Best VPN for Sony Smart TV in 2023
Which VPN is best for Sony Smart TV? Can you actually install a VPN on your Sony Smart TV? What benefits do I get out of using a VPN on Sony Smart TV? I will be covering all of these points in the review below. Along with Samsung, LG, and more recently, Hisense, Sony Smart TV sets are one of the most purchased items in electronic stores.
Best VPN for Sony Smart TV
With the constant shift from traditional TV viewing to online streaming, Smart TVs, in general, have become even more popular.
However, streaming does have its limitations. In case you’re an expat living abroad, you’re probably already aware that you cannot watch your favorite TV channels from back home because of geo-restrictions.
This is why VPNs are now very popular and sought-after technologies. A VPN basically allows a user to unblock geo-restricted content from all around the world. Bearing all that in mind, have a look at the best VPNs for Sony Smart TVs or what they’re commonly known as Sony Bravia TVs.
Sony Internet TV vs Sony Android TV
Before I dive into the Best VPN for Sony Smart TV analysis, I should mention that Sony TV has two different operating systems. Sony Internet TV is the older version as it was Sony’s own operating system. It wasn’t all that popular due to slow performance and hard navigation. Newer Sony Bravia TVs come with Android OS pre-installed on them.
In case you purchased your Sony TV recently, there’s a high chance that it’s Android-based. In general, Sony began installing Google’s Android TV operating system on their TV sets back in 2015. Check out the full list of Sony Android TVs here. While older models of Sony TVs aren’t natively compatible with VPNs, the newer Android-based ones are.
How to Install a VPN on Sony Smart TV?
There are various methods you can use to set up a VPN on your Sony Smart TV. The method you choose heavily depends on your TV’s operating system.
If it’s Android-based, you can install a VPN app directly on your Sony Smart TV via the Google Play Store.
The key element here is to only subscribe to a VPN provider that offers apps that are compatible with Android TVs. BulletVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, and NordVPN are all safe bets. Here’s how to install a VPN on Sony Smart TV:
- First, on your computer or mobile, visit the ExpressVPN website and create a VPN account.
- Turn on your Sony Android TV.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Select the Search function.
- Enter “ExpressVPN“
- Click on the app and then choose “Install“.
- Wait for the ExpressVPN app to finish the downloading and installation process.
- Open the app, sign in using your new account, and connect to a server of your choice.
How to Sideload VPN app on Sony Smart TV?
In case you cannot find VPN apps on Google Play Store, you can sideload them using ES File Explorer instead. Here’s how I installed IPVanish on our Sony Smart TV for instance:
- Turn on your Android TV and click ‘Settings’ followed by ‘System’ then ‘Developer Options.’
- Enable ‘Allow apps from unknown sources.’
- Install ES File Explorer from the Google Play Store on your Sony Smart TV.
- One the installation process is complete, press the ES Explorer app to launch it.
- Go to the ES Explorer menu and hit ‘Tools’ -> ‘Download Manager’ in the left-hand menu.
- Now, in the bottom menu, press ‘+ New.’
- For the ‘Path’ field, type https://thevpn.guru/ipvanish.apk then click ‘OK’.
- Next, write ‘IPVanish in the ‘Name‘ field.
- Press ‘Download Now’ to start downloading the IPVanish installation file.
- After the IPVanish apk file is finished downloading, you’ll have to press ‘Open File‘ to install it on your Android TV.
- Return to the home screen of your Android TV Box when the installation process is complete.
- Click on the IPVanish icon to open it.
- Now simply log in and connect to any server you’d like.
What About Sony Smart TVs That Aren’t Android-based?
In case you own an older Sony Smart TV, you won’t be able to install a VPN directly on it. You can still bypass regional restrictions and unblock geo-blocked apps and channels on it using one of these two workarounds. Either set up your VPN connection on a VPN-compatible router or choose a VPN brand that provides Smart DNS proxies for its users. A Smart DNS can be directly configured on your Sony Smart TV without the need for additional software.
- Sign up with a VPN service that offers Smart DNS proxies. All of the VPNs on our list today offer a Smart DNS service.
- Once done, turn on your Sony Smart TV.
- Press the HOME button on your Bravia’s remote control.
- Now choose Setup -> Network -> Network Setup.
- Select Wired Setup or Wireless Setup (Depending on how you connect to the Internet)
- Choose Custom DNS.
- Next, enter the primary and secondary DNS server addresses that your Smart DNS proxy service has provided you with.
- Exit the setup and restart your Sony Bravia TV.
Best VPN for Sony Smart TV
Now that you know how to install a VPN on your Sony Smart TV, it’s time to reveal the best VPNs for Sony Bravia TV sets.
1. ExpressVPN – Editor’s Choice
If you want to install a VPN service on your Sony Smart TV, you should probably go for the best one, which is ExpressVPN.
The company has a vast server network, with VPN locations spread across the entire globe. To be exact, ExpressVPN has 160 server locations across 94 countries.
If you’re a streamer and a TV lover, you’ll be pleased to know that this brand can give you access to any Netflix region, even the USA, as well as Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more.
A VPN on Android TV requires speed for streaming, which we found ExpressVPN to be excellent for. When we evaluated its performance, the provider showed blazing fast speeds on each and every one of its servers.
As we mentioned, not all TVs have VPN clients, which brings us to MediaStreamer, ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS feature. This can be manually configured on your Sony TV, allowing you to access geo-restricted content at full speed.
ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to five devices at the same time using just one account. It also offers a top-of-the-line 24/7 customer support service for all its users.
Users can also test out the service for a one-month period before making a commitment with the 30-day money-back guarantee. This policy allows you to get your money back if you’re not happy with the services on offer.
Pros
- 256-AES encryption.
- 5 concurrent connections.
- Over 160 VPN locations in 94 countries.
- Fast servers.
- Unblocks American Netflix, BBC Player, DAZN, Hulu, and more
- Kill Switch.
- Smart DNS feature (MediaStreamer).
- 30-day refund policy.
- Split-tunneling.
Cons
- A bit expensive.
2. BulletVPN
Similarly to ExpressVPN, you get a Sony Smart TV compatible app as well as Smart DNS proxies that you can directly set up when signing up with BulletVPN.
This service is sort of the new kid on the block. But when I put it to the test, we didn’t expect it to do so well, to be honest.
BulletVPN has more than 124 server locations across 51 countries, well distributed across key locations. When we were assessing its streaming capabilities, BulletVPN came out with positive results, unblocking the likes of Netflix, BBC Player, Amazon, and Disney Plus.
Moreover, the service has a Smart DNS feature. So, if the TV you’re operating does not support the BulletVPN app, you can set up Smart DNS and enjoy unlimited streaming.
Furthermore, Internet speed barely dropped when we tested it across all the VPN locations. The decrease isn’t even worth mentioning.
BulletVPN has excellent customer service and offers users a 30-day refund policy. I was able to unblock American Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Amazon Prime, and even BBC iPlayer thanks to their VPN application.
Pros
- Military-grade encryption.
- Six simultaneous connections.
- 124 servers in 51 countries.
- Excellent speeds.
- Torrenting/P2P support.
- Supports American Netflix and top streaming services
- Kill Switch.
- Smart DNS.
- 30-day refund policy.
- Bullet Shield
Cons
- No split tunneling.
3. Unlocator
Now, we have Unlocator, the previous Smart DNS-only service that became hybrid back in 2023. The service is now both Smart DNS and VPN at the same time.
Unlocator has servers across 41+ countries, which is a good number considering that it’s new to the VPN industry.
Unlocator had no problem accessing streaming giants before back when it used Smart DNS. It’s no different with their VPN service as well.
One downside we encountered was the speeds. Not all of their servers are fast, but they do offer High-speed servers for UHD streaming.
Perhaps the best thing about this VPN is their 7-day free trial. No credit card required, just an email address and you’re all set.
If that’s not enough, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee. Moreover, you can choose to subscribe to either their Smart DNS or both. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
Pros
- High-level encryption.
- Five simultaneous connections.
- Servers in 41+ countries.
- Torrenting/P2P support.
- Access to American Netflix.
- Kill Switch.
- Smart DNS feature
- 30-day refund policy.
- 7-day free trial.
Cons
- Inconsistant speeds.
- No split tunneling.
4. NordVPN
Following in the footsteps of other premium VPN service providers, NordVPN has recently decided it was time to develop their own Android TV compatible VPN app.
Its apps are very user-friendly and clear, and it only takes you a couple of minutes, and clicks, to install them.
Then, you can just tap the app icon to launch the service, sign in, and connect to any server you want (you’ll have over 4,000 servers to choose from).
NordVPN is one of the few VPN services able to get around Netflix’s VPN blocks, as well as those of Hulu and BBC iPlayer.
Moreover, the service has SmartPlay, it’s own Smart DNS service, which allows users to bypass regional restrictions and access hundreds of channels with minimal speed loss.
The speeds were a bit mixed. We got some great speeds on some servers, while we also got terrible ones on others, especially the double VPN servers. Technically, they’re encrypting our data twice, so we understand the drop.
Finally, you don’t have to immediately make a long term commitment because NordVPN gives you a chance to try its services first with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Tough encryption
- Six simultaneous connections.
- 5000 servers in 62 countries.
- Torrenting/P2P support.
- Unblocks Hulu, Netflix, and more.
- Kill Switch.
- Smart DNS feature (SmartPlay).
- 30-day refund policy.
- Double VPN
Cons
- Slow speeds.
- No split tunneling.
Using VPN on Sony Smart TV – Benefits
Most apps on Sony Smart TV are accessible work in certain regions like Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, and Germany.
But with a VPN, you can get past those pesky regional restrictions and error messages and unblock the best channels from all corners of the world. Here’s what you get when you use a VPN with Sony Bravia TVs:
- Access geo-blocked Kodi add-ons: Several channels like Netflix, HBO GO, HULU, and BBC iPlayer, are unavailable outside their respective regions. However, with a VPN, you can access all of them no matter where you are.
- Avoid ISP throttling: Throttling becomes a thing in the past when you use a VPN. Your ISP won’t slow your internet speed anymore if you’re watching videos for long hours, so stream as much as you’d like.
- Total Privacy: VPNs protect your privacy and security whenever you go online.
- VPN Applications: Good and trustworthy VPNs have dedicated apps for almost every major operating system or device, including iOS, Android, FireStick, Mac, and PC. Therefore, you’ll have no problem downloading and installing them.
Best VPNs for Sony Smart TV and How to Install Them – Wrap Up
Given that Sony TVs are based on two different operating systems depending on their production date, finding the best VPN for your Bravia TV can be quite difficult. Hopefully, the instructions and suggestions I have provided above have given you a better idea of what to look out for when choosing a VPN for your Sony Smart TV.
Should you need further help, feel free to drop a comment below.