Why Do I Need a VPN for My Firestick?
So, if you bought a Firestick and some people tell you that you need a VPN, then this may have caught you off-guard. Also, why do you need to use a VPN for Firestick? Isn’t having the Firestick enough to stream freely? While it is definitely true that you can get Firestick even without VPN, getting one for Firestick is certainly useful. Firstly, it can help you gain access to geo-restricted content. Let’s say you travel a lot and you want to watch your favorite shows outside the USA. However, many streaming services have limited libraries in different countries. You get around this problem by the help of VPNs: these services can mask your IP address so that your streaming service can detect a different location from the one you’re currently in. It also applies in reverse if you’re in the US and you want to access content from other countries. Secondly, VPNs can enhance your digital privacy. When you’re out and about to use public Wi-Fi at a hotel, it’s best to keep your browsing private. With a VPN, you can keep your browsing and streaming data safe from pesky outsiders. Some of the people you don’t want snooping at your data include app developers, hackers, the government, and even your ISP.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN for Firestick?
Generally speaking, VPNs are not illegal services. However, this will vary based on which country you want to travel to. While VPNs are legal in most countries, they are illegal in a few others. If you’re going to travel and you want to use your VPN, make sure that the country you travel to doesn’t consider VPNs to be illegal. Countries that criminalize VPN use include Russia, China, Belarus, Iraq, Oman, Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, even if you do travel to countries where a VPN is legal, using it for malicious purposes is illegal. This includes spreading viruses, selling illegal substances, and selling copyright content. In addition, VPN service providers need to follow country-specific governmental guidelines. That may or may not be good news to users, but it’s important to keep these in mind.
Will the Use of VPN Affect the Firestick Warranty?
How to Choose a VPN for Firestick
Getting a VPN for Firestick is a good idea all around. However, how do you choose a VPN for Firestick that truly works? Not all VPNs are made equal when it comes to using them on your Firestick. Here are a few things to look for when you’re choosing a VPN for Firestick.
Native Firestick App
Servers
Even if you don’t travel a lot, having a VPN for Firestick with servers across many different countries is an advantage. Let’s say you want to access a show that’s only available in the UK. How can you access the show if your VPN of choice doesn’t have a server there? With that said, it’s important to find a VPN for Firestick that has other servers suitable in other countries.
Price
VPNs deter many people because of their high subscription prices. Of course, you can’t just hop into any VPN’s service without considering the price: it’s always the best if you can find a good deal. However, just because you want to keep the price down doesn’t mean you can use a free VPN for Firestick scot-free. There are drawbacks when using free VPNs, and that doesn’t only apply to the Firestick. Free VPNs are notorious for data insecurity because they collect user data. You’re throwing the privacy and security benefits of a VPN out the window this way. Moreover, free VPNs have speed and data restrictions which means streaming with a free VPN might be more trouble than it’s worth.
How to Install VPN for Firestick
Installing a VPN for Firestick with a native app is easy. Here are the few easy steps you need to follow to download your VPN of choice:
5 Best VPN For Firestick
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s check out the list of best Firestick apps that provide you a virtual private network.
1. Cyberghost
The first VPN for Firestick that makes our list is Cyberghost. It’s a simple and easy-to-use VPN with a native Firestick app that delivers an excellent service. Cyberghost checks all the boxes with ultra-fast streaming speeds and over 6,200+ servers all over the world. It has an edge over other VPNs because it supports seven devices, which means you’ll get a bit more for your money. Perhaps the only bad thing about Cyberghost is its interface. It has a few bugs, but these won’t lead you to too much trouble. Apart from this, installation is easy and seamless even for non-tech savvy users. If you do ever face technical difficulties, Cyberghost also provides in-depth guides on their website. Visit Website
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a frontrunner in the VPN industry, and this fact still rings true in the world of streaming sticks. It has a native app on the Firestick, so you won’t encounter any installation problems. Moreover, it’s very reliable and well-known for its high-quality services. You get fast speeds with over 3,000 servers across the world, making geo-restricted content comfortably accessible on five different devices. The only downside to ExpressVPN is that it’s pretty expensive. However, they do have a money-back guarantee that allows you to try it out free for 30 days. No fine print, no schemes — it’s the full service. You’ll have plenty of time to test it and see if you’ll change your mind. Visit Website
3. IPVanish
IPVanish may not be the most well-known VPN, but it certainly has many features that can compete with the best. For one, IPVanish has excellent performance that rivals the biggest VPNs in the industry. Over short distances, it can deliver speeds up to 5x faster than the competition. Long-distance connections also perform well because they’ve bumped up download speeds by 15%. Apart from excellent performance, IPVanish has many cards up its sleeve. Firstly, while the number of servers may not be as much as some of the bigger VPNs, their coverage is still massive. They have over 1,400 servers in countries all over the world. Secondly, you can connect up to 10 devices with one subscription which is more than enough for most people. Also, the device also has convenient features like connection optimization so you can connect to the fastest server. IPVanish also has a no-log policy which is of the utmost importance when it comes to VPNs. Lastly, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee to trial the service to see if it suits your tastes. Visit Website
4. NordVPN
Another big name in the industry is NordVPN. If you’re already a subscriber, you’ll be happy to know that NordVPN has a native Firestick application. For new subscribers, the installation will be quick and painless by using NordVPN. With NordVPN, you get access to a whopping 5,100+ servers in countries all around the globe. The maximum number of supported devices is a little lower than some of its competitors, though. However, it makes up for it with its fast streaming speeds and its ability to unblock content from major streaming services. NordVPN is a breeze to install with Firestick’s native app. However, if you want a step-by-step process, NordVPN does have online tutorials to help you set it up. These tutorials include how to set up your VPN on your router, too. In terms of security, NordVPN offers double encryption and supports major security protocols. It also has a no-log policy which is crucial for virtual privacy. If you want to dip your toes into the service, they provide a 30-day money-back guarantee as well. You’ll have no problems backing out if you so choose. Visit Website
5. Surfshark
The last (but certainly not the least) VPN on our list is Surfshark. It has many benefits including fast streaming connections even with long-distance servers. You can pick and choose from the 1,700+ servers all across the globe after your easy installation of the native app. Just set it up, select a server, and you can unblock all your favorite streaming services straight away. It’s simple without many bells or whistles; instead, it provides you what you need. Moreover, Surfshark’s main competitive advantage is the number of supported devices. If you could take a guess, you might think it would be 15 or 20 given its rivals’ capabilities. However, you’d be surprised to know that your subscription can support an unlimited number of devices. It’s certainly the best bang for your buck considering you can share your subscription with friends and family. Just split the bill and you’re gold. Visit Website
Conclusion
Using a VPN is a must considering all the privacy controversies many big tech companies suffered in recent years. Your data is not secure and can be abused or misused by third parties. While most of the data will be used for arguably harmless (yet pesky) advertising, not everyone is willing to make that compromise. Nonetheless, it’s best to protect your digital privacy because who knows what it might be used for down the line? Moreover, a VPN is extremely convenient because you can access geo-restricted content. There’s no real downside to having a VPN if you can afford it.
