Best VPNs for Apple TV: Native Apps and Simple Setup

You no longer need to configure a router just to use a VPN on a compatible Apple TV. With tvOS 17 or later, you can install many VPN apps directly from the App Store. ExpressVPN is our top pick for a simple setup. Below, we show which alternatives also have native apps and which need a different approach.

Quick comparison

Our first pick: Visit ExpressVPN. Basic is a sensible starting point if you want the core VPN; the higher tiers add features and more simultaneous connections.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our first choice for readers who want a VPN that fits comfortably into everyday life. Its appeal is the combination of desktop, mobile and TV apps, a straightforward connection experience, and a published security audit program. You do not need the most expensive subscription to get the core VPN: Basic is the sensible starting point if encrypted browsing and a choice of server locations are your priorities.

The current lineup is Basic, Advanced and Express Pro, with 10, 12 and 14 simultaneous connections respectively. Advanced adds extras such as the ExpressKeys password manager; Express Pro includes a dedicated IP. Those additions can be useful, but their value depends on whether you will actually use them. We put ExpressVPN first because it is easy to get started and works across a useful range of devices. You can use the same subscription on your phone, computer, and supported TV without having to learn a completely different service for each one.

For most people connecting a phone, laptop, and TV, Basic is the place to start. Look at Advanced if you also want the included password manager. Express Pro adds a dedicated IP—a VPN address reserved for you—and allows more devices to connect at once. Choose those extras if you need them; you do not have to buy the highest-priced plan just to use the VPN.

Apple TV setup: Native app; tvOS 17+.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark makes a strong case for households with a growing collection of phones, laptops and streaming devices. Its unlimited simultaneous connections remove the need to decide which device gets a place on the subscription. That convenience is the main reason to consider it: a family can build a consistent VPN routine without turning device management into another chore or buying a separate subscription for every screen.

The service offers a native Apple TV app alongside desktop and mobile software. Starter, One and One+ packages bundle different combinations of products, so the lowest VPN tier and the larger security suites serve different buyers. Unlimited connections are useful, but they do not guarantee identical performance on every network. Surfshark suits readers who value broad household coverage and are happy to choose a plan based on the extras they will genuinely use.

For a busy household, the unlimited-device allowance is the deciding advantage. You can add a new laptop or television without removing another device from the subscription. Start with the core VPN package unless the higher bundle replaces a security product you already pay for.

Apple TV setup: Native app; tvOS 17+.

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3. NordVPN

NordVPN is a good fit if you want more control than a simple connect button, without giving up familiar desktop and mobile apps. Its NordLynx protocol is designed for efficient connections, and its broader product range gives you room to add security tools as your needs grow. Before choosing a bundle, check which of those extras you will use and whether they work on your phone, computer, or TV.

One account supports up to ten simultaneous connections, including its native Apple TV app. That is enough for many households, though unlimited-device alternatives are worth a look if your collection is larger. NordVPN’s appeal is flexibility: you can keep everyday use simple and explore additional controls later. Bundled security products and advanced protection features vary by subscription and platform, so the entry-level VPN should be compared separately from the larger packages.

Choose NordVPN if you like having additional controls available as your needs grow. Ten connections should cover a typical personal setup comfortably. If your priority is simply protecting a large collection of devices at the lowest practical cost, compare an unlimited-device option before paying for a larger bundle.

Apple TV setup: Native app; tvOS 17+.

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4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is an appealing choice if you want a useful free service before deciding whether to pay. Its free tier has no data or time limit, making it suitable for ordinary browsing without watching a monthly allowance tick down. The tradeoff is access to a narrower set of features and locations. It should not be confused with the paid service’s streaming offering or its wider choice of servers.

Paid Proton VPN plans support up to ten simultaneous devices, and the Apple TV app requires a paid subscription. Proton also publishes open-source apps, an attractive feature for readers who value transparency. The free and paid products solve different problems: start free for general connection privacy, then choose a paid plan when you need server selection, supported streaming features or TV use. If you only need it for browsing, you can try the free plan before deciding whether those paid features are worth it.

Proton is particularly easy to recommend when you want to begin with general browsing privacy and decide about premium features later. The free service is useful in its own right. For television use or supported streaming, move directly to the paid-plan comparison rather than expecting the free tier to offer everything.

Apple TV setup: Native app; paid plan; tvOS 17+.

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5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access, usually shortened to PIA, is a useful alternative for readers who want unlimited simultaneous connections and an open-source app approach. It covers the everyday desktop and mobile platforms and has a native Apple TV app for tvOS 17 or later. That makes it more flexible than older descriptions that treated a router as the only way to use PIA on a television.

PIA is especially appealing when a household’s device count matters more than buying an extensive bundle of unrelated products. Its additional settings can reward readers who like configuring their connection, though a simpler app may be preferable if you want minimal decisions. The former ten-device limit is outdated. As with any unlimited-device service, the allowance is a subscription benefit rather than a promise that every connection will deliver the same speed or streaming compatibility.

PIA is a useful pick when device coverage and configurable apps are high on your list. Unlimited connections make it easy to cover several personal screens, while the open-source software adds transparency. If you prefer fewer settings and a particularly straightforward starting point, ExpressVPN remains our first recommendation.

Apple TV setup: Native app; tvOS 17+.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is worth a look if your VPN needs extend across a household’s computers, phones and television. Its native Apple TV app removes the router setup that used to complicate TV use, and its unlimited simultaneous connections are helpful when several devices need protection at once. That is handy when several people want to use the VPN at the same time, although it will not necessarily make a slow streaming connection faster.

A familiar app on each supported device is usually easier to manage than routing an entire household through one VPN-enabled router. That also lets you disconnect one screen without changing everybody else’s connection. IPVanish fits that approach well, especially for readers who prefer device-by-device control. As with other services here, streaming platforms can still block VPN addresses, and additional bundled products should be judged separately from the core VPN rather than treated as essential extras.

IPVanish is strongest as a practical multi-device option. Install the app on each supported screen so you can manage those connections separately, without changing the whole household network. That is especially convenient when some apps work best with the VPN disconnected and others benefit from leaving it on.

Apple TV setup: Native app; tvOS 17+.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN is an option for readers who want a conventional VPN with room for specific add-ons. Dedicated IP and port forwarding are available as additional products, which can matter for particular workflows. They are not automatic benefits of every subscription, and most everyday browsing does not require them. The better purchase is the plan that solves your connection needs without piling on features you will leave unused.

The standard service allows ten simultaneous connections and offers a native Apple TV app, alongside its desktop and mobile applications. WireGuard is among its supported protocols, while controls such as split tunneling vary by platform. PureVPN suits someone who wants to start with ordinary VPN use and add a particular capability later. Its longer promotional plans deserve a careful look at the total charge and renewal terms, rather than a decision based solely on the lowest advertised monthly figure.

PureVPN is most interesting when one of its optional capabilities solves a specific problem. A dedicated address or port-forwarding option can be valuable for some workflows, but neither is necessary for ordinary browsing. Keep the initial purchase simple and add specialized features only when they have a clear purpose.

Apple TV setup: Native Apple TV app.

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8. PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN’s free offering is useful if your VPN needs are occasional and you prefer to try the interface before buying. The free plan includes 10GB of full-speed data per month. That can suit light browsing, but regular video viewing will use the allowance much more quickly. A free data allowance is best understood as a limited-use option, rather than a substitute for an unlimited paid streaming subscription.

Paid plans remove the free tier’s data constraint and open up more of the service. PrivadoVPN’s current website advertises unlimited devices, although older official pricing and software pages still describe different connection limits. That inconsistency makes the terms attached to the chosen plan important. We would choose PrivadoVPN for its accessible free starting point and upgrade only when the paid plan’s device terms, app support and locations match the household’s needs.

The free allowance gives you a low-commitment introduction to the service. Light browsing is a better match than long evenings of video, which consume data quickly. If you decide to upgrade, resolve the plan-specific device allowance before paying so the subscription covers the screens you intend to use.

Apple TV setup: Apple TV app listed by provider.

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9. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is worth considering if you want time to decide whether a VPN suits your routine. Its eligible longer subscriptions have a 45-day money-back guarantee, while the monthly subscription has a 14-day window. That is a paid purchase with refund eligibility, not free access. It gives you room to assess the service on the networks and devices you actually use before keeping a longer commitment.

Desktop and mobile applications make CyberGhost more convenient on those platforms than on an Apple TV that needs a router or Smart DNS setup. The distinction matters: Smart DNS does not encrypt the device’s traffic, while a compatible router can provide a VPN tunnel. CyberGhost’s value depends on that fit. It can be a reasonable choice for a familiar computer-and-phone routine, but readers who want a native TV app have simpler options in this list.

The longer refund window is useful when your routine spans several devices or networks. Put that time to practical use by trying your usual apps and locations. CyberGhost makes more sense when its setup fits your devices than when it is chosen only for the size of a promotional discount.

Apple TV setup: Router or Smart DNS setup.

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10. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a smaller service with a straightforward proposition: desktop and mobile VPN apps, ten simultaneous connections and support from its own team. It can appeal to readers who prefer a focused product to a large security bundle. The useful comparison is whether its locations and supported devices cover your routine, rather than whether it can match a larger competitor’s headline server count.

The company advertises more than 200 servers across 63 countries, a more modest network than many larger brands. That does not by itself determine the quality of your connection, but it gives you fewer alternatives in some places. Apple TV users should plan around a compatible-router setup instead of assuming a native app. PrivateVPN is therefore most appealing for a computer-and-phone setup where its supported locations and simpler product lineup fit the job.

PrivateVPN suits readers who know which devices and locations they need and prefer a focused subscription. Check that its server list includes the countries you need before you subscribe. A household that regularly switches between many countries or wants the easiest possible TV installation may be better served by one of the broader alternatives.

Apple TV setup: Compatible-router setup.

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How to set up a VPN on Apple TV

Check that your Apple TV supports tvOS 17 or later and install any available system updates. Open the App Store on the TV, find your VPN provider’s official app, and install it. Follow the sign-in instructions, choose a server, and connect before opening your streaming app.

If you have an older Apple TV, check whether your router supports the VPN you want to use. A VPN-enabled router can protect the TV’s connection, but setup takes more work than installing an app. Smart DNS is another option offered by some providers, but it does not encrypt your connection.

You will still need subscriptions to the streaming services you watch. Also check the provider’s Apple TV feature list: a setting available on its Windows or Mac app may not be available on the TV.

Before you subscribe

Start with the devices you want to use and check that the plan covers them. Then look at the total price at checkout. An offer advertised as a few dollars per month may charge the entire first year or two upfront, and renewal can cost more.

If you are relying on a money-back guarantee, read the eligibility and cancellation terms before buying. You pay first and request a refund if the service is not right for you; it is not a free trial.

Which VPN should you choose?

ExpressVPN is our first choice if you want an easy-to-use VPN for everyday browsing and supported TVs. Start with Basic if you need the VPN itself, then consider the higher plans only if you want their extra features or device allowance.

For a household with lots of devices, Surfshark is worth comparing. If you would rather start without paying, Proton VPN’s free plan is a useful option for browsing, though its TV and streaming features require a paid plan.

Sources and review approach

Updated October 2026 using provider documentation. We prioritized device compatibility, useful subscription features and clear limitations. Streaming access and connection speed vary; no provider is guaranteed to work with every service.

• ExpressVPN documentation
• Surfshark documentation
• NordVPN documentation
• Proton VPN documentation
• Private Internet Access documentation
• IPVanish documentation
• PureVPN documentation
• PrivadoVPN documentation
• CyberGhost documentation
• PrivateVPN documentation