The Best VPNs for Kodi 2024

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 Surfshark allows 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.

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.

• ExpressVPN: Best for high speeds
• NordVPN: Best for added perks
• Surfshark: Best for multiple devices

Top 3 VPN services for Kodi compared

VPN	ExpressVPN	NordVPN	Surfshark
Starting price	Starts at $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)
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

How we tested the best VPNs for Kodi

When determining the best VPN 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?

ExpressVPN: Best for high speeds

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.”

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 $6.25/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	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	Unlisted 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

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 Ultimate plans come with additional Nord products to further help protect your information online. 

Here are a few extras included with NordVPN’s Plus and Ultimate 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 Ultimate 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.

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 more easily 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	$2.99–$17.99/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	6,800+ 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

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.

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 for the most privacy-focused Kodi users.

Surfshark specs

Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version	No
Number of servers	3,200+ servers 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 $2.03/mo (billed every two years) and it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections. 

  Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access Review

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost touts that it works with Kodi. It’s also one of the more affordable services, starting at $2.03/mo (billed every two years) for a two-year commitment. It also has a vast server network in 100 countries, including streaming-optimized servers.

  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost VPN Review

How to choose the best VPN for Kodi

If you're looking for a Kodi VPN, there are a few factors you need to consider. These are the features you should look for to make sure you're picking the best VPN for Kodi:

• Server network — If you want a VPN for streaming, you need to make sure it offers a substantial server network. More servers means the VPN will also be more likely to be able to access other streaming sites besides Kodi.
• Price — Consider your budget when choosing a Kodi VPN. A lot of VPNs offer discounts for long-term subscription plans. Remember to be wary of free VPNs offering deals that are too good to be true.
• Security — Using a VPN can protect your data from any snoopers on the internet. This will ensure your privacy while you're streaming Kodi.  
• Speeds — To ensure your streaming experience isn't negatively impacted, the Kodi VPN you pick needs to be able to support fast speeds. 
• Supported devices — Using a VPN that supports multiple devices means you'll be able to protect your data no matter what you're watching on. A VPN with native compatibility with Kodi will also be easier to set up and configure!

Why should you use a VPN?

There are many benefits to using a VPN for Kodi, here are just a few:

• Bypass throttling — Your internet service provider (ISP) may decide to start throttling your internet speeds for whatever reason. Using a VPN may help to bypass these throttles. 
• Access geo-blocked content — Using a VPN will allow you access to content that's only accessible in different countries. For example, a Kodi add-on that's only available in a foreign country. 
• Watch shows or sports under blackouts — Some sports or shows may be put under blackout and be temporarily unavailable during peak seasons. A VPN can help you change your region to somewhere that isn't under the blackout so you can keep watching.
• Hide from trackers — Since a VPN encrypts your data and makes sure your browsing activity isn't saved, using a Kodi VPN will prevent hackers or other third parties from seeing what you're doing online. 

Best VPNs for Kodi FAQs

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 $6.25/mo (billed annually)	Best for high speeds	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review
NordVPN	Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for added perks	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review
Surfshark	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Best for multiple devices	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review