Do You Need a VPN for Kodi: The Ultimate Guide

If you want to stream all your digital content from one place, Kodi is the solution. 

However, you can never be 100% sure that you’re safe from the eyes of the government and hackers. 

This begs the question: do you need a VPN for Kodi, and if so, which VPN should you choose? 

We did the research and created a guide that digs into all the details.

What is Kodi?

Previously known as Xbox Media Center, Kodi is a free, open-source application developed by the non-profit XBMC Foundation.

Kodi does not provide you with any content, but it does allow you to stream your media on almost any device as it is compatible with Windows, Android, Linux, and even Raspberry Pi. This means that you can use Kodi on anything from smartphones, Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Android TV boxes. 

Is using Kodi against the law?

In the UK, using Kodi without VPN and watching free content is legal, but streaming subscription-only channels for free can get you into trouble. 

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network helps internet users stay anonymous by covering up their IP address. When you connect to a secure VPN, your online activities pass through an encrypted tunnel keeping it safe from the eyes of the government and your internet provider. 

Why Do You Need a VPN for Kodi?

Here are the main reasons why you should install a VPN when you use Kodi. 

Encrypting online traffic

Adding a VPN to Kodi will protect you from malicious developers or advertisers trying to use your information. This scenario is quite common, especially when using third-party add-ons on Kodi, so having a VPN encrypt your data is a must. 

Browsing anonymously

Browsing history, IP address, and search preferences are a few online marks you can leave behind whether you’re streaming movies or casually surfing. By using a VPN with Kodi and encrypting your online activity, you won’t be tracked, so you can enjoy your anonymity without any worry.

Overcoming firewalls and geoblocks

Nowadays, the majority of streaming services are geo-restricted. VPNs can help you avoid geo-restrictions by rerouting your internet traffic to another country and replacing your IP address with a temporary one.

Since geo-blocked platforms can’t tell the difference, you can stream any media while staying anonymous.

Privacy from ISP

Internet service providers track and log in your online traffic. This data includes websites you visit, the amount of time spent on a website, streamed content, and even private information you wouldn’t voluntarily share. To prevent data collection by ISPs, installing a VPN on Kodi is the way to go. 

Can you use Kodi without a VPN?

Yes, using Kodi with its official add-ons is completely legal and safe to use. 

However, a VPN will give you access to geo-restricted content and keep your information safe from third parties as well as from your internet service provider. 

How to Choose a VPN for Kodi?

Before choosing the right VPN, Kodi users should take the following factors into consideration:

VPN compatibility

Be sure that your preferred VPN is supported by the device you wish to install Kodi on. The majority of VPNs are compatible with Android devices such as Amazon’s Fire Stick, so you won’t have an issue here. 

Privacy

The top VPNs offer strong encryptions and secure tunnelling protocols. Even so, you should always compare and research into which VPN has the safest encryption and fastest protocols to ensure that your privacy is 100% guaranteed. 

Also, take a look at the VPNs logging policy to make sure that none of your data is stored or shared. 

Number of servers

This is particularly useful if you want to access geo-restricted content, as only a VPN with servers in various countries can allow you to do so. 

Supported devices

Most VPNs allow users to connect multiple devices at once. While some let you connect as many as ten devices, others have no restrictions on the number of PCs, phones or other devices you can cover with one VPN subscription. 

Speed

Want to avoid buffering and longer loading times? A fast VPN that doesn’t slow down your device too much is the solution. 

Cost

If you plan on using a VPN and Kodi for a longer period of time, you should opt for a provider with discounted annual plans. Remember that the cheapest VPN is not always the best, so prioritise other features, such as privacy and speed, over cost to get the most value for your money. 

It’s also worth looking into the provider’s return policy in case the VPN you install does not meet all your needs. 

How to Install a VPN on Kodi in the UK

Installing a VPN on your Kodi device is pretty straightforward. 

All you need to do is:

• Subscribe to a VPN and launch the client
• Connect to a VPN server (preferably one in the UK as servers in more distant locations will significantly slow down your connection) 
• Launch Kodi and use it as you normally do. 

Can you use a Kodi VPN add-on?

Some VPNs, like PureVPN, have a dedicated Kodi add-on, which is not the best option. 

First off, installing a Kodi VPN add-on is much more complicated than a regular VPN client. Secondly, and more importantly, a Kodi VPN add-on only protects the traffic of the media centre as opposed to a VPN that keeps your entire device safe. 

Best VPN for Kodi in the UK

We’ve done some thorough research and compiled a list of the five best VPNs you can use with Kodi in the UK. 

1. NordVPN

NordVPN’s network extends over 5,500 servers in more than 60 countries. In addition, the provider uses its own NordLynx protocol, making it one of the fastest VPNs on the market, so there will be no effect on streaming any type of content on Kodi. 

Installing NordVPN for Kodi is also a great way to access geo-blocked streaming services like Hulu or Netflix.

Among other protection-centred features, the company located in Panama offers 256-bit encryption and a strict no-logs policy.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark has 3,200 servers spread across more than 60 countries. More importantly, this VPN will give you some of the best speeds in the industry thanks to its WireGuard tunnelling protocol as well as protection across an unlimited number of devices and access to geo-blocked content. 

In terms of privacy, Surfshark keeps you safe with 256-bit data encryption, additional protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, as well as a zero-logs policy. Kodi users will find anonymous payment the best feature, as Surfshark supports payments in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency.

3. ExpressVPN

One of the biggest names in the world of VPN, ExpressVPN is a trusted provider with 160 server locations in 94 countries. Avid streamers will be pleased to find out that the VPN unblocks geo-restricted services, Netflix and HBO included. Furthermore, ExpressVPN for Kodi can stream high-quality content with minimum loading times thanks to its impressive speed.

Like its competitors, it offers top-level 256-bit AES encryption in addition to more advanced features like a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, split-tunnelling and a policy against keeping logs. 

4. Ivacy VPN

Ivacy is one of the cheapest VPNs for Kodi. Offers include more than 3,000 lightning-speed servers in 100+ locations across the world. Besides unlocking restricted content, Ivacy also unblocks Kodi add-ons that show streaming errors.

When it comes to privacy and security features, you can expect  Ivacy for Kodi to have the standard 256-bit encryption and kill switch. Additional features like buffer-free streaming contribute even more to the seamless streaming experience.

5. FastestVPN

Headquartered in the Cayman Islands, FastestVPN has a decent number of P2P-friendly servers located in 37 countries. On top of that, this VPN provider allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. As its name implies, FastestVPN offers great speed and also claims to unblock Disney+, Netflix, and many more streaming services.

When you install FastestVPN on Kodi, the AES 256-bit encryption ensures you are streaming safely. Plus, features like malware protection and ad-blocker add another layer of protection to your activities.

Before We Disconnect

We hope that our guide helped you understand the risks of streaming media on Kodi without a VPN as well as the best way to select the ultimate provider for your needs.