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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.
Best VPN for Streaming on Apple TV
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.
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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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Meet the experts
Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.
10/25/2023 Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.
05/02/2024 Facts checked
We rewrote this article with new providers and added more practical sections. updates
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. 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
Pros: Unlimited device connections Native Apple TV app Dedicated IP option on Apple TV app Fast speeds
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 one of the only Apple TV apps to offer a dedicated IP option and 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
Download Speed (Higher is better)
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.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Unblocking Capability Test Results
Surfshark’s servers are optimized for streaming. Regardless of the server we chose, we were able to access our preferred streaming library, and we didn’t need to try multiple times to get in.
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.
Surfshark Starter
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
Surfshark One
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
Surfshark One+
Everything in One, plus
Data removal
Plans renew: $215.40 for one year, $430.80 for two years
NordVPN has a dedicated Apple TV app that’s compatible with tvOS.
Pros: Double VPN with fastest speeds Native Apple TV app Smart DNS
Cons: Obfuscated servers unavailable on NordLynx
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+.
