What is the Best VPN for Kodi?

What is the best VPN for Kodi? That was the exact question from a TechJunkie reader I received this week. I cover a lot of VPN news and tutorials so I was naturally the one to tackle this question.

Why would Kodi need a VPN? As an open source media player Kodi is completely legal. Most of the addons are completely legit too so why do you need protection? Not all Kodi addons are legal and some allow you to download premium content for free. Plus, you should always use a VPN when doing anything online.

The requirements of a VPN for Kodi are not as rigorous as Netflix. Kodi isn’t actively fighting VPNs so there is no cat and mouse game to play. Instead, we want fast connections, reliable services and no logging. Some U.S. servers would also be useful so we can get the widest possible catalog of content.

We need fast connections so we can enjoy HD content without buffering. We want a reliable service for the same reason. Nothing would be more frustrating than being in the middle of a movie only for our connection to drop. Finally, no logging should be a minimum requirement of any VPN service regardless of why you use it.

VPN services suitable for Kodi

The following are VPN services that feature a lot in TechJunkie lists. We have no financial interest or connection to them, they are just good. I have tried all of them just to make sure they deliver on their promises too.

I don’t mention prices here as they change all the time.

PureVPN

PureVPN has over 750 servers in 180 countries, does not log and uses an IP address pool of over 80,000 addresses. It performs well and has very little speed overhead when connected. HD content streams seamlessly and without issue so earns its place as a VPN service suitable for Kodi.

PureVPN supports all OS, comes with its own app, has a mobile version too and supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2 security protocols. I use OpenVPN and had no issues setting up or maintaining a connection. Secure DNS was a pain to set up but otherwise, the service is very straightforward and easily fast enough for streaming.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another service that features regularly in our VPN lists. It has over 1,000 servers in 136 locations and does not log. It isn’t the cheapest but it has a lot of features to justify the price. As one of the faster connections, ExpressVPN is good for Kodi.

The service uses its own client that works across operating systems and mobiles. You can connect up to 3 devices at a time and the service also plays nicely with bit torrent. Security is good and the app works on almost any device.

VyprVPN

VyprVPN is known for its fast performance so is ideal for streaming. With over 700 servers across 70 locations, no logging and an IP pool of over 200,000 addresses works for most other things too. It isn’t cheap and only offers a 3-day trial but other than that works well.

Security is good as VyprVPN is based in Switzerland. VyprVPN’s Chameleon service also works credibly well for services that try to block VPN, which is an extra feature worth considering. The app supports most operating systems and mobiles and has a kill switch and auto-connect feature should you need them.

NordVPN

NordVPN is another regular in our lists because of its speed and security. With over a thousand servers in 59 locations, 2048-bit encryption and a South American location, there is a lot to recommend this service. It supports up to 6 devices at a time, includes an automatic kill switch, lots of extra security options and an easy to use client app too.

NordVPN also offers double encryption, which wraps your VPN traffic inside another VPN tunnel. This may be overkill and does add a slight speed penalty but is excellent if security is paramount. Otherwise, speed is plenty fast enough for HD streaming and there are no logs kept either.

TunnelBear

TunnelBear is a new one on me but was recommended as a very user friendly VPN service. Designed for new users, this VPN is based in Canada, has over a thousand servers in over 20 locations and does not log. It supports up to 5 connections at once and seems plenty fast enough for HD content on Kodi.

There is a free plan at TunnelBear so you can try before you buy. Traffic is limited to 500MB a month but it gives you the opportunity to check it out. The client app supports most OS and mobile and is very easy to set up which is why it makes it onto this list as an ideal for new Kodi users.

Buffered VPN

Buffered VPN is known for speed and very low latency, both of which contribute to seamless streaming. That makes it a useful VPN for Kodi. It has hundreds of servers in 37 locations around the world, has no logging and supports up to 5 devices at a time. The client is easy to install and use and has some decent features too.

The downside is that there is no mobile client available for Buffered VPN. The desktop client is good but you would have to manage the configuration yourself if you wanted to go mobile. No issue if you know what you’re doing though. Other than that, speed is fast, performance seems reliable and cost is reasonable.

There are six VPN for Kodi in this list. While I do concentrate on streaming speed and reliability, all VPN services here perform well across the board. Everyone should use a VPN for everything they do online, from general surfing to internet banking. Too much of our data is out of our hands while on the internet. A VPN is our chance to maintain a semblance of control over some of that.

Have you tried any of the VPNs in this list? Got any feedback or advice? Tell us about it below if you do!