A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of your choosing. When combined with an Nvidia Shield, it enables you to stream video safely and access your usual services while traveling. You could access the American Netflix library or the UK-only BBC iPlayer, for example.

If you’re a Kodi user, all of the VPN providers we recommend work with every Kodi addon we’ve tested.

If you don’t want to read the article and just want a recommendation, here’s our summary list of the best VPN service providers for Nvidia Shield:

  • NordVPN: Our top recommendation for Nvidia Shield! Tons of servers and good connection speeds. Zero logs. Works with Netflix and other streaming sites. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Surfshark: Good budget choice. A fast and versatile VPN that keeps no logs and provides a wealth of online security features.
  • ExpressVPN: Fast servers in 94 countries, robust security, and capable of securely accessing a wide range of streaming sites.
  • CyberGhost: Great security and download speeds at a decent price. Makes it easy to securely access streaming sites.
  • PrivateVPN: Fast connections and great for streaming. Good security and no logs.
  • IPVanish: Strong security, decent connection speeds, and works great with Kodi. No logs.
  • AtlasVPN: WireGuard support for ultrafast gaming, robust privacy offering, and unlimited simultaneous device connections.

Best Nvidia Shield VPN

We’ve 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 be looking at VPNs with Android TV apps on Google Play.

Best VPNs for Nvidia Shield – at a glance

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

We discuss more below in our VPN ranking methodology for Nvidia Shield.

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Jan 2023

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t a good fit and you’ll receive a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

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.

Pros:

  • Android TV app available on Google Play
  • Leads the pack on speed
  • Strong security and zero logs
  • Works with a wide variety of streaming sites
  • 6 simultaneous connections

Cons:

  • Automatic server selection isn’t that great

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Works with Nvidia ShieldTested Jan 2023

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

This VPN uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, maximum protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch to keep you safe 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 over 24/7 live chat.

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.

  • Access a wide range of services

  • No connection limit

  • High-speed servers

  • Top-notch security and privacy

  • Keeps no logs

  • Still has the occasional slow server

  • Fairly small network

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

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.

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

  • Android TV app available on Google Play

  • Fast servers

  • Great security

  • Perfect for streaming

  • A bit more expensive than rivals

  • Doesn’t offer many customizable options

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

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.

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

  • App for Android TV in Google Play

  • Great for Netflix and other content streaming sites

  • Very high speeds

  • Solid security

  • Doesn’t work well from China

  • Less suitable for advanced users

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

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.

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.

  • Android app works with Nvidia Shield

  • Very fast servers

  • Ideal for streaming abroad

  • Strong security and no logs

  • Smaller server network

  • Live chat not 24/7

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

6. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish’s Android TV app is available on Google Play, and an APK file is available as a backup option direct 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 addons we’ve tested.

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.

  • Android TV app available in Google Play

  • Strong security

  • High-speed servers

  • Great for Kodi

  • Struggles with some streaming sites

  • Based in the US

Read our full IPVanish review.

7. AtlasVPN

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.atlasvpn.com

AtlasVPN is a safe option for Nvidia Shield users as it combines lightning-fast speeds with robust security. For Nvidia Shield users that stream content, AtlasVPN has servers in 40+ locations capable of unblocking services like HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and Netflix from anywhere. For gamers, AtlasVPN offers a breach monitor to notify you if data like your Gamertag is involved in a breach, and includes AES encryption to prevent DDoS attempts and other attacks by hackers.

Whether you use Nvidia Shield for streaming or gaming, AtlasVPN includes WireGuard support. That means your streams and gaming sessions will benefit from the most rapid speeds available, resulting in zero buffering and lag-free games.

AtlasVPN has apps for all platforms, including Android, macOS, iOS and Windows, and doesn’t limit your device connections. Try AtlasVPN for a month risk-free and see how great it is for yourself.

WIREGUARD SUPPORT:AtlasVPN includes a built-in breach tracker, servers in 40+ locations, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • WireGuard support

  • Includes a breach monitor

  • Very easy to use

  • Servers in 40+ countries

  • makes canceling difficult

  • Could offer more customization

Read our full AtlasVPN review.

Nvidia Shield VPN testing methodology

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 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:

  • On your Shield, open the Google Play Store from the Apps section of the home screen.
  • Search for the name of your VPN. It should show up in the search results.
  • 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.
  • Select Install.
  • Accept the app permissions to complete the install.

You can now open the VPN 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:

You can now use the Android VPN 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

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.

See also: Best VPNs for Kodi

  • Check your internet speed. You’ll need at least 5 Mbps of download bandwidth to stream video from many services. VPNs can slow down your internet as well, so if you find that buffering increases while connected to the VPN, try a different server or provider. An Ethernet connection will usually offer faster and more reliable speeds than Wi-Fi. If you’re using an ethernet connection, be sure to toggle the Ethernet switch on in the settings.
  • Update your Nvidia Shield and applications. Older versions of streaming apps and the Nvidia Shield operating system (Android) might struggle to stream efficiently. Be sure your OS and apps are all up to date. You can update apps through the Google Play Store if they aren’t set to automatically update. Some users have found success in reinstalling troublesome apps.
  • Disable or modify apps that affect internet routing. VPNs, pi-hole, custom DNS servers, ad blockers and other apps that affect your internet connection can interfere with playback. Try turning them off and on again one by one to narrow down the culprit.
  • Reboot. Completely reboot the Nvidia Shield; don’t just put it into sleep mode. Likewise, you can reboot your wi-fi router and internet modem.
  • Reset the Shield. When all else fails, perform a factory reboot on the shield.

Free VPNs often make money by harvesting your data and selling it to third-party advertisers, which runs counter to the privacy that a good VPN should provide. Some, particularly on Android, even carry malware.

Stick with a paid VPN for a more seamless experience, fast speeds, better privacy, and customer support that’s ready when you need it.

Some third-party software, such as the ad-blocker Blokada, has been known to block VPN connections. You might need to disable or uninstall conflicting apps.

If you got your VPN app from a source other than Google Play, you might be using an outdated version, which can cause connection issues. You’ll need to sideload the latest version or switch to the Google Play version.

Updates to VPN apps or the Shield itself could cause slow or dropped connections. In such a scenario, we recommend you alert your VPN’s customer service and wait for a fix.