A VPN or virtual private network is necessary for smooth and unrestricted online streaming of video content. The best VPN for Firestick hides the IP address of various Internet service providers as well as copyright trolls. Using a VPN is quite beneficial as it prevents any trespassers from eavesdropping on the online streaming activity of the users.
In this article, we will provide all the information regarding the best-suited VPNs for Firestick, both paid and free, as well as how to choose the best VPN for your Fire TV Stick. So scroll down and know the full scoop!
What is VPN and How does it Help?
A VPN establishes a private network over a public network and allows users to send and receive information across public networks as if they were in direct connection with the private network.
In simple words, a VPN offers online privacy by providing a private network through a public connection. It makes your IP address invisible, thereby hiding your online activity. VPNs are encrypted connections that ensure greater security.
Unsecured web surfing may expose online activity and browsing information to hackers. Therefore, it’s important to use a VPN for better security. Unless you are connected to a secured WiFi network through a password, any website you browse or transact with makes you vulnerable to third parties or strangers on the same network.
The anonymity that a VPN offer protects any action you take online, such as shopping, paying bills, and exchanging emails, while making the surfing anonymous.
We would suggest you use a VPN on your TV Firestick as it unblocks any geo-restricted content allowing you to watch your favorite TV shows, movies, and other types of content from any part of the world.
Purpose of Using a VPN for a Fire TV Stick
A VPN is vital to access a wide selection of TV shows and films that are available through a Firestick. The content available in your country may be a lot for some; however, if you wish to watch content from other countries as well, you will need to set up a Virtual Private Network for your TV Firestick.
Another great use of a VPN is portability, which allows you to carry it wherever you go. So, if you are on a holiday or even on a business trip, you can binge-watch your favorite TV shows. If you don’t have a VPN then you simply can’t.
Difference Between Free and Paid VPNs for Firestick
You may want to use a free VPN on your Firestick, but most free VPNs aren’t safe, and you have to be careful while using a free VPN. Also, some free VPNs don’t work on Firestick.
Besides being unsafe, free VPNs have other disadvantages like speed throttling and restricted data caps. Along with that, many free VPNs cannot stream some of the best streaming services like Netflix.
Among numerous free VPNs, some of them are dangerous and are thus, never safe to use. When you use a free VPN, it meddles with your data, and some VPNs may even sell the data to advertisers.
However, we assure you that the free VPNs listed here are totally safe and would ensure that your personal data remains secure. So no matter which one you choose, you’ll get the best experience.
How to Choose a Firestick VPN?
Choosing a VPN for Firestick can be tricky and time-consuming, especially for new users. So, the first thing you need to look for while selecting a good VPN is that it must run on Amazon as well as other streaming platforms, such as Netflix, iPlayer, and Hulu.
Secondly, high security and faster speed are also important features that every VPN must have. Besides the above-mentioned aspects, ease of use is quite necessary when you choose a VPN for your Firestick.
Thirdly, you can also consider the number of devices a specific VPN can be used for. Lastly, you can select a VPN of your choice according to your budget. There are many VPNs available at different prices, and you have a whole lot of choices to select from those.
Best Free VPNs for Firestick
Not to mention, there’s a limited choice of free as well as safe VPNs for Firestick; though, you would get a variety of free-of-cost VPNs that are not only secure but effective too. Have a look at the best 10 free and paid VPNs for Firestick:
1. Windscribe Free
Ideal for users who don’t wish to use a paid VPN. Windscribe offers fast and effective streaming while it’s connected to nearby servers. It also offers an easy and quick installation.
Windscribe unblocks US Netflix as well as BBC iPlayer too, and this is one of its highlighted features as most of the other free VPNs don’t allow this on a Firestick. The VPN provider also supports torrenting as well as P2P traffic on its free servers, which lets you use it with Kodi add-ons.
Moreover, Windscribe offers AES-256 encryption that protects the Internet connection you are using while making it secure. It doesn’t record the user activity and never leaks the IP address too.
To sum it all up, Windscribe is one of the best options when it comes to choosing a free VPN for Firestick due to its speed and performance. However, an important drawback of Windscribe Free is that it offers a 10 GB monthly data cap.
Pros
- Well-designed.
- Delivers fast speeds.
- Unblocks US Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
- Unlimited connections.
- No IP address leaks.
- Offers services in 10 countries.
Cons
- Monthly 10 GB data capacity.
- Slow international speed.
2. ProtonVPN Free
One of the best advantages of using ProtonVPN is that it doesn’t limit the bandwidth, unlike Windscribe and Hide. Although it doesn’t have a custom app to use on a Firestick, you can use it by sideloading its APK file.
Installing ProtonVPN on your PC might be a little tricky as it involves a few steps; however, it doesn’t limit the streaming capacity, which makes it beneficial besides other free VPNs.
ProtonVPN also offers secure web browsing with AES-256 encryption and DNS leak protection. It doesn’t log user information either.
An important-to-note drawback of this free VPN is that it doesn’t unblock BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and US Netflix. Besides, P2P traffic is restricted on the free servers, which will also block various Kodi add-ons.
Pros
- Unlimited data streaming.
- Faster speed.
- Ensures great security.
- APK file for sideloading.
- Allows private logging on the Internet.
Cons
- Doesn’t unblock Netflix or BBC iPlayer.
- Torrenting isn’t allowed.
3. Hide.me Free
Hide.me is one of the best free VPNs for Firestick as it is user-friendly, plus it offers faster VPN speed. When compared to Windscribe and ProtonVPN, it surpasses both in terms of speed and ease of use.
If we talk about security, Hide.me comes with a minimal logs policy, and allows P2P traffic as well as torrenting, thereby making it useful for masking the user’s IP address.
However, the data capacity of this VPN is only 10 GB, which is not something good but still generous, especially considering that it’s free of cost. Also, it rarely unblocks US Netflix, mainly due to the limited server network for its free users.
Pros
- High speed.
- User-friendly app.
- Minimal log policy.
- P2P is allowed (on a few free servers).
- Extra privacy features.
Cons
- Only five server locations are available.
- Restricts US Netflix.
Best Paid VPNs for Firestick
After learning about the best free VPNs for a TV Firestick, let’s look at the list of the best-paid VPNs for Firestick:
4. ExpressVPN
Our top pick for the best-paid VPN for Firestick is ExpressVPN due to its high-security features and high speed. It supports various OTT platforms like Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and iPlayer.
You can set it up with just a single click and browse through thousands of options available worldwide while selecting the content of your choice.
ExpressVPN offers superb security and doesn’t log any browsing data while running its DNS on each of its servers. Besides, it also provides a Firestick-compatible MediaStreamer DNS, which unblocks content without a connection to a VPN.
While ExpressVPN is more expensive as compared to other paid VPNs, it offers 24/7 troubleshooting support through live chat and email too.
Pros
- Excellent speed.
- Unblocks almost every OTT platform.
- Doesn’t log surfing data.
- Easy to use.
- 24/7 live technical support.
- Wide range of servers and locations.
Cons
- Supports only five devices.
- Expensive.
5. NordVPN
If you are looking for impressive speed and excellent security, then NordVPN is the best VPN for your Fire TV Stick. With plenty of servers, this VPN provider has really proved to be an amazing option if you wish to stream content from different countries.
In terms of security, it offers double data encryption with a minimal logging policy while protecting the user’s connection from any intrusive elements that may interfere with their personal data.
NordVPN works for various platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. If you are a fan of sports, you can also watch live streaming of various sporting events with this VPN. Also, you get 24/7 customer support to troubleshoot any technical glitches fast.
Pros:
- No-logging privacy policy.
- Top-notch security.
- Unblocks most online streaming apps.
- Fast speeds.
Cons:
- The user interface is not so great.
6. Surfshark
If you wish to opt for a budget-friendly VPN then Surfshark is a great choice. Though it’s not fully featured like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, it is a real bargain for its cost.
Surfshark lets you stream HD content on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, iPlayer, etc., with a huge network of about 3,200 servers across 65 countries. Not only does it stream US Netflix but even Netflix libraries from 14 other countries too.
The custom app is quite user-friendly and gets installed on multiple devices in a matter of a few minutes. It also enables torrenting, and the no-logs policy ensures a secure connection while you use it.
Another great feature that Surfshark provides is unlimited connections, which means with just one plan, you can run it on any device, be it your PC, smartphone, Firestick, or Xbox. If you encounter any issues, the tech support team is available 24/7 through live chat.
Pros
- Unlimited connections.
- Affordable.
- Works on numerous platforms.
- Attractive applications.
Cons
- Lacks in-depth configuration.
7. Hotspot Shield
One of the fastest VPNs, Hotspot Shield is the best VPN for Firestick when we talk about seamless and quick performance. Besides, it offers basic security features that are required for a good VPN to run on a Fire TV Stick.
With the proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, it delivers a speed of over 40 Mbps, which is more than what most Internet connections provide. This makes Hotspot Shield one of the fastest VPNs available out there.
What’s more is that you can access numerous platforms, including Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, besides others with different locations so that you can watch a lot while sitting anywhere in the world.
The configuration might not be flawless; however, you are assured to find its faster speed a plus point while deciding on a good VPN for your Firestick.
Pros
- Faster and seamless.
- Unblocks various platforms.
- Clean and simple applications.
Cons
- Weak configuration.
8. IPVanish
IPVanish is one of the best VPNs for Firestick if you wish to opt for a virtual private network that offers seamless streaming at a satisfactory speed. It has a user-friendly interface as well as a sleek and unique design, which makes it a good option at an affordable price.
For advanced users, IPVanish offers features like split tunneling, obfuscation, and LAN exemption. However, obfuscation may not work in China. Users also get built-in Kodi along with torrenting and P2P on all the servers of the VPN service. This means you get to benefit from various Kodi add-ons.
The US servers of IPVanish mostly work on US Netflix. It doesn’t unblock BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
Pros
- Fast and seamless streaming.
- Minimal logs policy.
- Simple interface.
- Supports US Netflix.
Cons
- Doesn’t support BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
9. CyberGhost
A smooth user experience with impressive performance is what you get when you opt for CyberGhost. It is a virtual private network that is especially recommended for new users due to its simple user interface.
Based in Romania, the application is easy to set up and takes just a few seconds to switch it on/off, making it really user-friendly. All your personal data will be protected with its no-logs policy and 256-AES encryption, thereby preventing any interference by strangers.
Besides smooth streaming, one drawback it offers is that it doesn’t support US Netflix most of the time. Even the BBC iPlayer doesn’t work at times either.
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface.
- Supports numerous platforms.
- No-logging policy.
- Inexpensive.
- Works with Kodi add-ons.
Cons
- Suffers from interface issues.
10. UltraVPN
UltraVPN is another smooth-functioning VPN service that comes at an attractive price. With unlimited bandwidth, it is a perfect choice for streaming multimedia as well as Netflix.
UltraVPN provides 100% security as the connections are secured with AES 256-bit encryption with a no-logging policy, thereby protecting the users from anyone misusing their personal information.
The VPN provider specializes in high-speed connection without any throttling or limited streaming capacity. It also allows torrenting as well as peer-to-peer connections, which facilitates sharing of files between users.
Pros
- No throttling or limited bandwidth.
- Delivers Fast speeds.
Cons
- No multiple connections.
Conclusion
A VPN proves to be quite beneficial for anyone who loves to binge-watch TV shows and movies from any part of the world. You can pick the best VPN for Firestick among the above-mentioned free and paid VPNs that suit your preferences as well as your location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1: Do all VPNs work on Firestick?
If we talk about the Amazon Fire TV Stick, it doesn’t have a wide variety of VPN apps available for it. But the VPNs mentioned on our list, like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, IPVanish, and CyberGhost have their own applications.
Note – If you wish to sign up for ExpressVPN, we suggest you take the three-month free trial, which will lead you to the Amazon Appstore for the official VPN application. It will save you time for sideloading and exclude the need for making any other change in the settings.
2: Can you get a free VPN for your Firestick?
If you don’t wish to spend money on unblocking streaming services of other countries, you can avail of a free VPN for your Firestick. However, free VPNs have their disadvantages.
If a free VPN unblocks geo-restricted content on your Firestick, then you might have to deal with a limited data capacity. It simply means you can go for a free VPN, but there will definitely be a few limitations with it, and you would prefer paying a little and getting all the services as per your will.
3: Is it illegal to use a VPN?
It depends on the location from where you’re using the VPN. However, using a VPN is not illegal as it’s quite legitimate if one wants to protect one’s data and browsing activity.
A VPN provides security over strangers snooping over our personal information, which makes it lawful to use. However, using VPN to hide any kind of illegal activity or downloading copyrighted content is illegal.
Many Middle Eastern countries and even China have created laws against the use of a VPN, but due to its use in businesses, there’s hardly any action taken against the users. To be on the safe side, we would recommend you read all the terms and conditions as well as know the services that a VPN permits before opting for one.
4: What are the alternatives to using a VPN for Amazon Fire TV Stick?
You can use a proxy service instead of a VPN to eliminate geographical restrictions on platforms like Hulu and BBC iPlayer. You may not necessarily need a VPN for this. There are numerous free proxy services available, but you must do some research before opting for one.
Although, the best VPN for Firestick can make you feel like you are located in Europe or America while you are sitting in Asia. With a good VPN service, a person can watch US TV in England.
Not to mention, there are a few drawbacks, too, like a VPN offers more privacy but not sufficient security, and if you land on a website harboring a virus, the VPN might not be able to protect you.
Also, now Netflix and BBC are catching hold of many VPN and proxy servers, and there is no guarantee left for whether a particular service will lift the geographical restrictions or not. Hence, it’s up to you whether to go for an alternative or choose a VPN to unblock different channels on your Amazon Fire TV Stick.
5: What are the various VPN protocols?
There are various VPN protocols, which are used by VPN services mentioned above. All these protocols come built-in, which means that you can use a protocol and a VPN service without client software. There are online restrictions on every VPN service for doing this.
- OpenVPN: It is an open-source VPN protocol supported by most VPN providers. This can either be used in UDP (streaming) or TCP (web) mode. The UDP mode is faster. To use this protocol, you will need the VPN service’s client software.
- IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2): It is a secure protocol that supports Windows, iOS, as well as the latest versions of macOS.
- L2TP/IPsec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol with Internet Protocol Security): This protocol ensures more security when paired with IPsec secure networking standards. However, few VPN providers recommend OpenVPN. L2TP/IPsec supports Chrome OS and iOS, Windows, Android, and macOS.
- PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol): This VPN protocol is not so secure, but works faster. You can only use this for streaming content, as it doesn’t protect the user data. It supports Android, and Windows, as well as older versions of iOS and macOS.
- SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol): It is a Microsoft protocol, which supports Windows Vista and newer versions.
- WireGuard: The newest protocol, WireGuard, offers superb security with the fastest speed. Though it is easy to use, it’s still not supported by a lot of VPN providers.
6: Can a VPN be used on any device?
Yes, VPN works on almost all devices, including PCs, iPhones, Android smartphones, and Macs. Additionally, a VPN can be used on a Fire TV Stick or even on a Smart TV. VPN services like CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish have apps for a galore of devices and can be installed within minutes.
7: Does Netflix block ExpressVPN?
Netflix has a robust VPN-blocking technology. ExpressVPN Netflix is an exclusive combination that can easily bypass Netflix’s anti-VPN techniques to allow its users unlimited access to all their favorite Netflix libraries. However, Netflix sometimes stops working with ExpressVPN when Netflix detects and blocks the IP address given to you by the VPN.
8: Has ExpressVPN been hacked?
No, ExpressVPN has never been hacked to date. While using ExpressVPN, the users get AES 256-bit encryption. ExpressVPN has been even endorsed by the US government to protect sensitive information.
People are also reading: