Wondering if you’ll get hit with a recurring Fire TV Stick charge after making the initial purchase? I’ve got the answers on what ongoing costs to expect.
How Does the Amazon Fire TV Stick Work?
The Fire TV Stick is a digital media player that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port to access online streaming content.
Once connected, you can browse and watch movies, TV shows, music, sports and more from various apps and channels. It comes with an Alexa-enabled voice remote so you can search for titles, control playback, and launch apps hands-free.
So is the Firestick itself free?
No. You have to purchase the Fire TV Stick hardware upfront. Pricing ranges from $29.99 – $54.99 depending on the model.
However, there are no monthly equipment fees or recurring charges associated with owning a Firestick device itself. The only subscriptions are for the individual apps and services, which we’ll break down next.
Fire TV Subscription Service Pricing
While the Firestick doesn’t require a monthly fee, many popular streaming services and channels do charge recurring fees.
Here’s a breakdown of some common Firestick subscription costs:
Amazon Prime Video
- $14.99/month or $139/year
- Included free for Amazon Prime members
Netflix
- Basic – $9.99/month
- Standard – $15.49/month
- Premium – $19.99/month
Disney+
- $7.99/month
- $79.99/year
HBO Max
- With ads – $9.99/month
- Ad-free – $14.99/month
YouTube TV
- $64.99/month
And this just scratches the surface! There are many more paid channels and services to choose from.
The good news? You can access a ton of free movies, TV shows, news and viral videos through various apps without paying a cent! More on that next.
Top Free Streaming Apps
Just because it’s “free” doesn’t always mean legal or legit. Free streaming sites and apps come and go quickly as content gets removed for copyright issues.
I suggest sticking to well-known options like:
- Crackle
- IMDBtv
- Hoopla
- Kanopy
- PBS Video
- Pluto TV
- Tubi
- YouTube
And for additional suggestions on safely accessing free movies and shows, check out my guides on how to legally watch free streaming video on Firestick and setting up sports streaming apps on your device.
Pro Tip for Reducing Fire TV Costs
One way to cut streaming costs is to rotate 2-3 paid services instead of paying for everything year-round.
For example, subscribe to Hulu for a few months to binge all their originals and tear-jerker dramas, then cancel and swap over to HBO Max to watch buzzy new releases over the holidays.
This lets you maximize the best content without overspending on overlapping services and forgotten subscriptions.
Key Takeaways on Firestick Fees
To recap on Firestick monthly costs:
✔️ No monthly fee for owning an Amazon Firestick device
✔️ Monthly fees only apply to premium streaming channel subscriptions accessed through the Firestick
✔️ Plenty of free movies, shows and other video content available
✔️ Use subscription rotation strategy to reduce overall streaming costs
Now let’s get into the most frequently asked questions around Firestick monthly pricing and potential hidden fees. See troubleshooting guides for issues like Firestick remote not working, blank/frozen screen, buffering and lagging, and streaming app errors.
FAQs on Monthly Firestick Costs
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership for Firestick?
While a Prime membership provides the most value, it is not required to use a Firestick. However, you will need to purchase Prime Video separately to access much of their content.
Does the basic Firestick come with any free channel subscriptions?
No, there are no free ongoing channel subscriptions included with a Firestick purchase. You can access plenty of free, ad-supported movies, shows and video without paying though.
What about taxes and other fees?
There are no taxes or additional charges for owning a Fire TV Stick itself. However sales tax may be added at checkout when purchasing the device. And if signing up for any paid streaming services or channels, take note of whether additional taxes and fees apply.
I hope this guide gave you clarity around Firestick pricing! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions.
