For an encrypted connection
Check the app, device allowance and who you trust to carry your traffic.
The VPN & Smart DNS field guide
A little more privacy.
A lot less guesswork.
A VPN for your laptop. Smart DNS for the living room. Find out what each service does, where it falls short and what to check before buying.
Source-linked research · Clear limitations · Affiliate links labelled
START WITH YOUR DEVICE
Same home. Different needs.
A privacy connection and a streaming setup aren’t interchangeable.
See the difference01
On your phoneAndroid setup & daily use
02In the living roomTV apps & Smart DNS
03Before you subscribeFree plans, bills & trade-offs
THE CLUB SHORTLISTS
Compare the picks, then choose your fit.
10 VPNs COMPARED
10 VPNs to compare before you subscribe
Start with NordVPN for an everyday mix of devices, Surfshark for a busy household or Proton VPN if you want to begin with a free plan. These ten…
See the shortlist →5 VPNs COMPARED
5 VPNs for a houseful of devices
A phone each, a couple of laptops and the living-room TV can fill a device allowance. Start with Surfshark or PIA if you want unlimited connections,…
See the shortlist →THE DIRECTORY
Know what you’re signing up for.
Unlocator
A choice of Smart DNS and VPN connections for different devices.
IPVanish
A VPN app family with mobile and television options.
Surfshark
A VPN option with an advertised unlimited simultaneous-device allowance.
Proton VPN
A no-cost VPN plan with unlimited data for one device.
ExpressVPN
Documented setup routes for phones, computers, TVs and compatible routers.
Mullvad
A VPN with a published flat monthly rate and no long-term discount ladder.
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THE QUESTION THAT STARTED THIS SITE
Smart DNS isn’t a privacy tunnel.
A TV setup can change how a supported streaming service connects. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and its server. Choosing starts with understanding that difference.
Read the plain-English guideFor supported TV setups
Check the exact device and channel. Smart DNS adds no VPN encryption.
READ BEFORE YOU BUY
Start with a useful question.
THE PRACTICAL GUIDE
Public Wi-Fi: a practical connection checklist
Confirm the network, keep your device updated and use HTTPS. A VPN can add an encrypted connection to its server, but it cannot make a…
Read the guide →
THE PRACTICAL GUIDE
Find a fast VPN on your own connection
A speed result only makes sense with its network, location, device and test method. Compare your normal connection with the VPN using the…
Read the guide →
THE PRACTICAL GUIDE
Free vs paid VPNs: compare the limits and the bill
A free plan can be a sensible starting point when its limits fit your task. Paid plans often change device allowances, location choice and…
Read the guide →HOW WE WORK
You deserve to see the reasoning.
Our reviews use current provider documentation and link to their sources. We explain the limits of that evidence and don’t claim hands-on tests we haven’t performed.
Our research method →Missing a service?
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