Updated on: September 19, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for LG Smart TV in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : Offers a dedicated router app for easy setup on LG Smart TV. It also provides a smart DNS tool that can access popular streaming platforms in the US and the UK and provides lightning-fast speeds. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
LG Smart TVs don’t have native VPN support because they use webOS. However, you can still use a VPN with your LG Smart TV by setting up the VPN on your router or by using the provider’s smart DNS tool, which works with devices that don’t support VPNs.
I researched and tested the top VPNs and put together a list of the best VPNs for LG Smart TV. The VPNs I recommend below are all easy to set up on LG Smart TV, have a smart DNS feature, and work with many popular streaming platforms. My #1 pick is ExpressVPN because it has a dedicated router app and super-fast speeds. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for LG Smart TV:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for LG Smart TV with an excellent router app + a pre-configured router.
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Great VPN with many smart DNS locations + dedicated IPs for streaming on LG Smart TV.
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Easy VPN to set up on routers + optimized servers for streaming on LG Smart TV.
- 4. NordVPN — Great smart DNS feature for securely accessing US content on LG Smart TV.
- 5. Surfshark — Supports WireGuard protocol on routers for fast speeds on LG Smart TV.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for LG Smart TV in 2024
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for streaming on your LG Smart TV in 2024. It has servers in 105 countries, works with 100+ streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. It’s also the only VPN on this list with a dedicated router app, which makes it much easier to set up and use on LG Smart TV — other VPNs require you to perform a manual configuration, which is a lot more involved.
One thing I really like about ExpressVPN’s router app is its Device Groups feature, which lets you sort your devices into different groups — you can set up each one to connect to a different VPN server. This makes it possible to access streaming platforms on your LG Smart TV while the other devices on your home network use a different location. Few router VPNs give you this kind of flexibility via a router.
Another great thing about ExpressVPN’s router app is that it uses ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol — it maintains the fastest possible speeds for streaming on your LG Smart TV. Most VPNs only provide manual configuration files for the OpenVPN protocol, which is slower.
If you don’t want to download the router app, you can use a great smart DNS tool called MediaStreamer for streaming on LG Smart TV. MediaStreamer works with popular streaming platforms in the US and the UK and will give you faster speeds than using a VPN — smart DNS won’t encrypt your traffic or hide your IP address.
Last but not least, If you find setting up a VPN on your router or configuring MediaStreamer for your LG Smart TV too much of a hassle, you can consider purchasing ExpressVPN’s router, Aircove, which comes with the VPN pre-installed. The router has also passed an independent audit for security vulnerabilities.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $6.67 / month and backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN has an easy-to-set-up and flexible router app and a smart DNS tool for streaming on an LG Smart TV. It also has great server coverage and works consistently with popular streaming platforms. Additionally, it offers a pre-configured router, Aircove, which saves you from having to set up the VPN yourself. All of ExpressVPN’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Many Smart DNS Locations + Dedicated IPs
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a great smart DNS tool for streaming on an LG Smart TV. While most VPNs only offer smart DNS locations in the US, PIA lets you change your virtual location to the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Japan, or Germany.
This VPN also lets you get a dedicated IP address in 10+ countries, including the US, the UK, and Japan, for a small additional charge. This can come in handy if you find that you’re constantly being blocked by streaming platforms while using a VPN with your LG Smart TV. A dedicated IP address is an IP address that belongs only to you (it’s not shared with anyone else like the IP addresses you usually get when connecting to a VPN server).
PIA works with 30+ streaming sites, including Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Plus, it offers optimized streaming servers in 10+ countries, including the US, the UK, Japan, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and more. This is a pretty good variety, but I still prefer ExpressVPN for streaming on an LG Smart TV because it works with 100+ streaming apps.
You can set up PIA on your router to get it working with your LG Smart TV, but unlike ExpressVPN, it doesn’t have a dedicated router app, so you’ll have to configure it manually. Fortunately, PIA’s website has easy-to-follow guides for setting up the VPN on popular router models.
Private Internet Access starts at an affordable $2.03 / month, and all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access has a great smart DNS tool for streaming on LG Smart TV with 5 available locations (in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Japan, and Germany). It also lets you get a dedicated IP address for a small additional fee and works with 30+ streaming platforms. All of its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Easy Setup + Streaming-Optimized Servers
CyberGhost VPN is a beginner-friendly VPN for LG Smart TV. The router setup tutorials on its official website are really detailed and full of useful screenshots to walk you through the process. I got CyberGhost up and running on my router in less than 15 minutes using just the guide. That said, it still takes more effort to set up compared to ExpressVPN’s dedicated router app.
This VPN has servers optimized for specific streaming platforms. These servers are tested frequently by CyberGhost’s team to ensure that they work as intended. CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers support 50+ streaming services in total, including 15+ Netflix libraries, across 20+ countries.
You can get CyberGhost working with your LG Smart TV by using its smart DNS tool as well. However, CyberGhost’s smart DNS servers only work with Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Hulu. ExpressVPN smart DNS servers are able to access many more streaming platforms in the US and the UK.
In terms of extra features, I like that CyberGhost’s ad, tracker, and malicious website blocker is available on routers — most other VPN ad blockers don’t work on routers. So if you browse the web on your LG Smart TV, you’ll have an uncluttered experience. You can also configure it so that CyberGhost automatically converts unsecured HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) traffic to the more secure HTTPS traffic.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at a low $2.03 / month, and all purchases come with a money-back guarantee (up to 45 days for long-term plans).
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN is a beginner-friendly VPN for LG Smart TV thanks to its detailed tutorials for router setups. It also has streaming-optimized servers for most popular streaming platforms and a smart DNS tool that works with Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Hulu US. Additionally, it comes with an ad blocker for surfing the web on your smart TV. Every CyberGhost subscription includes a money-back guarantee — up to 45 days for long-term plans.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Great Smart DNS Tool for Streaming in the US
NordVPN is a great pick if you want to stream more securely on your LG Smart TV. Its SmartPlay feature lets you get the benefits of smart DNS while also enjoying the enhanced privacy and security of a VPN, such as hiding your IP address and encrypting your traffic. It all works automatically in the background, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
One downside of NordVPN’s smart DNS tool is that it can only access US content. For comparison, Private Internet Access’s smart DNS lets you change your location to the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Japan, and Germany.
If you need to access non-US locations on your LG Smart TV, you have the option of setting the VPN up on your router. NordVPN supports most popular router models and has comprehensive router setup guides on its website. The VPN works with 10+ streaming services — both US and non-US, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime. That said, I still prefer ExpressVPN for streaming because it works with 100+ streaming apps.
NordVPN’s plans start at $3.09 / month, and it backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature combines the benefits of smart DNS with the protection of a VPN. This makes it great for streaming US content on your LG Smart TV more securely. NordVPN can also be manually configured on routers and works with 10+ streaming services in the US and abroad. All of NordVPN’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Supports WireGuard Protocol for Faster speeds
Surfshark provides manual configuration files for the WireGuard protocol. Most VPNs only provide manual configuration files for OpenVPN. This is great because the WireGuard protocol is the fastest VPN protocol, so you’ll be able to get better speeds when streaming on your LG Smart TV.
With NordVPN set up on your router, your LG Smart TV will be able to connect to servers in 100 countries and stream on 50+ platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
This provider has a smart DNS feature but comes with some limitations compared to a router setup — it only works with US streaming services, like Netflix US, Hulu, and Disney+ US, so you won’t be able to access a lot of content on your LG Smart TV. ExpressVPN’s smart DNS tool can access most popular streaming sites in the US and the UK.
Surfshark’s plans start at $2.19 / month, and every subscription is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark provides manual configuration files for the WireGuard protocol, which means you can use the fastest common VPN protocol for your LG Smart TV. It also works with 50+ streaming platforms and has a smart DNS tool that can access popular US streaming services. Surfshark backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To create this list of the best VPNs for LG Smart TV, I researched and tested all the top VPNs on the market according to our testing methodology. I put heavy emphasis on whether or not the provider is easy to set up on routers and has a smart DNS tool, great streaming support, etc. You can learn more about the criteria I used to rank and compare the VPNs on my list below:
- I chose VPNs that can be set up on LG Smart TV. This means the VPN should have manual configuration files and support your particular router model — or offer its own pre-configured router for purchase. You can find out if a provider supports your router model by checking its official website. ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app, supports manual configuration in case your router isn’t compatible with its firmware, and offers a pre-configured router (AirCove) that you can use to save yourself the hassle of setting the VPN up yourself.
- I looked for VPNs with a smart DNS feature. All of the VPNs on my list have a smart DNS tool, which provides an alternative way to stream content on your LG Smart TV.
- I checked if the VPN has good streaming support. Some popular streaming platforms block known VPN IP addresses, so you want to get a provider that refreshes its IP addresses frequently. I only recommend VPNs that work with top streaming sites, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
- I tested each VPN’s speeds. Since using any VPN will slow your connection speeds slightly due to the encryption process, I made sure to recommend only VPNs that maintain fast enough speeds for watching HD content buffer-free on your LG Smart TV.
- I picked VPNs that provide great overall value. The VPNs on my list all have affordable plans, allow multiple simultaneous connections (so you or your family members can use it for other devices at the same time), and come with a money-back guarantee.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Proton VPN. Proton VPN is great for streaming and provides fast speeds. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as many popular routers as the other VPNs listed here.
- TunnelBear. It has a fun bear-centric design and is really beginner-friendly. However, it doesn’t work on routers and doesn’t offer a smart DNS tool, so it’d be really difficult to set it up on your LG Smart TV.
- Mullvad VPN. This VPN has top-notch privacy and security features and has an affordable flat monthly rate for all of its plans. However, it doesn’t work with many top streaming sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which VPNs work on an LG Smart TV?
Any VPN that offers router support or has a smart DNS tool can be easily set up on an LG Smart TV, but you can’t install a VPN on a LG Smart TV directly as LG Smart TV uses webOS. The VPNs on my list are a good place to start looking.
Does ExpressVPN work on an LG Smart TV?
Yes, ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for LG Smart TV because it has a dedicated router app that makes it really simple to set up. It also has a smart DNS tool that works with streaming sites in the US and the UK. Last but not least, it has the fastest speeds on the market, so you can stream HD content without any buffering.
How do I install a VPN on an LG Smart TV?
You can’t install a VPN on an LG Smart TV directly because it’s not compatible with VPN apps. But there’s a really simple way around this: setting up a VPN on your router. To do so, follow these 3 easy steps:
- Get a VPN that supports your router model. I recommend ExpressVPN, which has a dedicated router app that makes it easy to set up, offers great streaming support, and provides super-fast speeds.
- Configure the VPN on your router. The process may differ significantly from VPN to VPN, so it’s best to consult the guide on your provider’s official website.
- Connect to a server. That’s it! Now that the VPN is set up on your router, all of the devices in your household that use the router, including your LG Smart TV, will now send their traffic through the selected VPN server.
Can I use smart DNS to stream on my LG Smart TV?
Yes, but smart DNS isn’t the same thing as a VPN. While smart DNS can change your location, it doesn’t encrypt your data or hide your IP address, so you won’t benefit from increased privacy and security.
Using smart DNS also limits your server selection a lot more compared to using a VPN. That said, you do get slightly faster speeds with smart DNS precisely because it doesn’t encrypt your data. All of the VPNs I recommend offer both router support and a smart DNS tool, so you can choose the method that works best for you.
