5 Best VPNs for LG Smart TV: webOS Compatibility for 2025

Even though the webOS running on LG TVs doesn't natively support VPNs, there are ways around it. Some VPNs offer solutions for LG TV setups, alongside easy installation guides that almost anyone can follow.

My team and I conducted hands-on tests on LG G5 OLED and LG UP75 UHD TV models to find the best VPNs compatible with webOS. We picked the top-ranked services with at least two ways to use the VPN software on LG TV. Shortly, I’ll let you in on my experience with each one, given that we also assessed their ability to deliver smooth 4K or higher quality streaming across the servers.

Quickly Compare LG TV VPN Features Side-By-Side

Considering the complexities of using a VPN on webOS, the best VPNs for LG smart TVs have distinct features to facilitate compatibility and improve the user experience. In the following table, I’ve summarized our test findings for each VPN to help you choose based on the server size, streaming connections, ease of setting up on LG smart TVs, and more.

Note: Baseline refers to our tester’s speed without the VPN connection.

Can You Install a VPN Directly on an LG Smart TV?

No, you can't install a VPN on an LG Smart TV directly. The Linux-based webOS on LG appliances is a bit restricted and doesn’t offer the ability to natively install VPN apps and protocols like their Android-based counterparts. That being said, you can still use alternative methods of setting up a VPN, whether it be for streaming or maintaining privacy for your webOS apps. The 3 primary methods I’d recommend (and which I’ll show you how to use a little later) are:

• Router-level setup. This involves installing a VPN on a router device and then connecting the LG TV to the network. You will be able to watch HD/UHD shows on your TV and secure your traffic at the same time. However, setting up a VPN may be complicated with some providers.
• Smart DNS configuration (for streaming only). Some VPN services offer a Smart DNS feature that reroutes LG TV DNS queries through private servers to spoof your location. It can be a lot faster than using a VPN, but it doesn’t offer any protection.
• An external device. If you have a Fire TV Stick, Chromecast with Google TV, or Apple TV box, you can directly install a VPN from the app store and plug it into your LG TV to stream.

Is It Necessary to Add a VPN for LG TV?

Using a VPN on an LG TV can greatly enhance your online streaming experience. It assigns you a secure IP address to safely watch shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO Max libraries from anywhere. By masking your IP address, the VPN also prevents ISPs from throttling connections (restricting data speeds), which can impact your ability to stream seamlessly in UHD or higher quality.

Plus, a VPN helps to improve security and privacy on LG Smart TV. Internet providers and websites can’t easily monitor your streaming and online searches because the traffic is encrypted. Therefore, you can stream soundly while leaving a minimal trail of your activity data.

2025 Guide to the Best VPNs for LG Smart TV

1. ExpressVPN — Custom Router Firmware and Smart DNS for Reliable Streaming on LG TV

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2025

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN offered us the simplest setup for LG TV, thanks to a dedicated router app and firmware. If you have a supported router like Linksys, Asus, or Netgear, you can just download the firmware package and install it, then sign in to the app to configure settings or choose servers. It took us less than 10 minutes after signing up to install the VPN on the Asus router and safely explore Netflix and Disney+ content on the LG OLED TV.

We never experienced any issues with buffering or quality drops either

ExpressVPN proved to have excellent speeds in our tests. The proprietary Lightway protocol it uses on routers is streamlined for efficient data transfers across other devices besides just LG TV. In most cases, server connections were as fast as our baseline internet speeds without the VPN. Starting from baseline 240Mbps connections, the New York and Chicago servers clocked 229Mbps and 224Mbps, respectively, allowing for smooth 4K streaming.

If you have an ISP-issued router without VPN compatibility, you can still use ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer to configure the LG TV DNS settings for high-quality streaming. Alternatively, ExpressVPN offers its own Aircove brand routers already installed with the software, taking away the hassle of having to set up the VPN.

A drawback of ExpressVPN is that it is pricier than the competition. However, the purchases often come with discounts all year round. You can have a risk-free trial since the service is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee*.

Useful Features

• Group devices. On the router setup, you can select multiple server locations to use on your LG TV, and then connect other devices on the network to nearby servers for faster speeds.
• Obfuscated servers. ExpressVPN works successfully with many streaming platforms because its obfuscated servers can bypass firewalls that block VPNs without detection.
• DNS and IPv6 protection. Even if you don't use Smart DNS on LG TV, the regular app servers offer private DNS routing to avoid exposing your location. Also, ExpressVPN automatically disables IPv6 traffic, which sometimes causes streaming issues with webOS.
• 24/7 customer support. You’ll get access to a dedicated technical team that’s available around the clock to help with any router or smart TV configuration issues.

2. NordVPN — Works With All Major Router Firmware and Is Easy To Set Up

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN works with popular router brands usable on home networks with LG TV, and it provides helpful setup guides for each. There isn’t any router app like ExpressVPN, but I could easily install it on a DD-WRT router, plus another portable GL.iNet router I mostly use for travels. Throughout the tests, the NordVPN support team provided practical answers to my questions, including how to use the Smart DNS for streaming on webOS.

SmartDNS can only be used for streaming in certain locations, and can be changed manually

The VPN shines alongside ExpressVPN due to the steady and fast speeds, reliable for high-quality streaming with LG TV. Even if you want to connect via external devices like a Fire TV Stick or hotspot sharing, it is up to the task. The speeds reached over 200Mbps on servers across different continents. We only noticed that server connections can sometimes take a little longer (up to 20 seconds). However, things went smoothly once it connected.

All NordVPN servers have SmartPlay built-in technology that provides both Smart DNS and VPN encryption altogether for a secure and fast streaming experience on LG TV. There are also obfuscated servers on the NordVPN app, just in case you may want to safely stream from a smartphone or laptop to your TV.

NordVPN has a 30-day refund guarantee for its current offers. You can start off with a risk-free trial to see if it's well-suited to work with your LG TV system.

Useful Features

• NordLynx protocol. This is an improved version of the WireGuard protocol that can minimize speed losses when using desktop, smartphone, or media player boxes to stream on LG TV.
• Good server distribution. NordVPN’s servers in 171 countries make it possible to find secure connections in the regions where other VPNs don't have a presence, like Russia.
• Private DNS. All streaming traffic is safely routed on NordVPN’s private DNS servers to avoid exposing sensitive information that could reveal your location.

Private Internet Access (PIA) — Vast Network to Safely Access Streaming Platforms From Anywhere on LG TV

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA has one of the largest server fleets of all VPNs we’ve tested, and you can use it for safe streaming on webOS TV. Thousands of them are based in the entire United States, and there are even specialized streaming servers on other continents, including Europe. While you can't use the optimized servers directly on LG TV or router, it's possible to hotspot, cast from a phone or PC, or connect via Fire TV Stick to experience how effective they are.

iPlayer loaded in just a few seconds, and the video quality remained excellent

The VPN is highly customizable on routers, offering AES 128-bit and 256-bit encryption levels — both are secure, but, theoretically, the former should be a little bit faster. Thanks also to the expansive network, there weren't any speed fluctuations even during peak usage times. We tested 30+ servers across the network, and the speeds could consistently sustain 4K streaming.

PIA has Smart DNS to configure LG TV (and other devices that don't support VPN, like PlayStation consoles), but you can also set it up on a router with OpenVPN and WireGuard configurations.

The many settings on the app can be overwhelming for some users. However, the default settings are already adapted for activities like streaming, so you don’t need to tweak anything. Best of all is that you can test PIA for free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. This is a setting that permits only specific apps on your smart TV, for example, the ones you use for media streaming, to safely route through the VPN while others use a regular connection.
• Port forwarding. You can optimize connection speeds through your router for better streaming performance on your LG TV. However, US servers don’t support this feature.

3. Surfshark — Best Budget VPN for LG TV That Includes Smart DNS

Works With:

Netflix Disney+ APV Max

Hulu BBC iPlayer Sky More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Surfshark is an affordable option for LG TV if you need a VPN to use for an extensive period. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with any of the purchases, avoiding extra costs if you have many devices to protect alongside your LG Smart TV. Our team tested Surfshark by setting up multiple connections simultaneously without experiencing any buffering on streaming.

WireGuard VPN connections are faster and secure on router for streaming on webOS

Surfshark supports regional streaming with a Smart DNS. Plus, it offers slightly more manual router protocol configurations like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. We used my colleague's TP-Link Wireless router to safely connect Surfshark to an LG B9 TV (it took roughly 15 minutes to get it up and running).

The VPN’s headquarters in the Netherlands (a 9 Eyes Alliance jurisdiction) leaves some with questions over data collection practices. However, Surfshark’s no-logs policy has been verified by independent audit firms like Deloitte, adding transparency over its operations. The service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• Static IP option. It’s possible to use the same IP address for different sessions, which helps to build trust with the streaming app services you use on LG TV.
• CleanWeb ad blocker. Blocks ads and trackers that can slow down your streaming experience and drain bandwidth. It’s even enabled by default, so you don’t need to adjust any settings to get the best streaming experience on your LG TV.

4. Proton VPN — Privacy-First VPN to Safely Stream on LG TV

If you need advanced privacy protection on LG TV, Proton VPN is among the best options out there. When configuring your router with OpenVPN or WireGuard, you can also add settings like the NetShield Adblocker, DNS leak protection, and kill switch, all of which help to prevent webOS apps from exposing your private details and streaming activities online.

You can disable IPv6 traffic routing to increase the chances of Proton VPN working with various streaming sites

We tested dozens of Proton VPN servers, and it didn't leak any information, including IPv6 address. It has Secure Core servers that can reroute your LG TV traffic in privacy-friendly jurisdictions to further protect your real IP address information. Also, the software has a VPN Accelerator too that works on routers and can significantly boost speeds.

One major drawback is that Proton VPN doesn’t offer Smart DNS. Still, it's a reliable VPN for router setups or for creating a hotspot. The 30-day money-back guarantee enables you to test the service before fully committing.

Useful Features

• Free version. Proton VPN's free service can be used to secure an LG TV, but only the paid version has streaming servers.
• Based in Switzerland. This jurisdiction has one of the strictest consumer protection laws and fewer data retention requirements for companies.

How We Tested VPNs That Can Be Used on LG Smart TVs

We focused on testing features specifically relevant to webOS LG TV users, starting with Smart DNS and router compatibility. We checked the streaming performance, testing for smooth 4K quality playback on randomly selected servers. The simplicity of setting up was another crucial factor, as most users prefer straightforward VPN installation steps and an accessible customer support service. More importantly, we assessed how well each VPN handles streaming without compromising privacy or security.

Some VPNs offer features to automate VPN connections for apps or networks. These can be convenient if you want to have consistent streaming protection without having to configure the VPN settings each time. Also, split tunneling could be helpful in the event that you want to select apps to connect through the VPN tunnel.

What Are the Best Ways to Set Up a VPN on an LG Smart TV?

Depending on what’s available to you, one method of using a VPN on webOS may sound more appealing than the other. Essentially, you could do it on the router, through DNS, or another device connected to the LG TV.

Router Method Setup Guide

1. Get the VPN and server configuration files. Sign up for a router VPN and retrieve the OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2/IPSec configurations from your account.
2. Sign in to your router’s admin panel. Enter your router's IP address in the browser URL and log in with your credentials.
3. Install the VPN. Navigate to the VPN section, upload the configuration files, and save.
4. Connect your LG TV. Search for the wireless network on your LG TV device and connect, or use a LAN cable.
5. Safely access streaming anywhere. Launch your favorite streaming app to watch content.

Smart DNS Configuration Steps

Smart DNS is a feature that can help spoof your location on devices that don’t natively support VPN client installation. It's most useful for good-quality streaming, but it won't provide any protection like using a VPN. Here's how you can set up Smart DNS on LG TV.

1. Sign up for a VPN service with Smart DNS.
2. Log in and access the Smart DNS settings for your preferred location (note them down somewhere).
3. Register your LG TV’s IP address on the Smart DNS service.
4. Change the DNS server settings on your LG TV (from Settings > Network > Advanced Settings > DNS) to the ones you've obtained from the VPN provider.
5. Also, check if the IPv6 setting is on and disable it.
6. Restart your TV and reinstall the streaming apps if necessary.

Use a Streaming Device With a VPN App

You can directly install a VPN on Fire TV Stick or Android TV and use it to watch on LG TV as follows;

1. Plug in the media player device to your LG smart TV.
2. Download and install your VPN service app from the app store.
3. Opt to stream through the media box instead of LG’s native apps.

Use Hotspot Connection

You can also share a VPN-enabled WiFi connection from your Windows or macOS computer to an LG smart TV.

On Windows

1. Get a VPN and connect to a server as close as possible for the best speeds.
2. Open your Windows settings and Select Network and Internet.
3. Turn on the Mobile Hotspot option.
4. Customize your connection settings. If you want to, you can change your network name and password and choose between WiFi and Bluetooth.
5. Turn on the hotspot and connect your LG TV by entering the WiFi details.
6. You can now stream securely from anywhere on your LG TV.

On Mac

1. Download a VPN and connect to a server.
2. Open System Preferences, then Sharing > Internet Sharing.
3. Select between a WiFi and an Ethernet connection. If you choose an Ethernet connection, you'll need to plug in your TV via an Ethernet cable.
4. Click Start and make sure that the Internet Sharing turns green (indicating that it’s on).
5. Start streaming safely on your LG TV.

Which VPNs Can You Use on LG TV and All Your Other Devices?

You can secure an LG Smart TV plus several other devices simultaneously if your VPN service supports unlimited connections. Most VPNs, on average, have a 10-device limit maximum allowance, but some can cover the entire household with just a single account. Some of the options to check out are;

• Surfshark. An affordable VPN that doesn’t restrict device connections.
• Private Internet Access. Easy to customize across other platforms besides webOS.
• IPVanish. Great speeds to run several connections at once.

Alternatively, you can also protect all your devices by connecting to a WiFi router with a VPN installed. This will tunnel traffic from the LG TV and other home devices through the VPN first, changing your IP address and encrypting connections in the process.

FAQs

Summary

Among the things to prioritize in a VPN for LG TV is how easy it is to set it up on your TV device. Choose one with multiple convenient methods, like a router and Smart DNS, alongside other factors such as server reliability and connections for bufferless streaming online.

I prefer ExpressVPN for LG TV mainly because it offers a seamless installation process, and the support staff were really helpful when we asked them questions. It also delivered great speeds for UHD streaming the entire time we conducted tests on webOS devices.