Like any Android device (or any other device for that matter), it is not a bad idea to make use of a VPN service with your Android TV device. Whether it is to guarantee a greater degree of protection of your data and information, or to access geo-restricted content, a good VPN service could be the solution. However, finding a good VPN service (or at least one which is good for your individual needs) is not the easiest of tasks and especially on Android TV – as the platform has yet to gain the same level of support that you will find elsewhere.
With that in mind, here are five VPNs services that you might want to check out. Now, in reality, none of these are a definitive or a one-stop solution for everyone. So in spite of the recommendations here, you are best advised to research them all a little more to ensure they are right for you, and especially if you do plan on paying for any of them. However, as a starting point, all of these VPNs services are widely used, are generally well-reviewed, claim fairly good security and privacy stances, and most importantly – will work with an Android TV device.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a popular VPN option. One of the reasons for its popularity is that this is a Panama-based VPN service. So it is not bound by the same obligations that other VPN companies might be when it comes to governmental requests. Although, NordVPN does make it clear that it has a strict ‘no logging’ policy and therefore, couldn’t share any information it has on its users, even if it had to. In addition, NordVPN does offer access to a wide range of servers around the world, although, those servers can also become quite congested at times. For those interested in checking NordVPN out, there is a 3-day trial available although you do have to sign up via email to gain access to the trial. On Android TV this is an app you will have to sideload and depending on your system, may require a mouse to function properly. Other than those requirements, it works fine.
ExpressVPN – VPN for Android
ExpressVPN is another popular Android VPN option and this one will work with your Android TV device. Although again, it does need to be sideloaded to your Android TV system. This one offers access to more than 97 locations in 78 different countries, so you will never be short of connections points. ExpressVPN is based out of the British Virgin Islands and claims not to log any user information – opting for a ‘shared ISP’ approach where multiple users share the same ISP at the same time. So even if an ISP could be linked to a user, actual usage on a given ISP cannot be solely linked to any one user. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN also does offer a free trial for new users so you can test before you buy – although once again, you need to provide an email address to gain access to the free trial.
VPN by Private Internet Access
By any measurement, Private Internet Access (PIA) is easily one of the most popular VPN services around and this company always seems to be running a deal of one type or another. So there is a very good chance that you can sign up to a 2-year deal at a much cheaper price than through any of the other VPNs on this list. Which makes this a good option for those looking for a cheaper paid alternative. This is another service which states that it does not log user activity, although, what might be a little off-putting to some, is that PIA operates out of the US and is therefore subject to US regulations and requests. Although again, PIA does state that it could not identify a user even if it wanted to.
PureVPN – Best Free VPN
PureVPN is a little different to our other picks as this is one of the only VPN services which offers tiered access. Which does mean if you don’t want to pay for the VPN service, you don’t have to. Although arguably, it is always advisable to pay for a service such as this if you want to further guarantee your privacy. In any case, PureVPN has plenty of servers (claiming more than 750 in 180 different cities), and offers a wealth of additional features. If you do opt for the premium (paid-for) service from PureVPN, then you can expect even more value for money, including “private browsing” and the ability to use the service on five different devices simultaneously.
F-Secure Freedome VPN
Last on the list today is F-Secure’s Freedome VPN and there is a reason why this one has been left until now. If you are looking for the easiest way to make use of a reputable VPN service on an Android TV device, then this is likely going to be the best option to go for. The reason for this is that it is one of the only Android VPN apps that comes with natural Android TV support. No sideloading needed, no mouse needed, and it will show up on your leanback launcher, just like any other Android TV app. So when it comes to an Android TV user experience, this one is certainly worth a try. The downside with Freedome is that it does not have quite as many servers as some of the others, so if you are looking to lock onto a specific country, then you might want to check whether there are servers available in that country via Freedome first. Also, its basic plans are more limited in terms of the number of devices you can connect to at any one time. So you’ll have to pay more if you want to connect to more than two Android devices. In any case, a free trial is available with this one.Additional reading: https://thebestvpn.com/reviews