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Best Free VPN for Firestick

Illustration of a TV running Fire TV

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.

Fact-checked by JP JonesAdditional Testing by Luke Williams

EXPERT ADVICE: Most free Firestick VPNs are unsafe. We strongly recommend using a premium VPN like ExpressVPN to unblock streaming apps and hide Kodi/IPTV activity from your ISP. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days.

The best Firestick VPN apps prevent third parties, like internet service providers (ISPs) and copyright trolls, from snooping on your streaming activity.

A VPN on your Fire TV Stick hides your IP address so you can watch Kodi and IPTV streams anonymously. The best VPN services even unblock geo-restricted TV shows, movies, and live sporting events.

What Is the Best Free VPN for Firestick in 2024?

Based on our streaming tests, the best 100% free VPN apps for Fire TV Stick with no subscription are:

  1. Windscribe Free: Best Totally Free VPN for Fire Stick. Unblocks 6 Netflix Regions and BBC iPlayer
  2. Proton VPN Free: Fastest Free VPN for Fire TV Stick with Unlimited Data Usage
  3. Hide.me Free: Most Private Free Fire TV Stick VPN

The best completely free VPN for Firestick is Windscribe. The free VPN’s Fire TV Stick app offers adequate streaming speeds, optimal privacy and security settings, and good unblocking capabilities. You’ll be limited to only 10GB of free data each month, though.

While you may not want to pay for a VPN, sadly many free VPNs are insecure, and some are even dangerous. Moreover, many free VPNs don’t have a native app for Firestick.

The VPNs we recommend in this guide are completely free, reasonably fast, and safe to use. They’re also easy to set up on Fire TV devices.

All free Firestick VPNs have limitations, though. Either they restrict data usage, don’t unblock streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, or they block P2P streams.

In short, free Firestick VPN apps simply don’t perform as well as the overall best VPNs for Fire TV Stick.

Why Trust Us?

We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our ratings are based on our own testing results and are unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.

VPNs Tested With Firestick65
VPNs with Fire TV Apps36
Streaming Services Tested97

Detailed List of the Best Free VPNs for Firestick

  1. 1. Windscribe Free: Best Free VPN for Firestick

    The best free VPN for Firestick. Unblocks UK Netflix & BBC iPlayer.

    Ranked #1 Free VPN for Firestick
    The Windscribe VPN app running on two mobiles; one displaying connection options, the other connected to a New York server.Visit Windscribe

    • Well-designed Fire TV Stick VPN app
    • Fast speeds on nearby servers
    • Streams UK Netflix & BBC iPlayer
    • No user web logs and no IP address leaks
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • No subscription needed

    • 10GB data cap is limiting for streaming
    • No human live chat support
    • Slower international speeds

    Free VPN for Firestick Rating: 8.2/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Firestick VPN testing methodology.

    • 7.8/10
    • 8.5/10
    • 8.8/10
    • 8.1/10
    • 7.4/10

    Windscribe Free is the best free VPN we’ve tested for Fire TV Stick. It’s a well-designed Firestick VPN app that’s easy to install and use.

    Also, the free VPN’s connection speeds are reasonably fast, particularly when connecting to nearby servers.

    Windscribe Free's VPN app for firestick

    Data Cap10GB
    Download SpeediDownload SpeedBased on 100Mbps local test connection90Mbps
    Countries with Servers11
    Servers11
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    SupportEmail & Online Resources Only
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosmacOS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. androidAndroid
    5. iosiOS

    Streams UK Netflix and supports P2P traffic

    Best of all, the free version of Windscribe unblocks 6 Netflix libraries and BBC iPlayer. No other (safe) free VPN can do this on Firestick.

    The VPN service also supports P2P traffic on all its free servers. This means you can use Windscribe with P2P-based streaming apps, too.

    Windscribe Free Fire TV Stick App

    Moreover, Windscribe uses AES-256 encryption to secure your internet connection. The app doesn’t log user activity, and it doesn’t leak your real IP or DNS credentials.

    10GB monthly usage cap

    The only downside to using Windscribe Free is its 10GB monthly data cap.

    While it’s a generous allowance compared to free VPNs like TunnelBear and Avira, it limits the amount of streaming you can do. Try streaming in Standard Definition to maximize your monthly bandwidth.

    Overall, Windscribe’s free VPN app is excellent for Firestick. It’s ideal for Fire TV users who are not prepared to buy a paid Firestick VPN.

  2. 2. Proton VPN Free: Fastest Free VPN for Firestick

    The only safe free Firestick VPN with no data usage limits.

    Screenshot of Proton VPN's mobile appVisit Proton VPN

    • The fastest streaming speeds on Firestick
    • Unlimited bandwidth policy
    • Easy-to-use Fire TV application
    • Privacy-friendly logging policy
    • Excellent security features
    • No registration required

    • Doesn’t unblock geo-restricted apps
    • Torrenting not allowed on free servers
    • Only three free server locations available

    Free VPN for Firestick Rating: 8.0/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Firestick VPN testing methodology.

    • 8.1/10
    • 1.0/10
    • 9.4/10
    • 9.0/10
    • 0.0/10

    Proton VPN is the second-best free VPN application for Fire TV Stick. It’s the only safe free VPN with no data usage limits, and is also the fastest we’ve tested on our Fire TV Stick.

    If it wasn’t for its inability to unblock streaming apps and its ban on P2P traffic, Proton VPN’s free app would be our #1 free recommendation.

    Proton VPN Free's app for Fire TV

    Data CapUnlimited
    Download SpeediDownload SpeedBased on 100Mbps local test connection98Mbps
    Countries with Servers3
    Servers200
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    SupportEmail & Online Resources Only
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosmacOS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. androidAndroid
    5. iosiOS

    No bandwidth restrictions

    What sets Proton VPN apart is that it doesn’t have any data usage caps in place. Once installed, you can use the VPN as much as you want.

    This unlimited bandwidth policy is the reason why we picked the VPN as the best alternative to Windscribe for Firestick.

    In addition to the limitless data allowance, Proton VPN also delivered faster speeds than any other free VPN for Fire TV Stick.

    Connecting to nearby server locations, our internet speed only dropped by 2% compared to Windscribe’s 10%.

    Very secure and private

    Proton VPN comes with AES-256 encryption and built-in IP and DNS leak protection, which kept our true IP and DNS information hidden during testing.

    Also, the VPN’s servers don’t log any personal session or web usage data. This has been verified by an independent no-logs security audit.

    No Netflix and no P2P activity

    Sadly, Proton VPN doesn’t unblock any major streaming app including US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and BBC iPlayer.

    The VPN service also doesn’t allow peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic on its free servers. This is problematic, as it could get in way of streaming some P2P-based Kodi add-ons.

    Having said that, it should easily stream IP multicast IPTV apps.

    In short, Proton VPN is good for users in need of a free VPN with unlimited data. Just remember that it won’t unblock geo-restricted video apps, and it’ll block P2P activity.

  3. 3. Hide.me Free: Most Private Free VPN for Firestick

    Very private free VPN for Firestick with high encryption standards.

    Hide.me mobile screenshotsVisit Hide.me

    • User-friendly Fire TV Stick VPN app
    • Doesn't log any user internet data
    • AES-256 encrypted connections
    • Additional privacy settings
    • 10GB monthly data limit policy

    • Doesn't unblock Netflix USA
    • Slow international speeds
    • Only 7 VPN server locations
    • No live chat
    • P2P activity no longer permitted

    Free VPN for Firestick Rating: 5.0/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Firestick VPN testing methodology.

    • 7.1/10
    • 2.0/10
    • 1.0/10
    • 8.5/10
    • 0.0/10

    Hide.me Free isn’t perfect, but like Windscribe and Proton VPN, it’s one of the few secure free VPNs with a Fire TV Stick app.

    It’s currently the most private free VPN application we’ve tested. It has a privacy-oriented logging policy, and several additional security settings other free VPNs lack.

    Hide.Me's free VPN app for Fire TV

    Data Cap10GB
    Download SpeediDownload SpeedBased on 100Mbps local test connection1Mbps
    Countries with Servers7
    ServersNot Disclosed
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    SupportLive Chat
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosmacOS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. androidAndroid
    5. iosiOS

    Secure Free VPN for Streaming

    Hide.me is a very safe and private free VPN. It’s virtually no-logs, uses AES-256 encryption, and comes with DNS and IPv6 leak blocking, as well as a VPN kill switch.

    However, Torrenting and P2P traffic is no longer allowed on its free VPN servers, which is hugely disappointing.

    Using Hide.me's Fire TV Stick App

    Limited Bandwidth

    Like Windscribe, Hide.me enforces a 10GB monthly data usage policy. That equates to roughly 10 hours of streaming, which isn’t much.

    If having unlimited data is essential for you, then Proton VPN is the better choice. Or, you can upgrade to Hide.me’s premium VPN service.

    Doesn't work with US Netflix

    Sadly, the free version of Hide.me doesn’t work with US Netflix, and other popular streaming applications. This is partly due to the very limited server network available to free users.

    All in all, Hide.me free VPN is a good alternative to Windscribe and Proton VPN. As long as you don’t care about unblocking streaming apps.

The Overall Best Firestick VPN Apps Analyzed

  1. 1. IPVanish: Best VPN for Firestick Overall

    The absolute best Firestick VPN, with fast speeds and a dedicated app for Fire TV Stick.

    The #1 VPN for Firestick Overall
    IPVanish VPNVisit IPVanish

    • Fast and smooth HD/4K streaming
    • Over 40,000 anonymous IP addresses
    • Works with Kodi and IPTV apps
    • P2P streams allowed on all servers
    • No-logs policy
    • Quick and simple setup

    • Doesn't work with Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max
    • Kill switch has to be activated on separate app
    • Slower than ExpressVPN on long distance connections

    VPN for Firestick Rating: 9.5/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Firestick VPN testing methodology.

    • 9.8/10
    • 9.1/10
    • 9.8/10
    • 9.6/10
    • 9.2/10

    IPVanish is the best premium VPN for Amazon Fire TV Stick thanks to its fast speeds, P2P support, and dedicated Fire TV Stick app.

    The VPN offers unlimited data, a no-logs policy, and one of the best-designed Fire TV apps we’ve seen. It also has plenty of Firestick and Kodi-specific features.

    Sadly, IPVanish isn’t the best at unblocking geo-restricted video apps. In our latest tests, the VPN couldn’t unblock HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video.

    IPVanish's VPN app for Fire TV

    Cheapest Price$2.75/mo over 2 years See all plans
    Download SpeediDownload SpeedBased on 100Mbps local test connection95Mbps
    Countries with Servers53
    Servers2,200
    Logging PolicyNo Logs
    Support24/7 Live Chat
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosmacOS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. chromeosChromeOS
    5. androidAndroid
    6. iosiOS

    Well-designed app for Firestick

    IPVanish’s user-friendly Fire TV Stick app has clearly been designed with Fire TV’s interface in mind. It’s one of very few VPNs that does this well.

    Finding the closest VPN server location was simple, taking us mere seconds to successfully connect to our chosen server.

    IPVanish Fire TV Stick App

    The IPVanish homescreen on Amazon Fire TV Stick.

    We also found the apps advanced features like split tunneling, LAN exemption, and obfuscation easy to find and use within the app. They’re great additions for more advanced users, but beginners don’t need to worry about these.

    The only nuisance we experienced using IPVanish’s Fire TV app was activating the VPN kill switch to prevent abrupt IP address leaks.

    For some reason, the company created a separate kill switch app rather than build it into the actual VPN. For greater protection you’ll have to launch two apps rather than one.

    No-logs servers optimized for Kodi and IPTV apps

    IPVanish has clearly been built with anonymous streamers in mind. The VPN’s network of 2,200 no-logs servers always hid our IP address in our security tests.

    None of these VPN servers track or store your streaming activity, meaning you can access movie and TV show Kodi add-ons privately and securely.

    Using Wireshark, we also verified that internet activity via IPVanish’s connections was always fully encrypted.

    IPVanish Wireshark scan

    IPVanish encrypted the data packets leaving our device.

    For these reasons, IPVanish is our most highly-rated VPN for Kodi and IPTV streaming.

    Fast short-distance speeds

    Expect fast speeds when you’re connected to a nearby IPVanish server. In our recent speed tests, we recorded a download speed drop of under 5% on short-distance connections.

    Minimal speed losses in relation to your standard internet connection are ideal for buffer-free streaming on your Firestick.

    IPVanish’s long-distance speeds weren’t as fast, though. For instance, we experienced a 14% speed loss connecting from the US into Asia (Japan).

    Although these international speeds are fast enough for streaming, we recommend connecting to a local IPVanish server for 4K video quality.

  2. 2. ExpressVPN: Best VPN Free Trial for Firestick

    The best VPN for streaming on Firestick, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    ExpressVPN's new app on mobile devicesVisit ExpressVPN

    • Unblocks 18 Netflix regions
    • Works with most popular streaming apps
    • Works well with Kodi and IPTV apps
    • Very fast international speeds
    • Firestick app includes a kill switch
    • Easy to set up and use

    • Short plans are expensive
    • Less intuitive than IPVanish's app

    VPN for Firestick Rating: 8.9/10

    This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Firestick VPN testing methodology.

    • 7.0/10
    • 9.9/10
    • 9.7/10
    • 9.6/10
    • 9.3/10

    ExpressVPN is the best VPN we’ve tested overall, and it’s also a very good VPN for Firestick. It’s easy to set up, works well with Kodi, and it reliably unblocks many popular streaming apps like Netflix and HBO Max.

    You can also get ExpressVPN free for 30 days using its no-questions-asked refund policy. However, it misses out on the top spot in this list because its Firestick app lacks some of the features that IPVanish offers.

    ExpressVPN's app for Fire TV Stick

    Cheapest Price$6.67/mo over 15 Months See all plans
    Download SpeediDownload SpeedBased on 100Mbps local test connection97Mbps
    Countries with Servers106
    Servers3,000
    Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
    Support24/7 Live Chat
    Compatible with
    1. windowsWindows
    2. macosmacOS
    3. linuxLinux
    4. chromeosChromeOS
    5. androidAndroid
    6. iosiOS

    Streams US Netflix at fast speeds

    ExpressVPN’s Firestick app reliably unblocks 18 Netflix libraries – working particularly well with the American region.

    Unblocking American Netflix using ExpressVPN's Firestick app.

    Moreover, most US-based ExpressVPN servers unblock streaming apps like Disney+, HBO Max and Hulu. Users outside the UK can also stream BBC iPlayer on its UK servers, too.

    Speeds are consistently high across ExpressVPN’s huge network of 160 VPN server locations and 3,000 servers.

    Connecting from Europe to the East Coast of the US, we experienced only 17% speed loss.

    Similarly, connecting into Singapore the speed loss was just 20%.

    Based on the speed results above, ExpressVPN’s international speeds are undoubtedly much faster than IPVanish’s.

    Privacy-Friendly logging policy and Fire OS kill switch

    ExpressVPN’s logging policy guarantees the provider won’t keep any record of personal internet activity or connection to its service.

    The VPN is also headquartered in the British Virgin Islands – a strong privacy-friendly jurisdiction for a VPN company.

    Another privacy bonus is the kill switch, which not all VPNs have on Firestick. The kill switch automatically interrupts internet access if your VPN connection fails, ensuring your real IP address isn’t exposed.

Free VPNs to Avoid on Firestick

The majority of free VPNs don’t work well on Fire TV devices simply because they don’t have dedicated apps.

While there are plenty of free VPNs, very few have the necessary requirements for easy installation on Amazon’s media streaming device.

If your free VPN doesn’t have a native Fire OS app, an apk file, or is incompatible with routers, it’ll be very hard to use on a Firestick.

We recommend the free VPNs in this guide because they are fast, safe, and come with native Firestick apps or have an apk file you can side load.

Below is a selection of popular free VPNs we don’t recommend for use on Fire TV devices:

Avira Phantom Free VPN

Overall Rating: 2.0/102.0

What we don’t like: Avira VPN doesn’t have a Firestick app, has no router support, and it limits usage to 1GB per month.

TunnelBear

Overall Rating: 3.5/103.5

What we don’t like: TunnelBear is rather useless for unblocking and streaming purposes. It also lacks a Firestick app and router support, so using it on a Fire TV device is complicated.

Hotspot Shield Basic

Overall Rating: 4.5/104.5

What we don’t like: Similarly to Avira VPN, Hotspot Shield doesn’t have a native Fire TV Stick app. Moreover, its 500MB daily bandwidth cap severely limits prolonged streaming.

Hola Free VPN

Overall Rating: 4.1/104.1

What we don’t like: Hola Free VPN logs all your streaming activity, and shares your idle bandwidth with other Hola users. Hola VPN puts your internet privacy at risk, so you must not use it.

How to Set Up a VPN on Firestick

It’s very easy to set up a free or paid VPN on your Fire TV Stick, as long as the VPN service has a Fire OS native application.

You can install all the VPNs we recommend in this guide directly onto your Firestick from the Fire OS app store in just a few steps.

Here’s a short video to show you how easy it is to set up a VPN (in this instance, ExpressVPN) on your Fire TV device:

Video tutorial on how to set up a VPN on your Fire TV Stick.

Installing a free VPN directly onto your Firestick

Below are step-by-step instructions on installing a native VPN application on a Fire TV Stick.

  1. Search for the VPN on your Firestick via the Amazon App Store.
    The App Store on Firestick
  2. Click ‘Get’ to install the free VPN (and if needed, confirm by entering your Amazon account passcode).
  3. Once the free VPN is installed, open it and enter your login details (if prompted).
  4. Choose a VPN server location and press ‘Connect.’Windscribe's VPN server locations on Firestick
  5. Once you’re connected to VPN server, open any other app on your Fire TV device.

But, what about free VPNs that don’t have a Fire TV Stick app? You can use these VPNs on your Fire TV Stick, but it won’t be as simple.

The best method in these instances is to sideload a VPN’s apk file onto your Firestick. Proton VPN provides a suitable apk file.

Sideloading a free VPN onto your Fire TV Stick

Here are step-by-step instructions on setting up a VPN using its apk file and the Downloader application.

  1. Navigate to ‘Settings’ in your Firestick, and select ‘Device.’ The Firestick settings menu
  2. Find ‘Developer Options’ and toggle on both ‘Debugging’ and ‘Apps from Unknown Sources.’ The developer options menu in Firestick
  3. Return to the ‘System’ menu, click ‘About’ and select ‘Network.’ The network settings menu in Firestick
  4. Search for the ‘Downloader App’ on your Firestick and install it. The Downloader app on the Firestick app store
  5. Run ‘Downloader’ and enter the download URL for your VPN’s apk file. Proton VPN’s apk download URL is: http://github.com/Proton VPN/android-app/releases/latest. Downloader app on Firestick
  6. Once the apk download is complete, you’ll be prompted to install the VPN app. Or, open the downloads section in ‘Downloader’ and select the apk file.
  7. Once you’ve installed the VPN, launch it and log in (if necessary).
  8. Select a server location and hit ‘Connect.’
  9. Once you’re connected, launch other apps as you would normally do.

The two methods above are by far the simplest to set up a free VPN on your Firestick.

Our Firestick VPN setup guide covers additional methods, such as using your home router or your PC.

Free VPN vs Paid VPN: What's Better for Your Firestick?

Sadly, there are many disadvantages to using free VPNs on a Fire TV device. Especially when it comes to streaming quickly and anonymously.

Most safe-to-use free VPNs are limited by restrictive daily/monthly bandwidth caps, slower speeds, and limited free server selection.

Furthermore, even the best free VPNs often don’t work with Netflix, Disney Plus, and other popular streaming apps.

On the other hand, many paid-for Firestick VPNs offer a superior streaming experience with increased privacy and security.

Key features of paid Fire TV Stick VPNs include:

  1. Unlimited bandwidth
  2. Faster connection speeds
  3. Far greater unblocking capabilities
  4. Large number of VPN servers
  5. Extra privacy and security settings
  6. Wider device compatability

If you don’t want to commit to a subscription-based Firestick VPN straight away, you can try one first by using a VPN free trial or taking advantage of a money-back guarantee.

What Is the Cheapest VPN for Firestick?

The cheapest (safe) VPN for Firestick at the moment is Private Internet Access (PIA).

On a multi-year plan, it costs $2.03 per month. This is considerably less than our top recommendations IPVanish ($2.75 per month) and ExpressVPN ($6.67 per month).

PIA VPN's app for Fire TV Stick

PIA VPN’s app for Fire TV Stick doesn’t look great.

PIA’s Firestick app is well-designed and user-friendly, but it fails to unblock as many apps as IPVanish and ExpressVPN. For instance, we could access US Netflix on only 25% of PIA’s US servers.

This fact is surprising and disappointing, given how well PIA VPN performed in our streaming tests on other popular devices.

Having said that, PIA remains a good VPN for Fire TV users on a budget. It continues to offer fast connection speeds, and an impressive suite of effective privacy and security settings.

While not as cheap as PIA, but still affordable, Surfshark is a good alternative to PIA that delivers a better streaming experience on Fire TV devices.

Surfshark's Fire OS app

The home screen of Surfshark’s Fire TV app.

In comparison to PIA, all of Surfshark’s US servers unblocked American Netflix, as well as HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other popular apps.

Do I Really Need a VPN for My Fire TV Stick?

We believe using a VPN on your Fire TV Stick is very important for your internet security, privacy, and freedom.

There are two key reasons for using a VPN with your Fire TV device:

1. Bypassing Video Geo-restrictions

Many official video apps are only available in specific countries, or display different video libraries based on your location.

These applications use your IP address to determine your location. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, you can appear to be in that geographical location.

Therefore, using a good VPN on Fire TV Stick can unblock geo-restricted video content on streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

Disney+ on Amazon Fire TV

ExpressVPN unblocks Disney+ on our Fire TV Stick with no issues.

2. Streaming Video Content Anonymously

Having a VPN running on your Fire TV Stick masks your real IP address, and keeps your internet activity anonymous.

By hiding your true IP address, a VPN prevents your ISP from seeing what applications and services you’re using. This is especially important if you stream video content using Kodi and IPTV apps.

A VPN stopping internet throttling

Using a VPN hides your traffic and online activity from your ISP.

If you don’t use a VPN while using Kodi add-ons and IPTV apps, you may inadvertently watch copyrighted content without authorization.

Your ISP will know which applications you’ve used, and pass the information onto content owners and copyright trolls who request it. In turn, they may then issue you with a fine.

EXPERT ADVICE: If you have a 1st generation Firestick, you won’t be able to install a VPN directly onto it. Therefore, we recommend upgrading to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation Fire TV stick.

Netflix Error Code When Streaming on a Firestick

If you’re using a free VPN on your Fire TV Stick to watch Netflix, you’ve likely come across this error message:

“Oops, something went wrong… You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy.”

Netflix proxy error

Netflix, and other popular streaming platforms, has been blocking VPN users from viewing video content.

Moreover, free VPNs rarely work with Netflix and other video streaming services.

But, there are some things you can try if your VPN isn’t working with Netflix. These techniques include connecting to a different VPN server, or changing VPN protocol.

If all fails, you’ll have to use a VPN for Netflix that definitely works.

How We Test VPNs for Firestick

We test every Firestick VPN following our bespoke, extensive, and scientific methodology.

Each VPN is tested in five key performance categories. These ratings are then combined to calculate an overall rating.

The table below compares the performance of our most highly-rated free VPNs:

VPNs with a data cap receive a reduction to their overall rating.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of exactly how we test the best VPNs for Firestick:

1. Firestick App: 30%

Minimum Requirement: The VPN works on Amazon Firestick.
We Recommend: A user-friendly native application for Firestick.

Having a native app for Fire OS is an important attribute for a top Firestick VPN. Most free VPN services – and even paid ones – simply do not have this feature.

Some free VPNs that do work on Firestick need to be side-loaded, which is a complicated process for adding third-party apps onto the device. Thankfully, there are a few free VPNs that can be downloaded directly from the Amazon Appstore.

For paid-for VPNs, having a native app is a minimum requirement. Sideloading is just not good enough for a paid product. We reward the apps that are well designed, user-friendly, and custom-built for the TV.

2. Streaming: 30%

Minimum Requirement: Works to access YouTube.
We Recommend: Streams Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services.

We test whether popular streaming services work with VPNs on the Firestick itself.

The absolute minimum requirement for a free option is that a VPN works with YouTube, which almost every VPN is capable of. Top-rated free VPNs are able to stream US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other services.

The very best VPNs for Fire TV stream multiple Netflix libraries and work with more specialist streaming services, like Crunchyroll.

3. Speed: 20%

Minimum Requirement: Average download speeds above 50Mbps.
We Recommend: Average download speeds above 90Mbps.

A fast free VPN for Firestick should offer average download speed of 50Mbps or faster on local connections. This is enough for smooth streaming on most internet connections.

You’re unlikely to be able to stream in 4K on most free VPNs, but HD will be possible on most connections.

For 4K or HD streaming on Firestick we recommend a paid VPN with a local download speed over 90Mbps. In these services, we also check for a fast upload speed of over 75Mbps to ensure P2P and Kodi activity is as smooth as possible.

We regularly test VPNs on a standard 100Mbps connection to offer fair comparisons between services.

4. Security & Technical Features: 10%

Minimum Requirement: IP and DNS leak protection.
We Recommend: IP and DNS leak protection and a VPN kill switch.

Free VPNs often have very few features on Firestick, if they have an app at all.

We test the apps in-depth and explore their feature menus, then compare the offering to what is available on other platforms.

IP leak protection is an absolute minimum, which keeps your true IP and DNS information from being exposed.

The overall best apps include most of the features from other platforms in the Firestick app, and actively maintain and update it. We look primarily for a kill switch and split tunneling feature.

5. Torrenting: 10%

Minimum Requirement: Supports P2P traffic.
We Recommend: Fully-optimized for P2P and Kodi.

Lots of users combine Kodi with Firestick, so we specifically test Firestick VPN apps for their compatibility with Kodi.

As the bare minimum, you’ll need torrenting support to get many Kodi add-ons working. Our tests ensure every VPN we recommend offers support for P2P traffic and Kodi.

In the best case, you’ll have a well-optimized VPN for P2P, with plenty of server choices and a strong privacy policy.

Data Cap Penalty: Up to 50% Reduction

Nearly all free VPN services implement a data cap. As with most limitations on free VPNs, this is used to encourage you to upgrade to a paid subscription.

Streaming or running Kodi can be very data-intensive, so a generous data cap is necessary on Firestick. Less generous free VPNs only offer around 500MB per month, which isn’t enough to stream for more than a few hours.

The best free VPNs offer 10GB a month, or 500MB a day for free. This adds up to enough for light streaming throughout the month or a shorter high-intensity period of streaming.

We recommend paid Firestick VPNs that come with unlimited data. We also look for services that don’t throttle or limit certain types of traffic, such as P2P.

We apply a penalty to the VPN’s final VPN for Firestick rating based on its data cap:

  • Unlimited bandwidth: No deduction to the overall rating
  • 10GB per month: -20% to the overall rating
  • 500MB per day: -25% to the overall rating
  • 5GB per month: -30% to the overall rating
  • 1GB per month: -35% to the overall rating
  • 200MB per day: -40% to the overall rating
  • 500MB per month: -50% to the overall rating