Best VPN for Nvidia Shield in 2024: Our Top Picks

In today’s digital age, securing your online presence is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Enter the world of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). They fortify your internet connection with military-grade encryption and reroute it through a global maze of servers, effectively masking your identity and location.

Now, imagine coupling this protection with the power of Nvidia Shield. Suddenly, geo-restrictions vanish. While traveling overseas, you can access the vast American Netflix library or the exclusive UK’s BBC iPlayer.

For Kodi fans among you, we’ve put countless hours into rigorous testing to ensure every VPN provider we champion plays nicely with every Kodi addon you love.

Too pressed for time? We get it. Jump straight to our expertly curated summary of the best VPN service providers tailored for Nvidia Shield:

1. NordVPN: Our top recommendation for Nvidia Shield! Tons of servers and good connection speeds. Zero logs and strong encryption. Works with Netflix and other content streaming sites. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.TIP: In our testing, we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Nvidia Shield.
2. Surfshark: Good budget choice for Nvidia Shield. A fast and versatile VPN that keeps no logs and provides a wealth of online security features. Unlimited simultaneous connections are supported.
3. ExpressVPN: A premium VPN with fast servers in 94 countries. Has robust security, a strict no-logs policy, and is capable of securely accessing a wide range of popular streaming platforms.
4. CyberGhost: Huge network of servers perfect for accessing geo-blocked content on Nvidia Shield. Works with Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and plenty of other streaming sites.
5. PrivateVPN: Fast connections and great for streaming. Strong encryption and a no-logs policy make this a great VPN for secure internet traffic on Nvidia and other devices.
6. IPVanish: Strong security, decent connection speeds, and works great with Kodi. Strict no-logs policy with military-grade encryption.
7. PureVPN: Servers in 65+ countries and a choice of IPs across the US. Works to watch international TV platforms on Nvidia Shield. Allows 10 connections. 
8. ProtonVPN: Impressively fast and advanced VPN.Perfect for streaming Netflix US and many other platforms. Ideal for secure torrenting. 

We’ve tested and curated the best VPNs for Nvidia Shield based on the following criteria:

• Works with Nvidia Shield (Android TV)
• Fast download speeds for HD streaming
• Works with streaming sites like Netflix
• Strong encryption
• No online activity or connection logs
• Money-back guarantee

Nvidia Shield runs on Android TV, so we’ll mainly look at VPNs with Android TV apps on Google Play. Our VPN ranking methodology for Nvidia Shield discusses this more below.

Best VPNs for Nvidia Shield – Our hands-on review

We’ve researched and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Would you prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Nvidia Shield.

Best VPNs for Nvidia Shield Streaming

By using a VPN like our recommended NordVPN or Surfshark, you can hide your IP address and connect through servers in the US, enabling you to access American Netflix without any problems. Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Nvidia Shield:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024 Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

NordVPN makes an Android TV app available from the Google Play Store along with the alternative option to download the Android APK directly from its website. It’s also available on the Amazon App Store if you happen to use that as an alternative.

NordVPN operates more than 6,200 servers in over 91 countries, and it’s great for securely accessing video streaming content like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. It offers download speeds fast enough to stream video in HD and strong encryption to keep your internet traffic private. NordVPN adheres to a strict zero-logs policy, so it doesn’t record any information about what you do while connected.

You may connect up to ten devices at a time on a standard subscription. NordVPN is also available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Linux.

BEST VPN FOR NVIDIA SHIELD:NordVPN is versatile, fast, and security-conscious, making it ideal for Nvidia Shield users. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

Surfshark has an Android app and currently operates roughly 1,000 servers in more than 60 countries. Its connections are fast enough to stream live HD video without any issues at all, which is perfect since this VPN works with streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Surfshark has no connection limit, meaning you can protect every connected device you own with a single account.

This VPN uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, maximum protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch to protect you from prying eyes. There’s also automatic ad and malware blocking, and a NoBorders feature that lets you bypass country-wide internet restrictions. Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information so your activities can’t be traced back to you. Customer support is available via 24/7 live chat and email.

Surfshark apps are available for Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. It can be manually installed on your home router.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark offers high-speed connections, powerful security features, a no-logs policy, and exceptional versatility at a very reasonable price. Best of all, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

ExpressVPN makes an Android TV app that can be installed on Nvidia Shield right from the Google Play Store. If that’s not an option for some reason, you can download the APK installer file directly from the ExpressVPN website.

ExpressVPN boasts fast connection speeds and robust security. You can safely stream content from dozens of countries including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Excellent access to live chat support is available 24/7 should you encounter any issues.

ExpressVPN allows subscribers to connect up to three connected devices at a time, so in addition to your Shield, you could make use of some of the apps available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and certain wifi routers.

FLAWLESS STREAMING:ExpressVPN boasts high speeds and strong security, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Works great with popular streaming platforms.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

CyberGhost makes an app for Android TV that allows you to securely stream favorites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. You can either choose a server location or select from a list which content streaming service you want to use. That means there’s no trial and error, messaging customer service, or searching the web to figure out which servers work with a particular online streaming service.

CyberGhost scores high for both security and internet speed. It’s the fastest VPN of 2019 based on our tests and earned a perfect score in our annual privacy assessment. The company stores no logs of your activity or connections.

In addition to Android TV, apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. You can connect up to seven devices at a time.

GOOD FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost is the fastest VPN we’ve tested this year, and it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. PrivateVPN

Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

PrivateVPN’s Android TV app is the same as the phone app, but it works fine on both big and small screens. An APK file is available from the website in case Google Play is not available for some reason.

PrivateVPN is a smaller provider than the others on this list, but it punches well above its weight class in terms of internet speed. It’s great for streaming and works with more international Netflix libraries than any other VPN we’ve tested. Security is what you’d expect from a veteran provider, and PrivateVPN doesn’t store any logs of your activity or connection.

You may connect up to six devices at the same time on a standard subscription. Apps are also available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV.

KEEP IT SIMPLE:PrivateVPN offers an intuitive and straightforward app with all the powerful features you would expect from a much larger provider. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

6. IPVanish

Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

IPVanish’s Android TV app is available on Google Play, and an APK file is available as a backup option directly from IPV’s website.

This provider offers robust security and doesn’t keep any logs of what you do while connected to its servers. It operates a vast server network spanning more than 54 countries. Connection speeds are decent, and connections are stable. IPVanish is easy to use but comes with a fair amount of customization if you want to delve into the settings options.

This service isn’t as capable as some competitors when it comes to securely accessing streaming sites, but it’s a favorite among Kodi users. It works with all the Kodi add-ons we’ve tested.

You can connect up to 10 devices at a time, more than any other VPN on this list. Apps are also available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV.

COMBINE WITH KODI:IPVanish works great with Kodi addons and offers robust security on every connection. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

7. PureVPN

works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

PureVPN is a low-cost VPN that is based in the British Virgin Islands. This ensures it is outside the jurisdiction of countries like the US, the UK, and the EU. The VPN service boasts a vast network of over 6,000 servers across more than 65 countries, offering a cost-effective solution for changing your IP address. It also makes it fantastic for accessing foreign streaming services on your Nvidia Shield TV.

Despite being a highly affordable premium VPN, PureVPN does not compromise on privacy and security. It provides robust protection against government censorship, online surveillance, and security risks on public wifi networks. Its features include a strict no-logs policy, AES encryption, various protocol options, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.

A notable advantage of PureVPN is its compatibility with a wide array of streaming services; and Android TV app, which you can install directly to your Nvidia Shield TV. In our tests, PureVPN efficiently worked with 12 out of 15 streaming platforms tested, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock, as well as British, Canadian, Brazilian, German, Japanese, and French services.

Torrenting is supported across its network, and it offers port forwarding as an optional paid feature. Unfortunately, we found live chat support to be slow to respond. However, this is a minor quibble. You can test the VPN on your Nvidia Shield smart TV firsthand thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

UNBEATABLE VALUE:PureVPN has servers in 65+ countries to let you get an IP address on any continent. A choice of IPs across the US makes it great for bypassing blackout games or watching US services abroad. Strong AES encryption and a kill switch. Works to watch international TV platforms on Nvidia Shield. Fully audited no logging policy. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

8. Proton VPN

works with Nvidia ShieldTested Apr 2024

ProtonVPN was developed by the creators of ProtonMail in Switzerland. It is a highly trusted and robust VPN that is feature-rich and benefits from Swiss data protection laws. True to its privacy brand and reputation, ProtonVPN upholds a rigorous no-logging policy, which has undergone comprehensive audits. Users can connect to self-owned secure core servers, which offer enhanced security albeit at slightly slower speeds.

The VPN provides advanced apps for a variety of platforms, including an Android TV app you can install from the Google app store directly on your Nvidia Shield TV. It also has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and Linux.

Subscribers benefit from AES encryption, multiple protocol choices, a stealth VPN, a system-level kill switch, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, split tunneling, and port forwarding, making Proton VPN one of the most sophisticated VPNs on the market.

ProtonVPN’s network now spans over 85 countries, allowing users to obtain IP addresses across a multitude of locations and cities. During testing, the VPN provided access to five different Netflix regions, British TV services, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and many other popular streaming platforms worldwide.

The primary drawback is that it is a touch expensive. Due to its advanced options, it may also have a steeper learning curve for beginners. However, for those who prioritize torrenting or need its advanced features, the cost is justifiable. You can try the VPN on Nvidia Shield or any of your other devices using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

HIGHLY SECURE:ProtonVPN is an impressively fast and advanced VPN. Based in Switzerland, it has a no-logs policy. Robust AES encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscation. Works to get an IP address in 85+ countries. Perfect for streaming Netflix US and many other platforms. Ideal for secure torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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Our testing methodology: How we found the best VPNs for Nvidia

Comparitech strives to publish the most comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date VPN reviews and recommendations on the web. We never recommend a VPN without testing and trying it out ourselves first. Our evaluations are based on first-hand experience, expert analysis, and a battery of tests. When it comes to Nvidia Shield VPNs, we specifically look at:

• Speed: The VPN should offer enough download bandwidth to stream high-quality video without buffering. For each VPN, we test connection speeds to multiple servers around the world.
• Streaming: Nvidia Shields are mainly used for streaming video. With that in mind, we check whether each VPN can securely access popular streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
• Privacy: Every VPN we recommend has a no-logs policy, meaning they don’t collect any personally identifiable information that could identify a VPN user. We read through each VPN’s privacy policy for any language or lack thereof that could indicate the collection of PII.
• Security: We only recommend VPNs that meet our security and encryption standards. The VPN must use adequate and up-to-date encryption and be free of any DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, among others.
• AndroidTV support: We prefer VPNs that specifically make AndroidTV apps that work well with the Shield’s remote-control interface.
• Customer support: Our reviewers contact each VPN’s customer support department as secret shoppers to gauge response times and quality.

You can read more about how Comparitech tests and rates VPNs on our methodology page.

How to download and set up a VPN on Nvidia Shield

Nvidia Shield runs on Android TV, which is a TV-compatible version of the Android operating system used on many of today’s smartphones. Android TV has its own partitioned section of the Google Play Store, which means a smaller selection of apps than you’d get for a phone.

Some of the VPNs we recommend have apps specifically for Android TV that you can use on Nvidia Shield. Others will allow you to download an APK installer file directly from the VPN provider’s website. We’ll show you how to install both below:

If your VPN app is available on Google Play for Android TV:

1. On your Shield, open the Google Play Store from the Apps section of the home screen.
2. Search for the name of your VPN. It should show up in the search results.
3. Select your VPN from the list to open its app page. If there are multiple VPNs with the same name, make sure to check which is the official version.
4. Select Install.
5. Accept the app permissions to complete the installation.

You can now open the app from the home screen and sign in. Just select a location and hit Connect to get started.

If your VPN doesn’t make an Android TV app, or Google Play is not an option, grab a USB flash drive and follow these instructions:

1. On a PC or Macbook, open a web browser and go to your VPN provider’s website.
2. Download the Android APK file for your VPN app onto a USB flash drive. If you cannot find the download page, consult your provider’s customer service.
3. Safely eject the flash drive from your computer once the download is complete.
4. On your Shield, go to Settings > Security and Restrictions.
5. Toggle on Unknown sources. Press OK when a warning appears.
6. From the home screen, open Google Play (or whatever alternative app store you have access to, e.g. Amazon).
7. Search for and select ES File Explorer or FX File Explorer. Either one should work.
8. On the app page, select Install and Accept the app permissions.
9. Insert your USB flash drive into the Shield.
10. Open the file explorer app you just installed and navigate to your USB drive or media card.
11. Open the APK file you downloaded from your VPN provider’s website.
12. When the installation finishes, select Open.

You can now use the Android app on your Shield. Note that this version of the app is probably made for phones and not TVs, so navigating the interface might not be so intuitive. You should be able to sign in and connect to a server, though.

Shield TV versus standard NVIDIA Shield

The Shield TV is a newer, more compact version of the NVIDIA Shield. It’s sort of like the Amazon Fire TV stick compared to the Fire TV Cube—a more compact unit at the cost of performance.

Any VPN that works on Nvidia SHIELD should work just the same on Shield TV. But note that the Shield TV’s lower specs could mean it could struggle to encrypt and decrypt data in transit. That could result in more buffering when using a VPN.

VPNs for Nvidia Shield FAQ

See also: Best VPNs for Kodi