Best VPN for Fire Stick 2024: Streaming speeds tested

We’ve extensively tested over 70 providers to come up with this selection of the best Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for Fire Stick devices in 2024. 

The Amazon Fire Stick provides access to a vast digital content library, and connecting to a VPN service can enhance and protect your streaming experience. 

Our top recommendation as the best Fire Stick VPN for securely accessing content is NordVPN, and with a selection of best-in-class security features it’s also our best VPN for privacy. Surfshark proved itself to be a top selection in terms of speeds and affordability throughout our testing process, while ExpressVPN enables you to securely stream via numerous popular platforms when you’re travelling abroad.

Most VPNs offer dedicated apps for Amazon Fire Stick, which are easy to set up and use. Fire Stick VPNs don’t have to break the bank, but we wouldn’t recommend using a free VPN because they usually come with bandwidth caps that make streaming virtually impossible. In comparison, our best-value VPN service costs less than £2 per month for a two-year plan.   

We’ve thoroughly researched and tested dozens of providers, looking at their security, speeds, streaming, and performance, as well as comparing prices to determine the best VPN for Fire Stick right now.

With a larger number of servers, located all over the world, each of these VPNs boasts great performance and privacy features, retaining a high percentage of download speed, making them ideal for streaming and using all your favourite Fire Stick apps.

NordVPN has over 6,000 servers located in 61 countries, and it’s particularly effective when it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions and unblocking streaming platforms – this makes it a superb choice for the Amazon Fire Stick, and many other devices. For example, it works with a long list of UK-based streaming services, and the same goes if you’re subscribed to popular platforms in English-speaking regions like the US and Australia. 

The provider takes its users’ privacy seriously and it has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited. This is definitely something to look for when picking a VPN for your Fire Stick. Rather than taking the provider at its word in terms of any logs collected, an independent audit ensures that your data remains safe at all times, having been verified by third-party experts. In this instance, NordVPN has been audited by Deloitte.

With NordVPN’s app for Fire Stick, there’s a choice of two protocols – OpenVPN and NordLynx  – with the latter being Nord’s in-house version of WireGuard. Its servers use AES-256 encryption and its unique Meshnet feature allows you to link devices with encrypted tunnels to essentially create your own VPN connection. 

NordVPN is our top recommendation for a variety of different reasons. Speeds are impressive, with UK servers averaging 330Mbps during the latest round of testing with the NordLynx protocol. For example, BBC iPlayer recommends ‘a little more bandwidth’ than 5Mbps for a smooth experience, so you won’t have to worry about slowdown while connected to UK locations. Every location we tested was fast enough for lag-free streaming.

The provider has a split tunnelling feature that allows you to choose which of your Fire Stick apps to route through the VPN tunnel, and which to ignore. 

A single NordVPN account can be used with up to six devices at the same time. Along with a capable Fire Stick app, you’ll find further support for desktop and mobile devices, offering a long list of advanced features. This includes Double VPN, Smart DNS support, and Threat Protection, which guards against malware, trackers, and ads. Unfortunately, some of these features can’t be found with the Fire Stick version of the software, but it’s still a great pick for secure streaming.

NordVPN ticks every box in terms of speeds, security, privacy, and streaming capabilities for Fire Stick users. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you’ll be able to test it for yourself at no risk.

There’s a lot to like about Surfshark, and its Fire Stick app delivers a premium service for an affordable price. You’ll find its Amazon Fire Stick app mirrors those of its VPN for Android and VPN for Mac – which means all of the privacy features are included as standard. 

The provider offers fast download and upload speeds, and a trio of industry-leading VPN protocols – WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN. Surfshark’s unlimited device connections allow you to install its VPN app on as many Fire TV/streaming devices as you wish, which is always a welcome addition.

Performance is another positive for Surfshark, with UK-to-UK server speeds reaching 420Mbps during testing. Once again, this is ideal for streaming content, and it works well with various popular platforms that have Fire Stick apps. The provider advertises the ability to access services like Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, Hotstar, YLE Areena, and AbemaTV, and that’s only a sliver of the selection on offer. 

Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption while adhering to an independently audited no-logs policy that ensures user data is never stored or shared. With Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature, you can use the Firestick app while blocking ads, trackers and malware. The Bypasser feature is Surfshark’s version of split tunnelling, whereby you can choose which apps to route through the encrypted VPN tunnel and select apps to bypass it.

Surfshark offers a diverse range of privacy features and it’s one of the fastest VPNs for Fire Stick. The app is easy to use and connection speeds are comparable to normal browsing speeds, making it an excellent choice for unblocking streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ when travelling abroad, and its features offer a good level of security and privacy. Best of all, it’s available at an affordable price, and you’ll be able to connect to the VPN with every device you own.

Score: ★★★★

Read our full Surfshark VPN review.

You’ll be glad to hear that ExpressVPN’s dedicated Fire TV app is just as good as the desktop and mobile versions in terms of privacy features. ExpressVPN gives you access to over 3,000 worldwide servers in 105 countries and the service works especially well with smart TV apps. 

The number of servers and the locations on offer are important factors to consider when buying a Fire Stick VPN, especially if you wish to access geo-restricted content and streaming platforms when travelling abroad. For instance, UK VPN servers must be used for UK streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, while a location in the US is ideal for services like Hulu, Max, and ESPN. 

In that respect, ExpressVPN is a streaming powerhouse, giving the user access to a wide range of platforms without pause. It might lack dedicated streaming servers, but it’s consistently able to come up with the goods.

The provider’s Fire Stick app uses AES-256 encryption, and the company follows a strict no-log policy that has been independently audited by PwC. Your personal data will be safe and secure, while ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. 

Speeds are relatively nippy, even if the proprietary Lightway protocol was slightly slower (229Mbps) than the competition when testing UK servers. Again, this still exceeds the minimum recommendations for streaming by a wide margin, with Netflix advising that speeds of 15Mbps or higher can be used for UHD content. 

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers available for Amazon Fire Stick and we have to agree that it’s a solid solution. It’s beginner-friendly, while you’ll have access to a network offering IP addresses in 105+ countries.

However, it is worth noting that ExpressVPN’s subscription is expensive and its internet speeds were not as fast as Surfshark or NordVPN in our latest tests. As such, it’s currently placed in third, even if it’s still a worthwhile option for anyone in need of a dependable and intuitive Fire Stick VPN.

Score: ★★★★½

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

CyberGhost is a viable solution for anyone who wants to get the most from a provider with a clear focus on streaming support. It offers a massive network of 11,000+ servers located worldwide, as well as a content blocker that works to remove ads, trackers and malware, making this a good choice of VPN for Fire Stick apps.

You’ll be happy to hear that it’s on the more affordable end of the scale, while it’s put considerable effort into accessing almost any streaming platform you can think of. It has labelled servers within the app, corresponding with various popular services for easy access. For example, it has specific streaming servers for services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube TV, Max, and Hulu. That’s without factoring in for UK streaming services, and many others located worldwide. Best of all, if you’ve never used a VPN before, it’s especially easy to get to grips with. 

Performance is highly impressive, further highlighting that CyberGhost is perfect if you’re predominantly planning to use a provider for streaming purposes. Coming in at 471Mbps, you’ll struggle to find a speedier alternative available for a similar price. In theory, you could have multiple 4K tabs running at the same time, and CyberGhost wouldn’t let you down. 

The provider has two VPN protocols on its dedicated Fire Stick app – WireGuard and OpenVPN – as well as using AES-256 encryption. There’s also the option to split tunnel your Fire Stick apps and choose which ones to route through the VPN and those to run outside of it. 

CyberGhost’s dedicated Fire Stick VPN app does come with a good level of security and its privacy features are useful. It’s great for streaming, and it’s reasonably affordable if you’re looking at longer deals. Speeds are excellent, and it’s easy to use. 

As for downsides, a lack of Onion over VPN or obfuscated servers are unlikely to bother many Fire Stick users. Be aware that one-month subscriptions only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you won’t have as long to test the service as alternatives listed above.

Score: ★★★★

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

Proton VPN offers both a paid and free subscription. Unfortunately, while Proton’s trio of free server locations can be used to connect to Fire Stick devices without having to worry about a bandwidth cap, you won’t have access to streaming support unless you opt for the paid version of the software. It has over 3,800 premium servers in 85+ countries in an ever-expanding worldwide network, and it works with lots of popular streaming platforms.

Paid Proton VPN plans allow for 10 simultaneous connections, and the provider has open-source apps for every device you can think of. You’ll also benefit from faster server speeds, with UK locations exceeding 400Mbps during testing. In other words, it’s another viable solution if you need a VPN for streaming securely with your Fire Stick.

It uses AES-256 encryption and follows a no-logs policy, which has been independently audited. The provider has a choice of three VPN protocols, although we weren’t able to find an option to change our selection on the Fire Stick app.  

Proton VPN’s dedicated Fire Stick app was easy to use and the interface clearly displays all of the provider’s server locations. However, beyond selecting a server there wasn’t much else to do. For example, there were no options to customise protocols or turn on other privacy features like split tunnelling. It’s a shame, given the VPN is known for the many advanced features found with its desktop and mobile apps.

Proton VPN is a secure and reliable service with excellent speeds and a good reputation within the industry. It comes with lots of available servers located worldwide. However, when we tested its Amazon Fire Stick app, there were no options to customise privacy features, which was disappointing compared to alternatives listed above, particularly as some of them offer cheaper subscription options.

Score: ★★★★

Read our full Proton VPN review.

The best Fire Stick VPNs compared

To find out which VPN is best for Fire Stick, there are a few important factors to consider before rushing out to make a purchase. 

Internet speeds are important when streaming, so choosing a VPN that doesn’t affect your connection too much is crucial for a good experience. Privacy features such as split tunnelling and the use of AES-256 bit encryption are a must. A VPN with a split tunnelling feature allows you to choose to route some apps outside of your VPN, which will free up more bandwidth and allow for faster internet speeds while watching video content. 

Regardless of privacy and security features, a VPN shouldn’t break the bank, so it’s worth checking to see if another provider offers similar features for a more cost-effective price. If you only plan to use a VPN for secure streaming, various cheap VPNs are likely to fit the bill.

There are a lot of good, reputable VPN providers that cost less than a cup of coffee when you break the up-front payment into monthly instalments. Of course, you’ll find free VPNs listed on the Amazon Appstore, but we would highly recommend avoiding those – more on that later. 

While many VPNs have a wide selection of features to pick from, the same can’t be said for most Fire Stick VPN apps. Given the majority of users are focused on streaming support, it does make sense to offer a pared-down experience that ensures access to the fastest speeds.

A Fire Stick VPN has two functions – privacy and unblocking streaming content. With that being said, while testing out various providers we found ourselves creating a list of VPNs we wouldn’t recommend for Fire Stick. 

Windscribe is the first on that list. The service is not great at unblocking geo-restricted content, and some servers that were situated far away from the UK were virtually unusable when streaming. We also wouldn’t recommend HMA, TunnelBear or VPN Secure, all of which are fairly basic, have a limited choice of servers and did not cope well with streaming during our testing.

When purchasing a VPN for your Fire Stick, paying close attention to the small print and understanding exactly what you’re signing up for is essential. 

• Price transparency: while many VPNs advertise low monthly rates, these are often based on long-term contracts, which require payment in full up front. Make sure you understand the full cost for the contract duration before you commit, and look out for any potential hidden fees
• Contract length: VPNs often offer significant discounts for longer-term subscriptions, but ensure you’re comfortable with the commitment
• Free trials: VPN free trials can be a great way to try out a service without committing fully. However, be sure to read the fine print – some services may require you to cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged
• Automatic renewals: some VPN services automatically renew your contract at the end of the term, and that renewal price may be higher than you were paying for the first term 
• Cancellation policy: understand the provider’s cancellation policy. Some services might not offer a prorated refund if you cancel your service before the contract ends. A good provider will offer a money-back guarantee so you can cancel for a refund if you’re not happy with the service – this is usually 30 days, but can be as high as 45 days, as is the case with CyberGhost’s longer subscriptions
• Additional services: VPN providers may try to bundle additional services or features for an extra cost, so be clear on what’s included in your package and whether you actually need the extras

While NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN performed well, CyberGhost proved to be the fastest VPN in the latest round of testing. Remember, a VPN is unlikely to boost connection speeds. Instead, the encryption process can lead to some slowdown, so it’s a good idea to pick a speedy provider for the best results.

Reasons to use a VPN with your Fire Stick will vary, but the main objectives tend to be privacy, ISP throttling, and streaming. Fire Stick devices only come with standard privacy and security features, which means third parties, like your internet service provider (ISP), can still track your online activity. With a VPN, you can protect your IP address as well as make use of other security features, such as ad, tracker and malware blockers.

ISP throttling is when your internet service provider is aware that you’re using streaming platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer or Hulu, and attempts to slow down your internet speed as a consequence. A VPN for Fire Stick encrypts your online activities and therefore keeps your ISP in the dark, as they can only see that you’re connected to the VPN server.

Fire Stick VPNs can also help you to securely access content so you can enjoy all of your favourite shows when you’re travelling abroad.

Our top three recommended best Fire Stick VPN apps also include enhanced features, such as split tunnelling, which allow you to route your streaming services through the secure VPN tunnel while sending other traffic through your regular internet connection, which could help speed up your VPN while watching live content.

Each of the providers mentioned above allows for multiple simultaneous connections. As such, you’ll be able to protect all of your devices using a single account.

Consider the following features when purchasing a VPN to use on your Fire Stick: 

• Compatibility: make sure the provider has a Fire Stick app – preferably with at least a few features found with mobile and desktop versions 
• Security: make sure your VPN service has a good level of encryption – ideally AES-256 – and a variety of protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2
• Privacy: choose a VPN that follows a no-logs policy that has been independently audited
• Speed: select a VPN with lots of speedy servers available worldwide 
• Money-back guarantee: ensure the VPN has a simple money-back guarantee; this way you’ll be able to test it out for yourself

To set up a VPN on your Fire Stick, follow these steps: 

1. Choose a VPN provider: pick a VPN that has the features you need. Sign up with the service using any compatible device
2. Download the VPN from the Fire Stick Apps menu: go to the Apps menu, search for the VPN provider you’ve chosen and click download
3. Install and launch the app: sign in to your VPN account and follow the configuration process
4. Connect to the VPN: choose a server location and turn on any other privacy and security features

While there are plenty of free VPNs available on the Amazon Appstore, they usually come with limitations, such as restricted data use, and don’t support streaming, which renders them practically useless for a Fire Stick.

Free VPNs most likely won’t be as secure, and some have been found to harvest user data themselves. Many free VPNs also don’t tend to have as many privacy features as paid versions and are less likely to be encrypted with AES-256.

Our reviewers are dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and up-to-date information so you can make an informed decision when it comes to buying a VPN for your Fire Stick. We will only recommend a service after hours of testing, head-to-head feature comparisons, and after taking into account verified customer feedback and reviews and the opinions of industry experts.

Our review scores are determined the following categories:

• Privacy and performance (30%)
• Features and functionality (30%)
• Reputation and credibility (25%)
• Plans and pricing/value (10%)
• Customer experience (5%)

We research and test a total of 25 elements within these categories including:

• Number and location of servers
• Streaming service accessibility
• Security features such as AES-256
• Performance (upload, download, latency)
• Value for money, guarantees, and customer service
• Independent server-site security audits

All of our VPN articles are fact-checked by our in-house team, so you can be assured that our content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Find out more about how we review VPNs here.

The data in this review is reported from a neutral stance and should be used for informational purposes only. We review VPN services from the perspective of:

• The quality of the product based on the security and privacy it affords the user
• User experience of the application(s)
• Connection speeds, and overall performance in terms of reliability
• Level and quality of customer service

Independent Advisor strongly recommends that you follow the local laws in your region whilst using a VPN. We do not condone the use of a VPN to bypass copyright restrictions, or to stream content without a valid subscription in your current region. Make sure to comply with any and all applicable laws and regulations whilst using a VPN with streaming services, and any other relevant platforms.