Unfortunately, much of that content is geo-locked, meaning you can’t access channels on the Firestick while abroad. Video libraries are limited due to content licensing agreements, and local sporting events are blacked out due to exclusive broadcast rights. Kodi users streaming from popular add-ons might need a way to hide their activity from their internet service provider.

The solution to all of these issues is to add a VPN to Firestick. Short for virtual private network, a VPN service encrypts the Fire TV’s internet connection and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of the user’s choosing. This can change your IP address, and thus your perceived location, to access geo-locked content from Canada, the UK, Australia, or anywhere else in the world. The encryption vastly improves your privacy and masks your activity from snooping ISPs.

We provide in-depth detail on each of our top selections below, but here’s a summary in case you need to skip ahead.

There are no hidden terms – just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

Criteria for selecting VPN services

  • VPN app available on Fire TV app store or Android APK available for direct download (makes installing much easier)
  • A lightweight app that won’t drag down performance
  • Fast streaming speed and reliable performance
  • Compatible with all Kodi add-ons
  • Bonus points for being able to securely access platforms like Netflix and Hulu

Best VPNs for Firestick and Fire TV – At a glance

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Firestick.

Here is our list of the best VPNs for Firestick and Fire TV:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Works with Fire TVTested Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN has servers optimized for ultra-fast streaming and can securely access US Netflix and Hulu from the Android app. The Panama-based provider holds to a true zero-logs policy and maintains strong security standards. A single subscription nets you six simultaneous and very reliable connections. Tutorials for a wide range of router firmware are available on its website as well.

The NordVPN Android APK is available here (direct download link).

Pros:

Cons:

  • Desktopp apps can take slightly longer to connect

Our score:

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Works with Fire TVTested Jan 2023

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

There are many powerful security features built-in. These include 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch (that automatically stops all internet traffic when you lose connection suddenly), and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. What’s more, users can block ads and malware automatically, or let certain apps bypass the VPN entirely. Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information so your online activities can’t be traced back to you. Live chat-based customer support is on-hand 24/7.

Surfshark has iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux apps. Manual installation is required for use with supported internet routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is an inexpensive yet versatile service, capable of securely accessing plenty of streaming platforms from abroad. It also boasts a dedicated Firestick app, a no-logging privacy policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Good speeds

  • Works with all kinds of services

  • Connect as many devices as you like

  • Strong security and privacy credentials

  • No logs policy

  • Some servers faster than others

Read our full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN boasts the highest standards when it comes to speed and security. It has servers in over 90 countries and is one of the few VPNs that works with American Netflix and Hulu from outside the US. ExpressVPN has a version of its app specifically for Fire TV, which is now available through the official app store on your Firestick. You can easily install it and control the VPN with your stock remote control.

If you have a first-generation Fire TV Stick and want to set up ExpressVPN on your wifi router, ExpressVPN makes custom router firmware you can flash to certain router models, or you can purchase a pre-configured router directly from the company. ExpressVPN subscriptions also come with a smart DNS proxy solution called MediaStreamer, which you can also use to stream geo-locked content. MediaStreamer can be set up in the Fire TV’s settings without the need to install an app.

  • Apps work great with Fire TV Stick

  • Super fast servers are great for streaming

  • High-grade privacy and security

  • 24-hour live chat support, 7 days a week

  • Only permits 5 simultaneous connections

  • Slightly more expensive than others in this list

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

Surfing and connection speeds are great–plenty fast enough for you to stream high-quality video without buffering. CyberGhost has excellent security policies and practices and adheres to a no-logs policy. It operates thousands of servers in more than 90 countries.

Apps are also available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

  • May not be customizable enough for advanced users

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish VPN is a favorite among Kodi users, and for good reason. It offers unlimited bandwidth and data for HD video streaming. Strong encryption and a no-logging policy hide your activity from your internet service provider. IPVanish has a huge network of servers worldwide, so unblocking content shouldn’t be a problem as long as VPN connections aren’t blocked. Subscribers can connect any number of streaming devices at once. The app interface is particularly well-suited for Fire TV and can be used with the Fire TV remote.

UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:IPVanish is a solid choice. Has an app designed specifically for use with the Fire TV or Firestick. Scores highly for privacy and security. A favorite with Kodi users and torrenters. 30-day money back guarantee.

  • A standout favorite among Fire TV Stick and Kodi remote control users

  • Intuitive app user interface works well with remote control use

  • Impressive 4K streaming speeds achieved during testing

  • Completely logless service won’t compromise your privacy

  • Has difficulty unblocking larger streaming services

  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin

Read our full IPVanish review.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

PrivateVPN also uses strong encryption standards on par with its veteran counterparts. It boasts a no-logging policy and allows up to 10 simultaneous and secure connections.

GOOD SPEEDS:PrivateVPN is a good family choice. Comes with a specific Fire TV version of the app. Good for HD Streaming. Allows up to 10 devices on the same account. Could do with having more VPN servers and lacks 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Doesn’t have 24/7 live chat
  • Doesn’t work in China

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. AtlasVPN

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.atlasvpn.com

AtlasVPN is another provider that has a dedicated app for Fire TV and Firestick devices. This app is easy to install and use, and AtlasVPN is one of the few services that works to access Netflix US, iPlayer, Hulu, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and HBO Max.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Those apps come with a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, malware filtering, and split tunneling. The only real caveat is that this VPN does not provide the popular OpenVPN protocol. However, it does have IKEv2 with robust AES-256 encryption which is still completely secure for privacy and security purposes.

Best of all, you can use this VPN on an unlimited number of devices at once. This means you can share the VPN with friends and family, and use it on all your devices whether at home or using public wifi.

  • Fast WireGuard protocol for streaming and gaming

  • Superb Firestick and Fire TV apps

  • No logs policy

  • Works with most popular streaming platforms, including Netflix

  • Easy to use

  • Live chat only available for subscribers

Find out more in our AtlasVPN review.

How to set up a Firestick VPN

Setting up a VPN on your Firestick is a straightforward process, so there’s no need to worry about many techie details!

Here’s how to set up a Firestick VPN

Controlling mouse input on Firestick

Some VPN apps don’t work well with the Fire TV remote and require at least a mouse to use. The obvious solution is to connect a Bluetooth mouse, which is supported by newer versions of the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick.

Another option is to use Mouse Toggle, an app available for iOS and Android. Mouse toggle turns your smartphone into a mouse that can be used to control your Fire TV. It costs $2.99, which is cheaper than buying a physical mouse. You will need to enable ADB Debugging in your Fire TV settings. Instructions are included with the app, and you can be up and running in about five minutes.

Other tips for geo-unblocking on Fire TV

Once you have a VPN enabled on your Fire TV, your newly assigned IP address should allow you to unblock most geographically restricted content. However, certain apps and streaming sources might require a few more steps.

Change DNS settings on Fire TV

Some users, particularly those using their Fire TV devices with a VPN set up on a virtual or physical router, have had issues with changing their location to unblock geo-locked content. This is possibly due to the Fire TV sending DNS requests outside of the VPN tunnel.

The solution is to change your Fire TV’s DNS settings. Check with your VPN provider to see if they have a DNS address you can use. If not, we recommend finding a DNS address for your desired country from OpenNIC.

You will need the IP address of your wifi router. This is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.

With the DNS address and router IP in hand, do the following:

  • When you connect to your wifi network for the first time (use the Forget Network function if you’ve connected previously), on the menu where you enter your wifi password, click on Advanced.
  • Enter your router IP address, but change the last digit. It can be anything that isn’t already assigned between 2 and 255. An example would be 192.168.1.100
  • Enter your router IP address under Gateway.
  • Under Network Prefix Length, enter 24
  • Under DNS1 and DNS2, enter your primary and alternative DNS addresses
  • Click Connect

Change your timezone on Fire TV

To access some geo-locked content, your device’s timezone might need to align with the country from which you’re streaming video.

Here’s how to change your time zone on a Fire TV:

  • From the Home menu, scroll down and select Settings

  • Select System > Time Zone

  • Select Time Zone and choose the time zone for your desired country

  • Click Your Account > Manage your content and devices

  • Click the Settings tab

  • Under Country settings, click the Change button

  • Enter your US address. If you don’t have one, just Google the address of a hotel or something

  • Click Update

Check out our full explainer post If you’d like to find out more about how we test VPNs.

Disclaimer: Although we’ve thoroughly researched this topic, we are not legal experts. As such, nothing said above should be taken as legal advice. If there’s any doubt about whether using a VPN is legal in your country, we suggest consulting the relevant local laws beforehand.

  • ExpressVPN (global)
  • Kodi (global)
  • Netflix (global, but video library vary by country)
  • BBC iPlayer (UK)
  • Hulu (USA)
  • HBO Max (USA)
  • Disney+ (USA)
  • Paramount+ (USA)
  • Crunchyroll (global, but video library varies by country)
  • Cinema APK (global)
  • CatMouse APK (global)
  • Typhoon TV (global)
  • CyberFlix TV (global)
  • Stremio (global)
  • Spotify (global, but music library varies by country)
  • Crackle (USA)
  • CraveTV (Canada)
  • Sling TV - (USA)
  • FuboTV - (USA, Canada, Spain)
  • Pluto TV (24 countries)

However, as we state in our VPN speed test methodology, there are a lot of variables involved which is why you shouldn’t make a decision purely from our speed tests. The speed of different VPN providers is a fluid situation which can change at short notice.