Best VPN for onn 4K Pro and streaming box: 6 tested picks for 2026

Walmart's onn 4K Pro is one of the best value streamers you can buy. It runs Google TV, handles 4K HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and costs a fraction of an Apple TV. Because it is built on Android TV, it can also run a full VPN app straight from the Google Play Store, something Roku and most smart TVs cannot do.

We installed and tested six providers on the onn 4K Pro, the cheaper onn 4K Plus and the original onn 4K streaming box. Below you will find the best VPN for onn devices, how each app performs on modest hardware, and a simple setup guide that takes about five minutes.

Quick answer: the best VPNs for onn 4K Pro

1. NordVPN: best overall VPN for onn 4K Pro, with the fastest speeds in our tests
2. Surfshark: best value, with unlimited devices on one plan
3. Proton VPN: best for privacy, and the only one with a usable free plan on Google TV
4. CyberGhost: easiest app for beginners, with servers labelled by streaming service
5. PureVPN: cheapest long term plan with a solid Android TV app
6. ExpressVPN: most consistent performance on older onn streaming boxes

Can you use a VPN on an onn streaming device?

Yes. Every current onn streamer runs Google TV on top of Android TV OS, so VPN apps install from the Play Store just like any other app. Once connected, the VPN covers all traffic from the device, including YouTube, Netflix, Max, Peacock and live TV apps. You do not need a VPN router or any extra hardware.

A VPN on your onn box is useful for:

• Privacy on public or shared Wi-Fi, such as hotels, dorms and holiday rentals
• Watching your home streaming services while travelling abroad
• Avoiding ISP throttling of video traffic at peak times
• Hiding your viewing activity from your internet provider and network admins
• Reaching sports streams and live TV apps that are limited by region

If you want to understand what a VPN can and cannot protect you from, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's guide to choosing a VPN is an excellent, neutral starting point.

onn 4K Pro vs onn 4K Plus vs onn streaming box

All three models run the same VPN apps, but the hardware affects how smoothly they run, especially when the VPN is encrypting a 4K stream.

The built in Ethernet port on the 4K Pro is a real advantage. A wired connection removes Wi-Fi as a bottleneck, so the speed you lose to VPN encryption is much less noticeable.

Best VPNs for onn 4K Pro compared

1. NordVPN: best overall VPN for onn 4K Pro

NordVPN was the fastest VPN on the onn 4K Pro in our testing. Using its NordLynx protocol over Ethernet, 4K streams started almost as quickly as with the VPN off, and we saw no buffering on long movies. The Google TV app is designed for the remote, with large tiles, a quick connect button and a searchable country list.

• Pros: top speeds, polished TV interface, Threat Protection blocks ads and trackers, split tunnelling on Android
• Cons: renewal prices are noticeably higher than the first term

Read our full NordVPN review for detailed speed results and privacy audit information.

2. Surfshark: best value VPN for onn devices

Surfshark lets you connect unlimited devices on one subscription, which makes it ideal if you have an onn box in the living room, another in the bedroom and phones for the whole family. The Android TV app is light and responsive, even on the 2GB onn streaming box, and CleanWeb strips out many ads and trackers.

• Pros: unlimited connections, low price on longer plans, smooth TV app
• Cons: speeds on distant servers vary more than NordVPN

See how it performed across every platform in our Surfshark review.

3. Proton VPN: best VPN for privacy on Google TV

Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, publishes open source apps and has passed independent no logs audits. Its Google TV app is clean and simple, and it is the only provider here with a free plan that works on the onn 4K Pro with no data cap. The free tier limits you to automatically chosen servers, so upgrade to Plus for streaming and full speeds.

• Pros: strong privacy record, free plan, Stealth protocol for restrictive networks
• Cons: free servers can be busy in the evening

Our Proton VPN review covers its Secure Core servers and audit history in depth.

4. CyberGhost: easiest VPN for beginners

CyberGhost has one of the friendliest TV apps we tested. Its streaming optimised servers are labelled by service, so you can pick a server for a specific platform without guessing. That is helpful on a TV, where typing and browsing long lists with a remote is slow.

• Pros: dedicated streaming servers, simple layout, long money back window on longer plans
• Cons: fewer advanced settings than NordVPN or Proton VPN

5. PureVPN: best budget VPN for onn streaming box

PureVPN is the cheapest option on this list when you choose a long plan, and its Android TV app installs directly from the Play Store on every onn model. It supports WireGuard, and an optional dedicated IP add on can reduce the chance of streaming services flagging your connection as a shared VPN address.

• Pros: low price, 10 devices, dedicated IP and port forwarding add ons
• Cons: app design is less refined than the top three

6. ExpressVPN: most reliable on older onn boxes

ExpressVPN uses its own Lightway protocol, which reconnects quickly and is efficient on low power hardware. On the original onn 4K streaming box it delivered the most consistent results we saw, with few dropped connections over long viewing sessions. It is the most expensive pick here, but the app is very easy to use with a remote.

• Pros: stable connections, fast Lightway protocol, excellent TV interface
• Cons: highest price of the six

Best VPN for onn 4K Plus

The onn 4K Plus has the same Wi-Fi 6 support as the Pro but less memory and no Ethernet port. That makes protocol choice important. We recommend NordVPN with NordLynx or Surfshark with WireGuard, because both use little processing power and stay fast over wireless connections.

• Place the onn 4K Plus within clear range of your router, or use a USB C Ethernet adapter with power passthrough
• Close apps you are not using from the recent apps screen so the VPN app is not pushed out of memory
• Turn on auto connect at startup in the VPN app so protection returns after a restart

Best VPN for onn streaming box

The original onn 4K streaming box has only 8GB of storage and older Wi-Fi 5, so a lightweight app matters most. ExpressVPN and Surfshark were the smoothest in our testing, with quick launch times and stable 4K playback on servers in your own country. If storage is tight, uninstall apps you no longer use before installing the VPN.

If you are on a budget, PureVPN is a sensible pick for this box too, and Proton VPN's free plan is a good way to test whether a VPN suits your setup before paying.

How to install a VPN on onn 4K Pro

1. Sign up for a VPN on your phone or computer, which is faster than typing on the TV
2. On the onn home screen, go to Search and say or type the provider name
3. Select the app and choose Install
4. Open the app and sign in. Most providers let you scan a QR code or enter a short code on your phone instead of typing a password
5. Allow the VPN connection request when Google TV asks
6. Choose a server, ideally close to you or in your home country, and press Connect
7. Open your streaming app and start watching

Google's own Google TV help centre explains how to find, install and update apps if you get stuck.

What if the app does not appear in the Play Store?

Every provider in this guide has a native Google TV app, so this is rare. If an app is missing in your region, install Downloader from the Play Store, enable Developer options by selecting the Android TV OS build seven times in Settings, System, About, then allow Downloader to install unknown apps. Only download the APK from the provider's official website.

Tips for fast VPN streaming on onn devices

• Use Ethernet on the 4K Pro for the most stable 4K HDR playback
• Pick WireGuard, NordLynx or Lightway instead of OpenVPN
• Connect to the nearest server unless you need a specific country
• Use split tunnelling to send local apps outside the VPN while the rest stays protected
• If a streaming app shows a VPN or proxy warning, switch server or follow our guide to fixing the HBO Max VPN error, which works for most services
• Restart the onn box once a week to free up memory

Should you use a free VPN on an onn box?

Most free VPNs are slow, cap your data or make money from your browsing activity. The exception is Proton VPN Free, which has no data limit and a strong privacy policy, though it is not designed for streaming. For regular 4K viewing, a paid plan from our list is worth it. Our main best VPN roundup compares paid plans across every device, and if you also want protection on your computer see our pick of the best VPN for PC.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best VPN for onn 4K Pro?

NordVPN is the best overall choice thanks to its speed and polished Google TV app. Surfshark is the best value if you want to cover many devices.

Does the onn 4K Pro support VPN apps?

Yes. The onn 4K Pro runs Google TV on Android TV OS, so VPN apps install directly from the Google Play Store.

Will a VPN slow down my onn streaming box?

A small drop in speed is normal. With a modern protocol and a nearby server, most people can still stream in 4K without buffering, especially on the 4K Pro with Ethernet.

Can I set a VPN to connect automatically on onn?

Yes. NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, CyberGhost, PureVPN and ExpressVPN all offer an auto connect or launch at startup option in their TV apps.

Is using a VPN on an onn device legal?

Using a VPN is legal in the United States and most countries. Some streaming services restrict VPN use in their terms, so check the rules of the services you use.