Updated on: July 22, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for Apple TV in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : It has a dedicated Apple TV app, a smart DNS tool, and the fastest speeds on the market. It works with 100+ streaming services, has servers in 105 countries, and offers top-notch security features. All of its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
It’s not easy to find a VPN that has an app for Apple TV. This means you either have to use a smart DNS tool, which allows you to stream on devices that don’t typically support VPNs, or set up the VPN on your router, so your Apple TV can benefit from the VPN connection.
I’ve tested dozens of VPNs and found some really good ones that work with Apple TV. My top choice is ExpressVPN because it maintains very fast speeds, has smart DNS, is one of the few VPNs out there that has a dedicated Apple TV app, and provides excellent streaming support. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Apple TV:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Apple TV in 2024 with blazing-fast speeds & a user-friendly router app.
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Great VPN with strong security & privacy features for streaming on Apple TV.
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Reliable streaming VPN with 100+ dedicated servers for streaming on Apple TV.
- 4. NordVPN — Fast VPN with strong security features and steady connections on Apple TV.
- 5. Surfshark — Affordable Apple TV VPN with a large server network (+ great for new users).
- Plus 2 more!
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Apple TV in 2024
ExpressVPN is my go-to VPN for Apple TV. It has a dedicated Apple TV app that even has a QR code sign-in, so you don’t need to manually log in using the remote. It also has a router app that’s super easy to install and use — it took me only about 10 minutes to set it up on my router. Plus, it comes with a smart DNS tool, called MediaStreamer, which allows you to use the VPN on your Apple TV.
I was also impressed that the router app lets you choose which devices use the VPN and which don’t via its Device Groups feature. This is very handy if you only want to use a VPN on your Apple TV, or if you want to connect to a different location on your phone or computer.
With ExpressVPN’s Apple TV app, you get access to all of its servers in 105 countries. This means you can easily find a nearby server for the fastest possible speeds. 
In terms of streaming, ExpressVPN is the best. It claims to work with 100+ streaming sites, including popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. It also works with Apple TV+, which means you can watch Apple TV+ originals while connected to the VPN.
I love how ExpressVPN is ultra-secure. It comes with advanced features like RAM-only servers that delete all data each time the servers are turned off and on, perfect forward secrecy, which generates a unique key for every VPN session, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. ExpressVPN also has an independently audited and verified no-logs policy.
ExpressVPN offers monthly and yearly plans starting at $6.67 / month. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the top choice for Apple TV in 2024. It has a dedicated Apple TV and router app that lets you protect your Apple TV device, a smart DNS tool to let you stream your favorite shows on your Apple TV, and it works with 100+ other streaming sites. It’s really secure and all of its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Strong Security and Privacy Features
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a very secure VPN that can make sure all of your Apple TV activities remain private. It has an independently audited no-logs policy that’s been proven true in court, issues regular transparency reports, and uses RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. It also has full leak protection.
PIA can be set up on a router, though this requires manual configuration, unlike ExpressVPN’s dedicated router app. That said, PIA offers comprehensive guides for all router models it supports. In my case, it took around 15 minutes to configure the VPN on my router. I found the tutorials on PIA’s site very easy to follow, and it helped that there are screenshots in them.
PIA also has a smart DNS feature that lets you connect to 5+ server locations, including in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Japan, or Germany. It’s a pretty good selection, as the locations allow most users around the world to connect to nearby server to get the fastest speeds.
You get really good streaming support, as PIA works with 30+ top streaming apps, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. The only downside is that PIA doesn’t guarantee that the VPN will work with Apple TV+. 
Private Internet Access has affordable plans starting at $2.19 / month, all of which are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access combines strong security and privacy features and really good router support, which is great for streaming on Apple TV. I like that PIA is very fast and secure and that it works with a lot of streaming sites. Plus, it backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Dedicated Servers for Streaming on Apple TV
CyberGhost VPN works with 50+ streaming services, including Netflix and Hulu. One of my favorite things is CyberGhost has dedicated servers for specific streaming apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more in 20+ countries.
Also, you can connect to a server in 100 countries by setting up the VPN on your router (but there’s no native router app), so you can connect to a close server to get the best possible speeds. It took me around 15 minutes to do that — I just followed the guides on CyberGhost’s site which are pretty straightforward.
You can also use its smart DNS tool to watch your favorite content on your Apple TV (regular DNS servers are available in the US, the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Japan). CyberGhost also offers streaming-optimized DNS servers for Hulu, Netflix US, and Netflix UK — so users can watch these platforms on devices that don’t natively support VPNs, like gaming consoles.
CyberGhost has excellent privacy and security features, too. It has an audited no-logs policy, uses RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy, and has strong leak protection. I never experience any leaks when connected to any of its servers.
CyberGhost VPN’s low-cost plans start at $2.19 / month. Its long-term plans come with a 45-day money-back guarantee, while its shortest plan includes a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN has streaming-optimized servers for 50+ streaming sites, which you can watch on Apple TV, including certain Netflix libraries and Hulu. It has servers in 100 countries, so it’s very easy to find a nearby server, and it provides good speeds for streaming. The VPN offers a generous money-back guarantee of 45 days on its long-term plans, which is more than all VPNs on this list.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — Great Streaming Speeds for Apple TV
NordVPN has pretty impressive speeds for streaming on Apple TV. In my tests, HD videos loaded instantly on nearby servers and in just 1–2 seconds on distant servers, while 4K videos took only around 3 seconds to load. I didn’t experience any buffering, even when I skipped through videos.
Plus, NordVPN is one of the few VPNs with a dedicated app for Apple TV. With it, your tvOS is protected fully by the VPN, and you won’t have to go through a manual router setup unnecessarily. The app is really user-friendly and has all the same intuitive features as its other apps, like a Quick Connect button and an interface that’s easy to navigate.
NordVPN has excellent router support. It works with a long list of router models and offers in-depth guides on how to set up each one. The guides are up-to-date and easy to follow — it took me under 15 minutes to configure the VPN on my router. However, I still prefer ExpressVPN’s native router app, which makes the setup process even easier.
Alternatively, you can use its smart DNS tool. NordVPN has solid streaming support on all of its servers in 111 countries, so most users will be able to securely watch Netflix, Disney, and Amazon Prime Video on their Apple TV.
NordVPN has really good security features. It uses RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy, has full leak protection, and its no-logs policy passed an independent audit.
NordVPN’s plans ($3.39 / month) are very competitive, and all plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN delivers fast speeds for streaming on Apple TV, has great streaming support, and very good security and privacy features. It can be set up on a lot of different router models, and it comes with a smart DNS feature that’s very easy to use. All of NordVPN’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Cheap Apple TV VPN With a Large Server Network
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN for Apple TV that has servers in 100 countries. Plus, it works with most routers and includes an intuitive smart DNS tool, so it’s a great pick if you’re on a budget but want to stream or protect your connections on Apple TV.
Surfshark has router setup support and easy-to-follow guides on 10+ router models. You also get a smart DNS service. Surfshark works with top streaming sites like Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. Plus, you get unlimited connections, so your whole family can stream on their Apple TV.
Surfshark is very secure — it uses RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and has an independently verified no-logs policy. Unlike ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access, it only protects you against DNS leaks, but I didn’t experience any leaks in my tests.
Surfshark’s plans are pretty cheap, starting at just $2.19 / month. It also backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark includes good router support and an easy-to-use smart DNS tool. Its plans are cheap, so it’s a pretty solid VPN if you’re on a budget, and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee with every subscription.
Read our full Surfshark review
6. IPVanish — User-Friendly VPN With Dedicated Apple TV App
IPVanish is great for VPN beginners who need a VPN for their Apple TV. The VPN is one of the few on the market that offers a dedicated Apple TV app, which means there’s no need to set it up on your router or use a smart DNS tool.
The Apple TV app is very easy to use. There’s a quick-connect feature that connects you to the fastest server for your location, but you can manually choose from any of its servers in 56 countries.
IPVanish offers decent speeds, but it doesn’t have great streaming support. It works with Netflix, but the VPN doesn’t support Amazon Prime or Disney+. Honestly, I think ExpressVPN is a much better option — it offers faster speeds and works with 100+ streaming services.
IPVanish’s plans start at $2.19 / month and are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
IPVanish has a dedicated Apple TV app and is good for VPN beginners as you won’t have to use a smart DNS tool or set up the VPN on your router to make it work on your Apple TV. Its Apple TV app is easy to navigate, offers access to all servers in 56 countries, and delivers decent speeds. However, it doesn’t work with a lot of streaming apps. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
7. PureVPN — Dedicated Apple TV App & Good Streaming Support
PureVPN is a good pick for streaming via a dedicated Apple TV app. It works with Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, though it doesn’t work 100% of the time with Netflix.
PureVPN’s Apple TV app has an intuitive design. It lists all your recent connections on the screen, lets you mark servers as Favorites, and you can connect to the fastest server with 1-click.
PureVPN has several plans starting at $2.14 / month, all of which come with a 31-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
PureVPN offers a dedicated Apple TV app that works with top streaming platforms like Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix. Plus, the Apple TV app is beginner-friendly. All plans include a 31-day money-back guarantee.
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
How to Choose the Best VPN for Apple TV in 2024
- Find a great VPN with router support. Apple TV doesn’t have built-in VPN support, so the best way to protect your traffic on the device is to configure the VPN on your router. All VPNs on my list support router configuration, but only ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app.
- Check for a smart DNS tool. A smart DNS doesn’t encrypt your traffic but allows you to use the VPN on devices that don’t support them, like gaming consoles.
- Get a VPN with strong security features. A good VPN comes with industry-standard security features including AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch.
- Choose a VPN with fast speeds. Every VPN slows down your speeds due to the encryption process, but the best VPNs minimize the speed loss. Out of all the VPNs I’ve tested, ExpressVPN is the fastest.
- Consider streaming compatibility. All VPNs on this list work with the most popular streaming services that you can add to your Apple TV, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
- Buy a VPN that provides good value. The VPNs on my list all offer affordable plans, extra features, and a money-back guarantee.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear is a beginner-friendly VPN that comes with great security and good streaming support. However, it doesn’t support router configuration or work with Apple TV.
- Norton Secure VPN. Norton Secure VPN is secure and fast, but it doesn’t have router support.
- PrivateVPN. PrivateVPN has good router and streaming support, but it wasn’t as fast as the other VPNs on my list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do VPNs work on Apple TV natively?
Yes, but not a lot of VPNs have apps for Apple TV — some of the few VPNs that have dedicated apps for Apple TV are IPVanish and PureVPN. That said, you can still benefit from a VPN connection on your Apple TV device even if your VPN doesn’t offer an app for your Apple TV.
The best way to do that is to configure the VPN on your router. You can also use a smart DNS tool. This feature allows you to use the VPN on devices that don’t support VPNs, including Apple TVs. ExpressVPN offers a dedicated router app, a smart DNS, and the fastest speeds on the market.
Can I use a free VPN for Apple TV?
Maybe, but I don’t recommend using a free VPN for Apple TV. Most free VPNs don’t have a dedicated app for Apple TV and lack router support and a smart DNS tool, so you won’t be able to use them on your Apple TV device. A lot of them also limit bandwidth, speed, and the number of servers you can connect to, which isn’t ideal for streaming.
Instead, I prefer an affordable premium VPN that has everything you need to make it work on your Apple TV, like ExpressVPN — it offers a dedicated router app, an easy-to-use smart DNS tool, lightning-fast speeds, and excellent streaming support.
Is it legal to use a VPN with Apple TV?
Yes, there’s nothing illegal about using a VPN with Apple TV. That said, there are a couple of countries that ban or restrict VPN use, like China, and if you’re traveling or you already are in one of them, it’s best to check local laws and regulations. If you need a VPN In such countries, I recommend ExpressVPN because it’s able to bypass government firewalls.
