The Best VPN for Android TV

As an Android TV box user, how private is your online activity? Have you ever been concerned about advertising trackers? Would you want to access your movies on Netflix that are not available in your location? How about accessing content banned by your ISP or government? Nothing beats an Android TV VPN!

In this post, we will explore why you need to use the best VPNs for Android TV Boxes, how to choose one and review top VPNs you may consider.  Let’s dig in.

What Is Android TV?

If you are new here, Android TV is Google’s smart TV option that makes use of the Android operating system.  It enables you to use your internet connection to stream content to your TV using both free and paid apps. Simply put, Android TV works more or less like Amazon Fire and Roku. You can use your phone to navigate through menus in the same way you use a remote. The difference between Android TV and other devices is that it has an open system that gives you access to apps that Google might not officially approve.

Apart from these exciting streaming capability; Android TV can also run apps, use Kodi, play emulators, connect to a TV tuner and even work as a media player for your digital files. However, setting up these features requires more technical know-how than the average guy wants to learn.

Android TV supports most cord-cutting services including HBO, YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime Anytime, Spotify and Starz among others.

To use Android TV, you have two options: you can either purchase a smart TV such as BRAVIA and AQUOS that already has Android TV enabled, or you can buy a streaming console that supports Android TV. Examples include NVIDIA Shield, Mi Box, and Razer Forge TV.

What makes the Android TV stand out from its peers is its ability to cast video, its Google Assistant features and its app store.

Why It Is Important to Use Android TV VPN

Anonymity

Have you realized that everything you do online, from the music you listen to, to the services you use and the sites you visit, depends on your IP address?

Network servers use your IP address to route you to the appropriate URL. This is the basis for how the internet works. Your internet service provider regulates your IP address. Using a VPN helps you to circumvent your ISP and assume another IP address in a location of your choice.

You can then access sites that may not have been accessible in your geographical location before. A VPN enables you to browse the internet from anywhere in the world.

If you are living in countries like China and Russia where there are numerous restrictions on internet access, a VPN can be a lifesaver.

Using an Android TV VPN will enable you to access live streams from anywhere on the globe.

Major leagues have been employing blackout streams in the recent past in a bid to boost ticket sales. Using an Android TV VPN can help you connect to a nearby location and access live sports streams.

Privacy

Besides being a tool to help you unblock the internet, the best VPNs for Android TV Boxes also have another benefit; privacy.

Using a VPN for Android TV Box allows you to shield your actual IP address. Once you connect to a VPN server, your data is encrypted and becomes anonymous. Since your internet service provider can’t see what you are doing, you can browse without worrying about your information being logged, recorded, or used in a non-altruistic way.

Speed

VPNs have also been known to increase overall network speeds. This happens when your network is being throttled by your ISP. Let’s say your internet plan caps your data at a certain level. Using a VPN can circumvent this process and get streaming speeds back to normal.

You can also use a VPN to torrent content anonymously. Although VPNs are legal, you should not use them to torrent illegally.

These Are The Best VPNs For Android TV

Now that you know what an Android TV is and how important it is to use a VPN for Android TV box, let us look at some of the best VPNs for Android TV Boxes.

Here are some of the best VPN for Android TV boxes:

1. Express VPN

Express VPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming HD content. It has super-fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. It’s 256-bit AES encryption makes it one of the most secure VPNs to use, as it doesn’t log the sites you visit or your IP address. Express VPN also has a kill switch that ensures you are disconnected to the internet as soon as your VPN connection is dropped.

The VPN has servers in 90 countries and can unblock almost all popular streaming platforms including Amazon iPlayer, HBO, Netflix, and Prime Video.

Express VPN is compatible with iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and some routers. You can also configure it to work with Chrome OS, Apple TV, PlayStation, and Xbox. Check out our full review here. Even better, they’re offering 3 months free on their annual subscription plan.

Pros

• 24/7 customer support via live chat
• Military-grade encryption for solid privacy and security
• Speedy servers which are great for streaming HD content
• Easy to use and works seamlessly with Android TV

Cons

• A little higher in cost than other VPN’s

2. Surfshark

This is a young VPN provider that allows you to connect to an unlimited number of devices at a low price. Its Android TV app is available from Google Play Store. It unblocks BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime videos.

Surfshark app has strong encryption, along with a kill switch that halts internet traffic when the VPN connection drops, and customer care is always available. It is not as fast as other VPNs, and it has a limited number of servers, but it is more than enough for code cutters.

It has apps for MacOS, Android, Linux, iOS, and Android TV. Here is the full review.

Pros

• Offers 24/7 support through live chat
• Unblocks a number of streaming sites such as Netflix UK, US, and others
• Unlimited devices

Cons

• Limited number of servers
• It can be sluggish

3. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a very security-conscious VPN. It does not keep logs of your IP address, browsing history and connection times. The VPNs traffic is secured with 256-bit encryption and it includes extra features such as forced HTTPS redirection, a built-in ad-blocker, and malware protection – so you’ll always be protected from common internet threats.

The Cyberghost app has several options, one such option being the “unblock streaming” button that enables you to select services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Comedy Central from a list.

Although CyberGhost does not have many locations to choose from, it has concentrated its servers in the US and Europe where most popular streaming platforms are based.

CyberGhost VPN has apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, and Windows and it can be configured manually to some Wi-Fi routers and Linux-based systems. You can read the full review here.

Pros

• Impressive speeds for streaming
• A pocket- friendly provider that doesn’t compromise on security and privacy
• Works well with Android TV boxes

Cons

• Struggles to unlock a few streaming sites

4. NordVPN

NordVPN has several servers, some of which are optimized for ultra-fast streaming. It’s a great choice for users who want to watch 4K content on their TV boxes. What’s even better, Nord VPN lets you make six simultaneous connections on one account. If you run into any problems while using the VPN, they have live customer support to serve you.

The VPN uses military-grade encryption that is impossible to break. It does not keep logs of your personal information. Nord VPN also has a kill option that allows you to bar specific apps from accessing the internet when you lose connection to a server.

Nord VPN is compatible with MacOS, Windows, iOS, browser plugins for Chrome and Firefox, and Android. You can install it manually on a Linux system as well as on some Wi-Fi routers. Check out our full review here.

Pros

• Robust privacy credentials and security
• 24/7 customer support
• Unblocks most popular streaming sites such as BBC player and Netflix among others

Cons

• The desktop app is slow

How to Select The Best VPN

Selecting a good VPN for your Android TV can be a tough task, especially when you have to choose from the numerous VPN providers popping up each day. The following tips will make it easier for you to select a VPN that will suit your needs:

First, is it worth paying for an Android TV VPN?

There are numerous free options from reputable companies but you are better off going for a premium service.  It is also likely that free VPNs will harvest your data and sell it to advertisers as “marketing insights.”

Secondly, what information do they record about your VPN sessions?

When looking for a VPN for your Android TV box, you need to consider the logging terms and conditions. What information do they record about your VPN sessions? How long do they keep this information?

All VPNs do some sort of logging. However, some try to be minimalistic in their logging while others don’t seem to make any effort. Also, some services dispose of their data in just a few hours or a day while some hold on to it for months.

The VPN provider you choose will largely depend on how much privacy is important to you.

Thirdly, are you happy with your provider’s acceptable terms?

Permissible activities vary from one provider to another. Some VPN services are okay with torrents while others forbid them. Before you commit to using a VPN, ensure you know what they allow and what they don’t.

Finally, ensure the Android TV VPN provider has an application you can download and install. Unless you want to play around with an open VPN, a customized VPN is a better option. It is easier to use and doesn’t require you to make any major adjustments or have great technical knowledge.

Final Word

An Android TV VPN is important if you want to make maximum use of your streaming services on your Android TV. It allows you to bypass geographical restrictions so you can access your favorite sites from any corner of the globe. Downloading a VPN app is easy since an Android TV gives you easy access to Google Play Store.

As a reminder, keep the following points in mind when selecting a VPN service for your Android TV box to ensure that you pick one that will keep you secure, and anonymous.

The best VPNs for Android TV Boxes VPN should offer the following:

• Fast streaming speeds and stable connections.
• Privacy- a good VPN should log as little information as possible and discard it as soon as possible.
• The ability to unblock major streaming services.
• A dedicated Android app and a separate APK file for manual installation.