A VPN service is a virtual private network service that encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and provides an anonymous and secure connection while using your TV. You can use many of these services with an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

With the right VPN, you can browse the internet anonymously, access geo-restricted content, and avoid being tracked by advertisers, hackers, and government surveillance. Bolt this VPN onto your Fire TV Stick, and enjoy the same privileges, with a focus on disguising your activities from your ISP. This can be especially important if you are on a plan that throttles your traffic when streaming is detected.

See also: What is a VPN and why do you need one?

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of the ZDNET team. We've been talking about VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.

ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure.

We analyzed the best VPNs for Amazon Fire TV stick below using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:

• Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags.
• Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to a service at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections.
• Security: There's no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs.
• Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
• Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations performed well given these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming. 
• Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our Amazon Fire TV VPN recommendations naturally have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for this hardware.
• Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety.
• Trial length & price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

When you are selecting your new Amazon Fire TV Stick VPN, you need to consider the following factors:

• Price: You need to consider the overall price of your new VPN plan. Try to take advantage of promotions, but ignore countdown timers -- they typically are just marketing tools. While top-notch VPNs can cost upwards of $10/month, many are available for only a few dollars. Many VPN providers will also offer free, limited mobile app trials. We recommend that you avoid free VPNs -- with a few exceptions -- as they may sell your data or bombard you with ads.
• Simultaneous connections: If you're paying for a VPN suitable for your Amazon Fire TV Stick, you might still want to use it across multiple devices, such as a desktop, laptop, or mobile app. We recommend that you sign up for a plan supporting at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer unlimited connections.
• Contract length: You must also decide how long you want to use a VPN. If you opt for a two-year term, you tend to secure the best prices, but other options are available. After you've made a selection, you typically have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Apps: When selecting a VPN, try it first to ensure you like its accompanying Amazon Fire TV Stick app. Some VPNs, for example, have great desktop software but lack in the smart TV app department, meaning it's not as intuitive or easy to use.

While VPN usage is legal, not every VPN provider offers a dedicated Amazon Fire TV Stick app. Amazon doesn't outright ban VPNs, but if you're using these services to bypass geo-blocked content, your VPN's IP address might be blocked. Your best bet is a reputable VPN that can handle the demands of streaming services.

If you are having connectivity issues with your VPN and your Amazon Fire TV Stick, there are several issues that you can tackle. One of the most common problems is that your TV stick might be too old, as many VPNs won't be fully compatible with older models. It may also be possible that your internet connection is not stable or quick enough to handle the demands of a VPN. 

Sometimes, a simple setting change can be enough to improve your connection. Try switching protocols, such as opting for WireGuard, picking TCP/UDP, or selecting a different country server.

Probably not. Unless you're playing a cat-and-mouse game and want a VPN to access geo-blocked content libraries, paying for a VPN service just for your Amazon Fire TV Stick might not be worth your money. If, however, you're going to use a VPN across other devices -- such as a laptop or smartphone -- alongside your TV, it's well worth it.

While there are free VPNs and free VPN plans, the majority will come with heavy restrictions on speed and server choice, and some providers might display ads or sell your information. Considering that you will likely want to access content such as TV shows or films, you will need a VPN without speed limits -- and these tend only to be available with paid subscriptions.

To check if your VPN is safe and working properly, first choose a reputable vendor known to have a strong security background.

Next, check that your VPN is working properly by comparing your IP address before and after enabling a VPN connection. You can find this under your device's settings (typically under Wi-Fi) or by visiting whatismyipaddress.com. If they both display the same IP, your VPN may not be working properly. 

You can also visit dnsleaktest.com to see if any DNS leaks have been detected while you are using a VPN, which could be a sign that your information is being leaked. 

Finally, be careful with free VPNs offered by unknown or shady companies, especially if they are outside of official app repositories. This could open your device to surveillance or malware. 

While these technologies are intended to protect you and your device, they provide different layers of protection. VPNs protect data in motion, sent to and from the internet. VPN protection is generally provided by encryption, so hackers can't spy on the data while it moves. Some VPN providers will also bolt on malware scanners, data breach monitors, and more. 

Antivirus software protects against malicious software executing on your device. These apps scan data, monitor running software processes and downloads, and may intercept suspicious activities or downloads. They may also include checking permissions and ensuring apps don't have more control over your device than they need.

A VPN is not a one-size-fits-all security solution, but it's an important part of overall security hygiene and data protection.

Yes, Amazon Fire TV Stick VPN services are legal in the US, but the legality of using VPNs varies from country to country.

It is important to check the laws of your location before using a VPN. Some countries ban their use outright, such as North Korea, Belarus, and Iraq, whereas other countries, including Russia and China, frown upon using any non-state-controlled VPN.

For a list of countries where VPN usage is illegal, check out NordVPN's guide.

There are other Amazon Fire TV Stick-enabled VPNs you can consider beyond the above list. While it isn't possible to highlight every worthy offering on the market, here are a few more of our favorites: