The best VPN for Apple TV in 2025

Setting up NordVPN on Apple TV is quick but still flexible, depending on your model. On tvOS devices, you'll find it in the App Store: download, sign in, and you're ready to go.

While NordVPN doesn't yet have the thoughtfully designed QR login of ExpressVPN, Apple's voice-to-text feature makes entering your details much less of a chore than remote-only typing. Once inside, the interface is clean and responsive, with a location picker that prioritizes nearby servers for smoother performance.

Unlike Surfshark, which relies mainly on SmartDNS for older Apple TVs, NordVPN gives you both SmartDNS and router options, letting you choose between ease and full encryption.

SmartDNS is a feature that reroutes only your DNS queries instead of all your traffic, which makes it faster for unblocking streaming sites but doesn’t provide the same level of encryption as a full VPN.

That extra flexibility makes it more adaptable than rivals like Proton VPN, which skip DNS entirely, though ExpressVPN remains smoother for sheer login convenience.

Once installed, NordVPN really shines with streaming. In our tests, it unblocked every major platform we tried, from Netflix in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan to Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, 9Now, and 10Play.

This consistency sets NordVPN apart as the best streaming VPN we tested, saving users from the guesswork of swapping servers that plagues cheaper services like PrivadoVPN.

Its server network is equally robust, spanning over 7,000 servers in 118 countries. That's more than enough for most Apple TV users, though Proton VPN beats Nord in the Middle East and Africa. Still, Nord's coverage in core regions like Europe, North America, and Asia ensures reliable connections where they matter most.

Speed is another area where NordVPN holds strong. In our latest benchmarks, NordLynx protocol reached 901 Mbps on nearby servers and 514 Mbps to the US.

While those numbers are a touch below previous results, NordVPN impressed with stable latency and low jitter, keeping playback smooth even on longer viewing sessions. Compared with Surfshark, it was slightly more consistent over distance, though ExpressVPN still held the raw speed crown.

Taken together, NordVPN remains the best VPN Apple TV: fast, consistent, secure, and simple to use.

Surfshark's installation on Apple TV is as straightforward as any mainstream app, but it adds handy touches that make setup smoother. Download the app from the tvOS store, then choose how to sign in: either traditional credentials or a QR code scan.

The QR option is convenient, and while not quite as polished as ExpressVPN's instant link, it still saves time compared with NordVPN's text-only login.

Once logged in, Surfshark's dashboard is uncluttered, with a central connect control and a server picker that's easy to browse.

For older Apple TVs, Surfshark's SmartDNS is one of the simplest to configure. Compared to PrivadoVPN, which lacks DNS entirely, Surfshark makes geo-unblocking a breeze without touching your router. Router installation is still available if you want added security, but it's not as heavily emphasized as with NordVPN.

When it comes to streaming, it consistently unblocks Netflix (US, UK, AU, CA, and JP), along with Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, 9Now, and 10Play. Unlike some budget rivals that often force retries, Surfshark connected cleanly on the first attempt in nearly all cases.

Its server network is also solid, with coverage in 100 countries and 3,200+ servers. While ExpressVPN stretches a little further with 108 countries, Surfshark still provides excellent global reach. For Apple TV owners, that means reliable access to both mainstream and niche content libraries.

Speed performance was strong in our latest benchmarks. Using WireGuard, Surfshark achieved speeds of 848 Mbps nearby and 505 Mbps to the US. While ExpressVPN outpaced it in raw numbers, Surfshark held lower latency than NordVPN on domestic servers, making it feel snappier for quick browsing and app navigation.

Surfshark is also experimenting with Surfshark DNS, a free public DNS service designed to block trackers and improve online security. It's an interesting move on desktop and mobile, but has no impact on Apple TV use, where the built-in VPN app and SmartDNS features remain the main draw.

With unlimited connections, Surfshark suits households running Apple TV alongside other devices. It doesn’t quite hit ExpressVPN’s ease of use or Lightway Turbo’s top speeds, yet it stands out as a high-value choice.

ExpressVPN arguably offers the smoothest Apple TV login of any provider. Instead of fumbling with passwords, you scan a QR code from your phone, and the app signs you in automatically. Voice input is available as a fallback, but the QR process is so quick that it makes NordVPN and PIA feel dated by comparison.

Once inside, the interface keeps things simple: a single on/off button, a quick location picker, and an automatic Smart Location feature. Over time, it remembers your most-used servers to save you even more clicks.

This "Apple-like" minimalism is where ExpressVPN really sets itself apart from its competitors, PIA specifically, which offers more customization but less visual polish. NordVPN and Surfshark do offer slightly deeper controls, but ExpressVPN wins if your priority is a stress-free setup.

Still, the app's stripped-back design does have trade-offs. Unlike NordVPN, you can't tweak protocols or enable a kill switch directly from Apple TV. Surfshark also lets you save favorite servers more prominently, whereas ExpressVPN keeps it ultra-minimal. Still, for Apple TV users who just want a VPN that works instantly, this simplicity is an advantage rather than a drawback.

Speed is where ExpressVPN shines. In our latest tests, its Lightway Turbo protocol hit 1,617 Mbps on nearby servers and 1,230 Mbps to the US. That's well ahead of NordVPN's WireGuard results (901 Mbps local, 514 Mbps US) and Surfshark's 848 Mbps local, 505 Mbps US.

For Apple TV users, that means faster load times, stutter-free 4K playback, and more headroom for multiple streams, without worrying about buffering.

Where ExpressVPN stands out even more is consistency. Even on OpenVPN, it comfortably outpaced rivals, making it one of the most reliable choices for Apple TV users who want speed without tinkering.

By comparison, PrivadoVPN Free managed 671 Mbps locally with WireGuard, but its performance dropped more sharply on long-distance connections. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, maintained strong speeds across regions and paired them with its broad 105-country network, which helps keep latency low no matter where you connect.

Streaming performance matched its speed credentials. In our testing, ExpressVPN consistently unblocked Netflix across multiple regions (US, UK, and Japan), along with Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Regional services like 9Now and 10Play also worked, though we did encounter a hiccup: the Woolloomooloo server in Australia was blocked, while others functioned fine. Similarly, one US YouTube server denied access to region-locked videos, but switching to Dallas solved the issue.

Compared with NordVPN's steadier track record and Surfshark's wider server selection, ExpressVPN still came out near the top, particularly for users who want reliability without continuous tweaking.

Private Internet Access was once limited to router-only use on Apple TV, but its new native tvOS app changes that completely. Installation is now as simple as downloading from the App Store.

Login, however, is more old-school, as you'll need to type in your email and password, unlike ExpressVPN and Surfshark, which both offer QR shortcuts. Still, once signed in, the app mirrors PIA's desktop and mobile design, with a connect toggle, a detailed server list, and quick favorites. It's functional, though less refined than NordVPN's or ExpressVPN's sleek layouts.

Where PIA redeems itself is in its versatility. For older Apple TVs, you can choose from SmartDNS, router installation, or even network sharing. That's more options than PrivadoVPN, which drops SmartDNS entirely, though Surfshark's DNS setup is easier to configure. If you don't mind the more manual login process, PIA's wide fallback support makes it one of the most adaptable Apple TV VPNs.

PIA's server network is both a strength and a weakness. With coverage in 91 countries and 152 locations, it's broadly competitive. It's the only VPN with servers in all 50 US states, making it unbeatable for American users who want local content or precise state-level access.

That said, its global spread is less impressive in Asia, Africa, and Oceania, where rivals like NordVPN and Proton VPN offer more locations. For Apple TV owners based in or connecting to the US and Europe, however, PIA is rock-solid.

In our streaming tests, PIA delivered consistent results. It successfully unblocked all five major Netflix libraries, along with Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, 9Now, and 10Play.

That makes it one of the most capable services for accessing shows while travelling. Unlike PrivadoVPN, which sometimes threw up errors and required retries, PIA generally just worked, which is a big plus for Apple TV users who want a hassle-free experience.

Speeds were also solid in our Dublin tests. Using WireGuard, PIA hit 510 Mbps nearby with a latency of 19 ms. While NordVPN and Surfshark outpaced it in throughput, PIA held a steadier ping time during live sports streaming, an area where consistency can matter more than raw Mbps.

PrivadoVPN makes a strong first impression on Apple TV by offering more login flexibility than many bigger names. Instead of just a password entry, you can scan a QR code or enter a short activation code, both faster than PIA's email-and-password approach.

Once inside, the app is light but practical, with latency-based sorting that helps you pick the fastest server. It's not as seamless as ExpressVPN's Smart Location, but it offers more manual control than Surfshark's stripped-down dashboard.

Support for older Apple TVs is where PrivadoVPN lags. You're limited to router or manual DNS setup, since there's no SmartDNS feature. That makes it less convenient than Surfshark or ExpressVPN, both of which offer quick DNS options, and even NordVPN, which combines SmartDNS with full router installs.

Still, for a service that undercuts most rivals on price and even has a free tier, PrivadoVPN's login process and server tools are better than expected.

However, speed performance is where expectations need managing. In our Dublin tests using WireGuard, PrivadoVPN Free delivered 671 Mbps to the nearest location, with 22.5 ms latency and 2.81 ms jitter. That's fast enough for 4K HDR streaming and everyday Apple TV use, though below the 900+ Mbps we saw from NordVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN, not to mention ExpressVPN Lightway Turbo on the same protocol.

But the bigger story was variability: latency and jitter spiked more often than with NordVPN or ExpressVPN, meaning performance could feel uneven depending on the server.

Streaming is where the difference between free and paid plans becomes even more apparent. With the free version, PrivadoVPN successfully unblocked Netflix US and UK, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITV, and Channel 4. However, it was unable to access Netflix AU, CA, or JP, Amazon Prime Video, 9Now, or 10Play.

That makes it a workable choice for casual Apple TV use abroad if you're mainly after US or UK content, but unreliable for broader global streaming.

The paid plan is much more capable. It successfully unblocked Netflix US, UK, AU, CA, and JP, plus Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, 9Now, and 10Play.

However, even here, the experience wasn't always seamless. At times, the content was loaded with odd errors or required restarting the app or retrying servers before it played properly. PrivadoVPN ultimately got us access, but it took more trial-and-error than with rivals like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which usually worked the first time.

For Apple TV users, that makes Privado a less high-end but still capable option, especially given its free tier and low-priced premium upgrade.