5 Best VPNs for Apple TV 2024: Fast, Secure & Easy to Set Up (2024)

As I already expressed, ExpressVPN is one of the best Apple TV VPNs.

But how did it perform in the tests? Here’s a detailed breakdown.

Did you know you can use your Apple TV with all your other Apple devices? This is why you need a VPN that works with iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Luckily, ExpressVPN does!

These native apps ensure you can use AirPlay to mirror content directly from your VPN encrypted devices to your Apple TV.

It’s even compatible with Apple’s latest chips (M1 & M2).

However, with only five simultaneous device connections, ExpressVPN lags behind every other option on this list, especially Sufshark.

This is fine if you live alone and use less than 5 Apple devices.

However, it’s not efficient if you have a big family that wants to watch Apple TV+ on their own devices.

Unlike mobile devices with native VPN apps, you can’t install a VPN directly on your Apple TV. This is why you need ExpressVPN’s SmartDNS feature, MediaStreamer.

MediaStreamer lets you access restricted content directly on your Apple TV. Plus, compared to Surfshark, NordVPN, and CyberGhost’s SmartDNS feature, MediaStreamer is easy to work with.

In another section, I’ll provide a guideline for setting it up for your Apple TV.

The final way to bypass content blocks on your Apple TV is to get an ExpressVPN-compatible router.

Fortunately, ExpressVPN works with many routers, including Netgear, Linksys, and Asus. The best part? Most routers come with ExpressVPN pre-installed. You can find the complete list of ExpressVPN routers here.

ExpressVPN is fast. I registered an average speed of 26Mbps, coming a close third to Surfshark and NordVPN. I watched See on my Apple TV using the highest quality possible. The quality was sharp, and no buffering or stuttering was registered.

Additionally, you’re not just limited to Apple TV+ content.

You can stream HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, and even music sites like Qobuz and Pandora Radio.

Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN is compatible with all portable Apple devices. You can therefore use AirPlay to mirror content from any of your encrypted devices to the Apple TV.

Additionally, NordVPN goes further than ExpressVPN by allowing 6 simultaneous connections. This pales compared to Surfshark, but you can still get a lot done with six slots.

NordVPN is also compatible with Apple’s M1 and M2 chips.

So if you own any latest Apple device running on these, NordVPN is a perfect fit.

NordVPN has a Smart DNS feature that you can use to enjoy Apple TV+. Since SmartTVs don’t have native VPN apps, using NordVPN’s Smart DNS feature sends all your requests through NordVPN’s DNS servers, hiding your real IP. This allows you to watch what you want directly on your Apple TV.

However, understand that Smart DNS doesn’t protect you from snooping like a VPN. But you’ll get better speeds and the ability to bypass restrictions without the heavy lifting of a full-fledged VPN.

Alternatively, just like ExpressVPN, you can skip using Smart DNS by choosing AirPlay.

If setting up Smart DNS or using AirPlay isn’t your style, try a VPN router. NordVPN is compatible with Asus, Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, etc.

They come with NordVPN already installed, saving you the hassle and time.

However, NordVPN dropped support for PPTP and L2TP/IPsec connections in 2018. Therefore, many routers that used to work with NordVPN may not function properly. So, before making any NordVPN router purchase, ask first.

NordVPN is a fast VPN, but I didn’t expect it to edge out ExpressVPN.

The difference wasn’t big, though, as I registered average speeds of 27Mbps.

For the speed test, I used random servers while streaming the new alien thriller called Outer Range, starring Josh Brolin (whose last appearance on any TV show was in 2012). The streaming was smooth to the end.

One main reason for these fantastic speeds could be the NordLynx protocol. It’s significantly faster than all the other available NordVPN protocols while providing extra security.

Surfshark is compatible with all portable Apple devices.

This includes iPhones, iPads, and Macbooks. You can set up Surfshark on any of these devices and mirror what you need to watch on your Apple TV or create an encrypted hotspot.

Moreover, you can take advantage of the AirPlay feature by combining it with unlimited simultaneous connections.

This is the ideal VPN for people with lots of friends and family members. Everybody gets a piece of the action (provided the internet speeds can handle that many devices).

Surfshark has a reliable Smart DNS feature. It’ll change your Apple TV DNS address to a different one hosted by Surfshark DNS servers in the US.

Like what NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer, this won’t encrypt your traffic or change your IP address (it only alters your DNS addresses).

The setup process is a bit complicated, but you can find the detailed guide here. The good news is that you’ll get top-shelf speeds for 4K streaming on your Apple TV.

If both AirPlay and Smart DNS don’t cut it for you, how about a Surfshark-compatible router? Some common routers work very well with Surfshark, including Asus, DD-WRT, and Tomato routers.

However, as much as this provides blanket encryption for everything under your roof, the installation process is a little more involving.

Unless you’re good with networking, you’ll need the services of an expert to get things properly configured.

Surfshark posted the fastest speeds on this list.The margin wasn’t huge compared to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, but I averaged speeds of about 28Mbps. This was impressive but not surprising. Streaming HD content was as easy as ABC.

And speaking of ABC, I had no idea it was available as a channel on Apple TV+. I streamed a bit of Grey’s Anatomy for the test, and everything worked fine. But I got to ask, will this show ever end?

Surfshark is the most affordable VPN on this list.

But you can still get it cheaper by taking advantage of these fantastic discounts.

CyberGhost isn’t known for overwhelming speeds (don’t get me wrong, it gets the job done). Still, it has one thing that blows the rest out of the water: a large network of over 8000 servers.

Let’s have a quick look at how it performed in the tests.

Like other alternatives on this list, CyberGhost is compatible with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. With this level of integration, you can AirPlay content directly from your devices to your Apple TV.

Furthermore, CyberGhost allows up to 7 device connections, a little higher than NordVPN and ExpressVPN. That should serve your needs if you have company around.

CyberGhost has Smart DNS. You have to set it up from the settings by entering the DNS corresponding with the streaming service you want to unblock and watch on your Apple TV. This grants you the speeds you need to watch your favorite shows without being detected.

But you’ll still need the protection of your VPN since a Smart DNS doesn’t offer encryption. Good thing it comes bundled up with the VPN itself.

So enjoy your shows without worries.

CyberGhost is compatible with DD-WRT routers, Netgear, Linksys, Asus, and Tomato routers. They all come with CyberGhost installed already, so it’s a matter of plug and play.

The biggest benefit you’ll get from this is the blanket coverage of all your devices, including Apple TV. This effectively eliminates the need for Smart DNS or AirPlay.

As I said at the beginning, CyberGhost isn’t a speed powerhouse like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN. I averaged speeds of about 23Mbps, which isn’t far from the more prominent players.

The good news is that you’ll probably score higher if you have faster base internet speeds.

I watched The Outlaws for the speed test, and the experience was smooth.

I used different servers to ensure it wasn’t a fluke – it wasn’t.

CyberGhost gets the job done.

In addition, CyberGhost is the only one on this list with streaming dedicated servers. You don’t have to waste time finding the best server for your Apple TV+ streaming. So give it a try and see how things play out for you!

CyberGhost is relatively cheap and shouldn’t dent your pocket.

You can use this link to get your hands on juicy discounts before the offer runs out.

IPVanish works with all mobile Apple devices and Mac.

The installation process is straightforward. With this, you can use AirPlay to mirror everything you need onto your Apple TV for that crisp and clear viewing. You can get around any censorship with this without having to turn into a software developer overnight.

Furthermore, like Surfshark, IPVanish has no limit on the number of devices you can hook up on the same account.

So, you get more wiggling room when mirroring content on your Apple TV. Yet another perfect match for users who want to set up Apple TV connections for multiple people.

IPVanish doesn’t offer Smart DNS. I verified this by asking technical support about the feature, and they confirmed it.

Now, this isn’t a big blow to how you can use Apple TV.

After all, you still have AirPlay. But it’s always nice to have that Smart DNS option just in case other methods fail.

With Smart DNS out of the way, the good news is that IPVanish is compatible with multiple routers. Based on the information I gleaned from their website, IPVanish partnered explicitly with FlashRouters to design highly optimized routers for IPVanish.

They come pre-installed and pre-configured, so all you need is to get your hands on a router, and you’re set.

Of all the options on this list, IPVanish was the slowest.

I averaged speeds of about 14Mbps, which was far from what I managed with the other four options. However, 14Mbps is still plenty to get things rolling. There also wasn’t any buffering.

Changing servers didn’t yield a big difference, but the critical bit is that this didn’t affect the performance of the Apple TV in a significant way. So don’t let the low speeds put you off.