How to Get a 14-Day Free Trial for Smart DNS Proxy in 2024

Smart DNS Proxy is an alternative to VPNs and can access geo-restricted websites by rerouting your DNS queries through a proxy server in a remote location. It’s a good choice if you want to access your home content like Netflix and HBO Max while traveling abroad.

Most proxy services let you use a free trial without giving your credit card details first. Some are free but may have limited functionality and support ads. However, using a full-featured VPN is better because it offers better security and privacy.

I tested 30+ VPNs and picked the best alternatives for Smart DNS Proxy. ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation because of its excellent unblocking abilities and its in-built smart DNS feature. You can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Access geo-blocked content with ExpressVPN

Short on Time? 3 Easy Steps to Get a 14-Day Free Trial for Smart DNS

Smart DNS Proxy and VPN Review

• 400+ servers can access over 120+ channels across the globe
• no data caps for unlimited streaming
• VPN available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
• supports unlimited device connections
• live chat support and an online knowledge base

Smart DNS Proxy can unblock nearly all streaming sites. You can select the country using the drop-down menu under each platform listed on its website. For instance, I selected the US library for Amazon Prime Video. Smart DNS Proxy uses “Channel Groups” to categorize sites. I’ve detailed the prominent platforms available on each channel group.

I suggest pairing this proxy service with its in-built VPN to encrypt your internet traffic. In my tests, Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN slowed down my connection by up to 50% on a distant server in Japan. As a result, I had multiple instances of buffering while watching Rick and Morty on Netflix. In contrast, a standalone premium VPN didn’t give me such speed drops.

Smart DNS Proxy has servers in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. You’ll have to manually change the server if you’re using the proxy service, but it’s much easier with its VPN. I noticed that the Android app had more server locations than the Windows app.

While its proxy service doesn’t include any privacy and security features, the VPN comes with:

• Kill switch — disconnects you from the internet if the VPN server becomes unsteady to prevent your IP address from being exposed.
• Leak protection — prevents your internet from leaking past the encrypted tunnel to maintain complete privacy while browsing the web.

You can use Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It supports 5 simultaneous device connections. The proxy works on smart TVs, consoles, routers, and some media boxes. I found setting up the proxy a bit tedious but you can consult the detailed setup guides on the website.

Free Trial Usage Limitations

I signed up for the free trial and the first thing I noticed was that you can use most of the DNS proxy addresses, but Netflix access was only reserved for paid users. The free trial also gives you access to Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN service. It has 3 secure protocols — OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP, so you can choose the one that provides the best streaming quality.

The Best VPN Alternatives to Smart DNS Proxy

1. Express VPN — Fastest VPN With Excellent Security and an In-Built DNS Proxy Function

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	8
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

ExpressVPN is the most well-rounded option for streaming restricted content. It provides ultra-fast speeds for lag-free streaming and has an extensive network of servers capable of accessing nearly any geo-blocked platform from anywhere. It also has advanced security features to ensure your streaming data remains completely anonymous.

In my tests, ExpressVPN gave me speeds of 97Mbps on a nearby US server. This figure dropped to 94Mbps on a distant server in Singapore. Compared to Smart DNS Proxy, which reduced my speeds by almost 50%, ExpressVPN did so by just 6%. I streamed The Irishman on my Netflix on 3 different devices simultaneously without buffering.

Unlike Smart DNS Proxy’s limited network, ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. It continuously replaces blacklisted IP addresses with new ones to keep up with geo-blocks on multiple platforms. As a result, it can access region-locked content on streaming sites, such as:

A proxy doesn’t encrypt your internet traffic, which means whatever you stream online will be visible to third parties. While Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN solves that problem, it keeps some of your data logs. In contrast, ExpressVPN includes state-of-the-art security and privacy features like:

• Military-grade encryption — encrypts your data with a 256-bit cipher, which is also used by many government agencies to hide confidential data.
• Kill switch — cuts your device’s internet connectivity if the VPN connection is lost for some unforeseen reason, though none of the servers I tested got unstable.
• TrustedServer technology — uses RAM-only servers that are incapable of storing your data to ensure complete privacy.
• No-logs policy — ensures your data isn’t accessible to anyone even if requested by authorities.

The MediaStreamer feature lets you use the VPN on devices that don’t support its native apps like smart TVs and PS4. It’s a DNS service that spoofs your location just like Smart DNS Proxy. Note that it isn’t a VPN and won’t encrypt your data. You can use ExpressVPN on 8 devices at a time. All its apps were easy to use with a smart location button that connects you to the fastest server from your location.

One small issue with ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly more expensive than Smart DNS Proxy and other VPNs. However, it’s worth the investment because it works as both a proxy and a VPN. ExpressVPN also provides the best speeds with its proprietary Lightway protocol.

You can get ExpressVPN at a reduced monthly price of $6.67 with its 1-year + 3 months plan. Although it doesn’t offer a free trial like Smart DNS Proxy, you can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested its refund guarantee firsthand. The live chat agent immediately approved my refund request, and I got my money back after 4 days.

Try ExpressVPN risk-free

2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers Deliver Fast Speeds for Lag-Free Streaming

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	11,780+
📱Devices	7
💰Refund	45 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

CyberGhost’s optimized servers can seamlessly access geo-restricted sites. These special streaming servers are specifically designed to get past geo-blocks and provide fast speeds for lag-free streaming. You’ll find multiple US servers optimized for various streaming sites like Hulu, Sling TV, and Disney+ in the “For streaming tab.” I marked the Netflix US server as a favorite to make it accessible directly from the VPN main interface.

The streaming servers were 10% faster than regular servers on average. I got speeds of 93Mbps down from 100Mbps baseline on a Los Angeles server 2400+ miles away. My connections fell to 85Mbps on a server in Japan, but I could still stream movies and shows in HD on Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max. I recommend using the Best Server option as it connects you to the fastest server.

I like having a range of options to switch to another connection if one server stops working. CyberGhost’s extensive roster of 11,780+ servers in 100 countries gives me that flexibility. It also means that CyberGhost is capable of unblocking nearly any geo-blocked streaming platform, such as:

Besides its excellent unblocking abilities, CyberGhost offers the following security and privacy features to keep you anonymous on the web:

• Military-grade encryption — encodes your internet traffic with an unhackable cipher to keep it hidden from third parties and prying eyes.
• Kill switch — disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection is unexpectedly lost, though none of the servers I tested got unstable in my tests.
• NoSpy servers — guarantee complete privacy as CyberGhost directly manages and maintains these servers in its state-of-the-art data center in Romania.
• 100% leak-proof — prevents DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks to hide your internet activities and real IP address.

All of CyberGhost’s apps are beginner-friendly with a neat user interface. It has native apps for Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick, Android TV, and some routers. I installed CyberGhost Smart DNS on my Samsung TV in just 3 minutes. All it took was setting up a manual connection and primary and secondary DNS.

One small issue with CyberGhost is that it only supports Smart DNS locations in the US, UK, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, you can set up CyberGhost on your router instead. This will encrypt all devices connected to the WiFi without using up your 7-device limit.

To get the best deal, I recommend CyberGhost’s 2-year + 4 months plan. It offers a 84% discount and a monthly price of just $2.03. You can try CyberGhost risk-free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee and claim a refund if you’re unsatisfied. I got my refund 5 days after submitting my request to the live chat agent, which took less than 2 minutes to get approved.

Try CyberGhost risk-free

3. Private Internet Access — Extensive Server Network With an In-Built Smart DNS Function

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	35,000+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

PIA’s 35,000+ servers in 91 countries make it excellent for unblocking content. While other VPNs have 100 servers per country on average, PIA has 400. As a result, it can bypass geo-blocks to access region-locked content. I could access all my US streaming accounts with PIA, including:

I tested 40+ servers in the US, UK, Turkey, and Japan and got average speeds of 82Mbps. That’s not bad for streaming UHD content on multiple devices at once. PIA’s proprietary Next Gen network provides fast and reliable connections with low-latency network routes and optimized server configurations. I streamed Game of Thrones in HD on HBO Max and didn’t get a single instance of buffering.

Like the other contenders on this list, PIA offers Smart DNS functionality. You can add a new device from the dropdown menu, including Apple TV, Chromebook, Chromecast, PlayStation, and more. It can protect up to unlimited devices, which is enough for a single user. I really liked that I could sort servers by latency and find the fastest one.

Throughout my tests, PIA kept my data from leaking outside the encrypted tunnel and passed my comprehensive leak tests. Besides that, it offers top-shelf security and privacy features like:

• Kill switch — prevents accidental data leaks by disconnecting you from the internet if the VPN connection is lost for any reason.
• Military-grade encryption — uses a state-of-the-art cipher to encrypt your data, making it nearly impossible for anyone to know what you’re doing online.

A small issue with PIA is that it’s located in the US, a core member of the 5 Eyes alliance of surveil countries. However, I was reassured to learn that PIA uses RAM-only servers like ExpressVPN and has a verified no-logs policy. In the event that authorities request PIA your data, it won’t have anything to hand over.

You can get PIA at a discounted price of just $2.03 per month with its 2-year + 4 months plan. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try it risk-free before committing. If you change your mind, simply ask for a refund via the live chat. The agent asked me the reason for the cancelation and processed my request — the money came into my account after a week.

Try PIA risk-free

4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	6,320+
📱Devices	10
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly.

I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to work — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, NordVPN’s servers work with Netflix for smooth, buffer-free streaming.

I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it mostly worked with Netflix, it sometimes had issues and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption
• kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
• built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
• fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN

In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.

With plans that cost as little as $3.09 per month, it's easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.

Get NordVPN today

5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds

Great VPN

Great VPN

📍Servers	3,200+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out.

I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality.

When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users
• Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default
• diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)
• kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)
• IP and DNS leak protection

Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account.

While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.

You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.29. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!).

Get Surfshark today

FAQs on Smart DNS Proxy and VPNs

Access blocked content with ExpressVPN

Try Smart DNS With a 14-Day Free Trial Today!

Overall, Smart DNS Proxy is good for accessing geo-blocked content from anywhere. The 14-day free trial lets you use both the proxy and the VPN service, but you can’t access Netflix unless you upgrade to the paid plan.

Smart DNS VPN service isn’t as good as the standalone VPNs on my list. Hence, opting for a high-quality VPN equipped with a built-in Smart DNS proxy feature is a wise choice. Having extensively evaluated over 30 well-known VPNs, I selected the finest options known for their impressive performance and robust security.

ExpressVPN is the best alternative to Smart DNS Proxy as it has excellent unblocking capabilities and delivers ultra-fast speeds for streaming while maintaining your online privacy. You can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you think it’s not right for you, you can get a refund.

Summary: Best VPN Alternatives to Smart DNS in 2024

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

9.8

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$6.67 / month Save 49%

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2.

9.6

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3.

9.4

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4.

9.4

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$3.09 / month Save 76%

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5.

9.4

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$2.29 / month Save 85%

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