Out of all the VPN services, ExpressVPN ranked #1 as it has the easiest setup and fastest server network for streaming. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can download ExpressVPN for Samsung Smart TV and try it for yourself. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily claim a refund with ExpressVPN’s “no questions asked” refund policy. Try ExpressVPN on Samsung Smart TV
How to Install a VPN on a Samsung Smart TV
For TVs with Tizen OS, you need to set up a VPN on your router, use Windows connection sharing, or enable Smart DNS. Technically, you can also use standalone DNS proxies, but they can collect your personal data and are often blocked by streaming services. To install a VPN on your router, you’ll first need to make sure your router firmware is compatible with your chosen VPN provider by checking their website. If it isn’t, you can download new custom firmware like Tomato or DD-WRT. This method can be tricky, so if you want to try it, I suggest you check out this detailed guide on setting up a VPN on a router. You can also buy pre-configured routers through the VPN’s website, but these can be quite pricey. It’s much simpler (and quicker) to set up a virtual VPN network on your Windows PC and share that connection with your TV. However, you’ll be left without a VPN connection every time the device leaves your home, so it’s better not to use a laptop you travel with. Smart DNS is easiest to set up but doesn’t encrypt your connection, so your activity won’t be kept private. Here are the steps for each of the 3 ways to set up a VPN on your Samsung TV:
1. Set Up a VPN on a Samsung Smart TV — Router
While specific routers may have slight differences in their process, the basic steps to set up routers with a VPN are as follows:
2. Set Up a VPN on a Samsung Smart TV — Windows Connection Sharing or Virtual Router
You can set up connection sharing using an ethernet cable between a VPN-protected device and your TV, or you can share your device’s WiFi connection. Ethernet gives you much faster speeds, but WiFi is more convenient. With a VPN installed on your PC, you can share your connection with your Smart TV by turning your PC into a Virtual Router. You’ll need:
A PC that has a Broadcom-based WiFi adapter (most modern computers have them) A subscription with a VPN that uses OpenVPN Administrative rights on the PC
To check if your PC supports a Virtual Router: Here are the steps to set up a virtual router with your VPN:
3. Set Up a VPN on a Samsung Smart TV — Smart DNS
Smart DNS changes the DNS server your connection routes through, letting your Smart TV access sites and services in different locations. This will mask your IP address, but you won’t have the benefit of an encrypted connection with Smart DNS. The setup process is easy, especially if you use a VPN with its own Smart DNS settings. ExpressVPN has a MediaStreamer feature that is optimized to work with Samsung and other Smart TVs, with a detailed setup guide available on its help site. Try ExpressVPN with your Samsung Smart TV
The Best VPNs for Samsung Smart TVs in January 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Ultra-Fast Speeds for Lag-Free Streaming on Samsung Smart TVs
During tests, my colleagues and I found ExpressVPN’s superfast servers stream TV reliably in HD with no lag. My team abroad tested speeds in multiple Netflix regions to access our local accounts. We got average speeds of 94Mbps — more than fast enough to stream in 4K HD on multiple devices at once. ExpressVPN has a MediaStreamer feature, which is its own Smart DNS service. This is ideal for streaming on devices that don’t natively support a VPN app. Setting up MediaStreamer is easy — just create a Smart DNS account and add the DNS IP in the settings of your Samsung Smart TV. This won’t affect your speeds, but it will give you access to streaming services so you can log into your account and watch from anywhere. You should note that MediaStreamer doesn’t encrypt your online activity. In terms of security and privacy, ExpressVPN provides top-tier features:
Military-grade encryption: Protects all online traffic within a secure tunnel, away from prying eyes and hackers. Data leak protection: Secures your data from DNS, IPv4, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Kill switch: Blocks access to the internet if the VPN connection is ever interrupted. Secure protocols: OpenVPN and its proprietary Lightway protocol — I found this was the best for fast, smooth streaming. TrustedServer technology: RAM-based servers physically cannot store any user data, and are regularly wiped clean during scheduled reboots. Strict privacy policy: Verified by an independent audit to confirm no data is logged or stored.
Router setup is usually much more complicated, which is why I was so pleased to find ExpressVPN has its own native router firmware for Smart TVs. After the firmware is installed on your router, you can operate the VPN in a user-friendly console to take advantage of features such as split tunneling and MediaStreamer. You’ll find the console on your PC or mobile device by visiting https://www.expressvpnrouter.com/. During my tests, ExpressVPN was able to access almost any streaming service. It works well with Netflix in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, India, and more. It also works with the following services: ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than other VPNs, but I think it’s worth the cost for ease of use, fast speeds, and top-tier security. You can get a great deal on its 1-year plan, which starts at just $6.67 a month. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days since every plan comes with a money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is easy if you change your mind about subscribing. I contacted the 24/7 live chat and requested my money back, and they processed my refund with no questions asked. The money appeared in my bank account in a week. Get ExpressVPN for your Samsung TV
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Smooth Streaming on Your Smart TV
CyberGhost has optimized servers for streaming, making it easy to watch your favorite content on your Samsung Smart TV. These servers are regularly tested by the CyberGhost team to ensure easy connections to popular services and keep your streaming smooth and lag-free. During tests, my team and I could access services like: That means fast and reliable streams when you watch TV and movies on your Samsung Smart TV. Since these servers are optimized for streaming services, you’ll get the best speeds for lag-free video in HD. Using these servers, I never had to wait for a show or movie to start, and I didn’t get sudden reductions in video quality. When there wasn’t a server specialized for a streaming app I wanted, CyberGhost’s location-based servers effortlessly accessed streaming apps during my tests as well. No matter which server I chose, I always got buffer-free streams. CyberGhost lets you customize your router VPN connection easily from your web browser. You can configure options like blocking ads, malicious sites, and online trackers. You can also set up the VPN on your PC and share the connection through a virtual router, as CyberGhost uses the OpenVPN protocol. CyberGhost also has the following security and privacy features:
AES-256-bit encryption: The same encryption used by the US military and global financial institutions to secure your online traffic. Data leak protection: Blocks accidental data leaks through DNS, IP address, and WebRTC. Kill switch: Available on all apps to stop your data from being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted. Zero-log policy: RAM-based servers cannot store user data that have been confirmed as safe by a third-party audit.
I was impressed by CyberGhost’s long-term subscriptions, starting at just $2.03/month for a 2-year + 4 months plan. If you want to try CyberGhost with your Smart TV risk-free, it has a generous money-back guarantee of 45 days. I contacted support via live chat for a refund, and they processed my request immediately after I explained that I had changed my mind. The money was in my bank account 10 days later. Try CyberGhost with your Samsung TV
3. Private Internet Access — Huge Server Network Reliably Connects to Your Favorite Streaming Services
Private Internet Access (PIA) has an enormous server network — more than 35000 servers in 83 countries. With so many PIA servers to choose from, TV and movies never slowed down on my Samsung Smart TV due to overcrowded servers. My team and I had reliably fast, smooth connections to our favorite content whenever we connected. We tested multiple streaming services, and PIA could access: After installing PIA on my router and connecting to a local UK server, I easily connected to my Netflix and Disney+ accounts. I didn’t experience any lag or buffering delays, even when I streamed in HD video quality. One minor con is that PIA can’t be configured to work on your Samsung Smart TV using Smart DNS. However, you can just install it on your router instead. Though the router option can sometimes result in a slower connection, it offers better security than Smart DNS does — I think a slightly slower speed is worth keeping my data and devices secure. Thankfully, PIA’s online guides give you easy-to-follow instructions for router installation. Alongside Smart DNS, PIA has these security and privacy features:
Customizable encryption: Lower your encryption level to improve speeds — a top option for smooth streaming that still protects your data. Secure protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 are all available. Data leak protection: Secures against DNS, IP address, and WebRTC leaks. Audited No-Logs Policy: Independent audit confirmed that it won’t log or store any user data while connected to the servers
If you aren’t sure if it will work with your router model, you can try PIA risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee. This way, you can make sure the setup goes smoothly before committing to a subscription. I think it’s worth testing, especially as its plans start at $2.03/month for a 2-year + 4 months plan. Get PIA for your Samsung TV
4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryptionA kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenlyBuilt-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blockerFully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. You can stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $3.69 per month. To ensure that you’ll really get your money back, I tested NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription (which means you can connect your entire family and even friends!). I tested Surfshark’s unlimited connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UltraHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android usersWireguard VPN protocol enabled by defaultDiskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)Kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you (and those you share your account with) can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in Ultra HD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.05. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
6. PrivateVPN — OpenVPN Protocol Guarantees Compatibility With Samsung Smart TV
PrivateVPN provides a variety of VPN protocols, with OpenVPN as the default option. This gives you the highest level of compatibility for connection-sharing between your VPN and your Samsung Smart TV. This provides a bit more streaming reliability and fewer connection drops, which can be really frustrating when you’re trying to keep up with your favorite new shows. PrivateVPN also has the following security and privacy features:
Military-grade encryption: Every connection is protected by AES-256-bit encryption to secure your online activity. Data leak protection: Blocks accidental data leaks, including your IP address, DNS requests, and WebRTC data. Zero-log privacy policy: Does not log or store any user data while connected to the server, although this has not been verified by a third-party audit. Port Forwarding: Connect to a port of your choice to get the best possible experience for secure streaming
PrivateVPN doesn’t have as many servers as the other VPNs on this list (just 200+ servers in 63 locations), but I still got great connection speeds for smooth Smart TV streaming. Sometimes a show or movie would take a couple of seconds to start, but it never stopped to buffer once it started. Plus, it’s easy to set up PrivateVPN with your compatible router, as there currently is no Smart TV app available. My team and I found that PrivateVPN can access the following services: PrivateVPN is a low-cost service, with options starting at $2.00 per month for a 3-year term. If you’d like to try PrivateVPN with your Smart TV risk-free, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. When I reached out via email to cancel, I got a reply that my refund had been processed less than 2 hours later. Try PrivateVPN with your Samsung TV
7. IPVanish — Detailed Interface Makes Choosing Fastest Servers Easy
IPVanish gives you all the information you need to pick the best server, with a detailed interface that gives you ping (or latency) and user load for each individual server. I chose servers with low ping and load and got consistently fast speeds with reliable, smooth connections. When I tested IPVanish’s speeds, the reduction was minimal — around 20% slower than my regular internet speed. I could stream on my Smart TV without any lag or buffering. I was also pleased to find that IPVanish is compatible with multiple routers, with detailed setup guides available on its website. During tests, my team and I could access the following with IPVanish: The downside to IPVanish is that it can take several attempts to find a server that works with your streaming service. My colleague in the US switched servers twice before connecting to Netflix, but once the connection was established, streaming was smooth and lag-free. Fortunately, IPVanish has top-tier privacy and security features:
Top-tier encryption and leak protection: Every connection is secured by AES-255-bit encryption and DNS, IP, and WebRTC data leak protection. Secure protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 are available. Audited zero-log policy: Third-party audit verified that IPVanish doesn’t log or store user data. Unmetered Connections: No device limit, and no data cap means you can stream without worry.
IPVanish is a solid VPN at a reasonable price, with plans starting at $3.99/month for a 1 year term. You can try IPVanish risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee, and getting a refund is easy — just log in to your account on the website and cancel your subscription. Get IPVanish for your Smart TV
How to Find the Best VPN for Samsung Smart TV
Before you try connecting your Smart TV to a VPN, it’s important to ensure that you get one of the top VPNs on the market first. In addition to the ability to work with WiFi routers, connection sharing, or Smart DNS, here are other factors you should look for: Get ExpressVPN for your Smart TV
Which Smart TV apps can a VPN help me unblock?
As long as your VPN is capable of unblocking streaming services, then the possibilities should be endless. All you need to do is connect your VPN to a region where the service you need to access is offered. For example, if you want to use Hulu on your Smart TV, connect to a US VPN server that isn’t blocked, and you’ll gain access. Here’s a list of the most popular services that you can unblock with a VPN:
TV, Movies, and News
Music
Sports
How can I watch Netflix on my Smart TV with a VPN?
To watch Netflix on your Smart TV with a VPN, just follow these steps:
What if I get an IP proxy error while trying to watch Samsung Smart TV apps with a VPN?
If you get an IP error on your Samsung Smart TV, try changing to a different VPN server. Streaming apps actively block VPNs for content copyright reasons, and it could be that the server you’re using is on the block list. To guarantee you won’t see any proxy errors, you should use one of the top-tier VPNs recommended above — these have been tested to ensure a working connection to your favorite streaming services. Another option is to use standalone Smart DNS services, which let you watch titles from anywhere without encrypting your online traffic. This doesn’t affect your speeds and still bypasses proxy errors on streaming apps. However, streaming services also block DNS proxies, and they don’t secure your connection or protect your privacy with encryption like VPNs do.
Can I use a VPN on my Smart TV without configuring my router?
Yes, you can get VPN protection for your Smart TV through connection-sharing with your Windows PC. You can turn your PC into a virtual router and connect your Smart TV to the WiFi hotspot from your computer — the setup is simple and only takes a couple of minutes. From there, you can control your VPN using your PC app, and as your Smart TV is connected to your PC, it will also benefit from the VPN’s encryption. Once you’re done, simply disconnect your Smart TV from your PC and connect back to your usual router WiFi.
Can I use a DNS proxy instead of a VPN?
You can, but I wouldn’t advise it. A DNS proxy is much more limited than a premium VPN in multiple ways:
Fewer server locations — The proxy might not have servers available in your desired location. Poor security — Proxies have zero encryption, so they won’t protect your data from hackers and spies, or keep your online activity anonymous (although a proxy will hide your true IP address). Easily detected — With little security and few servers, DNS proxies are easily detected and blocked by streaming services and restrictive networks. Often incompatible with Smart TVs — Importantly, DNS proxies often don’t work with Smart TVs or routers, making it impossible to get connected at all.
You’ll have a much easier and overall better experience if you set up your Smart TV with a VPN. Some VPNs include a DNS proxy with their service — ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer DNS feature is even compatible with Smart TVs.
Can I use a free VPN for Samsung Smart TV?
Yes, but I don’t recommend using a free VPN with a Smart TV, as you simply won’t get the high-level service offered by a premium VPN. You’ll face slow speeds, server restrictions, tiny data caps, and won’t be able to access your favorite streaming services. Some free VPNs even log your data and online activity, selling it to shady third parties for profit. While there are some secure and private free VPNs available, I can’t recommend them for streaming. Instead, I suggest you try a premium service that offers a money-back guarantee, like CyberGhost. You can use CyberGhost with your Smart TV risk-free for up to 45 days and get a full refund when you’re done. I tested the refund policy myself, and it was easy — just 5 minutes through the live chat, and I had my money back in a week. Try CyberGhost with Samsung Smart TVs
Get More Out of Your Samsung Smart TV With a VPN
If you pay a subscription fee every month for streaming services, you should be able to access them through your Smart TV. That’s why it’s worth the effort to use a VPN to securely access your streaming accounts from anywhere. As an added bonus, your Samsung Smart TV will be much more secure, keeping your logins private and protecting you from hackers. ExpressVPN is the provider I rely on for my Samsung Smart TV, with super reliable connections, streaming app compatibility, and top-notch security. You can also try ExpressVPN for yourself risk-free for 30 days. Your subscription is insured with a full money-back guarantee; if there’s something you don’t like, you can just get a refund. I tested the process myself after using ExpressVPN for almost a month — customer support arranged my refund in a couple of minutes, and I had my money back in less than a week.
