The Best VPNs for Kodi 2024

Kodi is a great platform to access all of your media, but using a VPN can help protect your device from hackers and ISP throttling.
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Best for high speeds

4.6
Editorial Rating
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On ExpressVPN's website

ExpressVPN
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Best for added perks

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN's website

NordVPN
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Best for multiple devices

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark's website

Surfshark
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When choosing a virtual private network (VPN) for Kodi, you want to find one with streaming support, a reputation for fast connection speeds, and compatibility with your Kodi device. We've determined that the best VPNs for Kodi are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

ExpressVPN impressed us with its high speeds, NordVPN provides advanced security features across each plan tier, and Surfsharkallows for unlimited device connections for any multi-device households. Read on to learn more about why these three VPNs stand out as the top picks for Kodi users.

In this article
The best VPNs for Kodi 2024
ExpressVPN: Best for high speeds
NordVPN: Best for added perks
Surfshark: Best for multiple devices
Honorable mentions
How we tested the best VPNs for Kodi
Best VPNs for Kodi FAQs
Bottom line: The best VPNs for Kodi

The best VPNs for Kodi 2024

Kodi is an open-source platform that creates an entertainment hub for its users. With Kodi, you can store and access a variety of content, including music, movies, TV shows, games, and photos. 

Since Kodi can house so much of your data, using Kodi and a VPN can help protect you from hacking, limit tracking from your internet service provider (ISP), and allow you to access streaming content from anywhere in the world — even if it is geo-restricted.

Top 3 VPN services for Kodi compared

VPN
ExpressVPN

NordVPN

Surfshark
Starting price Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) Starts at $3.99/mo Starts at $2.29/mo
Free version
Streaming support Yes — Kodi, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more Yes — Kodi, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more Yes - Kodi, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more
Learn more Get ExpressVPN
Read ExpressVPN Review
Get NordVPN
Read NordVPN Review
Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review

ExpressVPN: Best for high speeds

Extensive Server Network Provides Protection Wherever You Go
4.6
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On ExpressVPN's website
VPN
ExpressVPN
Save 49% (3 months free)
  • Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
  • Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
  • Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
  • More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost

Who it’s best for

If you’re worried about a VPN provider slowing down your internet connection and leaving your favorite shows buffering, ExpressVPN is the option for you. While testing ExpressVPN, we were impressed with how little the service affected our overall speeds. ExpressVPN uses its own VPN protocol, Lightway, which the company says makes the VPN experience “speedier, more secure, and more reliable than ever.”

ExpressVPN offers a lot of protocols, including Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec.

What we liked

ExpressVPN offers a variety of conveniences to make using the VPN more secure and convenient. Here are a few ExpressVPN features that we liked:

  • Split tunneling: This allows you to channel some internet traffic through the VPN while other internet traffic can be used without the VPN. This can be helpful if you're trying to bypass geo-restrictions with Kodi while accessing local websites like your bank account. 
  • Network Lock: Network Lock is ExpressVPN’s kill switch. A VPN kill switch will turn off your internet access if the VPN gets disconnected. This can protect you from using the internet without a VPN by accident.
  • Threat Manager: This ExpressVPN function helps protect you from malware and trackers while browsing the web.

We also liked ExpressVPN’s support options and tutorials for customers. It offers 24/7 live chat support, so you can talk to a customer service representative at any time. It also has an extensive support forum, including step-by-step guides for Kodi. Finally, ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free for a month.

What we didn’t like

ExpressVPN’s cost is its biggest downfall when stacked against the other VPN providers we evaluated. While there are other more expensive options on the market, ExpressVPN was the most expensive of the ones we chose for Kodi. If you want to pay month to month, you’ll be paying $12.95/mo. That price drops to $6.67/mo (billed annually) if you can commit to a 12-month contract, which sometimes comes with three months free.

With ExpressVPN, you can have only eight simultaneous connections. While this isn’t a deal breaker for us, it can be inconvenient if you plan to use a VPN on many devices beyond the one that has Kodi installed.

ExpressVPN specs

Price range $6.67–$12.95/mo
Free version No
Number of servers Servers in 105 countries
Number of connected devices 8
VPN protocol Lightway, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy No logs
Unblocks Kodi? Yes
Torrenting support Yes
Learn more Get ExpressVPN

Read ExpressVPN Review

NordVPN: Best for added perks

Customizable Coverage That is Simple to Use
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN's website
VPN
NordVPN
Up to 66% off 2-year plans + 3 months extra
  • Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
  • Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
  • 3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
  • Too many confusing plans

Who it’s best for

While NordVPN is an effective VPN to help protect your internet traffic, it also has more premium plans that unlock additional features. The Standard plan comes with the VPN, which has plenty of features, including a kill switch, split tunneling, and specialty servers. However, the Plus and Complete plans come with additional Nord products to further help protect your information online. Here are a few extras included with NordVPN’s Plus and Complete plans:

  • Password manager: Gain access to NordPass, a cross-platform password manager that saves and encrypts your login information.
  • Data breach scanner: Get notified if your login information or credit cards have been part of a data breach.
  • Cloud storage: Only the Complete plan comes with NordLocker, which gives you 1 TB of storage with end-to-end encryption.

What we liked

NordVPN is easy to use, and from our testing, it doesn’t have a significant effect on overall speeds. Nord’s dashboard allows you to change server locations easily and select specialty servers, which include dedicated IP, P2P sharing, Onion over VPN, and more.

The NordVPN dashboard shows a full list of VPN servers.

Another great offering from Nord is Meshnet, which allows you to create a local area network (LAN). With Meshnet, you can connect to local devices faster and easier for file sharing, gaming, and more. You can also remotely access files on local devices if you have Meshnet configured.

Nord’s customer support options include 24/7 live chat and email, as well as support forums and how-to guides for setting up Nord on Kodi, routers, and other devices.

What we didn’t like

NordVPN also limits the number of devices that can be connected at a time. With NordVPN, you can connect up to only 10 devices, which can leave some of your devices unprotected compared to Surfshark, which offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

To install NordVPN for use with Kodi, you’ll need to install NordVPN as a Kodi add-on. This process is a bit more complicated than the other solutions, which could be a deal breaker for less tech-savvy users.

NordVPN specs

Price range $3.99–$15.99/mo
Free version No
Number of servers 6,300+ servers in 111 countries
Number of connected devices 10
VPN protocol IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN, NordLynx
No-logs policy No logs
Unblocks Kodi? Yes
Torrenting support Yes
Learn more Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review

Surfshark: Best for multiple devices

Unlimited Device Protection and Large Server Network
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark's website
VPN
Surfshark
79% off + 2 months free
  • All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
  • Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
  • One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
  • Headquarters in Nine Eyes Alliance

Who it’s best for

Surfshark allows you to use its VPN on unlimited devices, which sets it apart from the other VPNs on this list. This is beneficial not only when you’re using a VPN for Kodi but if you have many devices in your house that need a VPN connection. The Surfshark interface is also simple and easy to use, so adding it to several devices doesn’t add extra headaches.

Surfshark's interface with a server list, alerts, antivirus, search features, and general settings.

What we liked

The Surfshark Starter plan includes everything you need from a VPN. Similar to NordVPN’s plans, you can gain access to additional features when you sign up for Surfshark One or Surfshark One+.

Here are a few of the features that you can access with the higher plans:

  • Private search engine: Surfshark’s search engine, which allows you to surf the web without being tracked
  • Antivirus protection: Detects and removes malware from your devices from viruses around the clock
  • Data breach alerts: Real-time alerts whenever your email addresses, credit cards, or personal IDs are part of a data breach

Surfshark’s VPN includes its own unique features, such as camouflage mode, which ensures that your ISP cannot tell that you are using a VPN. IP Rotator is another feature from Surfshark that helps increase your online privacy. IP Rotator changes your IP address periodically without disconnecting the VPN. Surfshark also has a multi-hop feature, which allows you to connect to two different servers for added anonymity.

From our testing, Surfshark didn't have a significant impact on connection speeds. Surfshark also allows you to stream Netflix with a VPN, and it has a guide on configuring Kodi as well.

What we didn’t like

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which is part of the Nine Eyes alliance. The Nine Eyes alliance is a group of countries that have pledged to share national security intelligence with each other, so Surfshark’s headquarters could be a red flag for privacy-focused users. 

We feel reassured that Surfshark completed an audit of its no-logs policy in January 2023, but this may be a deal breaker fo the most privacy-focused Kodi users.

Surfshark specs

Price range $2.29–$21.99/mo
Free version No
Number of servers 3,200+ in 100 countries
Number of connected devices Unlimited
VPN protocol WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN
No-logs policy No logs
Unblocks Kodi? Yes
Torrenting support Yes
Learn more Get Surfshark

Read Surfshark Review

Honorable mentions

There are lots of popular VPN services on the market, so it's ok if ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark aren't right for you. Here are some honorable mentions you can opt for instead:

  • Private Internet Access: Private Internet Access is an affordable, privacy-forward VPN. If you’re willing to commit to a three-year plan, you can get PIA for just $2.19/mo and it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections. 

    Get Private Internet AccessRead Our Private Internet Access Review

  • CyberGhost: CyberGhost touts that it works with Kodi. It’s also one of the more affordable services, starting at $2.19/mo for a two-year commitment. It also has a vast server network with over 11,000 servers, including streaming-optimized servers.

    Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost VPN Review

How we tested the best VPNs for Kodi

When determining the best VPNs for Kodi, we looked at several factors. The most important aspect that we evaluated was if the VPN could be installed on a Kodi device. From that point, we looked at other functions and test results to make sure that the VPN connection wouldn't hinder Kodi’s performance or the performance of other devices connected to the VPN.

Some of the factors we evaluated include:

  • Overall internet speed: When connected to the VPN, how were internet speeds affected? By looking at speeds, we make sure that the VPN isn’t hindering efficiency so much that using streaming platforms would be impossible.
  • Ease of installation and use: Is the VPN user-friendly enough for users to navigate with ease? And how difficult is the installation process, especially for installing on Kodi? And how difficult is the installation process, especially for installing on Kodi?
  • Supported devices: Another factor that can be important is the number of connected devices that are allowed at a time. If you’re using a Kodi VPN but have multiple family members using devices in need of a VPN connection, will you all be protected?

Best VPNs for Kodi FAQs


+

How do I add my VPN on Kodi?

VPNs can be added to Kodi as an add-on to the Kodi platform, or in some cases, you can connect the VPN to your device and then use the Kodi platform after the VPN is connected. The best way to connect the VPN will depend on which VPN service you are using.


+

Will Kodi work better with a VPN?

Kodi will be more protected if you use it with a VPN. If your ISP throttles speed while streaming, then you may see better speeds and less buffering by using Kodi with a VPN.


+

Is there a free VPN for Kodi?

We’ve compiled a list of the best free VPNs, and some may work with Kodi. However, free VPNs may have slower speeds when connected and limited bandwidth, so using Kodi could be difficult. If you want a service that allows for fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, you should opt for a paid VPN subscription.

Bottom line: The best VPNs for Kodi

Using a VPN on a Kodi device can help you access geo-restricted content, keep your internet usage hidden from your ISP to avoid throttling, and keep you protected from hackers.

ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are all great VPNs for use with Kodi devices. From our testing, all three maintain internet speeds that are optimized for streaming. 

Installing a VPN on Kodi will also vary depending on the VPN service that you choose. Luckily, all three VPNs have how-to guides for Kodi setup as well as top-notch customer support, making the onboarding time easier.

3 best Kodi VPNs 2024

Starting price Best for Learn more

ExpressVPN
Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) Best for high speeds Get ExpressVPN

Read ExpressVPN Review


NordVPN
Starts at $3.99/mo Best for added perks Get NordVPN

Read NordVPN Review


Surfshark
Starts at $2.29/mo Best for multiple devices Get Surfshark

Read Surfshark Review

Extensive Server Network Provides Protection Wherever You Go
4.6
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On ExpressVPN's website
VPN
ExpressVPN
Save 49% (3 months free)
  • Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
  • Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
  • Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
  • More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Author Details
Andrew Strom Adams is a freelance writer focused on online privacy and digital security. He writes on various topics to help individuals protect themselves on the internet. Andrew has worked in legal marketing, technology, and startups. He has more than 12 years of experience in marketing and communications. He holds an M.B.A. from Westminster College and a B.A. in journalism from Oklahoma Baptist University. When he’s not writing, he’s playing with his two kids or watching reality TV.