5 Best VPNs for Samsung Smart TV: Unlock Streaming Potential

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Samsung smart TVs run on a proprietary OS called Tizen TV, which isn’t compatible with most VPNs. Fortunately, NordVPN offers SmartDNS and router support, which makes it the best VPN for Samsung Smart TV.

NordVPN’s SmartDNS helps unblock restricted content anywhere and fast enough to handle 4K streaming.

But NordVPN isn’t the only reliable VPN service that works with Samsung Smart TVs.

There’s ExpressVPN with MediaStreamer, Surfshark with affordable prices, CyberGhost with the largest server network, and Private Internet Access with the easiest SmartDNS setup.

There are several ways to use a VPN on your Samsung Smart TV. You can install the VPN directly on a supported router, ensuring that the internet used on the smart TV is encrypted.

You can also set up an encrypted hotspot by sharing the internet from a VPN-compatible device like a smartphone and PC. Likewise, the Smart DNS feature allows you to whitelist your IP address on your network and then use that connection on your Samsung Smart TV.

You Can Stream on Your Samsung TV Securely With These 5 VPNs

Take advantage of any of these VPN services to unblock restricted content on your Samsung smart TV directly:

  • NordVPN – Best Overall With Reliable SmartDNS
  • ExpressVPN – Fastest Samsung Smart TV VPN With MediaStreamer
  • Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for Samsung Smart TVs
  • CyberGhost – Best for Unblocking Content on Samsung Smart TVs
  • Private Internet Access – Easiest Smart DNS Setup for Samsung Smart TVs

For all the speed tests, I used a base internet connection of 30 Mbps which is enough to handle 4K streaming. I’ll discuss how these VPNs fared in my tests below.

5 Best VPNs for Samsung Smart TVs

This section covers how each VPN works on Samsung Smart TVs, the specific streaming sites that work with Smart DNS, and a detailed guide on setting up SmartDNS.

BEST OVERALL

NordVPN - Best Overall With Reliable SmartDNS

Location Smart DNS Connections Average Speeds Best Deal
Panama Available 6 27 Mbps Show Offer

NordVPN offers SmartDNS, integrated into the NordVPN SmartPlay feature, to ensure faster and smoother content unblocking and streaming.

Like all the other VPN alternatives, this SmartDNS doesn’t provide encryption, which might be a privacy blow but ensures faster streaming.

I conducted speed tests and averaged 27 Mbps, making NordVPN the second fastest option on this list after ExpressVPN. Thus, streaming the latest Barry episodes on HBO Max was buttery-smooth.

Currently, NordVPN SmartDNS-supported streaming services include the following:

  • Amazon Prime (US region)
  • ABC Go (US region)
  • HBO Now (US region)
  • Disney Plus (US region)
  • Netflix Originals
  • Fox Now (US region)

NordVPN is also compatible with several routers like Ubiquiti, Netduma, Netgear, MikroTik, and Peplink if Smart DNS doesn’t work for you.

So, you can install NordVPN on these routers and encrypt your entire internet connection or unblock content on the connected devices, like your smart TV set.

The advantage of the router method over SmartDNS is that you’re no longer restricted to unblocking US-only content and can now take advantage of other NordVPN servers.

NordVPN pricing
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NordVPN may not be as cheap as Surfshark, but you can get it cheaper through our amazing discounts before the offers run out.

Pros

Cons

FASTEST VPN

ExpressVPN - Fastest Samsung Smart TV VPN With MediaStreamer

Location Smart DNS Connections Average Test Speeds Best Deal
British Virgin Islands Available 5 29 Mbps Show Offer

Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN has a SmartDNS feature called MediaStreamer.

I set it up on my Samsung TV since ExpressVPN doesn’t have a native app for Samsung smart TVs. All I needed to do was register my IP address on the official ExpressVPN website to use MediaStreamer.

On its own, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs in the market, but when combined with the SmartDNS feature, the speeds went through the roof.

For example, I got 29 Mbps, faster than all the rest on this list, to stream live NBA games on my Samsung Smart TV without buffering.

Alternatively, this reliable VPN service is compatible with various Asus, Linksys, and Netgear routers. The best part is that ExpressVPN provides a router app, something missing from the other providers, to ensure a faster VPN-router setup and seamless usage.

Most importantly, ExpressVPN’s router setup offers 3,000+ servers to bypass any region-locked content instead of the US-biased unblocking mode on MediaStreamer.

I contacted support to inquire about the streaming sites that work with MediaStreamer, and they confirmed it only works on US-based content.

That’s a shame since you can get UK content on CyberGhost and other locations via PIA.

ExpressVPN plans
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The only major drawback is that ExpressVPN is the most expensive VPN listed, but you can offset that huge price tag by taking advantage of our fantastic discounts.

Pros

Cons

MOST AFFORDABLE

Surfshark - Most Affordable VPN for Samsung Smart TVs

Location Smart DNS Connections Average Speeds Best Deal
The Netherlands Available Unlimited  28 Mbps Show Offer

Surfshark has 3200+ servers, which is slightly more than what ExpressVPN offers. So, unblocking restricted content wasn’t a problem for me.

I even streamed Peacock TV content, which is only available in the US, from my outside-the-US location without issues.

Like all the other options on this list, it offers a SmartDNS feature that works without issues on Samsung smart TVs. With this, you get lag-free streaming since the Smart DNS feature doesn’t come with the speed constraints associated with encryption.

Like all the other options on this list, the Smart DNS setup is a little complicated because you must manually enter DNS addresses.

But nothing you can’t get past on your own.

Remember that using SmartDNS means your Samsung smart TV won’t be protected by encryption. In other words, your DNS address changes, but your IP address remains the same, and your ISP can still see your internet activity.

But in return for the absent encryption, you get terrific speeds.

In my case, I averaged 28 Mbps, the second fastest after ExpressVPN.

If you want encryption alongside content unblocking on your Samsung Smart TV set, Surfshark is compatible with certain routers like Asus, NetDuma, and InvizBox, among many others. However, it lacks a router app for easy setup and usage like ExpressVPN, preferring a manual setup instead.

Screenshot MS 1 1
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This VPN provider is the cheapest on this list, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Combine that with our exclusive discounts, and you’ll save a tidy sum in the long run.

Pros

Cons

CyberGhost - Best for Unblocking Content on Samsung Smart TVs

get cyberghost for samsung smart tv
Location Smart DNS Connections Average Speeds Best Deal
Romania Available 7  26 Mbps Show Offer

CyberGhost edges all the other VPNs on this list in one main area: the server network size. With 9,000+ servers, you get more unblocking options and don’t have to worry about running into overcrowded servers if you use the router option to connect your Samsung Smart TV.

CyberGhost offers a Smart DNS feature like every other VPN on this list which also requires manual configuration through the official CyberGhost website. However, its SmartDNS limits you to 3 streaming DNS servers.

  • Netflix US
  • Netflix UK
  • Hulu US

But that’s not bad, as CyberGhost is the only VPN (besides PIA) on this list with a UK SmartDNS server. Like the rest, though, the CyberGhost Smart DNS feature doesn’t offer extra security.

If you want more, switch to a router compatible with CyberGhost, including brands like Netgear, Asus, and Linksys. Additionally, like other alternatives, you can create a hotspot through a CyberGhost Windows VPN app to share with your smart TV.

Since I don’t have a VPN-compatible router, I used the SmartDNS option, averaging 26 Mbps to stream the new Bridgerton season in 4K without buffering.

cyberghost vpn subscription plans and pricing
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The VPN is priced reasonably and is the only one on this list with a 45-day money-back guarantee on its bigger plans. Furthermore, we have amazing deals to help you save more on this already-affordable provider.

Pros

Cons

Private Internet Access - Easiest Smart DNS Setup for Samsung Smart TVs

smart dns for samsung smart tv
Location Smart DNS Connections Average Test Speeds Best Deal
The US Available Unlimited  26 Mbps Show Offer

Setting up the Smart DNS feature provided by Private Internet Access was the easiest on this list. All it took was adding a device through the Client Control Panel on the website and choosing my Samsung Smart TV, and that was that.

Like CyberGhost, PIA also offers a Smart DNS server in the UK.

Other locations include Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. That’s slightly more than CyberGhost. Furthermore, the Smart DNS doesn’t offer encryption, but the upside to this is getting better speeds.

Too much work? Don’t pull out your hair because PIA is compatible with routers like Asus, Merlin, and DD-WRT.

Like CyberGhost, I averaged 26 Mbps with PIA, enough to get me through the door regarding streaming 4K content. Catching up on season two of From was so smooth I forgot I was layering my connection over a VPN.

Private Internet Access Plans & Price
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You can get your Private Internet Access subscription through our fantastic deals to enjoy secured connections on your Samsung smart TV.

Pros

Cons

How to Set Up Smart DNS for Samsung TV via NordVPN?

Smart DNS has to be manually configured across all VPNs. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to set it up on your Samsung smart TV through NordVPN:

  1. Subscribe to NordVPN.
  1. Open the NordVPN website, log in to your Nord account area, and go to the Nord Account Dashboard.
locating nordvpn on nordvpn dashboard
  1. Under Additional Features, click “SmartDNS” and register your IP address. The purpose of this is to whitelist the new IP address.
locating nordvpn additional features
  1. Once you get the Smart DNS addresses, switch on your Samsung TV. Go to “Network,” then “Network Status.”
locating network status on nordvpn settings
  1. Allow the TV some time to detect and verify the connection. Once that’s done, select IP Settings.
locating nordvpn ip settings
  1. Click “DNS Settings” and select “Enter manually.”
enter manually ip settings on nordvpn
  1. Enter the NordVPN SmartDNS server addresses from earlier. They can be accessed from the Dashboard and are labeled Primary and Secondary DNS.
nordvpn smartdns feature
  1. Press Enter to save the new DNS settings and enjoy your streaming.

FAQs

A free VPN can’t work on Samsung Smart TVs. Free VPNs usually do not offer a Smart DNS feature and are generally incompatible with routers. Thus, it is best to use an affordable premium VPN like Surfshark, which offers Smart DNS and router support and doesn’t break the bank.

A VPN might slow the internet speeds on your Samsung Smart TV if connected via a router or WiFi hotspots. However, you can bypass the encryption burden, which causes slow speeds, by only using the SmartDNS from your VPN service provider.

Ready to Test Run Your Samsung Smart TV?

The Smart DNS configuration process may look intimidating, but fortunately, it’s not the only way to secure your Samsung Smart TV connection. You can go the router way (ExpressVPN is much recommended here) or connect your smart TV via a VPN-encrypted Windows device hotspot.

NordVPN remains my top recommendation because it has the speed, security, and server network to unblock Netflix, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and other Samsung smart TV content. So, grab these exclusive discounts and enjoy seamless streaming on your Samsung smart TV.

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