Unlocator vs NordVPN SmartDNS (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: Unlocator wins overall (4/10 vs 3.4/10 in our weighted scores). NordVPN SmartDNS is still the better pick if you care most about support. Facts checked 2026-11-09.
 Unlocator |  NordVPN SmartDNS | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score (0-10) | 4 | 3.4 |
| Type | Smart DNS specialist | VPN with Smart DNS |
| Effective monthly price | $2.88/mo | $3.93/mo |
| Pricing terms | $69/2yr | $14.99/mo · $65.88/yr · $94.23/2yr |
| Free trial | 7 days - no card required | none - 30-day money-back instead |
| Claimed services | not specified | not specified |
| Netflix | claimed | partial |
| BBC iPlayer | claimed | – |
| ITVX | claimed | – |
| Hulu | claimed | – |
| Disney+ | claimed | claimed |
| Amazon Prime Video | claimed | claimed |
| Max (HBO) | claimed | claimed |
| Sports | partial | partial |
| Devices documented | Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, consoles, routers, mobile, desktop | Smart TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, consoles, routers |
| Multiple locations | one registered IP | one registered IP |
| DoH/DoT | not documented | not documented |
| Logging | minimal logs | no logs |
| Facts checked | 2026-11-09 | 2026-11-09 |
// Score breakdown
Unlocator leads on reliability (+3), devices (+2.5), value (+1) · NordVPN SmartDNS leads on support (+2.5), privacy (+2).
why 4/10?
why 3.4/10?
// Unlocator at a glance
Verifiable Danish operator (Unlocator ApS, CVR 44498383) with 197 listed services, a 7-day no-card trial and a 30-day money-back - the strongest documented package in this comparison, even though the DNS-only price only shows at checkout. Start the trial, test Netflix and BBC iPlayer on your own TV, then take the annual plan.
++ What works
- 7-day free trial, no credit card
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited devices for Smart DNS
- WireGuard/OpenVPN VPN bundled (5 connections)
- Trustpilot 4.7 displayed on site
-- What to watch
- DNS-only monthly price not transparent without starting checkout
- VPN side limited to 5 simultaneous connections
// NordVPN SmartDNS at a glance
A well-audited bundle extra with a 30-day money-back, but Netflix is Originals-only, UK services are undocumented and unblocking is explicitly not guaranteed - buy it for the VPN and treat the Smart DNS as a bonus.
++ What works
- Included with NordVPN
- Actively maintained (docs updated 2026-09)
- 24/7 live chat
- Simple allowlist activation in NordAccount
-- What to watch
- Netflix Originals only - a key limitation most competitors avoid
- Small documented service set
- No UK services documented
- Only exists inside a NordVPN subscription
// FAQ
Which is cheaper, Unlocator or NordVPN SmartDNS?
Unlocator is cheaper at about $2.88/mo versus $3.93/mo (best documented term each).
Which unblocks more, Unlocator or NordVPN SmartDNS?
Unlocator documents more working services (7.5 of 8 versus 4).
Which is better for a Smart TV, Unlocator or NordVPN SmartDNS?
Tie - both document 6 of the 6 tracked TV/router device classes. Setup steps per device: see the setup finder.
Which has the better trial, Unlocator or NordVPN SmartDNS?
Unlocator - 7 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, Unlocator or NordVPN SmartDNS?
NordVPN SmartDNS 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 - Unlocator · NordVPN SmartDNS. Method: how we verify. More: all Smart DNS providers compared.