When you use a VPN with your Nvidia Shield, you’ll be able to access restricted services from anywhere in the world. You’ll also get access to VPN features for online privacy. In this guide, I’ll be highlighting the top 5 Nvidia Shield VPNs along with a simple installation and set up guide.
Nvidia Shield is one of the most advanced Android TV-based media players and is one of the best for 4K streaming, packing a two in one bargain of being both applicable towards streaming movies and games.
However, even though Nvidia Shield is the best in its league, there are issues like geo-restrictions or censorship-blocks that do hamper the overall experience. In this case, the best VPN that supports Nvidia Shield TV, is definitely what you’re looking for.
On the other hand, choosing a VPN for it is a little bit of a task. To make things easier on you, I’ve shortlisted 5 of the best providers, tested their speeds, their servers, security features, and tested them on the ability to access restricted platforms.
TLDR;
Just in case you’re short on time and haven’t gone through the details mentioned below, here’s an overview of the best Nvidia Shield VPN services:
- Surfshark Top choice for Nvidia Shield at $2.49/mo.
- ExpressVPN Promotes the fastest streaming speeds, strongest security features, and unblocks unlimited content worldwide, at $6.67/mo.
- FastestVPN Reliable no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and great speeds, at $1.11/mo.
- IPVanish US-based service delivers fast speeds, and works great for Kodi add-ons on your Shield TV, at $2.91/mo.
- PureVPN Great VPN for anonymity, and for streaming on Nvidia Shield, at $6.49/mo.
Best VPN for Nvidia Shield in 2020
Below you’ll find details on what makes each of the top 5 VPN providers the best for your Nvidia Shield. We first start with Surfshark, since it’s the most recommended:
1. Surfshark
Surfshark is one of the most versatile and affordable VPN apps in the industry. With that being said, it makes one of the best VPN services for Nvidia Shield TV. It offers a native Android app and can be set up on your Shield TV with great ease.
To get started, all you have to do is install the Android TV app, available on Google Play Store and then follow the onscreen instructions.
Surfshark offers the best discounts, just in case you’re on a budget. It springs 1700+ servers in 64 countries, all of which are optimized for speedy streaming. During testing, I unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and more.
Even if you need to test the app, Surfshark offers a free trial and a 30-day refund. You can subscribe to the most affordable 2-year package of $2.49/mo. Don’t like the service? That’s alright because this provider allows a full refund within the given time frame.
Besides Nvidia Shield, this provider supports apps for multiple other platforms. Some of the supported devices and operating systems include Windows, macOS, iOS, Smart TVs, and more. To stream without restrictions on your Fire device, Surfshark even offers a dedicated Amazon Firestick VPN app for it. You can connect to all of these platforms at the same time because Surfshark allows unlimited device connections.
Need online protection? Surfshark offers robust security features like AES 256-bit encryption, GPS Spoofing, a Kill Switch, and much more! For a wider view of the VPNs performance and features, you can take a look at my Surfshark review.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN makes an exceptional VPN app for Nvidia Shield. It offers an Android TV app that you’ll find on the Google Play Store. You can download and install it directly on your Shield TV. Just in case this version doesn’t work, it also offers an APK file that you can sideload.
This provider has also been ranked by the Reddit community as one of the best for Nvidia Shield TV. Here’s a snippet from the Reddit platform for Nvidia Shield:
ExpressVPN also supports apps for major platforms like Windows, iOS, Mac, Firestick, and others. You can connect to multiple devices since it allows simultaneous connections up to 5 devices.
To access unlimited services on your Nvidia TV, you’ll have around 3000+ servers in 94 countries to choose from.
Additionally, ExpressVPN has pulled out some of the fastest speed results, offers unlimited bandwidth; and allows access to Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Now, and Amazon Prime Video, when tested.
Need to test the VPN? ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day refund. You’ll be able to get a feel of the app’s features and overall performance. If you’re not happy with the service, you could ask for a refund.
The best-discounted price is $6.67/mo, plus, if you still need more details on the provider before investing, you can have a look at my ExpressVPN review.
3. FastestVPN
FastestVPN is a great VPN app for Nvidia Shield and makes an even greater one for securing your device and data. Users who try and access content that’s restricted where they’re located can take a lot from this app. It offers a native app for Android TV and can be set up pretty easily.
Compared to the other VPN services on this list, you’ll find that FastestVPN offers less in comparison. It has around 350+ servers in 31+ countries, all of which are optimized for fast streaming and P2P file sharing. The great news is that this provider is affordable, with its best price at $1.11/mo. It has no free trial but includes a 15-day refund for you to test the VPN features out!
The app for Nvidia Shield is user-friendly. It operates using military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, offers multiple protocols to choose from, and a Smart Switch feature that will automatically connect you with the best server to proceed with all your streaming.
With FastestVPN, you can unblock multiple platforms on Nvidia Shield, some of which include DAZN, ESPN, Netflix, Hulu, and more!
Did you know that FastestVPN allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with just one subscription? So all the more reason for you to take advantage of a VPN that can secure your Smart TV and other devices along with it. It supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and others.
If you feel like getting a little more accustomed to FastestVPN, how about checking out more of its details in a full-fledged review?
4. IPVanish
IPVanish offers an Android TV app available on the Play Store. If that doesn’t work for you, it even offers an APK file that you can download from the website.
IPVanish offers great coverage of servers to mask your IP address with another IP, all of which allow you to access restricted content from anywhere in the world. With each subscription, you’ll have access to all of its 1500+ servers in 75+ countries.
So, now you can enjoy the full streaming experience on your Nvidia Shield TV that unblocks numerous US content, ranging from movies, TV shows and games, etc. After testing IPVanish, I managed to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and others. The speeds were consistent and faster than before.
To protect your Nvidia Shield, data, and online privacy, IPVanish offers VPN protection using AES 256-bit encryption and OpenVPN protocol for Android devices.
It even includes advanced features like a Kill Switch and a Scramble OpenVPN traffic feature that allows you to bypass certain blocks without getting noticed. You can read all about it and other features in my IPVanish review.
So if streaming is really what you’re down for; with no limits, then give it a try using its 30-day refund period. IPVanish has also made some updates to its service, allowing unlimited simultaneous device connections, supporting multiple platforms.
This gives you the liberty to protect all your devices in one go at its reasonable price of $2.91/mo. It also works really well with Kodi, so, you’ll be able to download multiple Kodi add-ons!
5. PureVPN
Lastly, we have PureVPN, encompassing a wide list of 2000+ servers in 140+ countries, an AES 256-bit encryption, and its ability to bypass restricted platforms; all making it perfect for anyone who needs a VPN for Nvidia Shield TV.
Besides PureVPN’s ability to work well with one of the best Android TV boxes, it sure does pack a punch in other areas, like providing fast speeds, apps for every major platform, and multiple protocols, and all-in-all supports up to 10 simultaneous connections on supported devices.
So enjoy unlimited streaming or streaming access by setting up Nvidia Shield with PureVPN, all at $5.83/mo. You also have the freedom to give PureVPN a try with its 31-day refund policy.
Why you need a VPN for Nvidia Shield
A movie night can be pretty fun for the whole family, or even an all-night gaming marathon on your Nvidia Shield TV.
But what happens when speeds start to slow down, or you find out that Netflix isn’t available where you’re located? Situations like these are very common, which is why you need the best VPN that supports Nvidia Shield. They’ve been listed on the basis of unblocking abilities, consistent speeds, and robust security features to protect you and your device from online threats.
So, if you’re willing to have the ultimate experience on your Shield TV, using a VPN with it is definitely the best way to achieve it.
How to set up a VPN on Nvidia Shield TV
Nvidia Shield runs on the Android OS platform, which makes IPVanish compatible with it. However, there are quite a few situations where certain VPN apps can’t be downloaded directly on Nvidia Shield TV, while some can.
In this set-up guide, I’ll show you how to download and install the IPVanish app from the Google Play Store, and a second method that involves installing the app using the APK file.
Read ahead and learn how to use both installation methods.
Installing the IPVanish app on Nvidia Shield from the Google Play Store
- First, you start off with choosing any one of the VPNs that are recommended.
- After you choose one, subscribe to it; selecting a suitable payment plan
- Launch Nvidia Shield TV and head directly to the Google Play Store
- Look for the VPN that you just subscribed to, in the search bar; making sure that it’s the right one
- Press install and launch the app, adding in the necessary credentials to complete the install.
Installing the IPVanish app on Nvidia Shield using the Sideloading method
- Begin with choosing a VPN from anyone that was recommended above and head to the website.
- Subscribe to a suitable payment plan according to your budget.
- Download the APK file from the website and onto a USB drive, ejecting once safely downloaded and transferred.
- Without plugging in your drive, go on to your Shield, proceed to “Settings” > “Security and Restrictions”; turning on “Unknown Sources”.
- If you are addressed with a warning notification, click on
- Now from your home screen, proceed to the Google Play Store or preferred app store.
- Search for ES File Explorer or FX File Explorer; depending on what works and click on it.
- Once clicked, go for Install and Accept (if it asks for permission).
- After the installation, plug in the USB into Nvidia Shield.
- You will be addressed with a pop up that will ask if you’d like to open the ES or FX File Explorer in connection with the USB. Click on
- This will navigate you towards the APK file. Press “Install” and approve all permission requests.
- Once installed, click to open up the VPN app, and enter all user credentials.
- If a connection request appears, click on “OK”.
- Proceed to connect to any VPN server location you desire and get streaming!
Can you use a free VPN for Nvidia Shield TV?
Yes, you can, but it might not be the greatest idea.
The whole point of choosing the best VPN for your Shield is to get the best performance overall. A free VPN that you would normally find on Google Play Store, would work the same but will fail to provide you with all the necessary features like multi-device support which a reliable VPN can provide.
Take server locations, or unlimited bandwidth for starters, a free VPN would provide you with servers that could slow down or hamper the entire streaming process on your Nvidia Shield TV. However, if you’re still insistent on a free Nvidia Shield VPN, here are two providers that work:
To conclude
Now that we’ve come to the end of discussing what makes the best VPN for Nvidia Shield, giving you undisturbed streaming, gaming, or busting down to some great music, you should definitely give one of the top VPNs mentioned above a try; especially since they help gain access to restricted websites, speeding up your streaming process! They also come with a refund policy, so why not go for it!
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