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Our experts have reviewed 53 VPN providers, which were put through extensive rounds of testing. To learn more about that process, here’s how we review VPNs, where we explain our criteria and our policy of being fully transparent.
Kodi lets you store and play all your favorite videos, movies, shows, music, photos, and more. However, it's also true that Kodi has geo-blocks in place for most of its add-ons, putting restrictions on its features and content based on your location. For instance, if you want to use certain US-based add-ons like Crackle or Pluto TV abroad, they will be unavailable to you. For complete, unrestricted access to the service, you need to use a Kodi VPN.
A VPN for Kodi lets you unblock any add-on to maximize Kodi’s potential and watch all the TV shows, movies, and other content you want. With the best VPN for Kodi, such as any of the VPNs recommended below, you'll be able to enjoy Kodi in up to 4K without any buffering or throttling.
This article presents the 7 best Kodi VPNs and provides a guide on how to set up your VPN. We also explain why you need a VPN for Kodi, how to pick the best one, how to install and use a VPN with Kodi, and offer some troubleshooting tips. We'll finish this guide with a round of FAQs.
To use a VPN with Kodi, you need to have Kodi and a VPN installed on your device, as you'll use them separately. Open your VPN application, connect to a server, and you'll unblock Kodi add-ons. These are the steps you need to take:
Before you start using Kodi add-ons, make sure to enable Kodi's 'Unknown Sources' option. Also, check out our guide on how to set up a VPN on Kodi, where you'll find device-specific instructions covering Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more.
The best Kodi VPN should come with many of the features that make up the best VPN for streaming, but it needs to be optimized for Kodi specifically. That means it should be able to unblock any Kodi add-on, for which you need a wide server network across the US and the rest of the world.
Next, you'll want smooth performance and fast speeds, as your goal should be streaming in HD and 4K without buffering. It's also a good idea to have obfuscation, helping you bypass even the most rigorous geo-blocks. You'll also want a kill switch to prevent data leaks, as well as a no-logs policy, strong VPN protocols, and robust encryption.
Also, make sure you get enough simultaneous devices, especially if you use Kodi on more than a single device. And, since you'll need to use Kodi and a VPN side by side, make sure to get a VPN with native apps across the board. Finally, the best VPN service for Kodi should provide a generous money-back policy, as well as 24/7 live chat customer support.
Based on the criteria explained above, these are the 7 best Kodi VPNs:
NordVPN is the best VPN for Kodi on the global market, putting a lot of emphasis on privacy and security. That means you’ll get privacy protection as well as the ability to unblock any Kodi add-on on practically any device or platform.
Supported Platforms (Kodi-Compatible): Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (Android, iOS), media streaming devices (Android TV, Fire TV), and routers.
User Interface: It would be an understatement to say that NordVPN is a joy to use. Its home screen consists of a large interactive map. Using this map, you can easily connect to any server by letting NordVPN pick the most suitable one. You can also pick a server manually by choosing a specific server based on its location. The same applies to other versions of NordVPN as well, including those made for mobile devices.
Features: NordVPN has been doing plenty of work in the last year to overhaul its already excellent service. It now offers colocated servers owned and managed by the VPN itself. It also logs no private data, as numerous audits have proven. NordVPN provides a kill switch, so no data leaks can happen. Aside from that, this is an audited no-logs VPN provider. And you get 6 simultaneous connections.
Media Streaming / Content Unblocking: NordVPN has the power to unblock just about any website and media streaming platform. The same applies to Kodi. However, we do recommend talking to NordVPN's support team and asking them about the best servers for add-ons you plan to unblock. Also, know that NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN services, offering equally fast connections to nearby and remote servers.
Protocols: You'll find OpenVPN here, in addition to IKEv2/IPSec. Not too long ago, NordVPN also implemented its own spin on WireGuard, called NordLynx. It's available across the board and has the power to unblock Kodi add-ons while not affecting your Web connection speed.
Servers: At the moment, NordVPN has 5,800+ servers in around 60 countries. There are close to 2,000 servers in the US alone, across 15 cities. Aside from offering regular servers, you'll find specialized options here. There are double-VPN servers, obfuscated ones, as well as those that provide P2P and Onion-Over-VPN traffic. So, plenty of options overall.
Settings: NordVPN's settings panel is a joy to use. You'll see a highly polished interface that lets you pick a different VPN protocol, instruct the VPN to launch on system startup, enable 'Threat Protection' (an ad- and malware-blocking feature), set up the VPN's kill-switch, and more. With that said, it's clear that NordVPN will make even the most demanding users happy.
Support & Refunds: This is yet another reason why NordVPN is the best VPN for Kodi. You can chat 24/7 with its customer support team, send emails, open support tickets, and more. We also need to praise NordVPN's technical documentation. Lastly, know that NordVPN comes with a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back policy.
Surfshark is a fast-developing Kodi VPN with servers in 100 countries. Since it works great for media streaming (due to its ultra-fast performance), it’s no wonder that it makes perfect sense to utilize its power to unblock Kodi add-ons and reach more movies and TV shows.
Supported Platforms (Kodi-Compatible): Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (Android, iOS), media streaming devices (Android TV, Fire TV), and routers.
User Interface: Surfshark caters to different groups of users by offering a customizable UI. You can use its compact UI to connect to the fastest (nearest) server or pick any of your previously used servers. Once you expand its interface, additional information appears. You will get to choose a server manually, check its current load (status), mark servers as your favorites, and more. Connecting and disconnecting from servers is done instantly.
Features: There are plenty of unique features found in Surfshark, suitable for Kodi streaming and general use. This VPN comes with unmetered connections, so there's no limit on how many devices you can use. Then, there's a 'Whitelister' feature, which is basically split-tunneling. Surfshark can also get rid of ads, trackers, and malware. On top of that, you get optional obfuscation, which means you can use it only when needed.
Media Streaming / Content Unblocking: Based on our hands-on tests, Surfshark unblocks pretty much any media streaming platform out there. This includes Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and plenty more. In terms of Kodi, you should be able to unblock the majority of both official and unofficial add-ons, which is a huge benefit.
Protocols: This no-logs VPN comes with three protocols - OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. Keep in mind that these are coupled with AES-256 and ChaCha20, incredibly strong types of encryption. Therefore, you'll get to unblock Kodi addons while being 100% safe and protected online. Also, Surfshark comes with a really fast performance, especially when using WireGuard, which introduces minimal slowdowns only.
Servers: During the last couple of months, Surfshark has added a whole army of servers to its fleet. It currently has 3,000+ servers spread across 100+ countries. When it comes to the US, you'll find 600+ servers in 20+ locations across the entire country.
Settings: Surfshark allows you to customize various aspects of your user experience. For example, you'll get to pick a different protocol, set the VPN to auto-launch and auto-connect on startup, enable its kill switch, create a list of trusted networks, and more. We're sure that both beginners and advanced users alike will be happy with this VPN.
Support & Refunds: Surfshark covers everything you'll need if you ever get stuck. There's 24/7 live chat on its website, and you can submit a support ticket or send an email. Then, know that this VPN comes with a rich knowledge base, as well as plenty of frequently asked questions. And, considering it's among the best VPN for Kodi, it's no wonder that it has a 30-day refund policy.
ExpressVPN is among the most capable VPNs available today. It works on any device, it’s easy to use and unblocks practically any Kodi add-on while protecting your privacy as well. On top of that, it features incredibly fast speeds.
Supported Platforms (Kodi-Compatible): Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS), mobile (Android, iOS), streaming devices (Fire OS, Android TV), and a wide range of routers.
User Interface: ExpressVPN offers a very simple-to-use interface. Using its home screen, you can connect to any of its servers (by clicking on the 'three dots' icon). This will reveal the list of recommended locations, but you can pick any server manually as well. Diving deeper into the VPN is done using the 'hamburger' button. This is where you can run a speed test, tinker with the VPN's preferences, as well as consult ExpressVPN's help section.
Features: The VPN's TrustedServer feature eliminates any risk of anyone getting to your private data. It also features high-end protocols and AES-256 encryption, the strongest type of commercially available encryption. Let's not forget that ExpressVPN allows up to 8 simultaneous connections, and it's also a verified no-logs VPN provider. Aside from that, a kill switch and split-tunneling are on offer.
Media Streaming / Content Unblocking: ExpressVPN doesn't disappoint in terms of media streaming. We never managed to find an addon that can't be unblocked via this VPN. And if you want to use it outside of Kodi, know that ExpressVPN works with Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more. On top of that, it comes with incredibly fast speed and minimal throttling.
Protocols: This VPN is primarily powered by OpenVPN, which is currently the most secure VPN protocol available. You get both UDP and TCP variants of OpenVPN. IKEv2 is on offer, as well as IPSec/L2TP. You can also use Lightway, which is ExpressVPN's own protocol that strikes the right balance between security and performance.
Servers: At the moment, this VPN offers 3,000+ servers spread across 100+ countries and 160 locations (hundreds of servers are in the US, across 20+ locations). Its servers are distributed throughout the world evenly, so you should have no problem finding a nearby server. In turn, this should help you achieve fast Web connection speeds. We'll also mention that every single server is obfuscated.
Settings: Diving into this VPN's settings will allow you to fine-tune your experience. ExpressVPN allows you to launch it on startup, set up split tunneling, pick a different protocol, and more. This is especially useful for Kodi, as you can achieve ultra-fast performance and effortless media streaming by fine-tuning these settings.
Support & Refunds: Besides accessing help-related resources within the app, ExpressVPN's website is also a treasure trove of useful content. You can contact the VPN via live chat (24/7), create a support ticket, or send an email. No matter which method you pick, we're sure your questions will be answered in record time. Also, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost is a peculiar VPN, as it brings servers optimized for media streaming. So, you’ll get to unblock even the toughest Kodi add-ons. However, you can also use it for torrenting, Web browsing, and even gaming. So, it’s quite versatile overall.
Supported Platforms (Kodi-Compatible): Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (iOS, Android), media streaming devices (Android TV, Fire TV), smart TVs (LG, Samsung), and a wide range of routers.
User Interface: CyberGhost VPN has always been known for its user-friendly interface. Once you install it, you'll first see its compact UI, using which you can connect to select locations (including the most suitable one, based on your location). Once you expand this UI, plenty of additional options appear. You can filter the available servers by their purpose (downloading and streaming), review them manually, and more. With that said, know that CyberGhost can be as straightforward or as complex as you need it to be.
Features: We could spend quite some time listing CyberGhost's features. This VPN is capable of blocking ads, malicious websites, and online tracking. It also comes with an automated HTTP redirection, and you can even use it to compress Web data. On top of everything else, this is a highly transparent VPN built upon its no-logs policy, giving you 7 simultaneous connections.
Media Streaming / Content Unblocking: No matter which Kodi addons you use, know that CyberGhost will help you secure your Web traffic while unblocking content. Of course, this goes beyond Kodi, as CyberGhost VPN works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and a huge number of other platforms. However, we do have to note that it's not the fastest option around, even though it does offer respectable speeds overall.
Protocols: There's a full range of protocols available here. You get OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and WireGuard. Even though OpenVPN will help you secure your traffic while also unblocking media content, WireGuard is an exciting alternative. This is a newer, more efficient protocol that brings increased performance.
Servers: For a long time now, this VPN has been one of the VPNs with the highest number of servers. More precisely, you'll find 10,000+ servers here. These are found in 100+ countries across 130+ locations, including 1,400+ servers across 10+ US locations. The only downside is that you won't find obfuscation here.
Settings: This VPN allows you to fine-tune your experience, but not by much. For example, its settings panel lets you check for updates, review your account details, and run diagnostic tests. However, certain fine-tuning is possible within the application's interface. This is where you can enable its 'extra' features, set up split-tunneling, and more.
Support & Refunds: CyberGhost VPN is one of the most popular VPNs worldwide. Therefore, it's not surprising to know that it offers many ways to get help. You can chat with its agents live 24/7, submit a support ticket, send an email, or check the VPN's documentation. There's also a very informative blog that teaches you about the latest digital events. Finally, you can count on a 45-day money-back policy if you pick a long-term subscription.
Previously, we highlighted a beginner-friendly VPN. However, if you’re a more advanced user, you’ll appreciate what Private Internet Access offers. This is a highly advanced VPN that works great with Kodi, giving you a plethora of options to customize.
Supported Platforms (Kodi-Compatible): Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (Android, iOS), media streaming devices (Android TV, Fire TV), and routers.
User Interface: This VPN has one of the most polished UIs overall. Its home screen presents a series of information regarding your Web connection and your chosen server. In case you're an advanced VPN user, you're going to love what you'll find here. Connecting to servers is done instantly, and there are handy shortcuts for enabling features like port forwarding, LAN support, switching between different themes, and plenty more.
Features: You'll find numerous useful features here. For example, PIA blocks ads, trackers, and malware. It comes with P2P support as well. And on top of that, it logs no data, which means that your digital privacy will be safeguarded. Let's not forget to mention that PIA has recently open-sourced its Android app with other apps to follow. Kodi users can also take advantage of PIA's kill switch, split-tunneling, and obfuscation. Also, PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
Media Streaming / Content Unblocking: Based on our tests, PIA is capable of unblocking a wide range of Kodi addons. And outside of Kodi, this VPN works with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. Let's also praise PIA's performance, which is more than fast enough for streaming. Still, you'll want to visit the VPN's settings to optimize your VPN connection for speed.
Protocols: As you can expect, PIA comes with OpenVPN. Back in March 2020, PIA began beta-testing the WireGuard protocol. Since then, the testing has concluded, and WireGuard is now available on both desktop and mobile platforms. As you'd expect, OpenVPN is paired with AES-256, while WireGuard is paired with ChaCha20.
Servers: Overall, PIA has thousands of VPN servers. Many of those are PIA's “next-gen” servers based on an innovative infrastructure. Even before, PIA was known for its speed and performance, which has become even more prominent with the launch of its next-gen network. Lastly, know that PIA's network spans 90+ countries, and it covers every single US state.
Settings: If you're an experienced VPN user, PIA's settings panel will surprise you in the most unexpected way possible. This is where you can dig into your VPN connection, making sure it's fine-tuned and customized. You'll get to split-tunnel your connection, pick and then fine-tune VPN protocols, enable/disable the VPN's kill switch, set up additional proxies, and more.
Support & Refunds: Private Internet Access offers 24/7 live chat via its website, in addition to a completely overhauled customer support system. You'll get to read guides and news in addition to other types of useful resources. Also, there are 30-day money-back guarantees.
A reliable VPN doesn’t have to be overly complex to use, and IPVanish is the perfect example of that. This isn’t the most powerful VPN out there, but its bigger strength is that you can use it with Kodi right out of the box without any customization needed.
Supported Platforms (Kodi-Compatible): Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (Android, iOS), media streaming devices (Fire OS, Android TV), and routers.
User Interface: This VPN doesn't have the most polished interface, but it gets the job done even for first-time users. The home page of IPVanish comes with three tabs. The 'Quick Connect' tab lets you connect to the most suitable server based on the selected country. The 'Server List' tab allows you to manually find a server (from a list or through a map). Lastly, the 'Account' tab gives you a handy overview of your subscription.
Features: IPVanish is a powerful all-around VPN for Kodi. It's dedicated to evolving its service at a rapid pace. As a result, this is now a no-logs VPN service that offers unmetered connections. It even offers unlimited simultaneous connections. Also, know that there's a fully automated kill switch. On top of that, split tunneling is on offer as well.
Media Streaming / Content Unblocking: Based on our tests, this VPN works with the US version of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and countless more. In terms of Kodi, IPVanish is a powerful option capable of unblocking the majority of official and unofficial Kodi addons. We'll also note that IPVanish can be fast if you pick nearby servers, but its performance isn't the fastest overall.
Protocols: By default, IPVanish uses OpenVPN, which isn't surprising. However, don't forget to check its additional protocols, as plenty is on offer. We're talking about WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP, and IPSec. Coupled with AES-256 and ChaCha20, all of those protocols should be capable enough to safeguard even the most private of your data. Of course, content unblocking works across those protocols as well.
Servers: During the last year, IPVanish has been adding new servers every now and then. Right now, it offers more than 2,000 servers spread across 75+ locations. Also, IPVanish covers 20+ US locations with more than 1,000 servers in total. This VPN's server network has 40,000+ IP addresses, which gives you a glimpse into its size.
Settings: Not many VPNs manage to strike the right balance between simplicity and complexity. When it comes to IPVanish, this is clearly visible via its settings panel. You'll get to decide whether IPVanish should auto-launch and auto-connect upon system startup. You can also enable the VPN's kill switch here, pick a different server, scramble your traffic, and more.
Support & Refunds: This is yet another area that IPVanish has improved recently. Aside from checking its rich library of help-related resources, you can talk to IPVanish's agents live 24/7. You can also send an email, create a support ticket, or even call the VPN's support via your phone (available in select countries). You'll also find a 30-day money-back policy.
If you’re on a limited budget, Ivacy comes as an interesting option. This is a very simple VPN that works great for media streaming, as it gives you access to a wide server network and the ability to unblock practically any Kodi add-on.
Supported Platforms (Kodi-Compatible): Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (iOS, Android), media streaming devices (Android TV, Fire TV), and routers.
User Interface: Ivacy's interface might look a bit intimidating at first. However, once you start using it, you'll see that each of its buttons and terms makes sense. On the left, there's a sidebar letting you pick a server based on your planned activity. This includes streaming, downloading, website unblocking, and general Web browsing. Aside from that, you can dive into the application's settings, your user account, and more.
Features: You get a kill-switch, 256-bit encryption, up to 10 simultaneous connections, as well as support for P2P Web traffic. Let's not forget that Ivacy VPN can block malicious sites. It also comes with a no-logs privacy policy, which means that it takes care of your data in the best possible way. We'll also mention that Ivacy offers obfuscation, but it's not the most powerful implementation possible.
Media Streaming / Content Unblocking: A unique thing about this Kodi VPN is that it offers a dedicated Kodi addon. Even though this sounds nice, we recommend sticking to its native application instead. This is how you'll get to unblock any streaming platform or addon. Some of the addons that can be unblocked via Ivacy are Crackle, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Fox Sports GO, and more. You also get relatively fast performance unless you pick overly remote servers.
Protocols: You'll find a full range of protocols here. This includes OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and IPSec. Your go-to protocol should be OpenVPN. So, it's good to know that Ivacy VPN offers both TCP and UDP variants of OpenVPN. Of course, that protocol is paired with AES-256, while WireGuard is paired with ChaCha20.
Servers: Ivacy VPN brings more than 5,700 servers across 65+ countries. There are also hundreds of servers in the US across a handful of locations. This should be more than enough to help you find a nearby server that provides fast performance.
Settings: In many aspects, Ivacy VPN is trying to automate everything. Therefore, if you're new to the world of VPN services, this is something you'll appreciate. An excellent example of that is the VPN's settings panel. It allows you to instruct Ivacy to launch upon system startup, auto-connect at launch, redial if your connection drops, and that's pretty much it.
Support & Refunds: The fastest way to resolve your issue and have your questions answered is by talking to Ivacy's support agents live. Then, you can consult quick-start guides, frequently asked questions, and more. Lastly, Ivacy also comes with a 30-day money-back policy.
You need a VPN for Kodi to access all its add-ons and watch any content you want. Aside from that, a VPN will help you bypass sports blackouts when streaming, protecting your privacy, and ensure you're not being tracked online. Here's more information:
To choose the best Kodi VPN, your search needs to be based on the ability to unblock add-ons, server network size, performance, and device support. Here's what to keep in mind:
Kodi works on computers (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile devices (Android, iOS), streaming devices (Fire OS, Android TV), and more. Here's a quick overview of the platforms with access to the native Kodi application, along with links to our installation guides:
To download and install a VPN for Kodi, you need to install a standalone VPN application on your device. That means you'll use Kodi and your VPN independently, side by side. Here's how to get started with a VPN on various platforms:
The fastest VPN for streaming Kodi is NordVPN, which allows you to stream in HD and 4K even if you don't have an ultra-fast connection. As such, NordVPN is our preferred recommendation for streaming in general.
There are several reasons why we're recommending NordVPN. First, there's the size of its server network, with over 5,800 units in total. Close to 2,000 servers are in the US alone, which means you'll hardly encounter an overcrowded server that performs less than ideal.
Then, NordVPN keeps investing in its infrastructure. It offers several protocols, and you can make all kinds of adjustments to get the fastest possible speed. In that sense, you'll get equally fast performance no matter if you pick a nearby or remote server.
The best VPN server location for Kodi depends on whether you want the fastest speed, if you want to protect your privacy, or if you want to unblock a specific add-on. Here's more info:
If Kodi doesn't work with your VPN, there are many things you can try. For example, you can try a different server or a different VPN protocol. You can also update your app, restart your devices, and more. Here's a range of possible resolutions:
Yes, you can use a free VPN for Kodi, but we can't really recommend taking that route. That's because a free VPN can bring a very limited streaming experience at best.
Free VPNs either limit your connection's speed or impose strict monthly data limits. They also come with tiny server fleets, which means you'll get to pick from a few locations only. Being a Kodi user, all of that means you'll unblock only a small portion of Kodi add-ons.
Then, there's the question of privacy. Free VPNs employ trackers and collect your data, which is how they generate revenue. More precisely, they sell aggregated data to marketing agencies and other third parties, which goes against the basic principles of VPN services.
Instead of using a free VPN, we recommend you go for a VPN free trial. That's how you'll get premium features for a limited time without any risk. You can pick NordVPN's free trial, which is available on Android for 7 days. The VPN offers a 30-day money-back policy for other platforms.
If you really want a free VPN for Kodi, at least pick a trustworthy one. We recommend Proton VPN but keep in mind you'll get limited performance and servers in 3 countries only (the US, Japan, and the Netherlands.
If you want to enjoy Kodi to the fullest, you'll need a VPN because most of its add-ons are only available in certain countries. With the best Kodi VPN, you can easily change your location and watch your favorite content from any country you'd like. That means you'll gain access to hundreds of movies, TV shows, and live TV channels - as soon as you connect to a VPN server.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for Kodi because of its military-grade security and privacy protocols, wide server network, and strong content-unblocking capabilities. This powerful VPN will easily give you access to all Kodi add-ons and allow you to stream whatever you want in 4K without buffering issues.
That’s all for our guide on the best Kodi VPN services. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thank you for reading!