can use a VPN connection on Apple TVs that don’t initially support it. And a large server fleet gives you access to a global Netflix catalog. Moreso, a VPN is a powerful security tool that guarantees complete protection for your sensitive data.

We know what we need, but what VPNs offer that? To answer this, we have tested and selected the best 5 VPNs for Apple TV in terms of compatibility, features, connection speed, and more aspects. Read on and snatch your way to unlimited browsing capabilities!

Top 5 best VPNs for Apple TV

1. NordVPN - Best VPN for Apple TV in 2023
2. Surfshark - Apple TV VPN for the whole family
3. VyprVPN - Apple TV VPN that bypasses VPN blocks
4. Private Internet Access - Largest VPN server network
5. ExpressVPN - Great all-round VPN for Apple TV

How to choose the best VPN for Apple TV?

If you want to watch content from different regions on your Apple TV, you’ll need to get a VPN to get around geo-blocks. Aside from connection speeds and ability to unblock streaming platforms, make sure the VPN has these key features:

• Works on a router. Apple TV doesn’t support VPN, so you need an alternate method of connection. One of these options is installing a VPN on your router. This method can be difficult, but as long as your chosen VPN has a guide to help you do it (all of the VPNs we’ve recommended do), you should be able to complete the process without too much fuss. You’ll also need to make sure your router is compatible with the VPN in the first place.
• Smart DNS. Another option is Smart DNS. This clever feature enables you to access geo-blocked content on your Apple TV without even needing to connect to VPN. Note, you won’t get VPN benefits, like encryption, with this method. But if you’re just interested in a bit of hassle-free streaming, it’s a great solution. And since you’re not on the VPN, you’ll get better speeds this way too.
• Fast connection speed. VPNs have a tendency to decrease your network’s speed in exchange for security. Although the reason is completely understandable, sacrificing an overall browsing experience is wrong. Therefore, it’s somewhat crucial to look for a VPN provider that includes an advanced tunneling protocol and offers stable and fast connection speeds to enjoy buffer-free streaming.
• Server fleet. For example, Netflix’s content differs from library to library, and some popular streaming services work in specific locations only. Therefore, you need a VPN with a geographically-diverse server fleet. Moreso, the more servers you get, the smaller your chance of using overcrowded servers is.

The best Apple TV VPNs in 2023 - our detailed list:

There are many reputable VPNs to choose from, so to create this list, we tested a range of options on their features, price, ease of use, tech support, and more. Check out which VPNs we’ve rated as the best for Apple TV.

• Baseline testing speed: 300 Mbps download/300 Mbps upload

1. NordVPN - best VPN for Apple TV in 2023

Based in:	Panama
Servers/countries:	5500+ servers in 60 countries
Simultaneous connections:	6
Current deal:	Get NordVPN with 63% OFF + 3 months FREE!

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is an excellent VPN for Apple TV. With a huge selection of servers – 5500 in 60 countries – it will always be able to unblock content from the main streaming sites, like Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.

The speeds for Apple TV are impressive. When we used the NordLynx tunneling protocol, the average download speed was 249 Mbps! What makes it perfect for streaming HD and UHD content.

NordVPN can be set up on your router: the process requires a bit of concentration, but luckily, you can find guides on the NordVPN website to show you how it’s done.

Using Smart DNS is another option, and it’s particularly useful if you’re just interested in streaming and don’t require full VPN encryption. Moreso, when testing, this method got us to the wanted results quickest..

If you ever need help with any of these setups, you can always get in touch with the NordVPN help team via its 24/7 live chat.

A wide range of features, a helpful team, and some of the best security and privacy settings found on any VPN make NordVPN the complete package. And when you take into consideration the very reasonable price (just $3.29/month), you can see why it’s so highly rated. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee too.

Learn more about the features in our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark - Apple TV VPN for the whole family

Based in:	British Virgin Islands
Servers/countries:	3200+ servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous connections:	Unlimited
Current deal:	Get 82% OFF Surfshark + 2 months FREE

Visit Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent VPN for Apple TV that has unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can connect as many devices to the VPN as you want, so it’s great for sharing with family and friends.

On the server front, Sufshark excels. With 3200+ servers in 100 countries, it’s always able to unblock content on Apple TV. We’ve tested it against all of the big streaming sites and never had any trouble getting into the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, and Disney+.

Surfshark is undoubtedly among the fastest VPNs on the market using the WireGuard tunneling protocol. During our tests, the average speed came in at 263 Mbps while streaming HD on Apple TV.

Router setup can be done with the help of guides, and you can also set up Smart DNS on your Apple TV, which is the quickest way to go. There are guides to help you share the VPN connection from your computer too, but this can be troublesome without having enough technical knowledge. On top of Surfshark’s guides, there’s 24/7 live chat on hand should you require tech assistance.

With prices starting from only $2.30/month, Surfshark is easily one of the best VPNs for Apple TV. And a 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to feel the service before fully comitting to it!

Get to know more from our Surfshark VPN review.

3. VyprVPN - VPN for Apple TV in highly-censored countries

Based in:	Switzerland
Servers/countries:	700 servers in 64 countries
Simultaneous connections:	30
Current deal:	Get VyprVPN, now 50% OFF the 1-year plan!

Visit VyprVPN

If the low price of Surfshark caught your eye, VyprVPN might be even more attractive.

VyprVPN is a small but powerful Apple TV VPN that works in countries with VPN blocks. Although there are only around 700 servers in over 64 countries), we could still unblock streaming sites like Netflix, Youtube, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and HBO Now.

We wereare impressed with VyprVPN’s speeds too. With WireGuard, average speeds for Apple TV were around the 242Mbps mark – that’s ideal for streaming in high quality video without experiencing annoying lags.

This VPNVyprVPN can be set up on your router, with step-by-step guides to help you get it done. The service also offers the LT2P protocol, enabling you to share a VPN connection from a Mac, so that’s another way to get connected to your Apple TV.

However, there’s no SmartDNS feature implemented yet. On the other hand, the Chameleon protocol it offers, ingeniously makes VPN traffic appear to be regular internet traffic, making the service more effective against firewalls. So, you can still use this VPN to circumvent geo-blocks!

If anything, VyprVPN has live chat support that helps you to solve issues and enjoy streaming on your Apple TV in minutes. The service itself is robust and effective, with a starting price of only $5.00 a month, and the standard 30-day guarantee is included.

Read our detailed VyprVPN review and get to know more about it.

4. Private Internet Access - Largest VPN server network

Based in:	USA
Locations:	30000+ servers in 83 + countries
Simultaneous connections:	Yes
Current deal:	Get PIA, now 82% OFF + 2 Months FREE!

Visit PIA

With the largest server fleet, Private Internet Access (PIA) is a fantastic VPN for your Apple TV device. It has around 30000 servers in 83 different countries to connect to, and we’ve used them to unblock Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, and Disney+ on Apple TV.

On the downside, this Apple VPN isn’t the fastest one on the market. Even though it uses the WireGuard tunneling protocol, the average download speed was only 124Mbps which is far from what NordVPN or Surfshark offers. Therefore, coming across some buffering is rather inevitable.

PIA supplies guides to help you set the VPN up on your router, so you can use that method only to get connected to Apple TV. Hence, the setup process can be quite overwhelming if you have no experience in it. Moreso, there is no Smart DNS feature that would ease your way.

Private Internet Access offers a generous 10 simultaneous connections on a single subscription, so you can easily share it across your household devices. It is also one of the cheaper VPNs; you can sign up for a subscription for only $2.19/month. Give PIA a try, and if you change your mind for any reason, you can claim a refund thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more about the service in our PIA review.

5. ExpressVPN - Great all-round VPN for Apple TV

Based in:	British Virgin Islands
Servers/countries:	3000 servers in 94 countries
Simultaneous connections:	Yes
Current deal:	Get ExpressVPN, now 49% OFF the 1-year plan!

Visit ExpressVPN

If you’re watching content on Apple TV, ExpressVPN has everything you need to get the best out of your streaming. With over 3000 servers in 94 countries, during our tests, we could watch all Apple TV shows as well as those on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Youtube, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, and Disney+.

Using the Lightway protocol, we got download speeds of around 226Mbps, which is pretty close to what NordVPN and Surfshark delivered. You can also use the LT2P/IPSec protocol, too, if you’re planning on sharing a VPN connection from your Mac.

ExpressVPN is one of the easiest VPNs to set up on a router. Not only does it have a specific router app, but it also supplies firmware should you wish to do the process manually. For a less complicated method of unblocking streaming content, you can just go with the Media Streamer feature, which is ExpressVPN’s version of Smart DNS.

Of course, there are extensive guides to help you with all these processes, as well as 24/7 chat support. Meaning, no unresolved issues remain along the way.

Overall, ExpressVPN is nearly a perfect VPN not only for your Apple TV but also for robust protection. However, you’ll have to pay at least $6.67/month for a subscription. Nevertheless, you have 30 days to change your mind and get a full refund.

Check out our ExpressVPN review and find out more.

How we selected and tested these Apple TV VPNs

We aim to recommend only the most reliable VPNs for seamless content streaming. The provided list of Apple TV VPNs were carefully tested and selected based on the following criteria:

• How easy is it to set up on Apple TV? Since you can’t install a VPN directly on your Apple TV, we picked VPNs that have alternative solutions like router installation, Smart DNS, and computer connection sharing.
• Speed. Apple TV is all about streaming high-quality content, so to ensure you get the best quality without any buffering, we’ve listed consistently fast VPNs.
• Good for streaming? Not all VPNs can unblock streaming sites, nor all of them work with streaming devices. The VPNs in this top 5 list are all proven to consistently unblock Apple TV, as well as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
• Customer support. No service is without hiccups, so in the event of tech troubles, our recommended VPNs have excellent customer support options.
• Price. It’s one thing offering a great service, but the price needs to be right too. We think our top-rated VPNs for Apple TV are all good value for money.
• Security. Keep your digital world safe with a VPN that offers top security features like encryption, kill switch, and total anonymity.

How to use a VPN on Apple TV

Even though you can’t set up a VPN on Apple TV directly, the fact is that you can still have a VPN connection on it. There are a few methods to do so, such as Smart DNS, secure hotspot, or via a router, and, luckily, not all of them require heaps of technical knowledge.

Reputable VPNs, such as NordVPN, offer a Smart DNS feature that creates an encrypted tunnel even for those devices that don’t support a VPN connection. The feature can be found in NordVPN’s app Settings section and enabled within minutes.

If your selected VPN provider doesn’t have the latter feature, an alternative way could be using your computer’s shared connection or via a router. Nevertheless, these options require more effort. It’s important to set up a VPN on a router correctly to avoid IP leaks and enjoy an uninterrupted online experience.

Overall, choosing a VPN with a Smart DNS feature is our favorite way to go. This way, you can avoid extra hassle and enjoy streaming on Apple TV sooner than later!

Is there a free VPN for Apple TV?

The majority of free VPNs come with full baggage of limitations. Small server fleets will hardly help you access Netflix anywhere except your true location. The limited connection speed will make the streaming experience full of suffering from constant lagging. And the whole security suite can be way behind the market, as free VPNs don’t bother to invest in their apps.

Alternatively, there are free versions of paid-for VPNs, called ‘freemium’ versions. While they will be more reputable than completely free VPNs, there won’t be many servers available, and your usage will be capped with restrictions. One good option is Windscribe, a VPN with a genuinely good freemium version. Windscribe’s free offering has a good selection of features and a generous 10GB data cap and it can even unblock Netflix.

All in all, choosing a premium VPN, such as NordVPN, is the best solution to go for. Unlimited data and connection speed, large server fleets, and specialized features, such as Smart DNS, ensure you have only the best time on your Apple TV. To feel that, you can use a 30-day money-back guarantee or NordVPN’s free trial.

Conclusion

Next time you switch on your Apple TV, get the best streaming experience by connecting a VPN too. You’ll open up a whole new world of content on all your favorite streaming services. Geo-restrictions will be a thing of the past!

Not only that, but you’ll also get a selection of security and anonymity features. You’ll stay protected from cyber threats, and your ISP won’t be able to see what you’re doing online.

The top 5 VPNs we’ve recommended in this article all offer brilliant features at very affordable prices. Sign up for a subscription, get connected, and you’ll soon wonder how you lived without one.

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