Key Takeaways: These Are the Best VPNs for Apple TV
- Surfshark — The best dedicated Apple TV VPN app
- NordVPN — The fastest Apple TV VPN
- ExpressVPN — Reliable Apple TV VPN that is compatible with many router models
- Private Internet Access (PIA) — Apple TV VPN with strong features
- IPVanish — Easy-to-use Apple TV VPN
Facts & Expert Analysis About Apple TV VPN:
- Apple tvOS 17 is a game-changing update: Apple’s tvOS 17 introduces many changes users have been craving, including FaceTime, a more useful control center, a Siri remote locator and fixes to hard-to-hear dialogues. Notably, it adds support for VPNs, which was lacking in previous updates.
- VPNs are responding to Apple TV’s update: tvOS 17 was released in September 2023, and many VPNs have released compatible apps since then. ExpressVPN and NordVPN released theirs in December 2023, while Surfshark’s was launched in April 2024. We expect more VPNs to release Apple TV apps to stay competitive.
- Apple TV VPNs have room for improvement: Most Apple TV VPNs we’ve tested only offer basic features that enable users to connect to a server. We expect future updates to add features such as split tunneling and the option to change protocols.
Apple TV’s streaming devices, such as Apple TV 4K and HD, let you stream original Apple movies and series, music, workouts and games. Many of these apps restrict the content you can stream by country, but you can get around this with the best VPN for Apple TV. However, be warned that not all our picks for the best VPN have native Apple TV apps.
For example, your Apple TV content library in the U.S. will differ from what someone in Europe might see. A virtual private network (VPN) can change your location to the country with the library you want to access. This will allow you to stream any Apple TV, Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video or ESPN+ library you choose.
As an added benefit, a VPN encrypts your traffic, making it hard for hackers and snoopers to know what you are doing online. However, choosing an Apple TV VPN is tricky since some VPNs don’t have native apps or work poorly. We reviewed many of the best VPNs for streaming, but in this article, we’ll show you the best Apple TV VPNs.
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10/25/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.
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05/02/2024 Facts checked
We rewrote this article with new providers and added more practical sections.
Cloudwards Editor’s Choice: Surfshark
We chose Surfshark as the best Apple TV VPN because of its excellent native Apple TV VPN app. Compared to the other options, our editorial team found Surfshark’s app easy to install and simple to navigate. Surfshark also impressed us with its super-fast and consistent speeds.
On top of all that, Surfshark is one the most affordable VPNs on the market. You can try it for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to Choose the Best Apple TV VPN
The main feature to consider when choosing an Apple TV VPN is a native Apple TV app or router compatibility. Other important considerations include speed, security and privacy features, as well as servers and customer support. Here’s a highlight of the features the best Apple TV VPNs have:
- App for Apple TV or router compatibility: A VPN with a dedicated Apple TV app is easier to install and use. At a minimum, the VPN you choose should be compatible with the router you use on your Apple TV.
- Large server network: A VPN with multiple servers lets you switch between various content libraries on one streaming platform.
- Fast speeds: A good Apple TV VPN must be fast so you don’t experience choppy videos or low-quality streams.
- Strong encryption and a no-logs policy: Select a VPN that offers AES-256 encryption and commits to not logging sensitive information.
- Affordability: Choose a reasonably priced VPN that offers various subscription options. The VPN should also have a money-back guarantee so you can test it risk-free.
- Customer service: If the VPN has multiple customer support options and responsive agents, any issue you have will be addressed promptly.
The 5 Best VPN Apps for Apple TV
Surfshark is the best VPN for Apple TV streaming devices thanks to its easy-to-use Apple TV app, super-fast speeds, extensive server coverage and affordable pricing. Other excellent Apple TV alternatives are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, PIA and IPVanish. We’ve summarized the main features of these VPNs in the table below.
| VPN | Price | Apple TV | Speed | No-Logs | Protocols |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
$2.29 per month (two-year plan + two months) | Very fast | OpenVPN, WireGuard | ||
 |
$3.48 per month (two-year plan) | Fastest | NordLynx | ||
 |
$6.66 per month (15-months plan) | Very fast | OpenVPN, WireGuard | ||
 |
$4.17 per month (one-year plan) | Fast | IKEv2 | ||
 |
$3.33 per month (two-year plan) | Fast | OpenVPN, WireGuard |
In the next section, we’ll explain our reasons for choosing each of the VPNs on this list, starting with our top pick: Surfshark.
1. Surfshark — Best VPN for Apple TV
94 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
131 ms
Good
Surfshark ranks as the best Apple TV VPN mainly because it has a native Apple TV app that is easy to install and use. You can choose from more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries to change your online location and access different libraries on Apple TV. It’s excellent at unblocking major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video.
Surfshark employs OpenVPN and WireGuard to encrypt and protect your data. Its fast speeds make it a good choice for streaming and playing online video games on your Apple TV. It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can share one subscription with as many devices as you want.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
In our VPN speed tests, Surfshark posted some of the highest download speeds. For example, in the U.S., Surfshark preserved 95% of our original download speeds. Unsurprisingly, when we used Surfshark to stream HD Netflix movies on Apple TV HD, we didn’t experience any lag.
Surfshark Pricing & Value
Surfshark is an excellent choice if you want a budget-friendly VPN. The cheapest plan is the two-year subscription, which costs $2.29 per month. You can also get Surfshark for a year ($3.22 per month) or for a month ($15.45).
If you want to dig deeper into Surfshark’s pricing and features, read our full-length Surfshark review. Alternatively, you can try it yourself using Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $185.40 for one year, $370.80 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $191.40 for one year, $380.80 for two years.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $215.40 for one year, $430.80 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
2. NordVPN
92 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
3 ms
Very Fast
NordVPN has a well-designed app for Apple TV. It’s easy to download and install and a breeze to navigate. If you click the power button on the home screen, NordVPN will connect you to the fastest available server. Additionally, you can choose from servers in 111 countries.
NordVPN’s trump card is its download speeds, which are fastest on the custom NordLynx protocol. We recommend using NordVPN if you perform bandwidth-heavy tasks like streaming in 4K or playing video games. NordVPN also has smart DNS, a quicker form of IP rerouting that supports services such as ABC Go, Peacock TV and Paramount+.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
NordVPN is the fastest all-around VPN connection. Looking through the graphs in our best fast VPNs piece, you’ll notice that NordVPN posts excellent download and upload speeds. It also has low latency, which is perfect for playing your favorite games on Apple TV. We enjoyed an uninterrupted session of Apple Arcade’s ‘Sneaky Sasquatch’ while connected to NordVPN.
NordVPN Pricing & Value
NordVPN’s cheapest subscription costs $3.48 per month for two years. Though this price is higher than Surfshark’s, we still think NordVPN offers good value for the money. NordVPN also offers a monthly plan starting at $12.99 and an annual plan for $5.74 per month.
NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so you can try the service risk-free. If you want a detailed breakdown of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. ExpressVPN
88 Mbps
Very Fast
8 Mbps
Very Fast
5 ms
Very Fast
The first, second and third generations of Apple TVs don’t support apps, so you can’t install a native VPN app on them. If you have one of these, the only workaround is to connect your VPN to the router network your Apple TV uses. ExpressVPN is a good choice because it has a dedicated router app that works with common router models, including Asus and Linksys.
ExpressVPN also has a native app for Apple TV that you can install on the fourth generation and beyond. The app lets you switch between 105 countries to access different streaming content libraries. You can also change your location using ExpressVPN’s smart DNS feature, MediaStreamer. It’s ideal if your internet is slow, but it doesn’t encrypt your traffic.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
ExpressVPN also posts decent download speeds, though it’s slightly slower than Surfshark. We enjoyed the fastest ExpressVPN speeds when we connected to the Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN didn’t delay or interrupt our streaming experience, even when we used it to watch videos in 4K on Apple TV.
ExpressVPN Pricing & Value
ExpressVPN’s best deal is the one-year plan, which is priced at $6.66 per month. Granted, this price point is higher than many VPNs, but ExpressVPN is worth it if money’s not a concern. ExpressVPN also has a six-month plan for $9.99 per month and a monthly plan for $12.95.
You can try ExpressVPN using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our ExpressVPN review to see what our VPN experts think about it.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
4. Private Internet Access (PIA)
92 Mbps
Very Fast
9 Mbps
Very Fast
3 ms
Very Fast
PIA is a handy choice for Apple TV thanks to its native Apple TV app. In our experience, the app was easy to install and use. Choosing from PIA servers in 91 countries was simple and straightforward. PIA’s Apple TV app has a dark mode feature, which reduces blue light to preserve your sleep and enables your smart TV to run more efficiently.
If you’ve purchased a dedicated IP, PIA gives you full access to it on Apple TV. PIA is one of the best VPNs with dedicated IPs, which can help you avoid CAPTCHAs and skip blacklists. PIA also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can use one subscription on all your devices, not just Apple TVs.
Notes From the Lab: PIA Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
PIA offers reasonably fast download speeds, particularly in the U.S., and consistent upload speeds. Its average latency was one of the lowest of the VPNs we examined in our speed tests. We saw no choppy videos or low-quality streams while watching various streaming providers on Apple TV.
PIA Pricing & Value
PIA is an excellent long-term option because its three-year plan costs only $2.19 per month. It also offers a one-year plan priced at price id=”8423-0-2-m”] per month and a monthly plan for $11.95. You can learn more about PIA in our detailed PIA review. Otherwise, try it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 10
- Yes
5. IPVanish
IPVanish released a dedicated Apple TV app in 2023 that works with tvOS. The app seems to be designed with beginners in mind. It takes only a few seconds to install, and the interface is clean and intuitive. The “optimal location” feature connects you to the fastest server, or you can use an intuitive search button to help you choose a server.
You can choose from more than 2,400 servers in around 90 locations to change your virtual location and unblock streaming services. IPVanish uses the IKEv2 protocol on Apple TV. We break down the pros and cons of IKEv2 in our VPN protocol guide, but suffice it to say it’s a secure protocol that generally offers the fastest speeds of any option.
IPVanish Pricing & Value
IPVanish’s most affordable plan is the two-year plan, which costs $3.33 per month. That’s almost as cheap as Surfshark. IPVanish also offers an annual plan, which costs $4.50 per month. If you want the VPN for just a month, you’ll pay $11.99.
IPVanish offers a 30-day refund window for all plans except the one-month plan. If you want to learn more about the service before parting with your money, read our IPVanish review.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Every year after: $89.99 ($7.50 per month)
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Every two years after: $179.99 ($7.50 per month)
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
How to Use a VPN for Apple TV
This section will show you how to set up a VPN for your Apple TV. We’ll demonstrate the steps using Surfshark, the best Apple TV VPN. Of course, you’ll need a VPN subscription to get started. Simply visit the VPN’s website, pick a plan and pay for it, and proceed to your Apple TV VPN setup.
- Visit the Apple App Store and Download a VPN
Open the App Store on your Apple TV and search for the VPN you want to download. In our case, we typed “surfshark” into the search bar. Click on the app, then follow the directions onscreen to download and install it on your smart TV.
- Log in to the VPN App
After installation, open the VPN app and enter your login details. Depending on the VPN, you might be able to scan a QR code using a device where you’re already logged in.
- Click to Connect to Your Preferred Server
Click on the power button on the home screen to connect to a server. Alternatively, check the recommended server list. If you still can’t find your preferred server, scroll through the server list to find one. You can use the search button to speed up the process.
- Once Connected, Start Watching Apple TV
Wait for the VPN to tell you that you’ve connected to a server, then open your Apple TV app and decide what you want to watch.
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Our Methodology: How We Tested the Best Apple TV VPN Providers
In drawing up this list, we examined more than 50 VPNs. We checked whether they had the right apps, features and performance to give you the best viewing experience.
Apple TV App
We checked whether the VPN provider had a native Apple TV app on the Apple TV App Store. If it did, we attempted to install the app and noted the amount of time it took. We also attempted to connect to a server to see how easy the process was with the VPN.
Speed
We checked each VPN’s download speeds, upload speeds and latency. We removed any VPN that reduced our speeds to below 50% or increased latency to 250 ms and above on servers fewer than 1,000 miles away, as we did in our VPN speed comparison. Our ideal picks maintained at least 75% of our initial speeds and had a latency of less than 150 ms.
Beyond raw speed tests, we checked our streaming performance when connected to the VPN. We prefer VPNs that don’t cause lag or buffering while streaming high-definition videos.
Security
We used Wireshark to check that each VPN offered sound encryption. We ran the test by connecting to a VPN server and capturing the data packets using Wireshark. If the packets showed random characters, it meant that the VPN encrypted our traffic. To learn more about Wireshark, read our step-by-step guide.
Content Unblocking
We connected to each VPN and attempted to open different country libraries on streaming sites. For instance, to check whether NordVPN could unblock Netflix U.S., we connected to a NordVPN U.S. server while in another country. Next, we opened Netflix and checked for Netflix U.S.-exclusive shows like ‘Supernatural.’
Usability
We examined the usability of various VPNs with Apple TV apps. First, we observed how long the installation process took. We also checked how easy it was to find and connect to the VPN’s servers. The best VPNs let you connect to a server immediately after you click the “connect” button. In addition, they have fast and responsive customer support.
Why You Need a VPN for Apple TV
A VPN is essential if you want to access geo-blocked services on Apple TV. For example, Netflix content is restricted to your geographical location. You’ll need a VPN to change your location if you want to access a library in a different country. This goes for many major streaming providers, including Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max and ESPN+.
You also need a VPN to protect your data on Apple TV. Your streaming habits are a popular target for your ISP to invade your privacy. A VPN encrypts your traffic and helps avoid data leaks and DDoS attacks. This protects your privacy, ensuring that streaming providers and other third parties can’t collect your data.
tvOS 17: Changes to Apple TV Experience
tvOS 17 is an update to Apple TV that was released in 2023. It adds support for FaceTime, new screensavers, video conferencing, a Siri remote locator, a continuity camera, a new control center and support for third-party apps like VPNs.
Many top VPNs have Apple TV apps you can install directly thanks to the tvOS 17 update. Here are a few of them:
Final Thoughts
Using a VPN on Apple TV enables you to unblock different content libraries on streaming platforms. In addition, a VPN encrypts and anonymizes your traffic, making it impossible for third parties to crack. The best VPN for Apple TV is Surfshark thanks to its native Apple TV app, affordable pricing and fast speeds.
ExpressVPN is a slightly pricey alternative, but it’s a great choice if you want to connect your VPN to a router to use an older Apple TV. NordVPN’s fast speeds make it ideal for streaming and gaming on Apple TV. PIA is another good long-term VPN, while IPVanish is a useful pick for VPN newbies.
Have you used a VPN on Apple TV before? Were you able to watch different streaming providers without lag? Which VPNs on this list are you considering trying? Do you have any other VPN suggestions? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ: Apple TV VPN
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Yes, you can use a VPN on Apple TVs with tvOS since they support VPN apps. Many good VPNs, including Surfshark, ExpressVPN and NordVPN, have native Apple TV apps that work well on the smart TV.
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PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN for Apple TV because it has 10 free locations to choose from for streaming. It also offers 10GB of free data each month.
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Surfshark is the best Apple TV VPN because of its fast and easy-to-use native Apple TV app. Surfshark also offers affordable pricing, which is perfect if you’re on a tight budget.
-
There are a few VPN apps for Apple TV that support tvOS. For instance, Surfshark has an Apple TV app that supports tvOS. However, first-, second- and third-generation Apple TV models don’t natively support VPN connections.
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The post Best VPN for Apple TV in 2024: Top Paid & Free VPN Apps for Speed and Streaming appeared first on Cloudwards.
