StreamLocator is a paid service that helps you open streaming sites as if you were in another country. It works with a technology called Smart DNS rather than a VPN. For a while it also offered a Chrome extension, which older guides still link to; that extension is no longer listed on the Chrome Web Store, so this page explains how the service works today and how to set it up instead.
What is Smart DNS?
When you type a web address, a DNS server tells your device where to find it. A Smart DNS service answers those questions differently for streaming sites, so that only the traffic needed to check your location goes through a server in another country, while the video itself comes straight to you. That is why Smart DNS is usually faster than a VPN. The trade-off is that it does not encrypt your traffic or hide your IP address from other sites.
| Smart DNS (StreamLocator) | VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Streaming from other regions | Privacy and security |
| Encrypts traffic | No | Yes |
| Speed impact | Small | Some, depending on the server |
| Works on smart TVs and consoles | Yes, via DNS settings | Often not directly |
What happened to the StreamLocator Chrome extension?
The StreamLocator extension is no longer available on the Chrome Web Store, and old download links, including the ZIP file this page used to offer, no longer work. Installing extensions from ZIP files or third-party sites is risky in any case, because they receive no updates or store checks. Use StreamLocator’s own apps or its setup guides instead.
How to set up StreamLocator
- Create an account on streamlocator.com; new accounts start with a free trial.
- Install the StreamLocator app for your device, or follow its guide to change the DNS settings on your computer, router, TV or console.
- For Chrome, follow StreamLocator’s Chrome setup guide.
- In your StreamLocator dashboard, choose the region for each streaming service you use.
Which devices can use Smart DNS?
Almost anything with a network connection lets you change its DNS server, which is the big advantage of Smart DNS over a VPN. Smart TVs, games consoles, streaming sticks and older devices that cannot run VPN apps can all be pointed at a Smart DNS server in their network settings. Setting it on your router covers every device at home at once, although then every device uses it, including ones you did not intend to. The service also needs to know your home IP address; if your internet provider changes it, you may need to update it in your account before streams work again.
How much does it cost?
StreamLocator listed its service at $6.99 a month in September 2026, with a free trial for new users. Check the pricing page for current plans before you subscribe.
Is using a Smart DNS service allowed?
Using a DNS service is legal in most countries, but most streaming services’ terms of use limit you to the catalogue of the country where you live or subscribed, and they actively block such services when they detect them. Access can stop working at any time, so decide with that in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Does StreamLocator protect my privacy?
No. Smart DNS is built for streaming, not privacy. For that, use a VPN; see our Proton VPN review or the list of free VPN extensions.
Can I use Smart DNS and a VPN together?
Usually not at the same time, because the VPN replaces your DNS settings. Switch one off when you use the other.
StreamLocator is a streaming tool first: fast and easy on TVs and consoles, but not a privacy tool. Set it up from its own site now that the Chrome extension is gone.