Do smart TVs have a built-in VPN?

We haven’t seen one on Samsung, LG, Hisense or Roku TVs. A TV’s network settings may have DNS or proxy fields, but those don’t encrypt your traffic. To use a real VPN, install an app where the TV allows it, or connect the TV through a router or hotspot.

Can I use Proton VPN on a Samsung or LG smart TV?

Not as an app on the TV. Set Proton VPN up on a supported router, or plug in a Fire TV or Google TV stick and install its app there. Our Samsung TV guide has the steps.

Does a VPN work on a Roku TV?

Yes, through a router or a hotspot. Roku has no VPN apps, including on TCL and Hisense Roku models. Our Roku TV guide walks through both.

Which VPN is free for a smart TV?

Proton VPN’s free plan installs on Android TV and Vega OS Fire TV, but streaming needs a paid plan, and its Apple TV app is for paid subscribers. Paid Plus comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it on your TV.

Does a VPN on my phone cover my TV?

No. It covers your phone’s own traffic, and your TV keeps using your home connection. It can also get in the way: Roku says a phone VPN can hide the Roku from its mobile app, and Samsung community users report Smart View failing with one on.

Will Netflix ban me for using a VPN on my TV?

Netflix’s proxy error help page doesn’t mention bans. It says VPNs aren’t supported on ad-supported plans or for Live events. If a server gets flagged, you’ll see a proxy error, and our Netflix guide covers what to do.

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7 min readNov 07, 2026

Best VPN for TV: 2 Picks for Samsung, LG, Roku, Google TV and Apple TV

The best VPN for your TV depends on its system. See which TVs run a VPN app, which need a router or hotspot, the 2 best picks and real prices.

Quick Answer

Proton VPN Plus is our pick for Google TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV, where it installs as an app, at $2.49 a month on 2 years. Samsung, LG and Roku TVs don’t run VPN apps, so they need a router or hotspot: PureVPN documents both, from $1.69 a month on 5 years.

See the 2 picks Find your TV Samsung, LG and Roku

Checkout prices, November 6, 2026

The 2 Best VPNs for TV

Best for Google TV, Apple TV and Fire TV: real TV apps

Proton VPN Plus

Install it on the TV or box, sign in from your phone and pick a country with your remote.

Apps for Android TV, Google TV, Apple TV and Fire TV, including Vega OS
Streaming guide lists Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu and BBC iPlayer
$2.49 a month on 2 years ($59.76), 10 devices
30-day money-back guarantee

−75%

Black Friday

2-year plan·$2.49/mo ~~$9.99/mo~~

Get Proton VPN on Your TV

Best for Samsung, LG and Roku: router or hotspot setup

PureVPN

Put it on your router or share it from a hotspot, and your TV is covered with no app on it.

Router guides, plus preconfigured flash routers
Apps for Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV too
$1.69 a month on 5 years ($101.55), 10 devices
31-day money-back guarantee

−87%

Black Friday

5-year plan·$1.69/mo ~~$12.95/mo~~

Cover Your Samsung, LG or Roku TV

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Can You Put a VPN on a TV? Find Yours

Yes, but how depends on the system, not the brand. Some brands sell TVs on several systems. To check yours, search its app store for “Proton VPN”. On a Fire TV, go to Settings, My Fire TV, About to see Fire OS or Vega OS.

Your TV	Proton VPN	PureVPN	Full guide
Google TV and Android TVSony, many TCL and some Hisense models, Chromecast with Google TV	App (Android 8 or later)	App	Android TV guide
Apple TV boxApple TV on tvOS 17 or later	App	App	Apple TV guide
Fire TV on Fire OSOlder Fire TV Sticks, Toshiba and Insignia Fire TVs	App from the Amazon Appstore	App	Firestick guide
Fire TV Stick on Vega OSNewer sticks, such as the Fire TV Stick 4K Select	Vega OS app	Router or hotspot	Firestick guide
Samsung (Tizen)Samsung smart TVs	Router	Router or hotspot	Samsung TV guide
LG (webOS)LG smart TVs, including OLED models	Router	Router or hotspot	Router guide
RokuRoku TVs, including TCL and Hisense Roku models, and Roku sticks	Router	Router or hotspot	Roku guide
Hisense VIDAA, Philips Titan OS, VizioHisense calls VIDAA “V Home OS” now. Philips TVs move to Titan OS from 2026. We found no app for these from either VPN	Router	Router or hotspot	Router guide
Chromecast without Google TV1st, 2nd and 3rd Gen, and Ultra	Router	Router or hotspot	Router guide

How to Use a VPN on a Samsung, LG or Roku TV

These TVs don’t run VPN apps, so the VPN runs on something connected to them. You have 4 ways to do that.

Get PureVPN for Your Router or Hotspot

Route	Works on	What you do	The catch
Plug in a streaming stick	Any TV with an HDMI port	Add a Fire TV, Google TV or Apple TV device, then install the VPN app on it. You watch through the stick’s apps, not the TV’s own.	The easiest route, but you buy one more device.
Set up your router	Every TV and device on that router	Proton VPN has guides for OpenWrt, AsusWRT, AsusWRT-Merlin, DD-WRT, pfSense, MikroTik and more. PureVPN has router guides and sells preconfigured flash routers. See the best VPN for routers.	One setup covers the house, but it takes the most work. Custom firmware can void your router’s warranty.
Share from a hotspot	Any TV with Wi-Fi or Ethernet	PureVPN’s Smart TV page has you create a Wi-Fi hotspot on a device running the VPN, then join it from the TV, or use an Ethernet cable. Our Roku TV guide walks through a PC hotspot.	No extra hardware, but that device must stay on while you watch.
Use Smart DNS	TVs with a DNS setting	PureVPN’s LG page lists SmartDNS as an option. It can change where a streaming service thinks you are.	It doesn’t encrypt anything, so your ISP can still see what you do.

What a VPN Does on Your TV

You want to	What you get	What to know
Watch your home services while traveling	Connect to a server at home, and your apps see a home IP. Also see the best VPN for hotel streaming.	Each service’s own rules on location still apply.
Open another country’s catalog	Proton VPN’s streaming guide lists Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu and BBC iPlayer on paid plans. See the best VPN for streaming.	Netflix says VPNs aren’t supported on ad-supported plans or Live events. Fix errors with our Netflix proxy error guide.
Watch sports from another region	Pick a server where the game is on. See the VPN for sports streaming.	No VPN can promise every service, so test yours during the refund window.
Keep your viewing from your ISP	Your ISP sees a VPN connection, not which services you open.	Accounts you sign in to still know who you are.

How Much a VPN for Your TV Costs: From $1.69 a Month

One plan covers 10 devices on either VPN, so your phone and laptop come with it.

Plan	Price	Best for
Proton VPN Plus, 2 years	$2.49 a month ($59.76)	Google TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV
PureVPN, 5 years	$1.69 a month ($101.55)	Samsung, LG and Roku, through a router or hotspot
PureVPN, 2 years	$2.15 a month ($58.20 for 27 months)	The same setups on a shorter term

US prices before tax, read at checkout on November 6, 2026, during Black Friday offers. Seasonal deals, when running, show on the cards above. After the first term, plans renew at each VPN’s regular rate. Refunds don’t cover renewals, crypto, Google Play or App Store payments on PureVPN, or cash and bank transfer on Proton VPN.

Get Proton VPN Plus From $2.49 a Month

How to Install a VPN on a Smart TV in 4 Steps

Check your TV’s system. Search your TV’s app store for the VPN. If it isn’t there, as on Samsung, LG and Roku, use a router, a hotspot or a streaming stick.
Get a paid plan. Sign up on your phone or computer. Longer plans cost least per month, and both VPNs cover 10 devices.
Install the app or set up your router. On Google TV, Android TV, Apple TV or Fire TV, install the app from the TV’s store and sign in. On Proton VPN you can scan a QR code on Android TV or enter a code in a browser. On a router, follow your VPN’s guide for that router.
Connect, then open your streaming app. Pick a country, connect, then open the app you want to watch. Test your services during your refund window, and try another server if one doesn’t load.

Get Proton VPN and Set Up Your TV

VPN Not Working on Your TV? 4 Common Fixes

Problem	Fix
Ethernet drops when the VPN connects	Proton says this is a firmware bug known to Google on some Android TVs and boxes, and it affects all VPN apps. Update the TV’s firmware or use Wi-Fi.
The TV won’t accept your sign-in code	Proton VPN’s codes go on protonvpn.com/tv for Android TV and protonvpn.com/firetv for Vega OS, not the main site.
An app says it isn’t available in your region	LG says this message on LG Channels can come from a VPN, and that the TV’s region setting should match your location. For other apps, try another server.
Your phone’s remote app can’t find the TV	Roku says a VPN on your phone can hide the Roku from its app. Use the physical remote, or turn the phone’s VPN off while you pair.

Sources (checked November 7, 2026):

• Proton VPN support: Android TV, Fire TV, Vega OS, Apple TV, routers, streaming guide
• PureVPN support: supported devices and Smart TV setup (both updated February 16, 2026). Also PureVPN’s Smart TV and LG TV download pages
• Streaming and TV makers: Netflix proxy error help, Roku mobile app help, LG’s LG Channels help
• TV systems: CNET on Roku, webOS and Tizen and on router warranties, Android Authority on Philips and Titan OS
• Prices: each VPN’s order page

Best VPN for TV: FAQ

Yes. Google TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV install a VPN app directly. Samsung, LG and Roku TVs don’t run VPN apps, so you connect them through a router, a hotspot or a streaming stick with a VPN app on it.

Proton VPN Plus if your TV or box installs VPN apps. It costs $2.49 a month on 2 years and covers 10 devices. For Samsung, LG and Roku, we pick PureVPN, which has router guides, flash routers and a hotspot setup, from $1.69 a month on 5 years.

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