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Everything you need to know about Kodi VPNs in 2022. Updated for the latest version 19.
In 2022, the 19th version of Kodi was released. The changes mean that many old add-ons no longer work. Has this affected the use of VPNs for Kodi? Which VPN services does Kodi support today? You will find the answers in this article.
Kodi Hub (more Kodi-related articles):
Kodi (previously XBMC)
A free and open-source cross-platform media player and HTPC organization software. The program’s graphical interface allows you to manage video files, photos, and music located on a computer, optical drive, Internet, or a local network. It can be controlled by remote control and is a popular alternative to "Android TV". Kodi supports custom plugins and themes.
Supported OS- Linux, macOS, Apple tvOS, iOS, Windows, Android, Raspberry Pi.
Official page of the project — kodi.tv
Do you want a powerful and reliable VPN to use with Kodi, no matter where you run it - computer, TV, smartphone, or tablet? Or do you want to run it simultaneously on all of these devices, providing you secure access to unlimited video content?
In this VPN for Kodi review you will find:
A secure VPN needs to do more than just mask the IP address. It must also reliably hide user activity from the Internet service provider (ISP) in the case of torrenting. Support for bypassing the geo-restrictions of streaming sites and services, such as Netflix, is also a must. Then the VPN has to have a consistently high speed for watching videos of any quality with no lag, and at the same time not create an additional load on the processor in order to save battery power and support the most powerful TVs.
Why is Kodi VPN needed?
There is no doubt!
Reason #1
Kodi gained its popularity thanks to free access to streaming movies, music and so on. This access is not always legal.
For example, Kodi is considered to be unlawful in the UK according to the “Copyright, Design and Patent Act” (1988).
If a Kodi addon is blocked in your country, you need to buy a VPN to be able to download it and using on the platform.
The best free VPN for Kodi unblocks restricted addons and grants access to sites you like.
Reason #2
Unfortunately, us regular people are not always well-informed in the sphere of legislation. As a result, sometimes Kodi users download shady third-party add-ons and stream pirated content through it without knowing it.
In order not to be punished for such activities, it’s better to subscribe to a VPN service. It helps conceal your IP address and all internet traffic associated with it so your Internet Service Provider (ISP) doesn't visit you with a copyright violation notice.
To cut a long story short, Kodi and a VPN make a fantastic combination.
View IPTV. As strange as it may seem to some in 2022, a TV should be a TV first and foremost. With a good set of channels with EPG on board and offering good quality. A broadcast archive is welcome, but not required.
Torrent video. Mandatory integration with popular trackers, viewing on the go, downloading while browsing. But at the same time, complete safety for the user.
Nice clear interface, usability. So that all household members can easily watch the next episode of "Masha and the Bear" or their favorite series, and others can watch the news on TV. An overloaded interface is unwelcome.
Built-in library. With the ability to download information about the movie/series from external sources. This functionality should be fully automated and not require any effort on the user’s part.
Torrent rocker. Mandatory external control.
Licensing and cost. Exclusively Open Source, $0.
Access to geo-protected content. Relevant for any country.
No speed limit. The ISP should not be able to limit the speed of streaming or BitTorrent data.
So, there are at least two problems with using Kodi safely and efficiently. It is known that utilizing a VPN removes some restrictions and protects the user in case the installed add-ons use P2P / BitTorrent to broadcast free video material and music.
But how does it work?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a tool that creates virtual data tunnels between a user's device and a remote server. All internet traffic is placed in this tunnel, passing through the server and only then going to the destination point. The data is received according to the same rules, but in the reverse order. The tunnel is additionally encrypted with an unbreakable cipher, so no one can see or read the information travelling through it.
As a result, using a VPN solves 2 problems at once:
Installing a Kodi VPN is easy. To do this, just use download your chosen service's application and install it or get the add-on if one is available.
Keep in mind that not every VPN is suitable for Kodi. Not all providers support all required platforms, and even fewer allow torrenting or consistently unblock platforms like Netflix.
Below you will find quick guides on how to install VPN software. After that, you can choose the service that is most suitable for you and which supports the latest version of Kodi.
The VPN app will redirect all computer, smartphone or TV data, including Kodi traffic, through the virtual channel.
If you do not have a special need to configure the VPN through the add-on, use the previous method. Otherwise, it will be necessary to install additional software to complete the process.
Cooltechzone does not recommend installing unverified VPN add-ons from third party sources. This can lead to the loss of privacy.
This method is inferior to using a ready-made VPN app, since it does not support productive protocols and does not have a Kill Switch or a convenient graphical interface.
You can install a VPN on any platform that Kodi itself is compatible with. We tested the setup of major TV platforms (Fire TV and Android TV) with version 19.1. The sequence of actions remains the same as in previous versions:
You can also manually configure a VPN directly on your router. In this case, all devices connected to it will automatically transmit and receive data through the virtual encrypted tunnel.
This list is made on the basis of technical features analysis, practical tests, and feedback of real Kodi users who use it with a VPN.
All five services listed here are paid ones because only premium providers can ensure total user safety and excellent streaming performance.
So, let’s start!
NordVPN allows you to unblock geo-restricted content without a hitch and makes using Kodi 100% anonymous and safe. The basic features of this service are modern protocols that hide your IP address, including IP and DNS leak protection, military-grade traffic encryption, and the independently-audited no-logs policy.
I haven’t used such a user-friendly app before. Moreover, it is suitable for every device. You can use one subscription to install NordVPN on 6 devices simultaneously. So, you can utilize it not only for Kodi but for other tasks as well:
This list doesn’t include all features of NordVPN, of course.
Why is NordVPN the best one?
According to the results of our research and many other VPN rating sources, NordVPN is the leader of the industry that combines affordable prices and security with a highly-developed infrastructure. 5400 record-breaking servers in 60 countries allow users to choose almost any location. The provider also offers specialized servers with VPN protocol obfuscation for the countries that block the use of VPN technology.
NordVPN guarantees that none of your activities are monitored or logged, so all your torrent videos or other internet habits will be hidden.
Prices and plans:
A free 7-day trial version is available via the Google Play Store.
NordVPN has a good price for a 2-years subscription. It is a long period of time, but you can totally trust this provider. It has been on the market for 10 years, and during this time it has never spotted its reputation.
Read more in our NordVPN review
Surfshark VPN combines all the advantages of a great VPN service with affordable prices. The provider includes various features meant to ensure total anonymity to evade the watchfull eyes of your ISP while keeping the service stable and extra fast. Moreover, the functionality that plays an critical role for Kodi is of the highest level:
One subscription allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to the VPN, so it will also be useful while doing other tasks. These include but are not limited to:
Prices and plans:
An excellent price for a 2-year subscription:
Read more in our Surfshark review
According to the last test results, ExpressVPN is well-optimized for Kodi. It includes such factors as speed, geo-restriction bypassing, high privacy protection level, a wide range of locations, and user-friendliness. This provider's big advantage is the support of TV platforms and routers, which allows connecting to the VPN to the devices you need without using a PC to do so. It is a more expensive service, though, when compared to other VPNs.
ExpressVPN is available through 3 plans that differ from each other due to the subscription length*:
*- the prices include a 20% discount when following a CoolTechZone.com link
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More about ExpressVPN: |
CyberGhost VPN is one of the largest VPNs (more than 7900+ servers in 91 countries). It unblocks geo-restricted content easily as well as protects you when you utilize Kodi add-ons that grant you access to free content.
CyberGhost VPN provides special server lists for that purpose:
The provider doesn't collect any information about its users and is located under the safe Romanian jurisdiction. So, utmost anonymity is guaranteed. Besides that, this VPN is a great tool not only for Kodi but also for all other apps and tasks.
CyberGhost VPN’s apps are available on all major platforms: Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux. They all have a kill switch, VPN protocol settings, and DNS leak protection.
Cons of CyberGhost VPN:
Prices and plans:
+ a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS.
Among other advantages of CyberGhost VPN are:
Read more in our CyberGhost VPN review
Private Internet Access (PIA) is good to use with Kodi via the VPN Manager as well as through your router. The provider will be very attractive for those who need port forwarding for torrent addons and those looking for the best performance.
Despite solid functionality for Kodi, PIA doesn’t work well with most streaming services. It can unblock Netflix US but getting access to other platforms might prove to be too much of a hassle.
Also, it doesn’t have apps for popular TV platforms. That’s why Private Internet Access is more suitable for tech-savvy users who know how to configure a WiFi router or Kodi VPN addon manually.
PIA is available through three plans that differ from each other in length of subscription*:
We’ve tested PIA work through OpenVPN protocol and functionality to configure VPN addon for Kodi. We’ve managed to connect to the VPN by means of both methods.
Among its peculiarities, I’d like to point out the option to synchronize ports in PIA and the torrent addon (port forwarding is not available for all locations). There's also an option to disable encryption and therefore offload the processor of a device. It’s relevant for underpowered TVs and routers.
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More about Private Internet Access: |
With security taken care of, we can now learn what a protected version of Kodi is capable of.
I’ll start with Kodi add-ons.
A Kodi add-on is a module installed into Kodi’s base shell to accomplish certain tasks. The thing that interests us the most is video add-ons. It is these add-ons that open literally limitless access to movies and online broadcasts for us.
If you don’t know how to install a Kodi add-on or want to find something new and relevant, you can make use of the following links:
I presume that most of my readers have already installed at least one video add-on. But have you tried Kodi builds?
If you haven’t, you really should!
All the more reason to do it: you aren’t risking anything. You can always back up your Kodi and restore it with the XBMС backup add-on (available in the official repository).
A build will turn your Kodi into a powerful media studio that gives you access to any films, series, TV shows, content for kids or adults, online broadcasts on any topic, TV channels, music, music videos, etc.
Read more on how to install a Kodi build for your Kodi.
Did you know that Kodi works on any OS? You can launch it not just on your PC or smartphone, but also on Fire TV, Android TV, iOS/iPad, Xbox, and Raspberry.
What is more, you can copy all of your add-ons and settings by creating a zip backup that you then copy to a different device and restore your precise version from it.
A good way to use Kodi with a VPN is to install a VPN on your router. This has the advantage of protecting all your devices and internet traffic at the same time. So you are protected even when you are just surfing the Internet. To install a VPN on your router, you must have a suitable VPN router. The easiest option is if your router supports DD-WRT firmware.
Read more about it in our article: VPN FOR ROUTERS: 10 tested services (2022)
You do not need to worry about this: the platform is completely legal to download and view. At least, the multimedia player itself is.
However, there are various add-ons and plugins that may be illegal to use. They are usually used to broadcast copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holders.
Do not use "full-featured set-top boxes" where pirated software may have been pre-installed. They are illegal in the EU and may contain malicious software.
There have been cases where people have been arrested for using Kodi add-ons.
Virtual Private Network allows getting completely anonymous access to the content available on Kodi. The virtual network also masks the IP address of the user by changing it with the IP address of another country and therefore granting access to geo-restricted content of other countries.
There are three ways to use VPN with Kodi:
The most suitable VPN should combine all the functionality for Kodi:
ExpressVPN is the best for 2022 according to CoolTechZone.com test results.
Yes, VPN technology is used in all countries around the world. Today, hundreds of millions of users use virtual networks. The work of the VPN is based on technologies that have appeared when the Internet came to the world. It doesn’t have any connection with any forbidden methods or vulnerabilities.
Nowadays, people use VPNs to both become protected on the net and access entertaining sites and services.
Having become one of 38 million Kodi consumers, you’ll definitely want to experience the best streaming via various Kodi addons.
But how to unblock them?
Now you know what to do!
Subscribe for the best VPN for Kodi and be convinced you’re using the most complete and diverse service.
Leave a comment
I think your list is very much complete but just to add more to it, my experience with free vpn using windscribe was good and similarly in paid with purevpn it was okay as well
I've used Kodi in one form or another for about 3 years now. And I have no hesitation in recommending it! If you want a simple and cheap solution for your home theater - kodi is a great choice. VPN services like CyberGhost help to bypass restrictions. It provides special servers for torrenting. If you want to use streaming services or torrent clients without restrictions - install vpn on your pc!
A VPN will hide what you're doing from your ISP so if you are using torrents, then they won't see it and send you a notification. In Canada they usually don't it, but there's always a chance, so I would recommend subscribing to some and spare yourself a huge headache. you don't need a VPN if you use addons that are forks of Exodus which work by scraping video links from janky looking video streaming sites. NordVPN sometimes has got huge sales, so you can give it a try. I'm going to switch from TunnelBear to Nord, not very pleased with it.
I've been using Kodi for almost 4 years already. 19.0 is incompatible with the old addons. So I just kept kodi 18 and everything works fine. If you use add-ons that require network connection - use VPN to prevent spying on your traffic. hide.me is my favorite one. I haven't faced any issues with the installation of the app. Try to avoid free vpns if you want to secure all your information. You have no privacy if you use a free VPN. They make money by tracking your online activity and selling your data.
Kodi is probably the best media player there is, cross-platform, supports almost every format, and very easy to use. But even on the best hardware, Kodi will struggle with 4k. If it is 1080p,720 etc. - everything is perfect. Maybe it is because of the slow internet connection and VPN? I heard that you need to configure an external video player to be able to do 4k rips even if you have fast download speed. Any Thoughts?
Thank you for this article! Very informative. There are some good VPNs in the market that are compatible with Firestick or Kodi like PIA, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN. I don’t really recommend going for a free VPN. They sell your data. I've been using ExpressVPN for almost 2 years already and haven't had any issues. The best way is to keep your run your VPN in the background each time you start up a Kodi stream.
Every country has different laws for content copyright but the cops won’t come for you for piracy. But VPN is a must when you are streaming content illegally via Kodi. So, you have to mask yourself from your ISP to avoid anything legal. The biggest problem is the slow speed. When I'm off the VPN, everything is fine. As soon as I connect to a VPN nothing works and nothing loads. Which is the fastest VPN app? ExpressVPN? It is the fastest VPN I’ve tested so far. It has its own protocol called Lightway, which increases your download speed. My average download speed is 35 Mbps.
I have been using tunnel bear from the last few weeks, the speed with tunnel bear is really good and doesn't grade with the free or premium pass.
VPN.ac is pretty good to use with Kodi in my experience. Might be worth checking out!
Here I am to give my honest opinion about using VPNs for Kodi on my Android. Why Android? I just have to move a lot and therefore want something in my pocket to entertain me. I hope you got the point. Of course, I understood I need a VPN, not from the first day of Kodi use. Only after some months of its use, when I knew a lot about its functions and opportunities I realized that I have access, not to all of them. I’ve purchased PureVPN free trial after seeing several ads on Google. But I can’t say that the experience was fine. Sometimes the connection was interrupted and I couldn’t switch on the VPN for several minutes. It disappointed me a lot, especially when I was watching the premier league. Of course, I didn’t buy its paid plan. After it, I tried OpenVPN client. Can’t say it was a child’s play to configure it but I coped with it. And here’s again. The service works but I had questions to its functionality. And finally I’ve found the VPN that satisfied all my needs. It’s NordVPN. No troubles with speed. Stable internet connection. Lots of servers to choose from. After 3 months of NordVPN use I can declare that it’s perfect for Kodi.
Just want to share my thoughts about the VPN for Kodi I use on my Android phone. I’m talking about PIA and it works perfectly well. The extensions that were unavailable for me before I installed this VPN app are now on my pocket!
Thanx for the article!!!! Now i know what VPN to use on my Firestick!
I’m watching Kodi on my Android primarily and I guess it’s time to protect myself a bit… Would Cyberghost be a good option?
I’ve heard some ppl talk about using a cloud VPN for Kodi. Since I’m a n00b, can you please shed some light on this matter?
Cloud VPN isn’t related to P2P. The only way it can work is if every member of the peer-to-peer network will subscribe to this service and won’t interact with any outside peers and seeders. For Kodi, a regular VPN is used.
Ivacy has been working fine for me as a VPN for TVAddons. The best thing about it, it’s very cheap so it complements Kodi nicely.
Hi Folks! The best VPN for Kodi is IPVanish! I use it for several months and everything is OK. Besides, you can find easy setup instructions on their official website. What is better than IPVanish? The answer is free IPVanish for Kodi, ha-ha! :)
Does anybody know how to use Nexus Player with a VPN? I am mainly interested in OpenVPN/PIA. All my attempts were in vain. I only found how to generate an x86 apk from the Playstore and Sideload.
Homer, in your case the simpliest way is to configure a VPN on your router.
surfshark is the best vpn for kodi firestick!!!
I had an awesome experience for Kodi with VPN. Used to Stream content on Kodi with PUREVPN. Now that, Black Friday is on, Pure's offering some crazy 5 year plan deal.
I’m using Proton VPN with the Exodus addon mostly and haven’t had any problems since I started using it. While it’s the paid version of Proton, I think the free one should be fine too. Some people say that services like Real-Debrid are good as well but I know for sure they store your real IPs. TBH I don’t think it’s such a huge deal but since you’re paying anyway, why not pay for something that doesn’t?
The free version of ProtonVPN restricts the use of P2P/Torrenting technology. Exodus, by the way, hasn’t been updated since 2017. Real-Debrid can keep user logs. While it does work, no one can guarantee that its performance is going to be forever safe.
I just started trying out a vpn for Kodi box and I do not much about it actually… I’ve been looking through your piece and put some thought into purchasing NordVPN as you considered it to work best with streaming services… Having paid for the subscription I realized that Nord does not support my Kodi box although it works perfectly with my other devices. WHY???? Maybe it is because the fire stick I have is outdated …dunno… How do I know what generation fire stick I have? Please help… sorry for all these questions, I’m not the most tech-savvy and don’t know much about all this. THANKS
Diana, I will help you. Do you have a 1st generation Firestick? If so, then it does not support VPN anyway. The only option that is left for you is to configure NordVPN on the router (do you have WiFi?). The nordvpn.com website has detailed instructions how to do this.
