Some of the great VPNs can protect countless device set ups, including the likes of Kodi. Kodi is the number one open-source media player around. It’s a multimedia application where users can store and access all of their favourite content in one singular place. It’s widely used as a hub for streaming, have your favourite streaming services, movies, and TV all at the click of a button. The internet and connectivity play a huge part in Kodi, and with that come the danger of cybercrimes. The best Kodi VPNs are the only option when it comes to safeguarding your online data.
It's important to note that your choice of Kodi VPN will also depend on which devices you favour using Kodi on. Of course, there are Virtual Private Networks like ExpressVPN that have an excellent track record on a wide range of operating systems. This provider would be perfect if you have Kodi on a range of devices.
The best Kodi VPN at a glance:
• The best Kodi VPN: ExpressVPN - View on ExpressVPN
• The best Kodi VPN for security: NordVPN - View on NordVPN
• The best Kodi VPN for value: Surfshark - View on Surfshark
Kodi is well known for enhancing the streaming experience by a serious margin. So, it’d be a mistake picking a Kodi VPN that doesn’t have the right streaming credentials. Factors that play into this include the VPN’s speeds, specifically how fast they can be and whether or not they can be sustained. A provider’s server list is important to a VPN streaming experience, the wider the coverage the more streaming catalogues you’ll have access to on your Kodi app.
At What’s the Best, we’ve carefully put together a ranking of the best Kodi VPNs. These are the providers to keep your online devices safe whilst you stream the days away. Achieve the most, courtesy of these Virtual Private Networks.
About our expertise
At What’s The Best, we live and breathe technology. Among our team of tech experts, we have pretty much every base covered - from televisions and speakers to cameras and smartphones.
To say we spend a lot of time on the internet is a bit of an understatement, and most of the time, we’re using a VPN. Whether for work or recreation, we’re regularly connecting to VPN servers near and far.
It’s by collecting this shared knowledge, experience, and passion, that we are able to select the best VPNs for you. We trust each of our picks implicitly - in fact, many of them we use ourselves. That's because at What’s The Best, if we wouldn’t buy it ourselves, we don’t recommend it. Simple.
Please note: All prices are correct at time of writing. VPN deals and savings are subject to change at short notice.
The best Kodi VPN
go.expressvpn.com
For an all encompassing Virtual Private Network that’s a delight for Kodi, you’ve been blessed with ExpressVPN. This is a provider that’s a master of its craft, Kodi is an all-in-one multimedia player, and Express is an all-in-one VPN.
The ExpressVPN apps are stellar across the board, they ooze simplicity but never at the expense of functionality. You’ll never find yourself drowning in an ocean of features where most you may never even use. There’s a real efficiency with ExpressVPN which compliments the functions of Kodi splendidly. This is also the only provider on the market that has a dedicated router app, meaning Kodi VPN setup is a breeze.
The foundations are rock solid too, speeds have satisfied Express users for years, and the same goes for security. Yes, you can pay more than half the price and get a VPN that’s not too far off Express’ heels, but there’s a reason over four million users stand by the provider.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
Pros
- Wonderful apps
- Reliable and effective speeds and security
- Dedicated router app
Cons
- Cheaper options offer nearly as much
| Servers | 3000 |
| Streaming sites unblocked | Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, BBC iPlayer |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- "I've been using ExpressVPN for a few months, and I'm really impressed with it. It's more than lived up to the hype, and it's a powerhouse that doesn't scream and shout about what it does for your online security. It just sits in the background of my devices and does what needs to be done.
I love its unique, next-gen privacy encryption and vast server list. I can easily hop between servers in different countries, which is great for streaming content or browsing the web anonymously. The interface is also really easy to use.
Overall, I'm really happy with ExpressVPN. It's the best VPN I've used, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to protect their online privacy." Tried and tested by Jack Barrell, VPN writer for What's The Best.
The best Kodi VPN for security
nordvpn.com
Put privacy first with NordVPN. This provider is as secure as they come, just the name should incite fear in any and all cyberthreats out there. A premium provider with some impressive credentials across the board, NordVPN really shines with its security offerings, making for a truly private Kodi VPN experience.
The double data encryption of Nordlynx and WireGuard makes for a truly secure streaming experience, no matter what device or app you use. The core motivation for having a VPN is that online protection, and Nord understands this to the T.
Nord isn’t quite as well received across all operating systems as other providers though. NordVPN on desktop is held in very high esteem, so it’s unfortunate that the unpolished mobile apps don’t quite have the same edge.
Pros
- Superior security
- Powerful
- Great choice for streaming
Cons
- Mobile apps lacking refinement
| Servers | 5709 |
| Streaming sites unblocked | Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, BBC iPlayer |
| Simultaneous connections | 6 |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "Been using this app for almost a month now and I am very satisfied with it. Not a single connection drop with 24/7 intensive use, which is exactly what I was looking for."
The best Kodi VPN for value
surfshark.com
Kodi is a service that makes life easier and can save you heaps of time, and Surfshark is a VPN that can save you heaps of money. This provider brings value for money to a new level, this is a premium service that’s miles off a premium price.
Unlimited simultaneous devices isn’t even something you find from the most costly providers, so finding it here, on such a cheap plan is phenomenal. This makes Surfshark an excellent Kodi VPN for users of all devices.
You get a premium coverage of over 3000 worldwide servers; these servers are supported by serious security and some pretty high peak speeds can be found on the right servers.
A kill switch is present for Kodi, but we have to make you aware that it has said to be a little shaky when under serious stress.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Serious value for money
- Decent server list
Cons
- Not all servers are super-fast
- Kill switch has trouble under stress
| Servers | 3200+ |
| Streaming sites unblocked | Netflix, Prime, Hulu, HBO, Sky, BBC iPlayer |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "Exceptional VPN at a stunningly low price. I've used other VPN's and they were awful - slow, and unreliable, I'd have to turn them off just to get things to work on my device. With SurfShark, it runs faultlessly."
The best Kodi VPN for coverage
www.privateinternetaccess.com
A streaming VPN experience is nothing without a vast server list to dive into. If you go for Private Internet Access, you’ll have 35,000 servers to play with, and this is sure to level up your Kodi. Accessing geo-restricted content is a massive benefit you get from VPNs, so if you want to tap into worldwide streaming catalogues, why not get as many as possible?
With PIA, you can tap into this whopping server list on unlimited simultaneous connections. It’s a provider with reputable no logs, a well-tested kill switch, and attentive customer support. PIA is a wholly reliable streaming and Kodi VPN, even despite speeds not being the absolute best ever recorded. Rest assured you still won’t find yourself having to deal with any nasty buffering though.
With PIA activated, some users have found minor difficulty when accessing certain streaming services. It doesn’t seem to be anything serious; PIA may just need a reboot here and there.
Pros
- 35,000 servers to choose from
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Reputable no logs
Cons
- Not the quickest on the market
- Minor trouble accessing some streaming services at times
| Servers | 35,000 |
| Streaming sites unblocked | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, Hulu |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "Very clean, very powerful, very fast, and good customer support."
The best Kodi VPN for features
www.cyberghostvpn.com
For some VPN users, the basics might not be enough, perhaps you’re after a little more to sink your teeth into. CyberGhost offers configurability at the highest order. Customise and implement the security features that suit you.
Military grade encryption is a given from any premium provider. That’s not to say CyberGhost isn’t powerful in its own right. You’ll get a very generous coverage of over 9000 servers, with some intuitive features for speed and security to take your experience up that extra notch.
We speculate there may be some operating system bias from the little yellow ghost though, iOS apps don’t appear to have quite as many of the cutting edge features that other operating systems might have. Best to fire up Kodi on android or desktop or cover the whole household with router support.
Pros
- Brimming with features
- Very good coverage
Cons
- iOS features lacking
| Servers | 9000+ |
| Streaming sites unblocked | • Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu |
| Simultaneous connections | 7 |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
- Customer review: "The kill switch and split tunnel features are great. The app is easy to use. Customer service has been superb."
Glossary
VPN – Virtual Private Network
Streaming services - On-demand online entertainment sources accessible to multimedia devices
Kill switch - If internet connection is lost it kills any internet connection until a secure VPN link re-established
Simultaneous devices - Number of devices that can connect to the VPN at once
Does Kodi need a VPN?
Your Kodi needs a VPN for the same reason your Fire Stick needs one. If you want to minimalize the risk of your personal data landing into the wrong hands, then yes, Kodi needs a VPN. The key rule to remember is that if it can connect to the internet, then it needs the protection of a secure Virtual Private Network. The VPN will encrypt your online presence and hence, your personal online information will be sheltered for the rest of the web.
How to install a VPN on Kodi
There are a few ways that you can install and use a VPN on Kodi, it will depend on your devices and where you stream. If you primarily use Kodi at home, your best option will be installing your VPN to router. This is easier with ExpressVPN, which has a dedicated router app, the process is just a little longer with other providers.
• Enter your router's IP address into your browser
• Log into your router on the access site
• Head to VPN settings and log into your VPN
If you’ll be primarily using Kodi on mobile devices you can simply download your VPN app from the device’s store, log in/sign up, and you’re good to go. We’d urge mobile Kodi users to choose a VPN with as many simultaneous connections to ensure you don’t run out of devices.
Free Kodi VPN
By all means you can use a free VPN for Kodi. You just might not get the best VPN experience, and that would impact your experience with Kodi. The majority of free VPNs are highly restrictive, you get data limits, simultaneous connection limits and server restrictions. None of these are any good for a streaming VPN, let alone when you get your Kodi involved.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.