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.

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.

List of Top Premium VPN’s

NordVPN

NordVPN is the most used and the best VPN. It has 5027 servers in 59 countries. In the US alone, the VPN has 2174 servers. The subscription starts at $11.95 per month, if you choose long term plans, you can minimize the subscription up to $3.49 per month. With one subscription, you can use the VPN on 6 devices. It can be used for torrenting, bypass geo-restriction on streaming platforms. With AES-256 bit encryption, your data will be secured. With the six device access, you can use the VPN on all of your smart devices. It can be easily installed on any routers to give a secured internet connection.

IPvanishVPN

IPVanish VPN is a bit less secured VPN when compared to NordPVN and ExpressVPN. It has 1400 servers in 75+ countries. The best thing in IPVanish VPN is that with one subscription, you can use the VPN on 10 devices. You can get additional things like SugarSync (250GB Encrypted Cloud Storage) and more in IPVanish VPN. The subscription starts at $10.00 per month and goes as minimum as $6.49 per month for long term plans. The encryption protocols are the same as the NordVPN.

Surfshark VPN

Based on the British Virgin Islands, Surfshark VPN is one of the secured VPN to use. The VPN has 1040 servers in more than 60 countries. The VPN has the built-in ad blocker and Kill Switch option. The standout thing about Surfshark VPN is that with one subscription you can use the VPN on any number on devices. The VPN has a feature called MultiHop, to connect to multiple countries at once. MultiHop is mostly used for torrenting purposes. With the multiple country switching, you will get slower download speeds.

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.

List of Top Freemium VPN’s

Hotspot Shield VPN

The Hotspot Shield VPN has a server in 80 countries and with one subscription you can use the VPN on 5 devices. You will also get a password manager (1Passowrd) to secure all your usernames and passwords. in the free plan, you can use the VPN for up to 500 MB per day, only one US server, and download speed of to 2 MBPS. The subscription starts at $95.99 for one year. With the subscription, you can get access to all the servers and use the VPN without any data limitations.

Hola VPN

Hola VPN has the most number, around 1500 servers around the world. In the free service, you will get access to only 500 servers and simultaneous connections up to 3 devices. The subscription starts at $14.99 per month. With the subscription, you will get access to all the servers and simultaneous connections up to 10 devices.

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.

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 contents, 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.

• Online Surveillance
• Geo-restriction
• ISP Throttling
• Secured connection on Public Network
• Torrenting

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.

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 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.

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.

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

• Choose a VPN
• Install the VPN on your Firestick
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions