It’s wonderful that the advanced technology of smart TVs allows you to stream online, browse websites, and play games. However, the streaming content on your smart TV is limited. A VPN for smart TV can help you get geo-restricted content.
VPN can help you unlock geo-restricted content in your region by changing your IP address. Using a VPN, you can watch all the popular films, shows, and dramas from other countries.
This post will introduce the 3 VPNs and how to set them up on your smart TV. Keep reading and select one to set up.
Benefits of Using a VPN for Smart TV
Sometimes when you watch dramas on your smart TV, you may encounter malicious activities like hacking. Also, you may find that the dramas, films, and shows are limited on your smart TV. Fortunately, a VPN can help you because it can:
Access unlimited resources: You may find that some films, dramas, and games are blocked in your region. Changing your IP address can help you access these resources. A key feature of the VPNs is to change your IP address. It has multiple servers in different countries. You can change your IP address to any country to access geo-restricted content.
Encrypt data: Most VPNs have a strong encryption protocol that will encrypt your data such as the browsing history, IP address, and other sensitive information. When you watch dramas and shows on your smart TV, the data and IP address will be protected.
Get the most affordable subscription plan: You may find that the subscription plans of some streaming platforms and online games in different regions might be different. A VPN can help you change your IP address to these countries and have the most affordable subscription plan.
Related: The Best Apple TV VPN & How to Set up One
VPN for Smart TV
Here is detailed information about the 3 VPNs for your smart TV including their key features and price. You can check them and select an option.
LightningX VPN
LightningX VPN can be the best VPN for smart TV. It has excellent speed and performance. Here are its key features.
Strong encryption protocol: LightningX VPN adopts strong encryption protocols such as Shadowsocks, Vless, and WireGuard. These protect your data and IP address from being hacked or tracked by your ISP or the website you visit. You can securely enjoy streaming content on your smart TV.
Lightning-fast speed: Just as its name, LightningX VPN has a lightning-fast connection speed. It has no bandwidth limitation on your network, so you can smoothly stream content on your smart TV.
Multiple server locations: It has 1,000+ servers across 50+ countries including all the popular server nodes such as the US, Australia, Japan, Singapore, etc. You can change your IP address to any country to get unlimited streaming content.
Supported streaming platforms: LightningX VPN helps you access unlimited content on streaming websites such as TikTok, Netflix, Disney+, HBO, etc. Also, it supports MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV, and Android smart TV.
Affordable subscription plan:
- 1 Day: $0.99 (Most popular).
- 1 Month: $0.19/day, $5.7 total.
- 3 Months + 1 Month Free: $0.13/day, $11.7 total.
- 1 Year + 1 Year Free: $0.08/day, $28.8 total. Best value you can have.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a VPN for smart TV. Its key features are listed here.
Rock-solid security: ExpressVPN protects your data and online activity with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. Also, according to its no-log policy, it will not collect your data like browsing history, IP address, and phone number. You can trust its security.
Blazing-fast connection: ExpressVPN will not limit your bandwidth. It also creates a 256-bit encrypted SSL-secured tunnel between you and the internet. This will help you avoid the bandwidth limitation of your ISP so you can smoothly watch videos or download anything from the websites.
Multiple server locations: It covers 105 countries with 3,000 servers so you can change your IP address to any country.
Supported streaming platforms: ExpressVPN has apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, routers, etc. You can use it to access all the popular streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC, etc. It is also a VPN for Samsung smart TV.
Smart DNS: ExpressVPN allows you to use the smart DNS function so you can use it on any smart TV even if it doesn’t support the VPN apps.
Price and plan:
- 1 Month: $12.95
- 6 Months: $9.99/Month, $59.94 total.
- 1 Year + 3 Months Free: $6.67/Month, $80.04 total.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN
NordVPN is also a VPN for smart TV. It has an ultra-fast connection speed. Check its key features below.
Proprietary protocol: NordLynx protocol is a proprietary protocol of NordVPN which is based on WireGuard. Also, NordVPN provides users with CyberSec, an ad-blocker. These will keep you away from hacking, tracking, and malware interruptions.
Blazing-fast speed: NordVPN comes with 10 Gbps servers backing it up. It also doesn’t limit your bandwidth so you can connect to any server node with a super-fast speed.
Multiple server locations: NordVPN provides 6,300 servers in 110 countries. You can change your IP address to any region to get unlimited content.
Supported streaming platforms: NordVPN is a VPN for LG smart TV, Samsung smart TV, and other popular smart TVs. You can also use it to unlock geo-restricted content on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, etc.
Smart DNS: NordVPN is also a VPN that supports smart DNS. You can use it on any smart TV that doesn’t support the VPN apps.
Price and plan:
| Price and plan | Standard Plan | Plus Plan | Ultimate Plan |
| Per month | $12.99 | $13.99 | $15.99 |
| 1 year | $55.08($4.59/mo) | $65.88 ($5.49/mo) | $89.88 ($7.49/mo) |
| 2 years | $88.56($3.69/mo) | $112.56($4.69/mo) | $160.56($6.69/mo) |
(30-day money-back guarantee)
How to Set Up a VPN for Smart TV
After checking the 3 VPN options for smart TV, you may already select one. Then, you can follow the guide below to set up the VPN on your smart TV even if it doesn’t support a VPN app.
If Your Smart TV Supports VPN Apps
If your smart TV supports the VPN natively, you can directly download a VPN app on Google Play of your smart TV. Taking LightningX VPN as an example, here are the steps.
- Go to the VPN official site to subscribe to one of the plans. After paying the bill, you’ll get an activation code. This will help you get the membership. You can use your phone or PC to finish this step because it is more convenient.
- Now you can download the LightningX VPN app from the Google Play Store of your smart TV.
- Launch the app and sign into your newly registered account.
- Select the server node you want and click the start button. Now the VPN on your smart TV is successfully set up.
If Your Smart TV Doesn’t Support VPN Apps
If your smart TV doesn’t support the VPNs natively, you can follow the guides below to set up a VPN on your smart TV.
Use a LAN Cable to share the VPN connection
You can use a LAN cable to connect the smart TV to the VPN on your PC or macOS. The LAN cable ensures a stable and fast network connection. Here are the steps.
Windows PC
- Type “Control Panel” in the search box beside the Windows logo.
- Enter the “Control Panel” page and click “Network and Internet” > “Network and Sharing Center”.
- Click “Change Adapter Settings” on the left side.
- On the list of network adapters, find your VPN connection that should include the word “TAP”.
- Right-click on the VPN adapter and click “Properties”. Then select the “Sharing” tab in the menu that opens.
- Check the box next to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection”.
- Select “Ethernet” in the drop-down menu and click OK.
- Go to the VPN on your PC and select a server.
- Grab an Ethernet cable to connect your PC and Smart TV. Now your smart TV may share the VPN connection with your PC.
Mac computer
- Download and install a VPN on your Mac.
- Go to “System Preferences” on your Mac computer.
- Click “Internet Sharing”.
- If your Mac is connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable, look for the drop-down menu “Share your connection from” and click Ethernet.
- Select Ethernet again in the drop-down menu “To computer using”.
- Connect to a VPN server you want.
- You can use an Ethernet cable to connect your Mac and smart TV to share the VPN connection.
Use a Wi-Fi hotspot to share the VPN connection
You can share your VPN connection via a Wi-Fi hotspot on a Windows PC or Mac computer.
Windows PC
- Go to “Settings” on your Windows PC.
- Click “Network & Internet” and switch on the toggle beside “Mobile Hotspot”.
- Choose “WiFi” in the drop-down menu next to “Share my internet connection from”.
- Find your VPN adapter in the Control Panel/Network and Internet/Network and Sharing Center/Change Adapter Settings.
- Right-click on the VPN adapter and select “Properties”.
- In the Sharing tab, allow other network users to connect to this network. In the drop-down menu, select the Wi-Fi network you have turned on. Then, click OK.
- Connect to a VPN server on your PC.
- Enable WiFi on your Smart TV and scan for the network you created. Connect to that network to use the VPN connection.
Mac computer
- Go to “System Preferences” and select “Sharing”.
- Check the box next to “Internet Sharing”.
- Select the VPN adapter in the “Share your connection from” drop-down menu.
- Select “WiFi” in the “To computers” menu.
- Connect to a server on your Mac.
- Connect to that WiFi network on your Smart TV. Now you can enjoy the VPN service on your Smart TV.
Install a VPN on a Router
You can install a VPN on your router to enjoy the VPN service which is a complicated way. Also, your router must be compatible with VPN. You can check the website of your router’s manufacturer or the website of the VPN you select to learn the exact instructions for installing a VPN on your router.
Use a VPN with Smart DNS
The Smart DNS feature on your VPN can help you change the IP address and unlock geo-restricted content in your region. The setup processes of VPNs are different. You can go to the VPN website to check the exact instructions.
FAQs on VPN for Smart TV
Q: How much does a VPN cost?
The average price range of a VPN per month is around $3 to $10. You can also check the free trial of each VPN to test the water. For example, LightningX VPN offers a 10-minute free trial once you download and install it.
Q: Can you put a VPN on a Smart TV?
Yes, you can download and install a VPN on your Smart TV as long as it supports the VPN apps. However, if your Smart TV doesn’t support the VPN apps, you may adopt other methods to enjoy a VPN service on the Smart TV.
Q: How to install a VPN on Android TV?
If your Android TV supports the VPN apps, you can directly download and install one from the Google Play Store. However, if your Android TV doesn’t support the VPN apps, you may need to adopt other methods to install one.
