Kodi has become the most effective online streaming solution in the world. This application has a large number of accessories available that will allow us to watch everything from movies to series and live TV shows. We recommend this tool to those who want to enjoy the best quality broadcasts from their devices.
Although within Kodi we can find a huge library of add-ons that will allow us to access different broadcasts, most of them are geographically restricted, so many users cannot access to enjoy their benefits. However, there are tools that will allow us to unlock these restricted add-ons according to the user’s location.
What are VPNs for Kodi?
VPNs for Kodi are intended for those people who suffer from geographical restrictions to be able to enjoy certain add-ons for Kodi, which tend to broadcast recognized channels such as ABC, USTVNow, SportsNet, CBS, among others. With the help of this software we will be able to change the IP address and use an address located geographically in regions enabled by the add-ons that we are used to using, so we can enjoy all the contents without any restrictions from Kodi.
Generally, a VPN for Kodi usually replaces the IP address with one located in the United States, since it is the country that has the most permissions to access the content of various television channels. It is important to note that VPN is not only a tool to unblock geographically restricted streaming transmissions, but also helps us protect our devices, hiding our activity through encrypted codes, so that they cannot compromise our devices and access the relevant information that we store in them.
Do I need a VPN for Kodi?
Here are the reasons why you might need a VPN for Kodi:
- When you need to secure all your activities in video transmissions and even music from the ISP.
- Secure all streaming and even torrent sharing on Kodi.
- Unblock geographically restricted live TV.
- To improve the speed of games within the application.
- To overcome the censorship imposed by the European Union.
We must point out that this is not an illegal method to access streams through Kodi, which creates security among users using VPN for Kodi.
Features to consider when choosing a VPN for Kodi
Currently, there are many Kodi VPN providers that top the list of best based on rigorous evaluation. The aspects that have been taken into account to analyze the different software were privacy, pricing plans, compatibility, among other relevant aspects for the use of this type of tools that allow access to digital content more easily. These are most popular Kodi VPN provider we recommend:
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
Although there is a wide variety of VPN services available to subscribe to, it is recommended to take certain aspects into account before doing so, such as user opinion, trial versions, among other aspects, to determine if it is better to choose one or the other service.
Server Network
It is highly recommended that the VPN for Kodi used offers the ability to choose a wide variety of servers to choose from, which will allow users to unblock channels from all over the world, and not just from certain countries.
ExpressVPN offers us a network of large servers located in different locations, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy, Australia, Japan, among other countries. On the other hand, NordVPN offers us server networks located in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Singapore, and Australia.
Finally, Express VPN offers us a turbo speed that will be extremely interesting for all Kodi users who are looking for high-speed HD streaming, live channels and torrent downloads.
VPN Protocols
Another aspect that we must take into account are the tunneling protocols, which allow us to improve the speed of transmissions. These protocols tend to establish data encryption rules, which allow you to enjoy greater security within a VPN for Kodi. That is to say, that the encryption of data and the speed of transfer of this data are directly related through these protocols.
For example, in Open VPN we find a secure tunneling protocol that allows highly secure connectivity, although we must also point out that it is very difficult to configure, therefore it is not recommended for beginners in this type of tool.
The Tunneling Protocol is called Point to Point, which is highly recommended for those looking to unlock complex geographic restrictions, which is why it is recommended to take it into account when choosing a platform.
OpenVPN is characterized by being one of the VPNs for Kodi that offers the highest speed in its transmissions, and this is due to the fact that it offers tunneling protocols with enormous encryption capacity, although as a negative aspect we find the fact that it has very advanced configurations. IKEv2 is another of the fastest tunneling protocols to unlock geo-restrictions within Kodi, which can be configured quickly, which generates a great advantage over other alternatives that users have.
Apps and software
The most recognized VPNs for Kodi tend to offer desktop applications and applications for mobile devices, which allow you to configure VPN on all devices, in order to achieve greater security when enjoying transmissions through Kodi. Generally, these applications are available for desktop computers equipped with Windows, Linux and Mac, and mobile devices with iOS and Android, which allows easy handling of the tools that will allow you to unlock your favorite channels or broadcasts to enjoy them from all your devices.
How to install a VPN on Kodi
Usually, the easiest method to set up a VPN with Kodi on your device is to use apps on devices such as Windows, Mac, or other devices. Install a VPN app, install Kodi, launch the VPN, then launch Kodi and watch without worry. However, while this may sound pretty cookie-cutter, not all devices follow this method.
I’ve selected some popular ways to access Kodi with a VPN and outlined rough guides on how you could set it up on your device.
Set up Kodi VPN on FireStick
Amazon Firestick has one of the least complicated setups you can ask for. If you have a second generation Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, all the setup is a breeze.
- Go to the main screen and click Search
- Type the name of your VPN Provider and install its from Amazon App Store.
- Once the VPN app is downloaded, open it and sign in using your VPN account credentials.
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the VPN app to set up and configure your VPN connection.
- Once your VPN connection is established, go back to the FireStick home screen and launch the Kodi app.
- Within Kodi, navigate to the “Settings” option by selecting the gear icon at the top left corner.
- In the settings menu, select “System” and then click on “Add-ons” on the left-hand side.
- Under add-ons, select “Install from repository” and choose the official Kodi add-on repository.
- Scroll down and select “Program Add-ons” and then find and select your VPN’s add-on (usually named after your VPN provider).
- Click on “Install” to install the VPN add-on.
- After the installation is completed, go back to the Kodi home screen and select “Add-ons” from the left-hand menu.
- In the add-ons menu, you should see your VPN add-on. Open it and follow any on-screen instructions to connect to the VPN server.
Once you have successfully connected to the VPN server, your Kodi traffic will be encrypted and routed through the VPN, providing you with privacy and security while using Kodi on your FireStick device.
Setting up a VPN via a Kodi addon
In some cases, you can set up a VPN through the Kodi addons. This way, your streaming media will use a VPN from the Kodi app.
- Open Kodi, then select Addons and then Download
- Select the Program Add-ons category
- Select a VPN plugin that your VPN provider supports
- Open the plugin and configure it according to your provider’s instructions
- When you’re done, click Activate
- Now when you are using Kodi, the VPN will be enabled in the background
Connect to a VPN through a router
Depending on the router model you have, you will be able to set up a VPN connection on it. In this way, all devices on your network will be covered. This includes the devices you use for Kodi.
- Find out if your router supports VPN connections
- If it does, you’re halfway there.
- If it doesn’t, you may have to install a custom firmware instead of the current one.
- The actual configuration will depend on your router and even your VPN service provider.
- When you add the VPN settings, your router will effectively encrypt all connections, including Kodi connections.
VPNs you should avoid using with Kodi
The best part is that many bad VPNs are incompatible with Kodi. And the ones that do are often limited in many ways, such as not being compatible with Amazon Fire Stick & Fire TV, Android TV, and other platforms. So here are some VPNs that you should avoid using with Kodi, even if they are compatible with this media player:
IPVanish. This is a really good provider, but we have put it on this list because it is located in the United States. Also, their no-logs policy hasn’t been audited yet. And finally, there are no anonymous payment options.
HideMyAss. In 2011, his data helped catch a hacker, while in 2015, a Texas judge was caught the same way. If we add to this the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes in the UK, there are not enough arguments to use this Kodi VPN. Data security is a key factor in the safety of Kodi users.
PureVPN. Overall, it’s a good service with plenty of servers and countries to choose from. Unfortunately, this VPN has been caught in the past providing the FBI with its client records. So if you are planning to use some illegal Kodi addons, better choose another option.
To summarize, try to find out more about your chosen VPN. Where is it registered? Is it really a no-logs provider? If it fails these two tests and you still want it for some inexplicable reason, at least make sure you can pay in cryptocurrency or other anonymous methods.
Is it safe to use a free VPN with Kodi?
The answer to this one depends on the free VPN you choose. For example, Windscribe is one of the best VPNs for Kodi with free version, anonymous payments, and unlimited concurrent connections. However, the data cap won’t allow you to watch more than a few movies a month. Therefore, the question is more like which free VPNs can effectively be used with Kodi?
Next, we have ProtonVPN. This service is really safe and will protect your Kodi traffic. It has unlimited bandwidth, is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland, and accepts anonymous payments. Sadly, the desire to try it cools off when you find out about slow speeds, three countries to choose from, no P2P , and no streaming.
Is it legal to use a VPN for Kodi?
Using a VPN with Kodi is completely legal and does not break any laws. You’re just routing your connection through the server somewhere else, and hiding your real IP.
However, some Kodi addons are not so innocent. They may be accessing various streaming channels that knowingly violate copyright laws, a legal gray area. You may never know 100% if the stream you are watching is legal or not, but ignorance of the law is no excuse.
They can fine you whether you know what you’re doing or not. The solution? Use a VPN, which will protect your privacy online in case something goes wrong.
Conclusion: Should You Get the Best VPN for Kodi?
As we have mentioned above, there are two reasons to get a VPN for Kodi. One is to protect you in case you are going to use some illegal plugins, and the other is to get access to geoblocked content and plugins. In any case, the quality of your service will determine the success of both tasks.
We believe that most Kodi users will encounter both of these issues while using the media player. After all, you can only really get the most out of it by installing key plugins. Even if you manage to stay away from illegal ones, you may not be able to install some due to geo-blocking. The same goes for content – you won’t be able to access Netflix US if the add-on doesn’t offer any impersonation method.
And when it comes to protecting yourself, don’t forget that the ISP knows what you’re doing online. That includes your IP address, location, and traffic data. When you activate a VPN, the surveillance stops. Only the IP of your selected server is made visible, which will not help to track you. Lastly, you can even avoid bandwidth throttling because some ISPs throttle your speed if they see you streaming or downloading large files.
All in all, we suggest you get a VPN for Kodi and extend your HD streaming capabilities while staying safe at the same time.
Questions
What is the best VPN for Kodi?
At the time of writing, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Kodi in 2023. It ticks all the boxes and is virtually flawless. Check it out if you haven’t already.
Is it safe to use Kodi without a VPN?
Although it is possible to use Kodi without a VPN, it is not very secure. First of all, your ISP will see if you download via illegal plugins. Since it has a lot of other data about you, you can take down law enforcement at your doorstep. With a VPN, you will hide your IP, location and all traffic.
Can I install Kodi VPN on a Fire Stick?
Yes, absolutely. Of course, not all VPNs have apps for Amazon devices, but most of them offer a manual setup guide. All of the top providers will allow you to install a VPN on a Fire Stick or Fire TV.
What is the difference between the Kodi boxes?
First of all, Kodi boxes are Android or Linux based streaming devices with a pre-installed media player. But be careful – some boxes may include illegal plugins as well. In this case, you should either remove the suspicious add-ons or get a VPN to protect yourself from possible legal repercussions.
