Kodi is fast becoming a popular way of streaming online content. A versatile and easy to use multi-platform home theater Kodi allows users to stream a wide range of online content all from the comfort of your home.
But what about those shows that you’re desperate to watch but are only available in the UK or Australia? Or maybe there’s a new reality tv show and you’re trying your hardest to avoid the spoilers? If this sounds like you then a VPN (or virtual private network) could be just what you’re looking for.
A VPN can disguise your online activity and make it appear like you’re based therefore side stepping those annoying ‘content not available in your country’ blockers.
And not only this, a VPN is a great way of protecting your online identity and saving your data from the hands of cyber criminals as a VPN allows you to create a secure and private connection between your device (smartphone or laptop) and the internet!
So whether you’re brand new to Kodi or are an experienced user it is always a good idea to have a VPN set up, to make sure your streaming is as varied and secure as can be.
But where do you start? With so many VPN services out there it can be difficult to know which one is right for you! But that's where we come in, we’ve done all the hard work for you and in this article we will explore the 10 best Kodi VPNS on the market - both free and paid for!
OUR TOP PICK
If you’ve ever heard of a VPN before then chances are you know about ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN services out there and has been a go-to for the public for a number of years. This is likely down to it being the only multi-purpose VPN service. Whilst the competitors may focus their efforts on one particular feature, Express VPN can do it all.
Regardless of your choice in device, ExpressVPN has an app for nearly every platform so you shouldnt have any difficulty getting it to work for you. It has express links to Kodi, offering its own Kodi compatible streaming box! These boxes come with their own VPN should your existing one not support it.
Above all else however, ExpressVPN offers a fast and reliable service. With over 3000+ servers, spanning 94 countries, you can guarantee a fast service for your streaming.
Not only that but the service also has a large pool of VPN block bypassing technology, allowing you to access restricted content and streaming services from anywhere in the world. This includes some streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and HBO GO.
ExpressVPN supports many widely-used devices such as Android, iOS, Mac and windows whilst also working on streaming boxes and other platforms. It comes available as software or you can install it onto many of the above platforms and devices.
As the leading candidate for the best candidate for Kodi, you know you will be getting a service that you can rely on. But should you be unsatisfied with the service, ExpressVPN also offers a 30 day money back guarantee.
Pros
- Supports all of the major platforms
- Worldwide servers
- HD quality streaming
- Very secure
- Lots of unblockable content
Cons
- On the pricier side compared to some of the other top services
EDITORS CHOICE
One of the best VPNs on the market for Kodi users is undoubtedly: NordVPN. With a fast streaming speed and great variety of unblockable content, NordVPN allows you to make the most out of your sessions with Kodi.
One of the great things about NordVPN and why it works so great for Kodi is due to its incredibly diverse device compatibility. It supports iOS, Android, MAC, Windows, Linux, Android TV and even some routers via dedicated apps. Not to mention that it also has extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers too!
Boasting a network of more than 5200 servers in over 59 countries, NordVPN again shows us how it's a great option for Kodi. With that many fast servers across the globe, you know you’re going to get a fast streaming speed and reliable connection with fewer drops.
NordVPN allows you to have a dedicated IP that only you can use - for free! You will not be able to find this feature with any other provider without paying an additional fee.
Lastly, NordVPN can also unblock some of the most popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and even BBC iPlayer! This will allow you to stream whatever your favourite shows are from around the world with ease.
If you are looking for an affordable and all round good provider then NordVPN should be perfect for your needs.
Pros
- Fast streaming speed
- Works great with Kodi
- Wide range of compatibility
- High level privacy features
- Apps for all platforms
- Browser extensions
Cons
- The desktop app is not as user friendly as some of the other VPN services on the list
BEST VALUE
If you enjoy watching content creators on video streaming sites such as Youtube, then there's a good chance that you’ve heard of Surfshark (more than likely through sponsorships). This provider boasts good unblocking capabilities and has some added privacy features such as malware protection.
Surshark supports all major operating systems and is available for many devices, particularly iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux, whilst also being easy to download and use. When used with Kodi, Surfshark is great as it unblocks most of the restrictive sites such as Amazon Prime, BBC Iplayer and Netflix.
With over 3200 servers in 65 countries you can be assured you will receive good quality and lag free streams, even when watching in HD. One of the most attractive features of Surfshark (especially for large families) is that, unlike other top VPNs in the market, it supports unlimited devices.
A great choice for those with large families, whilst also being budget friendly, Surshark offers a 30 day money back guarantee should you not be 100% satisfied with the service you receive.
Pros
- Great at unblocking content
- Very private and secure
- No device connection limit
- 24/7 live chat support
- One of the more cost effective options
Cons
- Some servers can be on the slow side
RUNNER UP
Another great option for Kodi VPNs is: Cyberghost. A reputable and reliable provider it often comes highly recommended. Allowing for multiple connections, the main focus of Cyberghost is making streaming that bit more efficient.
What makes Cyberghost so special is that it offers some really unique features that are hard to find elsewhere. For example, it allows you to select a server based on what streaming platform you’re looking to access and instead of using location names, it automatically suggests the best server for that specific streaming channel.
Cyberghost is also really great at unblocking most video platforms, including your standard Netflix, BBC Iplayer and Hulu but also platforms like Youtube, ViaPlay and even the anime streaming service Crunchyroll.
Like most VPNs on this list, Cyberghost works on all mainstream operating systems, such as Android, iOS, Mac, Linux and Windows but if you are an android user, it is only obtainable through the Google Play app - meaning you will need to install this if you do not already have it.
If varied content from a range of different platforms is what you’re looking for then Cyberghost is a great option for you. It is an easy to use, on click set up solution for watching through Kodi given to you from a reputable service provider.
Pros
- Fast and reliable servers
- Highly optimized for Kodi enabled devices
- Supports 10 simultaneous connections
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the best for unblocking streaming platforms
- Low priority for torrent and network sharing support
RUNNER UP
As you may be able to get from the name, IPVanish looks to hide your IP address from the likes of your ISP (internet service provider) or even hackers on the internet. And not only that, but IPVanish is another great choice to be used with Kodi.
Whilst working for all main device platforms, iOS, Mac, Windows and Linux the area where IPVanish really shines is when supporting Kodi on Android smartphones, tablets and boxes. It works extremely well with the Amazon Fire TV and TV Stick and is easy to download and install even if your device doesn't have the Google Play app installed!
Boasting over 1,400 servers across 53 countries, you know that you're once again going to receive a decent service, however some websites such as Netflix have been known to have some issues when streaming content.
There are around 40,000 anonymous IP addresses and you can connect up to ten different devices at one time from just one subscription.
IPVanish also uses 256-bit encryption which helps to keep all of your streaming sessions safe and will provide you with fast connections and anonymity for activities like downloads and torrenting.
If anonymity and android devices are your thing then look no further than IPVanish.
Pros
- Superior anonymity
- Works great with Android devices
- Fast connection speeds
- Allows for up to 10 different devices to connect
- Excellent Kodi Support
- Unlimited data cap
- 24/7 live chat customer support
Cons
- Does not unblock streaming platforms such as Disney+ or BBC Iplayer
- Can be inconsistent when using Netflix
RUNNER UP
Another VPN provider on our list whose name is very self explanatory is PrivateVPN. Not only a great option for streaming video services on Kodi, it also boasts very high security which is an important point for many.
You will find PrivateVPN to be more than a great option for Kodi as it can easily unblock the majority of streaming sites. Not only that but due to its fast servers in over 60 locations, you are guaranteed a smooth, lag free session when binging your favorite shows.
Most importantly however, this provider has some excellent privacy features. Using military grade encryption you can rest easy knowing your personal data and identity are safe from the hands of hackers and criminals.
This service also supports torrenting and works on all the major device platforms, whilst also allowing up to six device connections to one account.
If privacy is paramount then PrivateVPN is a good potential candidate for your VPN provider and they offer a 30 day money back guarantee, should you not be happy with the service at any time (which we are sure will not be the case)!
Pros
- Speedy servers
- Excellent security and privacy
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Great streaming site unblocker
- Does not log any traffic
- Open port for torrenting
- Up to 6 devices connected to one account
Cons
- Fewer server locations than some of the providers on the list
RUNNER UP
Private Internet Access or PIA, as it is sometimes known, is a VPN provider who has been around for some years now. During this time it has proved itself to be a trusted and reliable VPN provider for even the most safety conscious users around.
With the choice of either a 128 or 256-bit encryption as standard you can rest easy knowing your private information is safe when using PIA. Not to mention that it doesn’t log any of your internet traffic, meaning all of your session history shall remain private.
When it comes to working with Kodi, PIA is a worthy candidate. As it is available for any platform you can use this service wherever your Kodi library may be, meaning you can always access your media on every device. Further to this, PIA has a really well developed Linux client, whilst also being available on the most used platforms.
So overall if you’re looking for a secure, yet affordable VPN - Private Internet Access is a great choice, especially if you’re on a budget.
Pros
- Well developed for Linux
- Affordable subscription plans
- Good level of protection inline
Cons
- Inconsistent streaming
- Only unblocks a few different streaming sites
RUNNER UP
Windscribe is one of the most trusted and well known free VPN providers. You can expect to receive a good streaming experience with it and can even stream in HD without worries regarding lag.
This may come as a shock to you but there is also no difference between Windscrive and some of the other paid VPNS when it comes down to security. With military grade encryption, it masks your IP address and provides you with both DNS (domain name system) leak protection and a network firewall - two very handy tools when it comes to using Kodi.
Not only that but Windscribe also offers a free blocker, ant-web tracker and ads blocker which is not something that is common even with most paid VPNs.
However, Windscrive does limit its monthly consumption to 10GB only so be careful not to run out of data too soon.
With a good connection speed and military grade protection, and if you don't mind a monthly data limit then Windscribe is a great choice when it comes to free providers.
Pros
- Free blocker for web trackers and ads
- Military grade encryption
- Good connection speed
- Good features, considering it is a free service
Cons
- Not able to unblock as much content
- Data limit
RUNNER UP
Based in Malaysia, one of the most privacy friendly countries, Hide.me has been around for many years, proving reliable and popular in the free VPN market.
With fast servers and a wide range of supported platforms you should be able to watch your favourite videos in HD with no issue. But Much like Windscribe before, Hide.me also only allows up to 10GB of monthly data. If you’re a casual user then this shouldnt be a problem but do not expect to be able to binge watch your favorite shows on this allowance.
Hide.me also only allows for only one device to connect to an account but if this is all you need and you aren’t concerned regarding a data limit, then Hide.me is another worthy choice for a free VPN service.
Pros
- Excellent security and privacy
- Available on most platforms and browser extensions
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- One device per account
- Doesn’t unblock some popular streaming platforms
RUNNER UP
Last on our list and last of our free providers is Hotspot Shield. Another well known service provider, Hotspot shield boast a strong encryption and offers friendly customer support at
Whilst having an affordable option, Hotspot shield also offers a free plan for all. This is a great option to anyone on a budget or also anyone who is looking to try out a VPN before they buy.
With only one server location dedicated to this free trial you can expect a minimum speed of over 25mbps when using Kodi and limited monthly usage of 15GB.
Despite having a strong encryption Hotspot Shield can’t guarantee to be 100% anonymous and because of that you can be subject to some targeted advertisements especially if you are a free user. It also doesn’t provide a range of IP addresses, so this can make bypassing any geo-blocks very difficult.
However if you’re just looking to dip your toe into the waters of VPNs then Hotspot Shield is a great way to do so. It can help you get to grips with the basics of VPNs and has some affordable options should you choose to upgrade to a paid package.
Pros
- Fast connection speed
- Available to major platforms
- Good support for streaming
Cons
- Unable to pass geo-blocks
- Logs sensitive data
Best Kodi VPN Buying Guide
There are a few main points to be considered when searching for a VPN that is going to meet all of your needs. Below we have included a handy buyers guide to remind you of what to look for. It’s important to remember that spending a little extra time considering what features matter most to you should save you time, effort and money in the future.
Security
The whole reason we use VPNs is for security. So when you are picking your provider it is important to check that they offer you a high level of privacy and security when using Kodi.
Speed
When considering what makes a good or bad VPN, speed is one of the most important determining factors. If you have a slow VPN then the rate at which your media files download will be much slower than that of a fast VPN. This means that the quality of the media you’re watching will suffer as a result.
Compatibility
Whilst Kodi itself is available on many platforms not all VPNS will work on every device. Here we have tried to include VPN services that will work with most operating systems however it is always wise to check what system you require before you purchase.
Access Capabilities
When searching for your perfect VPN to use with Kodi it is a good idea to look for one that can allow you to access a vast number of region blocked streaming services. This way you can ensure you are getting the best possible deal.
Usability
Any good VPN service should be easy for even the least tech savvy among us to use. This coupled with good customer support is something really important to look out for when choosing a VPN as you want to be able to use it, but also be able to get some help when things don’t go right.
Best Kodi VPN - FAQ's
Why do I need a VPN for Kodi?
A VPN allows for your connection to be redirected to a different server rather than the destination site itself. This allows your web activity to then become invisible to others, which is great, if you’re doing things like torrenting or viewing media from pirated sources.
A VPN also allows you to bypass geo-blockers which is awesome when using Kodi as it can let you view content from streaming platforms all across the world. Not only that but it also provides that extra layer of security from any potential cyber criminals who could be looking to intercept your data online.
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