VPN for Firestick

There is a lot of VPN available in the market. Our unbiased and in-depth VPN reviews will help you to choose the right VPN for your Firestick device.

Best VPN for Firestick

What is a VPN?

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are one of the most essential things in today’s world. The internet we use is not safer. The information that you share on the internet can be traced and can be misused without your concern. To protect the information from these threats, VPNs are introduced. With the VPN, you can hide your online presence and protect the data that you share on the internet. If you have any streaming devices like Firestick or Roku, it is a must to use a VPN.

What is Firestick

Let’s start with a small description of Firestick. On April 12, 2014, Amazon released its first streaming device – Fire TV with Fire OS 5, which is equal to Android 5.1. Since then, Amazon released new streaming devices with new upgrades and advanced features. The latest streaming device is the Fire TV Cube on 10th October 2019. The newer Fire TV Stick has Fire OS 6 & 7 which is equal to Android 7.1 and 9 respectively.

Fire TV stick

By using Firestick, you can convert your standard TV into a smart TV. The pricing starts at $35. The Fire TV Stick 4K is priced at $49.99. With a mere $50 dollars, you can watch 4K content on your TV. You can use the Fire TV Stick for purposes like watching movies and TV shows from streaming platforms, surf the internet, play games, download movies from torrenting sites, and more. You can do all things on Firestick that you can do on your smartphone.

Streaming devices like Firestick, Roku, and even Smart TVs won’t have strong encryption features as they have in smartphones. The built-in encryptions and security measures are very minimal. When you surf the internet on your Firestick, it can be easily hacked. To avoid being hacked, VPNs are used. Some VPN providers will have a dedicated app for Firestick to protect your personal information.

How VPN Works

As the name says (Virtual Private Network) will create a virtual location for you. For instance, you are in your home, New York, USA. Without the VPN, your location can be traced by routing your IP address. Every device that has internet access will have a unique IP address. If anyone (hacker or government) wants to track your internet records and wants to find your location, it can be easily done with your internet traffic. But if you use a VPN, it will create a different IP address in a different location

If you choose a server from Germany, all your internet traffic will be routed to German locations. When traced, the VPN protects your real IP address & real location and shows the virtual German location with a different IP address. This is the basic working of a VPN. Some high-level VPNs will have strong encryption protocols and provide double virtual locations. In those VPNs, you will get maximum protection but with slower download speeds. The internet you use will be virtually routed to a different location and then it reaches your devices, so you will experience slower speeds.

Types of VPN

Now, let’s see the different types of VPN available for Firestick. There are three levels of VPN based on how powerful the VPN is and how it can be used.

1. Premium VPN

2. Freemium VPN

3. Free VPN

Premium VPN

Premium VPNs are the VPNs that can be used for any internet-related tasks and on any devices like smartphones, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and routers. The encryption protocols in the premium VPNs are the best and will protect your information with the utmost security. VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish VPN, CyberGhost VPN are some of the premium level VPNs.

Freemium VPN

The next category is the freemium VPNs, In this type of VPN, you can use the VPN for free but with server and data limitation. By subscribing to any of its plans, you can use the VPN without any limitations. VPNs like Hotspot Shield VPN, TunnelBear VPN, Hola VPN, hide.me VPN are the examples. These VPNs are best for streaming platform usage and normal browsing. These VPNs will bypass geo-restrictions on selected streaming platforms.

Free VPN

Free VPN is the last category of the VPNs. In the free VPNs, you will have a minimum number of servers with weak encryption protocols. VPNs like iON VPN, Iron Shield VPN, Melon VPN, and Turbo VPN are the examples. In these VPNs, you will have one server (faster server) and low-level encryption protocols. These VPNs are used for basic protection and normal browsing. It is not recommended for torrenting and to bypass geo-restrictions. Choose the VPN based on how you use your Firestick. Go for Premium VPNs if you want torrenting and high-level internet usage. Go for Freemium VPNs if you are a binge-watcher and have accounts on more than one streaming platform. Use the free VPNs only for basic protection.

Editor’s Premium VPN Picks for 2021

Here is the list of Best VPN For Firestick to use for the month of March. All VPNs are reviewed by our Firestick experts.

Editor’s Freemium VPN Picks for 2021

Here is the list of Top VPNs to use for the month of March. All VPNs are reviewed by our Firestick experts.

Is Free VPN enough for Firestick?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. If you are using your Firestick for browsing alone and don’t want to stream geo-restricted content, you can go for the free VPN. But some free VPNs will have ads. If you are okay with those annoying ads, you can use the Free VPN.

Need for VPN on Firestick

Now, you get a basic understanding of Firestick and the working of a VPN. Let’s get into the need for a VPN on Firestick.

1. Online Surveillance
2. Geo-restriction
3. ISP Throttling
4. Secured connection on Public Network
5. Torrenting

Online Surveillance

The major importance of using a VPN is your location. By using a VPN, you can spoof your location to anywhere in the world. You can hide your internet activity so that no one will access it. Some premium VPNs will have servers all over the world. In those VPNs, you can choose any particular country’s server to be your location. As mentioned above, if someone tries to hack or monitor your internet traffic, they will get the virtual IP address and the virtual location on created by the VPN. It is impossible to decode the VPN’s security protocols. Based on the VPN you choose, the encryption and security protocols may vary.

Geo-restriction

The thing you can benefit from VPN is access over restricted content. A popular streaming platform like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ is available all over the world. But the availability of the contents on those platforms will vary according to the country. The title available in the USA can’t be accessed in the UK. If you are a UK resident, you can switch to the USA server and access the content. Some streaming platforms will be available for specific countries only like Hulu, YouTube TV, HBO MAX. If you are a USA resident, the chances are higher that you have a subscription to any of those platforms. But when you are on a vacation or trip to another country, you can’t access those streaming platforms. In those situations, you can use a VPN.

ISP Throttling

ISP throttling is one of the common issues in the streaming platform. Every streaming platform will have a basic plan (cheaper subscription per month). If you are a basic user, you will get buffering more frequently. This is due to the ISP throttling. Generally, on-demand titles will have more users. In that time, to provide a smooth experience to a premium user, some streaming platform will downgrade your internet speed. By using a VPN, the streaming platform won’t get your real location and real IP. So, they can’t control your internet speed. You can watch on-demand and live titles without any buffering issues.

Secured connection on Public Network

We tend to use free WiFi in public places like metro stations and cafes. Firestick is the portable device and can be connected to any TV that has an HDMI port, When you are on a vacation, you have your Firestick with you. If you want to use it, you need to connect to free WiFi that is available at the hotel. But those public WiFis are easy to hack. By using VPNs, you can protect your Firestick even from those public networks. Not all VPN will have this feature. Only the premium VPNs and high priced VPNs will have this feature.

Torrenting

This is based on user preference. If you are not a fan of Netflix and other streaming platforms, then you are one who downloads movies from torrent movies and watches them. Though torrenting is legal, the contents and tiles in the torrenting sites are not completely legal. Having said that, you need to protect your identity while torrenting. Every VPN will protect your location and IP. But not all the VPNs are the same. If you want a VPN for torrenting, you need to be more careful with the selection of a VPN. Only the premium level VPN will have the protection for torrenting. In some VPNs, for torrenting alone, it will have specialized servers.

How to Use VPN on Firestick

Now, you know the difference between VPNs and their usage. Using a VPN on Firestick is a simple process just like you connect a VPN on your smartphone.

1. Choose a VPN

2. Install the VPN on your Firestick

3. Set up the VPN

Choose a VPN

Choose a VPN that suits your requirements from Premium, Freemium, or Free VPNs category. While choosing the VPN, check the encryption protocols and the server count. These two factors are the most important while choosing a VPN.

Install the VPN on your Firestick

Now, you need to install the chosen VPN on your Firestick, Most of the Premium and Freemium VPNs will be available on the Amazon App Store. You can install those VPNs without any fuss. If you choose a VPN that is not available in the Amazon App Store, you have to use third-party installers like the Downloader app. Get the VPN download link from the websites like APKPure and APKMirror. With the link, install the VPN using the Downloader app.

Set up the VPN

For a free VPN, there is no setup process. Just open the VPN on your Firestick and click the Connect button. The VPN connection will be established. For Premium and Freemium VPNs, it will ask for account information. Enter the username and password associated with the VPN’s subscription. Based on your location, it will suggest the fastest server. You can choose the faster server or choose any server from the desired country. Click the Connect button and the VPN will be connected.


VPN For Firestick Experts

Our VPN and Firestick experts work tirelessly testing all the VPNs on Firestick devices to provide the best reviews for our readers.

FAQ

Why does my download speed decrease when using a VPN?

Generally, all the VPN will affect your download and upload speed. When using a VPN, all your internet traffic is routed to the virtual location and then reached your real location. During this process, you will experience some slow speeds. No VPN will give you the exact speed of your internet connection.

How to Check if VPN is working on Firestick?

This is an important thing to consider. How do you know if the VPN is working on Firestick? To check this, you need the Mozilla Firefox browser. Install the Firefox browser on your Firestick. Without connecting to the VPN, go to https://iplookup.flagfox.net/. This will display your current location and your real IP address. After that, connect to the VPN and go to the website. Now, it should show the location corresponding to the VPN’s server and a spoof IP address.

By this, you can know if the VPN on your Firestick is working or not. If your VPN fails in this test, you need to change your VPN to some stronger ones.

What does a VPN do?

A VPN will change your location and IP address so that no one will know what you are doing on the internet. You can stay anonymous while browsing. A VPN will protect your private information.

What is the best VPN for Firestick?

The best VPN for Firestick is based on your requirements. If you want a VPN for torrenting, Premium VPN is the best choice. If you want secured browsing, freemium VPN is the best. For basic protection, you can use a free VPN.

Should I use a free VPN on Firestick?

If you want to protect your private information while browsing, you need to use a VPN. The level of protection varies with the VPNs. In the free VPN, you will get basic protection. If you are okay with the protection provided by the free VPNs, you can use any of the free VPN on your Firestick.

Do I need to buy different VPNs for all my devices?

This depends on the VPN you are choosing. In some VPNs, you will get 5 simultaneous connections. In other VPNs, you will get 10 simultaneous connections. Choose a VPN based on how many devices you are having.

How to install VPN on First Gen Fire TV?

There are certain limitations to the First Generation Fire TV model. You can’t use a virtual network on the device. The 1st Gen Fire TV is not compatible with the VPN and its changing location feature. So, you can’t use a VPN on the 1st gen Fire TV model. Instead, you can choose a VPN that can be installed on routers, so that you will get a secure internet connection.