The Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

Evan Gower April 2, 2023

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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 2023.

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.

At a Glance – Best VPNs for Kodi

In this article, we will discuss the five best VPNs for Kodi, along with their pros and cons. But if you are short on time, here’s a quick summary of our top picks:

Best VPNs for Kodi

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 2023

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. 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. ExpressVPN will cost you $6.67 per month for a 12-month subscription (with 3 extra months free). 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.

PROS

A great all-round VPN for Kodi users
Fast speeds for downloading and streaming
Can unblock most streaming services
Excellent security and privacy protection
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Slightly higher cost than other VPNs

Get ExpressVPN now

2. CyberGhost (from $2.11/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.

PROS

Works well with Kodi
Fast and reliable service
Can unblock popular streaming sites
Tight security
45-day money-back guarantee

CONS

No direct APK download

Get CyberGhost now

3. Private Internet Access (from $2.11/month)

Private Internet Access is a solid choice for Android and Linux-based Kodi devices. When tested, the Linux version is proven to work on OpenELEC, a known Linux distro for low-power Kodi devices such as Raspberry Pi. The apps are lightweight and the price is very reasonable, making it a good choice for Kodi users who are on a limited budget.

PIA does not compromise on security or performance despite its small footprint. It offers decent speeds and a vast network of servers. There are two available encryption standards, 256-bit and 128-bit, with the latter more suited for lower-end Kodi devices.

This VPN service sticks to a no-logs policy. Apps are available for Windows, Linux, iOS, Mac, and Android. PIA can be configured manually to work with compatible routers. It can also support up to 10 simultaneous connections per account.

If you want a secure and fast Kodi VPN for your Linux device, PIA is a good option. It has the necessary features – strong encryption, a kill switch, and more — to protect your privacy and security when using Kodi. On top of that, it offers advanced options for techies while staying easy to use for beginners.

You can get Private Internet Access for as low as $2.19/month if you subscribe to the 2-year plan. If you want a shorter plan, you can get it for $7.50/month (6-month plan) or $11.99 per month (monthly plan).

PROS

Over 30,000 servers worldwide
Inexpensive on extended plans
Highly customizable
Ad and malware blocker
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Average speeds

Get Private Internet Access now

4. 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.

PROS

Fast speeds
Keeps no logs
Unblocks popular streaming sites
Secure, encrypted connection
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Desktop app is a bit cumbersome

Get NordVPN now

5. IPVanish (from $3.99/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 $3.99 a month, but you have to sign up for a year’s subscription. If you want a quarterly plan instead, it will cost you $5.32/month. But if you prefer a monthly plan, it will cost you $10.99/month.

PROS

P2P and torrenting allowed on all servers
Fast streaming speeds
Fire TV Stick VPN app
Has a no-logs policy
30-day money-back guarantee

CONS

Based in the USA (5 Eyes Alliance)

Get IPVanish now

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.