Head-to-head · VPNs for Smart TVs
Hotspot Shield vs Surfshark
Hotspot Shield leads on 1 check, Surfshark on 0, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreHotspot Shield · 8.1/10
- Free planonly Hotspot Shield
- Free trialboth
Hotspot Shield scores higher on our rubric for vpns for smart tvs: 8.1 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.
Hotspot Shield offers free plan; Surfshark doesn't.
Hotspot Shield is the better fit for streaming households wanting a free starting option. Surfshark is the better fit for households connecting many devices.
- Hotspot Shield fits best
Streaming households wanting a free starting option
- Surfshark fits best
Households connecting many devices
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Side by side
| Feature | Hotspot Shield 8.1/10 Visit ↗ | Surfshark 8.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.1 | 8.0 |
| Ranking | #2 in VPNs for Smart TVs | #3 in VPNs for Smart TVs |
| Best for | Streaming households wanting a free starting option | Households connecting many devices |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $6.99/mo | — |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days |
| Free trial length | 7 days · card required | 7 days |
| Money-back guarantee | 45 days | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension | Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Support | Live chat, Email, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Hotspot Shield 0/4 · Surfshark 0/4 | ||
| Native TV app | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Android TV support | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Router support | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Smart DNS | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Simultaneous devices | 5 devices | Not checked yet |
| Supported TV platforms | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Hotspot Shield is a consumer VPN for people who want encrypted internet traffic, virtual locations and private browsing. Its free Basic plan makes it possible to start without a subscription, while paid tiers add more locations, higher… Read the review → |
Surfshark is a paid VPN service that encrypts internet traffic and routes it through provider-operated servers. It suits households that want to connect many devices under one subscription, with unlimited simultaneous connections and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Hotspot Shield — where it wins
- Free Basic plan includes secure private browsing and a U.S. virtual location
- Paid plans add unlimited data and streaming optimization
- Premium supports Netflix, YouTube, Hulu and Disney+ streaming access
Where it doesn't
- Basic is limited to 500 MB daily, one device and speeds up to 2 Mbps
- The $6.99/month Plus price is for annual billing
- A 7-day free trial requires a payment card
Surfshark — where it wins
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Supports streaming services and WireGuard
- Includes a kill switch and peer-to-peer traffic support
Where it doesn't
- No native Smart TV app is verified
- No Smart DNS or router support is verified
- Smart TV use may require another supported device or setup
- Hotspot Shield8.1/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial
A flexible VPN with streaming features, though its listed apps focus on desktop and mobile.
Visit Hotspot ShieldFull verdict → - Surfshark8.0/10 · 7-day trial
A multi-device VPN with streaming support, but no verified native Smart TV app.
Visit SurfsharkFull verdict →
More comparisons
All VPNs for smart TVs comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update