The Apple TV is a good-looking and powerful bit of kit, and if you can afford it, it's a cut above other streaming devices. However, you can take your Apple TV experience to the next level by setting up an Apple TV VPN, and watch global content at the drop of a hat.
From Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime to region-specific services like BBC iPlayer, ESPN, Kayo and more, just about every service restricts what users can watch dependent on location. The best VPN can virtually relocate you anywhere in the world and get you absolutely everything that you pay for.
There's a catch, though. Apple TV devices don't natively support VPN connections, so to set up your Apple TV VPN there are a few steps to work through first. To make everything as simple as possible, we've outlined everything you need to know right here – and we've also picked the top 5 VPNs for Apple TV on the market today.
1. ExpressVPN – the best Apple TV VPN available
ExpressVPN is our top pick for an Apple TV VPN thanks to its easy MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) setup as well as its powerful yet simple-to-use router app. Plus, Tom's Guide readers can now claim three months free on a 12-month plan.
2. NordVPN – excellent for streaming on Apple TV
NordVPN is a close Apple TV VPN runner up, providing great streaming power along with useful apps for your other devices – although router setup is entirely manual. And, for what you're getting, Nord offers excellent value, too.
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3. Surfshark – bargain Apple TV VPN impresses
Surfshark is an excellent Apple TV VPN option if you want top streaming performance at a bargain price. With Smart DNS and the power to unblock tons of streaming sites, you get a lot for your money for less than $2.50 a month
How to use an Apple TV VPN
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If you want the full protection of a VPN on your Apple TV, you'll need to go down the router VPN or virtual router route. This means your device will get the addition of an encrypted internet location and the ability to relocate your IP before it reaches your Apple TV. While getting this all set up can prove complicated, we recommending following our in-depth guide on how to setup a virtual router, which in our opinion is much easier than installing a VPN directly on your router.
However, if you just want to unblock streaming content, using Smart DNS is a far simpler option. While Smart DNS doesn't offer the privacy benefits of a true VPN, it's unlikely you'll be doing much more than watching TV on your Apple TV, so quick and easy setup alongside superb streaming functionality are likely to be your top priorities.
Our top choice for an Apple TV VPN is ExpressVPN, and we'll briefly outline how to set up an Apple TV VPN at the end of this guide – click here to jump down. Before that, though, we'll run down the very best Apple TV VPN services available right now – all of which either support Smart DNS and routers, or at least one option.
The best Apple TV VPNs today
1. ExpressVPN
The best Apple TV VPN you can get
Smart DNS?: Yes | Dedicated router app?: Yes | Simultaneous connections: 5 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, Prime, Disney+, Peaco*ck
Super simple Smart DNS setup
Dedicated router app
Top security and privacy credentials
Supports tons of other devices
Only five simultaneous connections
No matter how you want to access extra content on your Apple TV, ExpressVPN delivers. Its Smart DNS feature (known as MediaStreamer) is quick and easy to get going, and it's one of the few VPNs on the market that has a dedicated router app.
That might not sound like much, but if you want all of the good stuff an Apple TV VPN can offer, not just the freedom to stream extra content, you'll need to install it on your router.
For most, though, MediaStreamer will be plenty – and even setting up Smart DNS on your Apple TV sounds complicated enough. Thankfully, while it's not as hard as it sounds, ExpressVPN also boasts some of the best customer support in the business. That means you'll have comprehensive written guides to follow, and if anything doesn't go as planned, the live chat support is second to none.
However, just because your main use for your VPN might be on your Apple TV, that doesn't mean you can't protect your other devices. With a reasonable five connections permitted simultaneously, you can protect your iPhone, PC, and even more devices as well. It's not as generous as some, but it should be enough.
Some streaming sites, Netflix especially, have upped their VPN blocking game in the last year or so, but Express can still reliably unblock tons of different libraries. However, if any issues do arise, Express's live chat support is second to none, and it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so if it doesn't perform as expected, you won't be out of pocket.
Get 3 months FREE of the best Apple TV VPN
ExpressVPN is currently offering Tom's Guide readers three free months – that's 15 months for the price of 12. And, in the rare event that it's not for you, you'll also have a 30-day money-back guarantee keeping you safe. Not bad for the best Apple TV VPN.
2. NordVPN
Big name delivers a good Apple TV VPN experience
Smart DNS?: Yes | Dedicated router app?: No | Simultaneous connections: 6 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, Prime, Disney+, Peaco*ck
Great for streaming
Good speeds all round
Excellent privacy features
No dedicated router app
As possibly the best-known VPN on the scene, NordVPN is likely to be most people's first choice as a VPN for Apple TV. Thankfully, in our NordVPN review it delivered, too.
If you want to set it up directly on your device, NordVPN provides a simple and effective Smart DNS guide for Apple TV, which will allow you to expand your viewing. Again, although it sounds complex, it's not, so don't be afraid of giving it a go.
However, what's missing is a dedicated router app like ExpressVPN's, and this is what's holding Nord back. While it's absolutely possible to set the VPN up on your router, without any dedicated software it's a much more involved process – so much so that many users choose to purchase a pre-installed router.
If you reckon you're up to the task, though, once it's installed you'll have extra protection on all your devices. But if you're just after an Apple TV VPN, we'd recommend sticking with the Smart DNS.
NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out before committing, and if you want the superb VPN cover for a good price, it's a great option.
Head over to the NordVPN website to sign up
3. Surfshark
Incredible value, and great for streaming
Smart DNS?: Yes | Dedicated router app?: No | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, Prime, Disney+, Peaco*ck
Great value
Excellent content unblocking
Unlimited connections
Apps are more basic than competitors'
Fancy a bargain? Sign up with Surfshark. With superb streaming performance, Smart DNS support, and unlimited simultaneous connections for less than $2.50 a month, for the penny pinchers it's a no brainer.
However, what we really loved in our Surfshark review is the fact it delivers a service virtually on a par with ExpressVPN and NordVPN for less money. While it's priced like a throwaway app, it's premium through and through.
If you just want to unblock streaming sites on your Apple TV, you guessed it – just find the on-site guide to setting up Smart DNS and follow the steps. If you want an Apple TV VPN on your router, you can do that too, but as with Nord, there's no dedicated app and the setup is manual.
Where you will notice a slight difference is when you come to make use of that unlimited connections policy. While the apps are attractive and stable, you won't have quite the depth of configuration as the very best, but few people will be delving into those settings anyway.
So, if you want a cheap VPN for Apple TV that'll get the job done, Surfshark is an excellent choice.
Head over to the Surfshark website to sign up
4. CyberGhost
Good streaming performance, but a little clunky
Smart DNS?: Yes | Dedicated router app?: No | Simultaneous connections: 7 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, Prime, Disney+, Peaco*ck
Huge range of over 7,800 servers
Great range of streaming services
Excellent value
Interface can be troublesome
If you're looking for a streaming VPN that's comprehensive on both your desktop computer, mobile devices, and your Apple TV, in our CyberGhost VPN review we found the provider to be a good option.
With tons of servers worldwide and a functional Smart DNS service that's not too hard to get up and running, it's does pretty much all you need it to. However, again, there's no dedicated router app to aid installation.
Smart DNS function is pretty much the same across the board, but CyberGhost's true VPN apps have a very interesting feature not often seen. You can sort your servers by which streaming service they can unblock, which takes a lot of guesswork out of finding a good one.
The apps are, however, a little less polished than the previous services, so if you like things to be absolutely perfect, CyberGhost might not be the best choice.
That said, as a VPN for Apple TV it's a good choice, and seeing as it's super affordable too, we're happy to recommend it.
Head over to the CyberGhost website to sign up
5. Private Internet Access
Good router performance plus Smart DNS
Smart DNS?: Yes | Dedicated router app?: No | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Disney+, Peaco*ck
Bargain price
Excellent streaming support
Tons of additional features
Speeds are slightly down
No independent audit
Private Internet Access is one of the most well-established VPNs on the market, but that doesn't mean its standing still. In fact, in our most recent Private Internet Access review, we found that PIA was better than ever, and it jumped up our rankings.
As an Apple TV VPN, the most important thing is a VPN's power to unblock streaming services, and PIA is very reliable here. Whether it's US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer or just about any other service, you'll be able to watch wherever you are.
With a dedicated Smart DNS service, it's super simple to get PIA up and running on your Apple TV device. All you need to do is search the comprehensive support section and go from there. Or, of course, like all the other options we've listed you could install PIA on your router, or set up a virtual router.
While a few other providers are a little faster, with average speeds of 320Mbps PIA still isn't exactly slow, and for the price, it's well worth testing out.
Sign up now on the PIA website
Apple TV VPN FAQs
How do you use an Apple TV VPN?
Setting up an Apple TV VPN isn't quite as simple as it is on other devices, and you'll either have to use Smart DNS or install your chosen VPN on your router.
You chosen provider should have detailed instructions, but to set up Smart DNS, the process is fairly simple.
All you need to do is get the DNS address from your chosen provider – we recommend ExpressVPN. This will be easily available by searching 'Smart DNS' on your provider's help section.
Open up Network from Settings on your Apple TV. Head to Wi-Fi, and then click on Configure. Then change your DNS address from Automatic to Manual, and input the address given to you by your VPN.
Then, all you need to do is restart your Apple TV, and get watching!
Click here to return to our best Apple TV picks
What is Smart DNS?
Smart DNS is a way of spoofing your location when you either don't want to, or simply can't use a VPN connection. The most common reason to do so in this context is to unblock streaming services on Apple TVs.
Rather than how a VPN directs all of your traffic through a different server, Smart DNS only diverts your DNS (Domain Name Server) information. While this does not protect your privacy because your traffic is not encrypted, it's enough to fool streaming services.
Another bonus is the fact that it slows your connection far less than a VPN. While we'd say most of our picks here are fast VPN services, Smart DNS is even quicker.
- Read about the best iPhone VPN
- Save your cash with a free VPN
- Check out the best torrenting VPN
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Mo Harber-Lamond
VPN Editor
Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. Day-to-day he oversees VPN, privacy, and cybersecurity content, and also undertakes independent testing of VPN services to ensure his recommendations are accurate and up to date. When he's not getting stuck into the nitty-gritty settings of a VPN you've never heard of, you'll find him working on his Peugeot 205 GTi or watching Peep Show instead of finally putting up those shelves.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
About Me
As an expert and enthusiast assistant, I have been trained on a diverse range of topics and have access to a vast amount of information. My responses are based on search result snippets, ensuring that the information provided is accurate and up to date. I can engage in detailed discussions on various subjects and provide insights and assistance across a wide range of topics.
Apple TV VPN and Streaming Services
The Apple TV is a popular streaming device, and enhancing its capabilities with a VPN can unlock access to global content. Setting up an Apple TV VPN allows users to access region-specific services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and more, regardless of their physical location. While Apple TV devices don't natively support VPN connections, there are ways to work around this limitation.
Setting Up an Apple TV VPN
To set up an Apple TV VPN, users can either go down the router VPN or virtual router route. This involves adding an encrypted internet location and the ability to relocate the IP before it reaches the Apple TV. Alternatively, using Smart DNS is a simpler option for unblocking streaming content, although it doesn't offer the same privacy benefits as a true VPN.
Top 5 VPNs for Apple TV
- ExpressVPN: Offers easy MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) setup and a powerful yet simple-to-use router app.
- NordVPN: Provides great streaming power and useful apps for other devices, although router setup is manual.
- Surfshark: An excellent option for top streaming performance at a bargain price, with Smart DNS support.
- CyberGhost: Offers good streaming performance and a wide range of servers, although the interface can be troublesome.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Known for its good router performance and Smart DNS support, with a bargain price and excellent streaming support.
How to Use an Apple TV VPN
Setting up an Apple TV VPN involves using Smart DNS or installing the chosen VPN on the router. Smart DNS allows users to change their DNS address to spoof their location and unblock streaming services on Apple TV.
What is Smart DNS?
Smart DNS is a method of spoofing location without using a VPN connection. It diverts only the DNS information, allowing users to unblock streaming services on devices like Apple TV without encrypting all traffic. Smart DNS is faster than a VPN and is commonly used for accessing region-specific content.
I hope this information provides a comprehensive understanding of Apple TV VPNs and streaming services. If you have any further questions or need more details on specific aspects, feel free to ask!
