3 Best VPNs for Nvidia Shield in 2024
Our experts found that only three VPNs meet the same premium quality of the Nvidia Shield, and NordVPN leads the pack.
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Last Updated on Aug 15, 2024
- Servers in 111 countries give you access to almost any country’s streaming library
- Dedicated app for the Nvidia Shield makes it easy to use
- Proprietary NordLynx protocol keeps your speeds up so you can avoid buffering
- Camouflage mode makes it easy to access obfuscated servers and get around VPN blockers
- A lightweight app for Nvidia Shield lets it run in the background without slowing down your system
- Supports unlimited devices
- Prices start at $2.03 per month for a three-year plan
- Servers in each state in the U.S. let you access any sports games or content restricted to specific localities
- Over 34,000 servers worldwide
If you have an Nvidia Shield hooked up to your TV, we know you like the best of the best. It’s advertised as the world’s best streaming device, and we tend to agree. The only way to improve it, really, is to pair it with one of the best VPNs.
Why? Because adding a VPN app to Nvidia Shield lets you stream more content. Streaming services block some of the content they offer based on your location, because they have to license shows and movies for each country. VPNs let you make streaming services think you’re located in a different country to get around those blocks.
Ready to take your streaming to the next level? Let’s dig into the best VPNs for Nvidia Shield.
The Best VPNs for Nvidia Shield
- NordVPN - Best streaming connection
- Surfshark - Best for unlimited devices
- Private Internet Access VPN - Best affordable VPN
Comparing the Best VPNs for Nvidia Shield Side by Side
| System |
NordVPN
|
Surfshark
|
Private Internet Access VPN
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Ratings | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| Servers | 6,300+ | 3,200+ | 34,000+ |
| Server locations | 111 countries | 100 countries | 91 countries |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, NordLynx, IKEv2 | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec |
| Read Review | NordVPN Review | Surfshark Review | Private Internet Access VPN Review |
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1. NordVPN - Best Streaming Connection
Product Specs
Multihop Yes Camouflage Mode Yes Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes
Why Choose NordVPN for Your Nvidia Shield?
When we tested NordVPN, it gave us better privacy than any other provider. That may not matter to you since you plan to use the VPN only for streaming, which is legal in the U.S., but many of the protections that give you better privacy also help you get around the VPN restrictions that streaming services impose. That means we didn’t need to try a few different servers before one let us in, like we do with most VPNs.
NordVPN desktop app connected to a Paris, France server Pricing
Because it’s our favorite VPN, you may expect NordVPN’s prices to be pretty high. That’s not the case though. Its costs are competitive with even the cheapest VPNs. Its two-year plan is a bit more than Surfshark and Private Internet Access, but the monthly prices are right in between the two.
Here’s an overview of what you can expect with each of NordVPN’s three plans.
Features Basic Plus Ultimate Devices supported 10 simultaneous connections 10 simultaneous connections 10 simultaneous connections NordVPN Yes Yes Yes Malware detection No Yes Yes Browsing protection No Yes Yes Password manager No Yes Yes Data breach scanner No Yes Yes 1 TB cloud storage No No Yes Identity theft coverage None None $1 million in coverage Cyber extortion protection None None $100,000 in coverage 1 month price $12.99 $13.99 $15.99 1 year price $59.88 ($4.99 per month) $71.88 ($5.99 per month) $95.88 ($7.99 per month) 2 year price $81.36 ($3.39 per month) $105.36 ($4.39 per month) $153.36 ($6.39 per month) Although they’re definitely affordable, we should point out the 10-device limit. Both Surfshark and Private Internet Access support unlimited devices, which may work better for some households. We don’t have 10 things in our home that would need VPN protection, though, so it’s never been a problem for us.
Streaming Capabilities
NordVPN is the fastest VPN we’ve used for streaming. It let us log in to Netflix using the first server we tried the entire time we tested it. That’s not something we can say for most VPNs we test. We think there are a few core reasons NordVPN made it so easy to bypass the restrictions streaming sites put on VPN use.
- Over 6,000 servers: The sheer number of servers NordVPN offers means streaming services can’t keep up with identifying them all. That gives you a higher likelihood of connecting to a server that hasn’t been blocked by streaming services.
- Obfuscated servers: In addition to the number of servers, NordVPN’s servers are designed to get around VPN restrictions. They use an obfuscation method to prevent any sites you visit, including streaming services, from knowing you’re using a VPN.
- Kill switch: A kill switch doesn’t help you bypass VPN restrictions, but it helps prevent streaming services from identifying that you’re using a VPN if your VPN suddenly drops its connection. Without a kill switch, your streaming service stays connected, which shows a sudden change in your IP address. Kill switches cut off your connection, preventing streaming services from seeing your real IP address.
NordVPN Chrome App connected to Australia while browsing Netflix Nvidia Shield App
With a dedicated app, getting NordVPN working on our Nvidia Shield couldn’t have been easier. We just opened the Google Play store, downloaded the NordVPN app, signed up, and hit “Connect.” We could choose a country to connect to and open up new streaming opportunities.
What made NordVPN’s Nvidia Shield app special was the inclusion of split tunneling. It allowed us to choose apps that connected without going through the VPN, even when NordVPN was turned on. We put it on our Gamestream app so the VPN didn’t introduce any additional lag. VPNs always slow down your connection somewhat, since they force all data through the VPN server before going to the destination.
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2. Surfshark - Best for Unlimited Devices
Product Specs
Multi-hop Yes Camouflage Mode Yes Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes
Why Choose Surfshark for Your Nvidia Shield?
We all like unlimited, whether it’s unlimited data on our cellular plan, unlimited breadsticks at Olive Garden, or unlimited connections to our VPN. Surfshark gives us the last one. (We know, we wish it came with breadsticks too.)
Surfshark does more than unlimited connections though. The company also released some of the best antivirus software this year, which really took us by surprise. When we tested it, we expected mediocre software like what we’re used to when VPN companies make antivirus. Instead we found that Surfshark’s antivirus stood up to some of the best in the industry, and it ended up on our list of the best antivirus software. That makes it a great option if you’re in the market for an antivirus too.
Surfshark connected to Madrid Pricing
As long as you’re ready to pay for a year or more up front, Surfshark’s pricing is near the best in the industry. A VPN alone costs as little as $2.19 per month, and adding antivirus increases the price by only 50 cents. If you plan to pay for your VPN on a month-to-month basis, though, we think NordVPN and Private Internet Access offer better value.
Here’s an overview of Surfshark’s plans.
Features Starter One One+ Devices supported Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Ad blocker Yes Yes Yes Credit card and ID breach alerts No Yes Yes Antivirus No Yes Yes Webcam protection No Yes Yes Data removal from people-search sites and data brokers No No Yes 1 month price $15.45 $15.95 $17.95 1 year + 3 months price $44.85 ($2.99 per month) $50.85 ($3.39 per month) $76.35 ($5.09 per month) 2 years + 3 months price $59.13 ($2.19 per month) $72.63 ($2.69 per month) $115.83 ($4.29 per month) Surfshark One+ comes with Surfshark’s automated data-removal service, called Incogni. We tested Incogni ourselves to see if the extra cost was worth it. We thought it did what it promised, but whether having your data removed from people-search sites and data brokers is worth it depends on your circumstances and what you’re trying to accomplish.
Pro Tip: If you already pay for identity theft protection, Incogni is probably not worth it. It doesn’t replace identity theft protection, but it can help reduce your online exposure to identity theft. It can also help cut down on spam calls, emails, and physical mail, since people-search sites and data brokers are where spammers can get your contact information.
Streaming Capabilities
For the most part, Surfshark has all the features that make NordVPN great for streaming. It has obfuscated servers (except Surfshark calls it camouflage mode), and there’s a kill switch too.
Surfshark, however, doesn’t have as many servers. That means there’s more of a risk that you’ll connect to a server banned by streaming sites, but we didn’t find it to be much of an issue. We were still able to log in to all our streaming accounts, although one time we had to switch servers after a failed login attempt to Netflix. We dissect all the differences in our Surfshark vs. NordVPN comparison guide.
Nvidia Shield App
We were happy to see that Surfshark made a dedicated app for Nvidia Shield. That means we just needed to pull it up on the Google Play store and install it, just like we did with NordVPN. It supports split tunneling, too, so we set up that same exception to Gamestream when we’re connected to Surfshark.
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3. Private Internet Access VPN - Best Affordable VPN
Product Specs
Multihop Yes Camouflage Mode No Kill switch Yes Split Tunneling Yes Netflix Yes Torrenting Yes
Why Choose Private Internet Access for Your Nvidia Shield?
After spending at least $200 on an Nvidia Shield, we would understand if you want to save some money on your VPN. Private Internet Access helps you do that. It’s not only affordable, but it also has the most robust U.S. server network we’ve tested. There are servers in all 50 states, which can improve performance, and it has more servers than NordVPN and Surfshark combined — over 34,000 worldwide. That makes it one of the best VPNs for travelers.
Private Internet Access on iPhone Pricing
Private Internet Access lets you access its VPN for $2.03 per month, but you’ll need to sign up for three years. We weren’t ready to make that commitment, so we went with a month-to-month plan. Here’s a quick overview of Private Internet Access’ plans.
Service 1 month 1 year 3 years + 3 months VPN $11.95 $39.95 ($3.33 per month) $79 ($2.03 per month) Antivirus $4.50 $24 ($2.00 per month) $36 ($1.00 per month) Dedicated IP address $5.00 $51 ($4.25 per month) $90 ($2.50 per month) We haven’t had a chance to test the antivirus software yet, but, based on what we’ve seen, we would go with Surfshark if you want antivirus protection. There are minimal details on how Private Internet Access’ antivirus works and its efficacy rates. It’s hard to tell if it will effectively protect your device. Surfshark’s antivirus has been tested by third parties such as AV-Test and, well, us.
FYI: AV-Test is a third-party company that tests antivirus software. It runs scans on thousands of known malware samples to see if they get detected. That’s why we value its results. When we saw that Surfshark tested well, it made us trust the company more.
Streaming Capabilities
When you’re streaming on ESPN+, some games are localized based on the state or country you’re in. That means you may not be able to see your hometown’s games if you moved a few states over. We did that after college, and we couldn’t watch our college’s hockey games anymore — until we bought a Private Internet Access subscription, that is.
Private Internet Access has servers in all 50 states. That means as long as ESPN+ doesn’t restrict beyond the state level, you’re guaranteed to find a server in the state you want to connect through. There’s more than one server in each state, too, so even for games restricted to a county, you may find it with Private Internet Access.
Testing Private Internet Access speed Nvidia Shield App
We have to be the bearer of bad news here: Private Internet Access does not have an app for Nvidia Shield. That means you need to set up Private Internet Access on a router. We’ve done it before, and it’s not as bad as you may think.
Pro Tip: If you have a hard time getting your printer to work, we don’t recommend putting a VPN on your router. You can end up breaking it. Instead go with one of our favorite VPN routers, the ASUS AX86U. We bought one preinstalled with Private Internet Access, so all we needed to do was log in to our Private Internet Access account on the router and it was ready to go. They put the VPN on the router for you, so all you need to do is plug it in and turn it on.
Why Do I Need a VPN for My Nvidia Shield?
You don’t need a VPN for your Nvidia Shield. It’s a great streaming device with or without a VPN, but we find a VPN makes it better. Using a VPN lets you unlock the content on the streaming services you subscribe to. It won’t help you access streaming services you don’t pay for though.
By connecting through a VPN’s server, you run your signal through the VPN’s server before it reaches the streaming service. That hides your actual location, and instead displays the VPN server’s location. Why would you care about hiding your location for streaming services? Well, they block content from geographic regions based on which countries they’ve purchased licensing for a given show or movie. “Friends” is no longer available on Netflix in the U.S., for instance, but Netflix in the U.K. still has every season.
How Do I Use a VPN With Nvidia Shield?
The easiest way to use a VPN on Nvidia Shield is to pick a VPN that offers a dedicated app for Nvidia Shield. Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer an intuitive app. All you need to do is download it from the Google Play store, log in to your account, and hit “Connect” to start using a VPN on your Nvidia Shield.
Did You Know: A VPN app works as a control center for your VPN. It’s where you’ll adjust settings, use extra features, and choose a server to connect to. Since Nvidia Shield works on the Android operating system, any VPN that offers a VPN app should offer its full suite of features too. There aren’t any restrictions on VPN features for the Android operating system, such as the split tunneling issues with macOS.
Without a dedicated app, you’ll need to install a VPN on your router. We don’t recommend that for most people since you need to flash new firmware on your router. That means you’re changing the code that tells your router how to work. An error can damage your router beyond repair, and flashing new firmware on your router usually voids its warranty. Instead, we recommend buying a router that has already been flashed with the firmware needed to run the VPN you subscribe to.
Recap
Most VPNs haven’t released a dedicated Nvidia Shield app. That makes it fairly difficult to find one that works without requiring technical expertise most of us don’t have. It’s the main reason we made this list too. We tested over 40 VPNs with our Nvidia Shield to figure out which ones worked best. In the end, we liked two with dedicated apps and one that needed to be set up as a VPN router.
NordVPN’s app gave us the same premium feel as our Nvidia Shield. It also had the features to back up that premium feel. Of the VPNs we tested, NordVPN made it the easiest to log in to our streaming accounts.
The other VPN that has an Nvidia Shield app is Surfshark. We liked it because we could bundle it with the company’s high-quality antivirus.
Private Internet Access requires a VPN router, but we still recommend it if you’re a sports fan in the U.S. With servers in all 50 states, you’ll be able to watch any local sports teams you want, even if they’re not local to you.
FAQs About the Best VPNs for Nvidia Shield
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What’s the best VPN for Nvidia Shield?
After our experts tested over 40 VPNs, three stood out when using them with our Nvidia Shield.
- NordVPN: Best streaming connection
- Surfshark: Best for unlimited devices
- Private Internet Access: Best affordable VPN
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Does Nvidia Shield work with VPNs?
Yes, Nvidia Shield works with VPNs. NordVPN and Surfshark have dedicated apps, so all you need to do to use them is install the app from the Google Play store, log in to your account, and hit “Connect.”
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Is it safe to use a VPN on my Nvidia Shield?
As long as you’re using a reputable VPN, using one on your Nvidia Shield is safe. It will most likely impact your internet speeds though.
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Will a VPN give me free access to streaming services on my Nvidia Shield?
No, a VPN will not give you access to streaming services for free. VPNs can help you find more content from the streaming services you already pay for, however, by giving you access to content libraries from other countries.
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Do streaming services block VPNs on Nvidia Shield?
Streaming services try to block the use of VPNs, but the best VPNs get around that with obfuscated servers or a massive network of servers. Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer obfuscated servers, which prevents streaming services from realizing you’re using a VPN. Private Internet Access has over 35,000 servers, so it would be next to impossible for streaming services to block them all.