Best VPN for Amazon Prime Video in 2020: Beating Bezos
Amazon’s presence in the streaming realm has grown during the past few years, even as streaming services become more crowded with new competitors arriving left, right and center. From the historical-period, comedy-drama The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to the sci-fi series The Expanse, there’s something for everyone.
Prime is available all around the globe, except in strict censorship countries, such as mainland China, North Korea, Iran and Syria. In all other countries, you’re good to go, provided that you have an internet connection. If you’re held back by geoblocks or just want some extra privacy, one of our best VPN for Amazon Prime Video picks can help.
It may be that you’re traveling and want to access the library of your home country, or perhaps there’s a particular show that’s available in another country. We’ll talk more about the “how” and “why” further on, but whatever streaming hoops you need to jump through, a virtual private network will help.
By using a VPN, you can spoof your location, making the streaming service believe you’re physically in the chosen country. As an added bonus, the VPN will keep your connection secure.
If you’re after a quick fix, your best bet is ExpressVPN. Keep reading for more information on important VPN features, why you should use one and why free VPNs are a bad idea.
The Best VPN for Amazon Prime Video
- ExpressVPN — Gets into Amazon from abroad easily
- NordVPN — Prime Video at cost
- CyberGhost — Solid pricing
- Windscribe — A great free plan
- VyprVPN — Great security
- VPNArea — Bargain provider
- Ivacy — Good coverage
- IPVanish — Old faithful
1. ExpressVPN
If you’re a regular reader at Cloudwards.net, it’s probably come as no shock that ExpressVPN has swiped the top spot, but it’s with good reason. It doesn’t just get a free pass, it has to work for that number-one position, so to speak. Let’s dive into all the reasons why ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for Amazon Prime.
ExpressVPN is a great pick for streaming Amazon Prime Video, even leading our best VPN for streaming comparison. It can get into the service easily, though you may find you have to try a couple of servers.
Still, it shouldn’t be long before you’re busy watching your favorite Prime show. Plus, if you need to access it in another part of the world, ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries.
Its lightning-fast speeds mean you won’t be waiting on a loading screen, even in full HD or 4K resolution. You get unlimited bandwidth, too, so you can binge-watch to your heart’s content.
ExpressVPN’s Other Features
ExpressVPN has you covered when it comes to security, using strong encryption to mask your true identity. You can read more about its security in our full ExpressVPN review, but when it comes to ease of use, know that it’s one of the most straightforward VPNs to use.
If you’re a beginner, you’ll appreciate the large “on” button in the middle of the dashboard. Clicking that will connect you to a “smart” location. If you need to pick a specific spot, you simply click “choose location” and select the one you need.
A downside to ExpressVPN is its cost. It’s pricier than other VPNs on the market, but you’re paying for quality, so it’s well worth it. To soften the blow, you should opt for a long-term plan because they work our cheaper in the end. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee to fall back on.
Pros:
- Servers in 94 countries
- Fast speeds
- Unlimited bandwidth
Cons:
- Expensive
- Blocked on a few servers
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is another great pick for Amazon Prime Video. While testing for our NordVPN review, we checked its reliability in getting into various streaming services. We found it was able to consistently get into Amazon Prime Video. However, some of the servers that NordVPN recommends return slow speeds, so you’re better off selecting one yourself.
Although NordVPN could get into Amazon Prime on every server we tried, a slow server can affect the quality of the stream. Once we tracked down a fast one, the streaming experience was fine. You get unlimited bandwidth, and if you need to access Prime Video from somewhere else, there are servers in about 60 countries.
When it comes to security, NordVPN has your back. It uses top-notch encryption, and you get the choice of using its double-hop servers, which add another layer of security. You can install NordVPN on your Firestick, too.
NordVPN will keep you anonymous, which is one of the reasons it’s our best VPN for torrenting. It’s also easy to use, and its price offers good value for money. There’s a 30-day refund period, so you can give it a whirl without worry.
Pros:
- Gets into Amazon Prime Video on all servers
- Fast on certain servers
- Great security
Cons:
- Slow speeds on some servers
3. CyberGhost
Next up is CyberGhost, which is a decent service that has no issue getting into streaming services. It has a list of servers that are dedicated to streaming platforms, and the ones we tested during our CyberGhost review worked flawlessly. Plus, CyberGhost has servers in about 90 countries, in case you need them.
There are no bandwidth restrictions to keep an eye on, and its speeds are among the fastest. It can get slow over long distances, like NordVPN does, but it still performs well. Plus, its interface takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s not difficult to use. You can also install CyberGhost on Firestick.
CyberGhost’s security is good, and it comes with a permanently enabled kill switch, which will disconnect you immediately if the VPN fails. That’s good because it will ensure your personal details are kept secret so Amazon can’t track your activities. That said, it’s nice to have at least some control over the kill switch.
It’s inexpensive, but the monthly rate isn’t the best option. You’re better off signing up for longer, as you’ll see some savings. A free seven-day trial is available for Android and iOS. Desktop users can get one, too, but it’s only for one day. There is a money-back guarantee in place, as well.
Pros:
- Dedicated streaming servers
- Good speeds
- Automatic kill switch
Cons:
- No kill switch controls
- Can be slow over long distances
4. Windscribe
Windscribe has also made the list, and it’s worthy to be called the best free VPN for Amazon Prime. That’s because, although Windscribe has a paid plan, it also has a generous free plan on offer, which earned Windscribe the top spot on our best free VPN services list.
We tested Windscribe’s free servers during testing for our Windscribe review and, although we were blocked from accessing Netflix and Hulu, it was able to get into Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer without a hitch.
One downside with the free plan, though, is that you only get 2GB of bandwidth per month, though it’s upped to 10GB if you pop in a valid email during sign up. You get unlimited data with the paid plan, and if you want to access Netflix or Hulu as well, you’d be better off with it, as you’ll get access to Windscribe’s Windflix streaming servers.
That said, if you want to stream Amazon Prime on the cheap, you can use Windscribe’s “build-a-plan” option. With that, you can choose a specific server and unlimited data for just $2 per month.
Windscribe’s Other Features
Windscribe’s speeds aren’t the fastest out there, but they do just fine, even with streaming. You’ll get unlimited simultaneous connections, too, no matter what plan you choose. It’s also easy to use, with a simple, no-frills interface.
It uses good security right out of the box, and it can be customized. Windscribe logs some information, but it’s nothing that can be tied back to you or anything of importance.
If you do decide to opt for the paid plan, the longer plans offer more savings. There isn’t an official refund policy, but if you ask for one within three days of purchase, they’ll process it. You could use the free plan first, though, to see if you like it.
Pros:
- Generous free plan
- Easily the best free VPN for Amazon Prime Video
- Unlimited connections
Cons:
- Paid plan is expensive
- Logs some information
5. VyprVPN
VyprVPN has some impressive features, though it falls short in other areas. In this case, the most important feature is accessing Amazon Prime Video, and it is able to do that with ease.
On paper, its speeds are mediocre, but its actual performance tells a different story. During our testing, its servers performed well, and we could stream at 1080p, for the most part.
You get unlimited bandwidth, as well as excellent security. In fact, security is one of VyprVPN’s best features, especially because it comes with its own Chameleon protocol, which masks your traffic so that it looks normal to the websites and services you visit.
That said, it lacks in other areas, such as customer support. You can read more about that in our VyprVPN review.
The price you pay depends on the package you choose. VyprVPN has two tiers: the Standard plan comes with three connections and the Premium plan comes with five connections as well as the use of the Chameleon protocol.
You can then choose either the monthly or yearly plan, though the yearly one works out better in terms of pricing. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, too.
Pros:
- Good streaming performance
- Several protocol options
- Proprietary Chameleon protocol
Cons:
- Lackluster speeds
- Server network is lacking
6. VPNArea
We don’t often talk about VPNArea. It’s not that we don’t like it — it’s a solid service — but it doesn’t offer anything special compared to our top choices. One area it does excel in, though, is its ability to get into streaming services.
VPNArea’s streaming servers can get into most streaming services easily, including Amazon Prime Video. Plus, those streaming servers are included for free with your subscription.
However, while that’s all great, VPNArea’s overall speeds don’t make the cut. They’re pretty fast when close by, but all of our other tests returned slow speeds, as you can read in our VPNArea review.
With that in mind, if you’re only using a VPN to get Amazon marketing off your back, you should be fine with a local server. Its security is good and has the option of using double-hop encryption, like NordVPN does. You get unlimited bandwidth, as well, and its interface is easy to use.
VPNArea is fairly priced, especially because you get all the bells and whistles from the get-go. There’s no pricey add-ons, just one package. All you need to choose is the length of time, though longer ones are better. A money-back guarantee is in place, giving you time to see if it’s right for you.
Pros:
- Streaming servers included
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Slow
7. Ivacy
Ivacy is a decent service that has some shortcomings, but its features make it a fair choice for streaming. It comes with dedicated streaming servers that are optimized for individual streaming platforms, and it can get into all of them.
That’s great, but we must point out that not all of those servers work. However, Ivacy takes some of the frustration away by cycling through servers until it finds one that can access the platform you’re after. You get unlimited bandwidth, and its speeds are impressive but inconsistent.
Its security uses a high encryption rate, so you don’t need to worry about staying under the radar. Plus, its interface is easy to use, and specific servers are organized into tabs. Read more about the service in our Ivacy review.
Ivacy is inexpensive with great-value, long-term plans. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for longer plans, although the monthly plan only gets one week.
Pros:
- Unblocks Amazon Prime Video
- Organized streaming servers
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Inconsistent speeds
- Strange interface
- Not all streaming servers work
8. IPVanish
IPVanish’s streaming capability is nothing to shout home about. It can’t get into the likes of Netflix or BBC iPlayer, but it is able to get into Amazon Prime Video. It has great speeds, with the exception of a few tests returning bad results, and you get unlimited bandwidth. The interface is easy to set up and use, too. Read our IPVanish review for more about it.
It has good security features, and you can choose from lots of protocol options. IPVanish’s privacy policy is questionable after previously cooperating with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and handing over logs. We don’t know how its privacy policy holds up now, but you shouldn’t have any issues if you’re just using it as a marketing mask.
IPVanish’s price is average for a VPN, and only small savings can be seen when signing up for longer, making it a more expensive option than some. There’s a seven-day money-back guarantee, though, giving you time to make sure you like it.
Pros:
- Good at unblocking Amazon Prime Video
- Many protocol options
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Keeps logs
- Expensive
Why You Need an Amazon Prime Video VPN
There are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to use a VPN with Amazon Prime Video. Getting access to Amazon Prime isn’t an issue for most users due to it being available in more than 200 countries. However, if you are in a country where access is blocked, a VPN can help you spoof your location to one that can unblock Amazon Prime Video.
Amazon Prime VPN Error and Regional Restrictions
Just like any other popular streaming service, Amazon Prime Video has regional restrictions in place. This means that you may not see the same content as a Prime Video user in another country. The reasons for the restrictions mostly involve license and copyright agreements.
Spoofing your location can also help with this. For instance, anyone wondering, “how can I watch Amazon Prime Video in Mexico,” you can simply connect to a Mexican IP address and access Mexican Prime content. Similarly, users in countries such as the UAE may prefer to access the U.S. version to access more content.
There are other examples of regional restrictions with streaming services, too. Netflix’s U.S. library is by far the largest available of all the 190 countries that can access the service. That said, it still doesn’t contain everything that is available on Netflix as a whole, but you can use our best VPN for Netflix to get into your desired country.
Plus, Hulu and HBO Now are solely made for the U.S. audience (read our best VPN for Hulu and best VPN for HBO Now guides), and BBC iPlayer is only available to residents of the United Kingdom (read our best VPN for BBC iPlayer piece), so you’d need a VPN to access them from outside the country anyway.
Amazon Prime Video and Your Privacy
Another key reason for using a VPN when accessing Amazon Prime Video is privacy. Amazon tracks the devices of its users in order to build a marketing profile. That profile doesn’t only include information specific with the use of Amazon services, either.
Amazon can track your activities over multiple websites, recording valuable marketing information along the way. It can then sell your profile to other companies.
If you use a VPN, it’s impossible for Amazon to do such a thing. The VPN will hide your IP address, encrypt your connection and keep all of your online activities a secret.
How We Chose VPNs for Amazon Prime Video
We considered a few factors when choosing the best Amazon Prime Video VPN. However, what the VPN offers on paper isn’t always achieved in practice. The VPNs we chose had to pass the following criteria in testing.
Unblocking Amazon Prime Video and Geo-Restrictions
First and foremost, the VPN needs to be able to get into Amazon Prime Video. Although you might think it’s easy because it may not technically be blocked from you, Amazon makes a point of blocking VPNs as best as it can. It does that so it can carry on with its love of data mining and selling users’ marketing profiles.
Another reason to use a VPN is to access movies and shows that are not available in your country. Plus, if you do happen to reside somewhere that can’t access Amazon Prime Video, you want the VPN to have a good server network in order to bypass the block.
Security
To make sure you’re protected from Amazon’s tracking activities, the VPN needs to have good security. That security will be the shield between your personal details and Amazon’s attempt at tracking your every move, so make sure the VPN you choose is using top VPN protocols.
Speed and Streaming Performance
The VPN’s speeds are an important factor when it comes to streaming. Good speeds mean you’re not left waiting for content to load, with your only entertainment being a buffering circle. Plus, the better speeds you get, the better resolution you can stream at.
Not all of the providers on our list have the fastest speed, but they have all proven themselves when it comes to streaming the video service, in one way or another.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth allowance is a critical factor in getting the best video streaming experience. Most providers offer unlimited bandwidth from the get-go, but some have a monthly limit. If you choose one with a limit, you’re likely to reach it quickly when streaming. Once that happens, the VPN will stop working, leaving you vulnerable.
Ease of Use
This factor will depend on your experience with using VPNs, though it’s not a bad thing to choose a user-friendly one. If you’re a beginner, you’ll appreciate the VPNs that come with a simple interface. With those, it’s usually a simple click of a button to get connected. That said, more experienced users might prefer customizability over ease of use.
You may also want to check what devices the VPN is compatible with. Most VPNs cover Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, at the very least, with some including Linux, too. Others have lengthier lists, including devices such as smart TVs and the Amazon Fire Stick.
Price
There are free options available, but most VPNs suitable for Amazon Prime will come at a cost. That price varies between VPN providers, though, so you should make sure it fits within your budget.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Watch Amazon Prime Video?
A quick search for VPNs on Google or your app store will return a ton of free VPN providers. Although they may be tempting, you should be wary when looking at them. Granted, not all free VPNs are bad, but the market is flooded with ones that will cause you nothing but trouble, whether you realize it or not.
Some of them aren’t even real: a wolf in sheep’s clothing, so to speak. You think you’re getting a great piece of kit that will protect you, but they’re just waiting to pounce on the next victim.
Several of them are riddled with malware that unleashes itself once you hit download. Others are after the same information as Amazon; they want to track your information and sell it. You can read our worst free VPN guide for more insight on how bad they can be.
You can protect yourself from some of the dangers associated with free VPNs by installing a decent antivirus. For a quick fix, we recommend using Bitdefender. It will protect you in real time, which is a must when downloading suspect software. However, it’s best to be smart and choose a reputable service, even if that means you have to hand over some coins.
Final Thoughts
Unlike with other popular streaming platforms, getting past geoblocks isn’t a huge issue here. Your privacy is the biggest factor in needing an Amazon VPN, but using a VPN can halt your access to the service.
You need to choose a VPN that can bypass Amazon’s VPN block, while also keeping your sensitive information protected. If regional restrictions are an issue for you, though, then its server network will come into play, too.
Your best bet, considering all of those aspects, is ExpressVPN. It’ll keep you hidden through all of your online activities, but it is capable of circumventing Amazon’s VPN roadblocks. Plus, it also has a large server spread and excellent customer service. Why not give it a go with its 30-day money-back guarantee?
If you have any thoughts on using a VPN with Amazon Prime Video, leave them in the comment section. Take a look at our other VPN articles and our entertainment section, too. As always, thank you for reading.
Sandra Pattison is from the rolling hills of the United Kingdom where, when she’s not enjoying that one day of summer, she researches and writes on online security and censorship around the world. Writer by day, mother morning, noon and night, during her little free time she enjoys photography and likes to be spontaneous, but mostly ends up sipping tea with her pinky out.