Summary: You want to use your Kindle securely while on the go, but with public W-Fi and potential hackers, that’s not always easy. This means that you might be wary of using your Kindle as and when you want to, the way it’s designed to be used.
The best solution to your security concerns is a Virtual Private Network. A VPN is a piece of software that encrypts and protects your data and activities, so you can browse, read, stream or download with complete peace of mind.
We have reviewed 172 VPNs so you don’t have to, and we held them all to very high standards and selection criteria. Our results show that the best VPN for Kindle is ExpressVPN. This is the standout VPN in terms of security, privacy, pricing, speed, customer service, guarantees and more.
To best protect your Kindle device from hackers and access the content you want, click here to get ExpressVPN now.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Why You Should Trust Us
2. Testing Methodology
3. How We Tested Each VPN Service
4. VPN Services You Should Avoid
5. VPNs Disqualified Due to Missing Features
6. VPNs Eliminated Due to Poor Reviews
7. Top Three VPNs for Protectin Your Kindle
8. Wrapping It Up
Why You Should Trust Us
Our work has been featured in many trusted publications, such as TechCrunch, LifeHack, Wired, CBS News and the Huffington Post. We have been covering these issues for over 20 years, and we know what to look for when it comes to staying safe online. For this article, the author spent many hours researching and testing VPNs in order to come up with a list of recommendations for your Kindle.
Testing Methodology
In 2017, there are countless VPN services available, with each and every one of them making huge claims in their sales messages and advertising that they are the best in the industry.
Unfortunately, we know that there can be only one best VPN service for Kindle users, which is why we have compared each service currently available.
How We Tested Each VPN Service
To help you keep your Kindle device safe and secure while it’s connected to the internet, we are going to compare 173 different VPN services using a three-step elimination process.
To skip the methodology and go straight to our recommendations,
Our elimination process will begin by removing any service that is primarily based in a country that participates in invasive surveillance programs.
We then compared the features offered by each service remaining on our list, and eliminated any service that does not offer features that we believe Kindle users require.
Then, we used third-party websites that allow past and current users to leave their own reviews and feedback, and eliminated any service that has consistently received poor ratings.
Finally, the remaining services will be put through extensive testing using five criteria to help us make a final determination on the best VPN service for Kindle users.
Those criteria are:
Price – Price is important because the most expensive services aren’t always the best, and cheaply priced services don’t necessarily mean cheap features and a weak network.
Setup Process – We’ve also tested each service to ensure the software they provide with your subscription doesn’t require you to have a Computer Sciences degree from your local college to use.
Ease of Use – We’ve tested each service to verify that establishing a connection to their network is simple to do and doesn’t require assistance from the service’s technical support team.
Speed – Each service on our list has been put through extensive speed tests using servers spread out across the globe to verify they provide fast, reliable connections.
Customer Service – We’ve also tested each service’s customer support team to ensure they provide fast, helpful responses if you find yourself having trouble with their service.
Below are the results we’ve found during our elimination and review process.
VPN Services You Should Avoid
When you are trying to protect your Kindle device, the last thing you want to deal with is a service that tracks what you’re doing while you are connected to their network.
There is an invasive surveillance program, known as “14 Eyes,” that VPN services in multiple countries around the world are forced to participate in.
The 14 Eyes program is an agreement between different governments that forces internet service providers and VPN providers to track your activity on their network.
The services can then be forced to turn your activity logs over to the local law enforcement agencies and the information contained in them can be used to prosecute you in a court of law.
To help ensure you are safe while you’re connected to the internet, we’ve eliminated 123 of the original 173 VPN services due to participation in the 14 Eyes surveillance program.
VPNs Disqualified Due to Missing Features
After eliminating any service that participates in the 14 Eyes surveillance program, we’ve also begun eliminating services that do not offer features we believe Kindle users require.
Going forward, we’re going to break down each of the features that we’ve looked for, and give you examples of the services that we have removed from our list due to not providing these features.
Criteria #1: OpenVPN Support
Whenever you open a connection to a VPN service, they are going to use one of the many different protocols to manage your connection.
In general, OpenVPN is regarded as one of the safest, most secure and easiest to use protocols, which is why any service that utilizes OpenVPN has been ranked higher during our review.
Betternet and AnonVPN are two services that do not utilize OpenVPN that we’ve eliminated from our list.
Criteria #2: Unlimited Bandwidth and Data Transfer
When you are using your Kindle, you are probably downloading a ton of files and streaming high-definition video content on YouTube and the Amazon video network.
As you’re watching videos and downloading files, you are consuming large amounts of bandwidth, which is why we’ve eliminated services that limit the amount of bandwidth you can use.
Celo and Cloak are two VPN services that limit the amount of bandwidth you can consume each month, and they have been eliminated from our review.
Criteria #3: No Data Logging Policies
Some VPN services will use your network activity to help them diagnose issues that you’re having when you contact customer support, which is helpful, but still invasive to your privacy.
Just as we’ve eliminated services that participate in the 14 Eyes program, we have also eliminated any service that tracks what you’re doing while you are connected to their network.
Hola!VPN and Seed4Me are two services that will track your network activity that we’ve eliminated from our list.
Criteria #4: Support for Multiple Operating Systems
You may need the VPN service to protect your Kindle device, but when you realize the power of using a VPN service, you are going to want to protect every device you own.
That’s why we’ve eliminated any service that does not support multiple different mainstream operating systems or supplies software that is buggy with operating systems other than Kindle.
IntelliVPN and SunVPN are two services that provide software that has been known to be buggy with different operating systems. They have been removed from our list.
Criteria #5: Support Multiple Concurrent Connections
Whenever you connect to the VPN service with multiple devices at the same time, you could find yourself dealing with throttled connection speeds or unreliable connections.
Any service that limits your connection speeds for opening multiple active connections, or limits your account access when you try, has been eliminated from our list.
HotVPN and IBVPN are two services that will limit your account access or slow your connection speeds for opening multiple active connections, and they have been eliminated from our review.
Criteria #6: Free Trials, Refunds and Money-Back Guarantee
We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure we’re only recommending services that tested well during our review process, and that have high reviews from other customers.
However, we do understand that some of our readers may have a different experience, and may need to receive a refund so they can move to another service.
VPN Shield and VPNBaron are two services that do not offer refunds or money-back guarantees and they have been eliminated from our review.
Criteria #7: No Peer2Peer Blocking
Even though the Kindle isn’t known for utilizing Peer2Peer filesharing technology, you may find yourself accessing services that do use this technology to lessen the load on their servers.
Some VPN services will block your access to Peer2Peer filesharing networks. Those services have been eliminated from our review process.
LibertyVPN and VPNJack are two VPN services that block access to P2P filesharing networks and technology, and they have been eliminated from being eligible for our recommendation.
Criteria #8: No Mandatory SMTP Blocking
You may use your Kindle to send and receive emails, or use other devices that are connected to the VPN service’s network to send and receive emails.
Some VPN services block your access to using your email while you are connected, and have been eliminated from our review to ensure you do not need to disconnect, send emails and reconnect.
Tunnelbear and TorVPN are two services that have been eliminated because they block your ability to send and receive emails while you’re connected to their network.
VPNs Eliminated Due to Poor Reviews
Our elimination process moved forward by utilizing third-party websites to verify reviews left by past and current customers for the services that remained on our list.
VPN services that consistently received poor reviews or negative feedback have been eliminated from being eligible to receive our recommendation as the best VPN for Kindle users.
Top Three VPNs for Kindle
Through an extended elimination process, we’ve dwindled our original list of 173 VPN services down to a total of three remaining services, all vying to receive our recommendation.
Each of the remaining three services will be reviewed based on five criteria:
- Price
- Setup Process
- Ease of Use
- Speed
- Customer Service
Each of the three services were compared against each other using extensive testing procedures, and we’ve found that one service is the clear winner and has received our recommendation.
#1 ExpressVPN – (9.5 / 10) – The Best VPN Service for Kindle Users
When you are looking for the best VPN service available to protect your Kindle, we’ve found that ExpressVPN is the clear winner and has received our recommendation.
PROs
The packages and pricing that ExpressVPN offers to their subscribers helps keep them competitive in the industry, while also allowing them to continue growing their network.
The software that’s provided with your ExpressVPN subscription is easy to download, install and configure on your Kindle, and we used it to connect within a few minutes of subscribing.
It’s easy to see that ExpressVPN devotes a significant amount of resources towards expanding their network, adding new servers and taking care of their customers.
During speed tests, we’ve found that ExpressVPN provides some of the fastest speeds we’ve experienced, and we did not experience any issues with reliability or dropped connection speeds.
If you do happen to have problems with your account or connection, the ExpressVPN customer service team responds quickly, answering our requests within 60 minutes, in most cases.
CONs
Even though ExpressVPN topped the charts in nearly every area of our review process, there were still occasions when we noticed they could improve their service and network.
For instance, they did respond to most of our customer support requests within 60 minutes, but in one case it took them up to three hours to send us a response.
They also ranked #2 in speed tests performed through Australian-based servers, which is still fast, but could be improved upon for Kindle users based in Australia.
Summary: After performing an extensive elimination and review process, we have found that ExpressVPN is the best VPN service currently available for Kindle users.
They offer some of the fastest connection speeds we’ve found, a strong network, competitive pricing and a great customer service team. All these factors combined helped them secure our #1 spot.
To protect your Kindle with ExpressVPN, click here now.
#2 IPVanish – (7.5 / 10) – Suitable if ExpressVPN isn’t Available for You
We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure our recommendation of the #1 VPN service for Kindle users is the best VPN service available, but not everyone reading this will have the same experience.
For times that your experience with ExpressVPN differs from the experience that we’ve had, IPVanish could be a suitable alternative solution for keeping your Kindle safe.
PROs
IPVanish offers multiple different packages and some of the lowest pricing we’ve seen, charging only $4.87 per month for 12-month subscriptions, and $7.50 per month for month-to-month packages.
The software provided with your IPVanish subscription is simple to install and configure, and didn’t present any issues while using it to connect to their network.
If you experience issues with their service that we didn’t have, the IPVanish customer support team is helpful, and responds quick enough. They answered most of our requests within three hours.
They do provide a strong network and we didn’t have many issues with slow connection speeds or unreliable and dropped connections during testing.
CONs
IPVanish did perform relatively well in nearly every aspect of our testing process, but, like ExpressVPN, there were areas we believe IPVanish could address to help them rank higher.
In one instance, we submitted a request to their customer support team for assistance with an issue we were having, and we waited more than 24 hours to receive a response.
They also provided slower connection speeds than ExpressVPN, ranking #2 in tests performed through the United States and the United Kingdom, and #3 on Australian-based servers.
Summary: ExpressVPN outperformed IPVanish in every category of our review process, but we do understand that they may not be available for every person reading this review.
For times that ExpressVPN isn’t available for you, IPVanish could be a suitable alternative, with a decently strong network, good customer service response times and competitive pricing.
If you would like to know more about IPVanish, you can visit their site by clicking here.
#3 HideMyAss – (5.5 / 10) – Not Recommended
As a small caveat, even though HideMyAss is ranked #3 in our list, we do not necessarily recommend them as a viable VPN service for our readers that use Kindle devices.
We have found, through extensive testing, that HideMyAss performed poorly in nearly every area of our review and we experienced problems that persisted through the entire process.
PROs
One area that we didn’t experience problems with the HideMyAss service is installing and configuring the software they provide to connect to their network.
While installing and configuring the software on our Kindle, we managed to connect to their network within a few minutes, but once we connected the problems began.
CONs
Once we were connected to the HideMyAss network, we found it very difficult to maintain a reliable connection to their servers and our connection speeds were incredibly slow.
HideMyAss is also one of the most expensive VPN services we’ve tested, topping the charts at $16.99 per month for month-to-month subscriptions, and $9.29 for 12-month subscriptions paid up front.
During speed tests, we found it difficult to achieve accurate results because of the dropped connections, and when we did maintain a connection, HideMyAss offered the slowest speeds we’ve seen.
We did attempt to email their customer support team for help with the issues we were having, but waited more than 24 hours to receive a response in every case.
Summary: If you are trying to secure your Kindle’s connection to the internet, there are far better services available than what HideMyAss offers.
After an extensive review process, we have found that ExpressVPN is the best choice for Kindle users, and IPVanish is a decent alternative solution.
If you want to learn more about HideMyAss, you can do your own research by clicking here.
Wrapping It Up
When your Kindle device is connected to the internet, there is a potential for hackers to steal the sensitive information that is stored on the device.
The best way to secure your Kindle’s connection to the internet is to use a VPN service that encrypts the information you send and receive and hides where you’re connecting to the internet from.
After a thorough elimination and testing process, we have found that ExpressVPN is currently the best VPN service available for Kindle users.
To learn more about protecting your Kindle while it’s connected to the internet, click here now to get ExpressVPN.
