We like how the app always connects in a snap, which isn’t always the case with other VPNs - like Surfshark - which often struggle to connect immediately on the first attempt. It also includes the Advanced Protection suite which can help you block ads, trackers, malicious sites and adult sites - an especially helpful addition for parents who want parental controls in place to keep their children safe while using the Fire TV Stick. ExpressVPN’s Fire TV Stick app includes a kill switch, split tunneling, protocol selection (Lightway and OpenVPN) and auto-connect. The app settings are easy to navigate and finding a server location is straightforward. For streaming content on Fire TV Stick, we recommend connecting through Lightway to a server location closest to your physical location for optimal speeds.ĮxpressVPN’s minimalist interface on Fire TV Stick is simple to use, whether you’re an advanced VPN user or you’ve never used one before. Speeds were generally faster to relatively closer server locations like New York City and the UK, and slower to distant locations like Australia and Singapore. OpenVPN speeds were considerably slower at a 38.5% average speed loss. Overall, we registered the fastest speeds through ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol - which is engineered for speed and security - with an 11% average speed loss. Still, ExpressVPN’s speeds were largely consistent and aligned with our expectations across protocols and server locations. We did see substantially better speeds from NordVPN (11% speed loss) and Surfshark (17% speed loss). This is still fast, considering that many VPNs can slash your internet speeds by 50% or more. In 2024, we measured a 24.8% average speed loss with ExpressVPN.
NordVPN is more in line with ExpressVPN's price at $13 per month or $100 annually (after a promotional $60 price for the first year).Īlthough fast enough for streaming content on your smart TV, ExpressVPN’s speeds are not quite as fast as some of its competitors, based on our latest speed tests. The service costs $13 per month, $60 every six months or $100 per year, which is considerably more expensive than the $11 per month or $60 per year that Surfshark charges. You’ll have to pay a premium because ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPN providers currently on the market.
It’s also excellent for streaming and the easiest VPN app to use on any platform, including Fire TV Stick. It’s a veteran VPN provider that consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to privacy and transparency. ExpressVPN is currently CNET’s pick for the best VPN for Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, in addition to being the best VPN overall with a score of 8.8/10 on our VPN rating scale.