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If you like binge-watching films, sports, TV shows, or just streaming content from a local hard drive, you’ve probably downloaded Kodi. It’s the best bit of streaming software around, and because it’s free and open-source, Kodi can be tailored to your every need.
But there’s a way to make Kodi even better, and that’s by using a virtual private network (VPN). Get one of these, and it’ll make your Kodi experience more secure and possibly faster. Interested? Keep reading to find out the best VPN for Kodi in 2022.
Please note that many addons contain content that isn’t officially licensed, and accessing such content could be illegal. In short, if the content is free, but looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
What is a VPN?
When you connect to the internet, your computer is assigned an IP address. This IP address tells other websites where you’re connecting. If the site isn’t accessible in your region, it will be blocked.
A VPN circumvents this by acting as a virtual trap door. Essentially, a VPN will make it look like you’re connected in an eligible region. The result? Your origin identity is hidden, and you can access geo-locked services that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to, such as Hulu, HBO Go, or American Netflix.
Choosing the right VPN can be a tedious process. You must consider pricing, reliability, speed, server locations, and privacy. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Kodi-compatible VPNs below.
We’ll also be updating this page with more VPNs in the future, so keep checking back.
The 5 Best VPNs for Kodi 2022
Not all VPNs are created equally. Some come at a higher cost. Some slow your data speeds making it difficult to stream content. And some don’t protect your privacy. This list breaks down the benefits of the best VPNs you can use with Kodi.
1. ExpressVPN (from $6.67/month)
There are a lot of reasons we start with ExpressVPN. The software is, of course, user-friendly, secure, reliable, and available on most devices.
ExpressVPN doesn’t store any activity logs, and it’s also historically been one of the best VPNs for watching US Netflix in the UK. ExpressVPN also comes with a great support network, and if you’re unsure about or satisfied with the service, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. After that, ExpressVPN will cost you (as of April 2022) $7 per month for a 12-month subscription. If you prefer to pay monthly, the cost is $12.95.
Although the price might be higher, as the old addage goes “you get what you pay for.” The ExpressVPN Customer Service team makes a tremendous effort in remedying problems such as accessing your account, connecting devices, or having issues accessing Netflix and other streaming service’s content with your VPN.
Having access to 94 countries, thousands of servers and IP addresses, and no connection or traffic logging is a powerful thing, and it’s all at the click of a button.
ExpressVPN covers your Kodi add-ons (Netflix, Crunchyroll, etc.), and it has Network Lock which serves to protect your true IP address if the VPN disconnects.
2. NordVPN (from $3.99/month)
NordVPN is currently one of the more powerful VPNs you can get. Drawing upon 695 worldwide server locations across 54 different countries, NordVPN has great coverage allowing you to various places around the globe. What’s more, NordVPN’s software is relatively straightforward, and as with other VPNs, it doesn’t log or store your connection details.
Finally, just like the other VPNs mentioned here, NordVPN uses a kill switch that shuts down your entire connection if your VPN ever goes down. That means there’s no way your real IP information can get leaked. At the time of writing, you can get NordVPN for just $3.99 per month, but you must be willing to commit to a 2-year plan.
If you’d like to sign up for a month-to-month plan you can. But, it will cost you $11.99/mo.
3. CyberGhost VPN (from $2.29/month)
CyberGhost has quickly become a well-known VPN service, and after using it for just a short time, it’s easy to see why. Simply put, CyberGhost is one of the easiest VPNs to use and lets you start a VPN-enabled browser session with just one click.
Like other paid-for VPNs on the market, CyberGhost doesn’t store details of your connection activity either. CyberGhost can also be used for free, meaning it’s a great way to try out the service to see if you want a VPN in the first place.
The only limitation on the free tier is your connection speed and the lack of free slots available on networks if they’re especially busy. You can currently get CyberGhost for $2.29/mo. with a three-year service agreement and take advantage of the generous 45-day moneyback guarantee. Or, you can opt for a month-to-month plan by paying $12.99/month.
4. IPVanish (from $3.75/month)
There are several Kodi VPNs around right now. Still, IPVanish is undoubtedly one of the most popular among the Kodi community – largely because of the amount of freedom it gives users. Of the VPN services in our list, IPVanish is one of the more legally dubious as it allows access to torrent services and offers a strict no-activity-logs policy – meaning details of your connections won’t be stored. It’s also easy to use on both desktop and mobile devices. Of course, if something goes wrong, IPVanish offers impressive customer support.
Currently, IPVanish costs around $3.75 a month, but you have to sign up for a year’s subscription. After that, you pay $89.99 per year. If you choose a montly plan you’ll pay $12.99
Windscribe (from Free)
We’d be remissed if we didn’t add a free option that performs nearly as well as the VPNs above. While other VPNs offer a free trial, Windscribe gives users 10GB free each month as long as they sign up with a verified email address (2GB free if you don’t want to hand over that information).
The company also offers its users the option build their own plan. Take for example a scenario where there’s only one or two countries that interest you, Windscribe charges $1 per month for each country you add. On top of that, you can get a residential static IP for only $8/mo. and there’s a few other add-on options too.
Of course, anything free does come with a few drawbacks. Windscribe’s free version may not be as secure as the other VPNs on our list and the connection may be a little slower. Also, some add-ons may not work with Windscribe’s free service due to new upgrades in VPN blocking technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve included this section to answer more questions about VPNs and Kodi.
How do I decide which VPN is right for me?
If, after our review, you still haven’t figured out which VPN is right for your needs, consider these points:
1. Does the VPN work for my device? – Not all VPNs offer native apps for every device. If you don’t want to bother with side loading .APK files or restricting your access, check the site’s compatible device page.
2. Will the VPN slow my data speeds? – A VPN adds a middle man to your internet connection and this alone can cause buffering or an inability to connect. One thing that helps data speeds is having multiple server options in the region where you need to connect. This allows you to choose alternative servers when one is under-performing.
3. What information does the company want from me? – One of the reason we don’t often push free VPNs is because the company wants your private information, keeps activity logs, etc., in exchange for use. Unfortunately, this is counter-productive to using a VPN. Check the Terms of Use before signing up for a VPN to ensure that it aligns with your goals.
Ultimately, all five VPNs above meet the requirementes for use with Kodi. So, your decision may simply come down to price.
Can I download a VPN add-on in Kodi?
Unfortunately, the add-ons that are available aren’t very reliable. It’s better to use the VPN on the device you’re using to stream.
VPNs on Kodi
There are many VPNs to choose from when using Kodi; we’ve given you our best choices, and all that’s left is for you to decide.
What do you use Kodi for? Did you run into any issues getting your VPN up and running? Share your thoughts below.
Please note that many addons contain content that isn’t officially licensed, and accessing such content could be illegal. It is the user’s responsibility to comply with all applicable laws in their country regarding use. Dennis Publishing Ltd excludes all liability for such content. We do not condone and are not responsible for the infringement of any intellectual property or other third-party rights and shall not be liable to any party due to any such content made available. In short, if the content is free, but looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.