Smart DNS Proxy vs ExpressVPN MediaStreamer (2026): which should you buy?
Head-to-head on the facts that decide the subscription: real prices, trial terms, which services unblock, which devices are covered - every number sourced in the linked reviews.
Short answer: Smart DNS Proxy wins overall (4.4/10 vs 4/10 in our weighted scores). ExpressVPN MediaStreamer is still the better pick if you care most about privacy. Facts checked 2026-11-09.
 Smart DNS Proxy |  ExpressVPN MediaStreamer | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score (0-10) | 4.4 | 4 |
| Type | Smart DNS specialist | VPN with Smart DNS |
| Effective monthly price | $2.85/mo | $6.24/mo |
| Pricing terms | $6.79/mo · $55.36/yr · $68.39/2yr · $200 lifetime | $14.99/mo · $74.85/yr |
| Free trial | 14 days - no card required | none - 30-day money-back instead |
| Claimed services | 400+ | not specified |
| Netflix | claimed | claimed |
| BBC iPlayer | claimed | claimed |
| ITVX | claimed | claimed |
| Hulu | claimed | – |
| Disney+ | claimed | – |
| Amazon Prime Video | claimed | – |
| Max (HBO) | claimed | – |
| Sports | claimed | – |
| Devices documented | Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, consoles, routers, mobile, desktop | Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, consoles, routers, mobile, desktop |
| Multiple locations | one registered IP | one registered IP |
| DoH/DoT | not documented | not documented |
| Logging | not documented | no logs |
| Facts checked | 2026-11-09 | 2026-11-09 |
// Score breakdown
Smart DNS Proxy leads on coverage (+1), devices (+1), value (+3) · ExpressVPN MediaStreamer leads on reliability (+1), privacy (+2).
why 4.4/10?
why 4/10?
// Smart DNS Proxy at a glance
400+ claimed services, a bundled VPN and a 14-day no-card trial, while independent April 2026 tests found Netflix US broken although it is still listed - spend the trial window on your exact services before any annual or lifetime payment.
++ What works
- 14-day free trial, no credit card
- 400+ unblocked services claimed
- VPN included in paid plans
- Lifetime plan at $200
- Apps for major platforms
-- What to watch
- Pricing page could not be fetched live from our server (archived capture used)
- No public logging-policy detail
// ExpressVPN MediaStreamer at a glance
MediaStreamer is only worth it together with an ExpressVPN subscription: heavily audited operator and excellent setup guides, but US/UK only and no public product page - start the 30-day money-back and test your services in week one.
++ What works
- Included with every ExpressVPN plan
- Excellent setup guides (Samsung/LG, Apple TV, consoles)
- 24/7 live chat
- Dynamic DNS registration
-- What to watch
- No standalone purchase
- US-centric coverage
- ExpressVPN subscription is priced like a premium VPN
// FAQ
Which is cheaper, Smart DNS Proxy or ExpressVPN MediaStreamer?
Smart DNS Proxy is cheaper at about $2.85/mo versus $6.24/mo (best documented term each).
Which unblocks more, Smart DNS Proxy or ExpressVPN MediaStreamer?
Smart DNS Proxy documents more working services (8 of 8 versus 3).
Which is better for a Smart TV, Smart DNS Proxy or ExpressVPN MediaStreamer?
Smart DNS Proxy documents more TV-side setups (6 of 6 device classes versus 5). TVs cannot run VPN apps, so documented TV setup is the deciding factor here.
Which has the better trial, Smart DNS Proxy or ExpressVPN MediaStreamer?
Smart DNS Proxy - 14 days - no card required beats none - 30-day money-back instead. A card-free trial means forgetting to cancel costs nothing.
Which is more private, Smart DNS Proxy or ExpressVPN MediaStreamer?
ExpressVPN MediaStreamer edges it on paper: logging no logs, VPN bundled for encryption. Smart DNS alone never encrypts - check each review for the details.
Scores and facts: meta-reviews with dated sources - Smart DNS Proxy · ExpressVPN MediaStreamer. Method: how we verify. More: all Smart DNS providers compared.