If you are utilizing an Amazon Fire TV Stick, it is recommended that you utilize a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN is an effective solution for safeguarding your privacy, bypassing geo-blocking on streaming services, and avoiding being treated like a data-generating farm animal by advertisers.
The era of anonymous television viewing with rabbit ears, which has become a thing of the past, has been replaced by a new age of intelligent surveillance due to smart TVs. Your media consumption habits can be tracked by your Internet service provider, government agencies, and other prying individuals, similar to any other Internet-connected device in your household. Securing your privacy is relatively straightforward for Fire TV Stick users with the aid of the top VPN services available for this device.
To safeguard your privacy and overcome geo-restrictions, it is recommended to use a VPN in conjunction with your Amazon Fire TV Stick. Notably, a number of VPN providers have developed applications for the latest versions of the Fire Stick. These apps can be found in the VPN app store, akin to other streaming apps such as Hulu and Showtime.
It is worth noting that my top VPN recommendations for the Fire TV Stick are also considered the top three VPN providers, as they have demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the testing and evaluation process. Furthermore, these VPN providers support a wide range of operating systems and devices, which is an important factor I consider while making my selections.
The selection of a streaming service compatible with a Fire TV Stick is a complex process that necessitates the consideration of several factors, such as speed, compatibility, and privacy. In this regard, it is recommended to refrain from using a free VPN on a Fire TV Stick and instead opt for a trusted and tested paid VPN with reasonable pricing options.
Surfshark, despite its comparatively smaller server network, offers unparalleled speed and functionality, making it an ideal choice for those with a preference for internet-connected smart home devices. Additionally, it supports an unlimited number of devices and does not limit connectivity options on Fire TV Sticks, distinguishing it from other providers.
In my recent speed test, Surfshark demonstrated a loss of less than 17 percent of internet speed media, outperforming its competitors. Even after encrypting and obfuscating data, bouncing it across servers in different countries, and channeling it back to the user’s location, Surfshark maintains high-quality live streaming content in maximum delay-free resolution, making it an excellent choice for users who wish to access their preferred news app while living abroad.
Surfshark’s Chrome and Firefox extensions were evaluated for privacy by Cure 53, a German security firm, with positive results. The encryption options offered by Surfshark are on par with its competitors, with IKEv2 being the default encryption option for its Fire TV Stick app, ensuring compatibility with smart TVs. To mitigate the risk of data loss outside of the VPN tunnel in the event of a VPN connection failure, users may enable the kill switch option on their Fire TV device.
Moreover, Surfshark is well-known for its capacity to bypass geo-blocking on streaming platforms such as Netflix. It offers a Multihop option that conceals the user’s connection through more countries than normal desktop options, which is also available on the Amazon Fire TV app.
When considering the features of Surfshark VPN, its fast speeds and robust privacy measures are noteworthy. Compared to other VPN providers, ExpressVPN offers the most affordable subscription option. Unlike several other VPN services, Surfshark does not offer an annual plan. To obtain the most cost-effective deal, one must pay $60 in advance for a two-year plan, which costs $2.49 per month. Alternatively, a six-month plan costs $6.49 per month, while a month-to-month plan costs $13. It is recommended that you take advantage of the service’s 30-day free trial. If you opt for the two-year plan, it is prudent to set a reminder in 23 months to determine whether you can continue to enjoy the discounted price.
NordVPN is regarded as the final boss that every first-time VPN user must face. It is known for its ability to provide solutions to any issues that may arise. For example, if your VPN connection is faster, NordVPN will work to increase its fleet size to keep up. Additionally, NordVPN has enhanced its infrastructure to include a 100% RAM disk and bare metal and co-located servers in response to its 2019 security breach. Furthermore, NordVPN’s advertising arsenal and readiness to lower prices to dominate the market, even when competing with established competitors like ExpressVPN, are factors that must be considered.
According to the latest rankings, ExpressVPN is currently rated higher than NordVPN as one of the best all-around VPNs. However, NordVPN’s consistency provides it with an edge over ExpressVPN when it comes to the Fire TV Stick. During my experience with NordVPN, I found its connection speeds to be satisfactory. The VPN did not have any sudden service drops or interruptions, and it performed well even when I expected it to falter. Streaming large amounts of data media content from providers like HBO Max requires a high level of dependability, and NordVPN delivers in that regard.
NordVPN’s network provides six simultaneous connections, which is more than most other providers offer (five or fewer). Moreover, users can opt for a dedicated IP address to establish a more advanced VPN connection. To ensure privacy, NordVPN includes a kill switch and an option to use the VPN while using Tor. During my review, I did not find any security flaws in the system.
In my most recent speed test, NordVPN’s performance was on par with that of many of its competitors, with a reduction in media streaming speed of 53%. This is slower than the 32% reduction reported in the previous speed test. While ExpressVPN is working towards improving its performance, NordVPN remains a strong contender.
NordVPN offers a two-year subscription plan, which costs $3.75 per month ($90 in total). While the one-year plan costs $4.92 per month ($59 in total), the monthly plan is more expensive at $12 per month. However, the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN faced challenges in 2020, despite being the fastest VPN in my 2019 test. In my most recent test, the VPN provider recorded an overall loss of 52% of my normal internet speeds, which is significantly slower than its 2019 score (an incredibly fast 2% speed loss). However, ExpressVPN has expanded its network of VPN servers and moved to a new protocol based on Wireguard, which could help it regain its position as a front-runner in the industry.
ExpressVPN’s zero-tree trunk policy has been verified by authorities who seized their VPN server, establishing the company’s reputation for providing secure privacy. ExpressVPN has further enhanced its privacy measures by shifting all servers to RAM discs. The VPN’s setup guides and FAQs provide comprehensive information and are of high quality.
ExpressVPN offers a profit-kill switch, similar to other leading VPN services. The company’s support for Bitcoin as a payment method provides an additional layer of privacy during checkout, setting it apart from other VPN service providers.
Despite the seizure of its servers as part of a global murder investigation, ExpressVPN has earned its good name. Fast VPN servers are available in 94 countries across a large network, and the company has been in operation since 2009. The most cost-effective annual subscription plan is priced under $7 a month, including three months at no additional cost.
It should be noted that the price of ExpressVPN will be raised by Surfshark. However, given its superior performance compared to most other VPNs in this category, the increase in price is worth it.
We propose the following three services that are highly recommended for your consideration for Amazon Fire TV or another device. However, the Fire TV platform offers additional services that can be accessed as downloadable applications.
