To unleash the true power of your Amazon Firestick, you need a VPN. I highly recommend ExpressVPN, but there are a ton of excellent alternatives.
Amazon Firestick is one of the most popular streaming devices ever built. It acts as a conduit for so many channels. The downside is that not all of them are universally available due to geo-blocking. You’ll need a VPN to get the best out of your Amazon Firestick.
Technically, VPNs help us increase digital security and privacy. The way VPNs work coincidentally make them the ideal Amazon Firestick companion. Simply connect to a remote server, and you can access all channels. Why settle for less than the total value?
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Note
Price shown is lowest based on plans available from each VPN service provider.
Many people use VPNs because they want to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. However, there are other reasons why you might want to use one too.
If you’re looking for some of the best VPNs for Amazon Firestick or FireTV, check out our top recommendations below.
Overall score
Speed
Security & Privacy
Price
Key Features
"Whilst not the fastest, if you’re looking for a VPN that’s steady as a rock then ExpressVPN is your best bet.”
ExpressVPN is a trusted brand that provides you with a secure and private internet connection. With ExpressVPN, you can unblock websites, keep your identity confidential, and access the internet without being tracked or monitored by third parties.
ExpressVPN has an extensive network of high-speed servers that deliver fast speeds. Whether streaming videos or downloading torrents, ExpressVPN will ensure that you get the best possible experience.
Part of that capability lies in its Lightway protocol. It’s impressive in terms of performance yet bucks the crowd that’s parroting the use of WireGuard. Thanks to the wide server network and excellent performance, you’ll never get blocked or lag on any Amazon Firestick channels.
Aside from streaming, ExpressVPN takes its customers’ security seriously. It comes as a no-logs VPN service complete with 256-bit AES encryption and DNS leak protection. ExpressVPN also operates TrustedServer technology, which means they can instantly wipe any residual server data.
Connection Speed
Excellent
Overall Rating
Price (USD)
$2.21 /mo
Key Features
“Surfshark rules the waves when it comes to the sheer value that a VPN provider offers.”
Surfshark is considerably new when compared to the more established brands around. Yet, it expanded like the proverbial balloon in the short time since the service launched. Surfshark maintains an excellent price despite massive growth, making it a value-packed offer that’s hard to resist.
Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for Amazon Firestick. It’s safe, secure, and has a wide range of features to help you keep your online activity private. Most importantly, you don’t have to worry about getting locked out of your favorite streaming channels due to geo-restrictions.
You also get unlimited bandwidth to stream as much content as possible without worrying about data caps or throttling. Surfshark doesn’t just work with Amazon Firestick — it also works with iOS devices, Macs, PCs, and Android phones. You can even connect as many devices as you want simultaneously.
Streaming content on your Firestick isn’t going to be a problem here. Surfshark supports the WireGuard protocol, the fastest around at the moment. Watching crystal-clear and shark 4K content isn’t going to be a problem.
Connection Speed
Excellent
Overall Rating
Price (USD)
$3.69 /mo
Key Features
“Ease of use and excellent performance are two characteristics that make NordVPN stand out as a fantastic VPN for Amazon Firestick.”
NordVPN is one of my favorite go-to VPN providers because it’s easy to use, fast and secure. The service is compatible with many platforms, from mainstream to relatively obscure. That includes Windows, macOS, and the Amazon Firestick.
The NordVPN brand has grown well since its founding in 2012. Today it has expanded to a network of over 5,000 servers in 60 countries worldwide. That network strength means easy access to local streaming channels, low server loads for great speed, and high connection reliability.
The core of NordVPN is the excellent security it provides. It encrypts your internet traffic so that nobody can track what you do online or steal your personal information, including passwords and credit card details.
NordVPN also offers unlimited bandwidth to stream on your Amazon Firestick all day long. All you have to do is connect to the correct server, and you can unlock the streaming channel of your choice. For example, connecting NordVPN to a US server means your Netflix app on the Firestick can access the entire US Netflix library.
Speeds on NordVPN are also blazing fast, thanks to the NordLynx protocol. This protocol is an adaptation of WireGuard, a lightweight yet secure next-generation VPN protocol. Those speeds will allow you to stream anything, even in 4K.
Connection Speed
Very Good
Overall Rating
Price (USD)
$2.29 /mo
Key Features
“Accessibility is the watchword with CyberGhost VPN. Their server network is second to none and will open up new worlds.”
CyberGhost has been around for a few years now, and it is one of my favorite VPNs. It offers a large selection of servers, excellent privacy features, and decent speeds. There were a few hiccups with streaming performance in the past, but they’re now way past that barrier.
CyberGhost VPN is compatible with multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and Routers. This multi-platform capability lets you install CyberGhost on your Amazon Firestick or even Fire TV.
Thanks to that, you can unblock streaming services from anywhere. You can watch your favorite shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Go anywhere. CyberGhost offers fast speeds that are perfect for streaming videos online without interruptions or buffering issues.
CyberGhost offers 256-bit encryption to ensure that all your private data remains secure while you browse online. It also masks your IP address so that websites cannot track your identity or location while browsing online. That also helps keep you safe from hackers, identity thieves, and other cybercriminals who might try to steal your personal information.
Connection Speed
Excellent
Overall Rating
Price (USD)
$4.99 /mo
Key Features
“PrivadoVPN is shiny and new but what I’ve seen so far is pretty impressive.”
PrivadoVPN offers a range of features to protect all of your devices from cybercriminals and hackers. Yet it isn’t all about security since the service supports devices like the Amazon Firestick. With that, you can stream any channel from the comfort of your home or office.
PrivadoVPN allows you to unblock restricted content in any region without hassle. However, since the service is still young, it only offers access to around 45 server locations. Still, these are in key countries that help make it possible to bypass geo-restrictions easily.
With a VPN service like PrivadoVPN, you can enjoy all of the benefits of using an Amazon Firestick without worrying about which apps will work or not work because your ISP or other authorities have blocked them.
Perhaps the most notable distinguishing feature of PrivadoVPN is its lightweight apps and decent free plan. The small footprint makes it ideal for limited capability devices like the Amazon Firestick. At the least, you won’t need to worry about it slowing down your Firestick.
The Amazon Firestick isn’t unlike any other computing device. It’s a tiny computer that simply plugs into your TV and lets you install apps, stream videos, listen to music, and do almost anything else a PC would allow.
While this can be so convenient, it also means the Firestick has some weaknesses in common with the same features on PCs. That’s why I highly recommend using a VPN with your Firestick. Some reasons why include;
Governments often have broad powers to monitor online activities. That includes democratic countries like the US, UK, France, and Germany. Naturally, this is in the name of “national security” and not even considering less democratic countries like Russia or China.
For example, the National Security Agency (NSA) collects information about Americans’ phone calls under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. While that Act has expired, many similar acts exist in various forms.
VPNs help prevent government (or cybercriminal) surveillance by encrypting data and hiding IP addresses behind secure servers. In that manner, no one can see what websites you visit or the files you download.
Geo-restrictions are limitations imposed by content providers on the type of content users can access based on their geographical location. For example, Netflix restricts its library of movie titles based on the place you connect to the service.
If you want to access content that isn’t available in your region, a VPN can help you do it. This capability is thanks to the many servers that VPNs operate worldwide. To access local or restricted content, simply connect to a VPN server in a country where that content is permissible.
Over-legislation seems to be a defining characteristic many people face today. I recall even reading a title describing how a court in California ruled that “California bees can legally be fish.” That is simply a reminder of how ludicrous some laws have become.
Despite the internet being global, many countries seem to feel they have the right to monitor and persecute users for various reasons – valid or not. One such example lies in P2P downloading or Torrenting. While the technology is legal, some acts of P2P users can quickly come under fire, like downloading copyrighted material.
Even reputable websites have not been spared from the “ban first and sort out later” heavy-handed tactics of copyright trolls. Why put yourself at risk when using a VPN can help avoid the legal hassle?
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have almost total control over our Internet lines. They can see everything we do, block websites, and even influence how fast our browsing and download speeds are at specific times.
That last point is bandwidth throttling, and happens when an ISP encounters heavy usage. Since they can’t cope, they simply slow down all “non-priority” traffic like yours. However, if an ISP can’t assess the traffic, it won’t throttle that connection.
The data masking that VPNs do is part of what prevents ISP throttling. Since you’re paying full price for your Internet, why allow the ISP to dictate what speeds you can get at any time?
Many factors affect how we select the best Firestick VPNs. While ExpressVPN isn’t necessarily the best in every aspect, it does offer an outstanding “total user experience” that makes it unsurpassed for the Amazon Firestick.
Some of our most vital assessment criteria include;
The first thing we look for when choosing a VPN is its server network. That includes the coverage area and the number of servers operated. Server locations determine what content you can access, while the number of servers means better ability to cope with high traffic volumes.
For example, if you live in France and want to access Netflix US content, you need a VPN that operates servers in the US. The server network is also essential for those traveling abroad and who want to access specific home-country services like online banking.
We make sure that our recommendations have strong privacy policies, which means they don’t keep logs or sell user data to third parties. It also means you can use these services in countries where internet censorship is severe (like China).
Aside from logging, we expect VPNs to provide a comprehensive range of security and privacy features. These include a kill switch, strong data encryption capabilities, resilience against data leaks, etc.
Many VPNs today can offer excellent speeds thanks to the new WireGuard protocol. Speed is essential for VPNs since it heavily impacts the user experience. Slow VPN speeds will slow down the streaming on your Firestick, causing stutters on movies or even slow load times.
In addition, not all VPNs can maintain stable performance. For example, some that operate fewer servers won’t be able to handle traffic spikes during peak usage hours easily. There’s nothing more frustrating than a VPN cutting out halfway during a movie.
The best part about using a VPN on your Amazon Firestick is the simplicity of the process. Most reputable VPNs have dedicated apps that work on Firestick. Here’s the 2-cent user guide;
Step 1: Sign up for a VPN service.
Step 2: Connect your Firestick to your TV.
Step 3: Open the App Store on your Firestick and install the right App for your VPN.
Step 4: Launch the VPN app and log in to your account.
Step 5: Select a server and connect.
Step 6: You can then launch any streaming apps and use them as usual.
If you’re using a Fire TV instead of Firestick, don’t worry; the process is quite similar. Instead of connecting your Firestick, you can launch the App Store directly from your Fire TV. The rest of the process is the same as above.
If you’re traveling abroad or just want to watch some movies from another country’s library, you can change the region of your Amazon account using a VPN. The various secure servers of the VPN will allow you to access different libraries as if you were in that country.
To change the library on your Amazon account with a VPN:
Step 1: Sign up for an account with a VPN service provider.
Step 2: Download the VPN app and install it on your device.
Step 3: Launch the app and sign in with your account.
Step 4: Select a server in the desired Amazon library region.
Step 5: Once you connect to the server, you can access your Amazon account and watch any movies from that region.
Aside from downloading VPN apps for individual devices, a “blanket” approach is available. By installing a VPN on your router, you can cover all devices on the network. Before you do this, though, there are some essential things to note.
Most routers are nowhere near as powerful as our regular devices like PCs and laptops. Since VPN encryption is local (i.e., done on the device), running a VPN on your router may slow your Internet connection performance.
Additionally, only a handful of consumer routers currently support the WireGuard protocol. That means you’ll have to rely on the OpenVPN protocol, which is slower than WireGuard. If that doesn’t faze you, then here’s how you can install a VPN on your router;
Step 1: Sign up for a VPN service.
Step 2: Launch your router administrative dashboard. How you access this dashboard depends on your router brand. For example, you can access the dashboard for most ASUS routers by entering 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser.
Step 3: Click on the VPN menu option and search for VPN Client.
Step 4: Add a new profile using the OpenVPN options. Here you will need to enter details, including your VPN username, password, and server address. You can get the server address from your VPN service provider.
Step 5: Save the profile.
Step 6: You can now click the “Activate” button on the VPN client menu to start the VPN connection.
The short answer is that not all VPNs will work on Firestick. The main reason for this is the different capabilities of various VPN services. The two most notable types of VPN are free and paid VPNs.
Free VPNs are in high demand due to their open accessibility. However, because VPNs are expensive to operate, these free options are often limited in servers and location availability. Most will impose monthly bandwidth restrictions, making it impossible to use for streaming on Firestick even if you can access the content.
We generally do not recommend free VPNs unless they operate on a freemium model. That means there’s a free plan to try, and you can upgrade to a paid plan. One example of a safe, freemium VPN is PrivadoVPN.
VPNs that impose zero charges are often dangerous and may even sell user data.
As a recap, here’s our top 5 VPN for Firestick in 2023:
The most obvious reason for using a VPN with Firestick is to unblock geo-restricted content, but there are many other good reasons. It’s essential to take care of your digital privacy and security, as even legitimate companies today are gathering (and losing) a ton of personal data.
The best choice for Firestick VPN is ExpressVPN, but many strong competitors are also in the market. If ExpressVPN doesn’t appeal to you, my following recommendation would be Surfshark. However, any of the brands on this list are an excellent choice.
We strongly recommend ExpressVPN for Firestick users due to its superb all-around capabilities and reasonable pricing. However, your needs may vary, and other VPN brands on this list are equally acceptable. For example, PrivadoVPN is a good choice if you seek a lightweight and streamlined option.
The average price of a good VPN for Amazon Firestick can range between $2 to $5 per month. This monthly price is often based on extended annual or longer subscriptions. Ad-hoc monthly rates are far more expensive.
You only need a single VPN subscription, even if you have multiple Firesticks. Almost all VPN brands allow you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. If you have many Firesticks, opt for a VPN brand that supports more devices, like Surfshark.
Speed-wise, NordVPN and Surfshark are two of the fastest brands we recommend for Firestick, but we’d recommend ExpressVPN as the most consistently fast VPN, CyberGhost and PrivadoVPN follow closely on the heels of those two brands. They’re all capable of streaming 4K content from any channel.
You likely will not be able to watch Amazon FireTV with a free VPN. Free VPNs often come with monthly or daily restrictions on how much data you can use. For example, the free plan on PrivadoVPN only offers 10GB/mo.
