SmartDNS built into the tunnel: streaming plus a real VPN

Hybrid VPN is not an either/or choice between region-unlocking and a proper VPN — it includes both. Full SmartDNS functionality is built straight into the encrypted tunnel, so while you are connected you get the same 400+ streaming services unlocked as the standalone SmartDNS plan, on top of a genuine encrypted VPN on your own server.

The difference from SmartDNS alone is that your traffic here is actually tunnelled and encrypted through your dedicated static IP, giving you privacy and a stable, allow-listable address as well as geo-unlocking. In short: SmartDNS-only is the fast, no-encryption streaming tool; Hybrid VPN gives you that streaming capability inside a full VPN. It is the right plan when you want unlocking and encryption, IP whitelisting or remote access together.