Kodi is an open-source media player that allows users to stream online videos, music, and live IPTV channels as well as view files from local and network storage.
The application boasts an excellent interface allowing users to bring all their digital content together in a beautiful and user-friendly package.
The Kodi player provides users with the perfect streaming solution.
Thanks to a plethora of official and third-party add-ons you can access and play nearly every kind of digital media.
However, some of the Kodi add-ons are region-specific and can only be accessed from certain locations.
These include popular streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix.
To view blocked content, you’ll need a VPN for Kodi.
Below we take a look at the best free VPNs for Kodi in 2021 that will secure your connection and protect your privacy without spoiling your streaming experience.
What Is the Best Free VPN for Kodi?
1. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a solid VPN for Kodi. Based in Romania, this free VPN is located well outside the 14-EYES sphere of influence.
CyberGhost offers industry-standard encryption – 256-bit AES – and wide server coverage across the United States, European Union, UK, and Asia.
While the VPN is not entirely free, it has an option to try it for free. CyberGhost is compatible with most Kodi devices and you can easily connect your Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
The VPN is easy to install and can support up to seven devices simultaneously.
Pros
- 2200 servers in 61 countries
- Simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices
- 256-bit AES Encryption
- Automatic kill-switch
- DNS and IP Leak Protection
- Strict No Logs policy
- Unlimited bandwidth and traffic
- 24/7 customer care
- Full feature free trial
Cons
- Limited trial period
2. Hide Me
Undoubtedly one of the best free VPNs we’ve tested. The VPN has both free and paid options. The free option offers only 3 locations, but this hasn’t stopped free users from enjoying great speeds and privacy.
If you are looking for a VPN that can reliably safeguard your online security without having to burn a hole in your pocket, then look no further. Hide Me maintains a ‘zero logs’ policy and each server supports all popular protocols including PTP, L2TP, IPsec (IKEv1 and IKEv2), and OpenVPN.
Hide Me is easy to install and run and can be downloaded directly from the play store.
Pros
- Has a free plan
- Excellent security features
- Decent Speeds
- Zero logging policy
- Doesn’t sell data to third-parties
- 45 plus locations (3 on the free package)
Cons
- The free package can only support 1 device at a time
3. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is one of the best free Kodi VPNs available. It is one of the few free VPNs to offer a wide range of server locations.
The VPN comes with a strong AES 256-bit encryption and automatically launches at startup helping keep you connected at all times.
If online anonymity is a priority for you, then this ‘no-logs’ free VPN is a good match for you. The VPN effectively blocks tracking, targeted ads, and phishing domains. What’s more? The VPN provides high-speed connections making it ideal for streaming high-definition videos.
TunnelBear is compatible with Windows, iOS, MAC, and Android operating systems and offers users simple and user-friendly applications. There’s no clutter on the screen and you can get connected in a single tap.
The only downside is that TunnelBear comes with a limitation of 500 MB per month.
They do allow users an additional 1GB for tweeting but still, this isn’t much if you use Kodi for streaming.
Pros
- Servers across 20 countries
- Compatible with major platforms
- Strong encryption
- Zero logs policy
- 5 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Limited bandwidth
- No P2P sharing
4. ProtonVPN
Another excellent free Kodi VPN. The VPN offers an amazing collection of features and an excellent user interface for the perfect experience.
Located in Switzerland, ProtonVPN is based outside US and EU jurisdiction and is protected by some of the world’s strongest privacy laws.
The VPN’s top-notch security and great privacy policies have made ProtonVPN a good option for Kodi. With AES-256, 2048-bit RSA key-exchange, the VPN is reliable and offers a lot for a free VPN service.
Pros
- 140 servers in 16 countries (Max 3 countries on the free version)
- High-level encryption standards
- OpenVPN protocol
- Built-in Kill Switch feature
- P2P Support
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Easy to Use
- Great customer service
Cons
- Can only connect 1 device at a time on the free tier
5. Windscribe
Windscribe is a robust virtual private network with an excellent collection of features.
The VPN service offers servers in over 55 countries and 100 cities.
They use AES-256 encryption ensuring users enjoy maximum security.
The service provider offers minimalist clients for all platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Pros
- 256-bit AES encryption
- DNS/IPv6 leak protection
- Kill switch
- Unlimited bandwidth
- No logs
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- Limited number of servers in the free package
Kodi 101
Formerly known as Xbox Media Centre (XBMC), Kodi is a multi-platform media player that offers users a centralized solution for managing and viewing all digital content.
As free, open-source software, Kodi supports tons of different platforms including Firestick, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Kodi VPN Explained
Basically, Kodi VPN encrypts your Kodi device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of your choosing.
This allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship while at the same time securing your connection from attacks and vulnerabilities common in third-party add-ons.
Additionally, Kodi Virtual Private Network masks your IP address protecting you from ISP snooping and potential copyright infringement issues.
Why You May Need a VPN for Kodi?
Do I really need to use a VPN for Kodi, you ask? If you are concerned about your online privacy or are looking to access blocked content, then yes, you definitely need a VPN.
As always, internet security is important.
If you are using a third-party add-on, as you may never know what’s hidden in those free streams.
Kodi is an open source, and installing a Virtual Private Network will protect it from hackers.
If you care about protecting your personal information, you need to secure your streaming device with a VPN.
In addition, it will prevent your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from tracking your streaming habits and throttling your bandwidth.
How to Choose a VPN for Kodi?
When selecting the best VPN for Kodi there are a few things that you should consider.
These include:
Compatibility
Is the VPN compatible with your Kodi box? The right VPN should be able to support most of the popular Kodi devices.
If you prefer to use Kodi on the go, you should look out for mobile device compatibility (preferably iOS and Android app support).
Speed and Reliability
As ever, when it comes to streaming content, you want a Virtual Private Network which gives you fast download speeds.
This will allow you to enjoy a buff-free streaming experience even when watching HD videos.
Security
Encryption is really important when it comes to choosing a VPN. Basically, the encryption standards that the service provider offers determine how secure your connection will be.
The strongest encryption in the VPN industry is a 256-bit encryption.
Server Coverage
The best and most reliable VPNs have servers in different locations across the globe.
A large web of servers will give you more options allowing you to easily bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy access to your favorite services from anywhere in the world.
Privacy Policy
To increase their income, most free VPN service providers sell data to third-parties.
For maximum privacy, you will need to ensure that your VPN maintains a ‘zero logs’ privacy policy.
Is Kodi VPN legal?
Kodi is legal. However, this doesn’t mean all uses are permissible.
While it’s totally legal to watch free content, streaming copyrighted content can lead to a run-in with the law.
Official Kodi add-ons such as Crackle and SoundCloud do not in any way infringe on copyrights and are therefore legal.
However, the same cannot be said of the free third-party add-ons that allow illegal streaming.
How to Install Kodi VPN?
Almost all Kodi boxes, Windows, Android, and Firestick devices included, can support a VPN.
Below we have outlined a number of ways you can install a VPN on Kodi and establish a secure connection.
Loading a Dedicated VPN Add-On
To set up a VPN directly on Kodi through an add-on, you will need a Kodi VPN Manager for OpenVPN. The Zomboided VPN Manager is a popular option for many Kodi users.
The Virtual Private Network manager supports different VPN service providers enabling users to establish a VPN connection from within Kodi.
Installing the Kodi VPN add-ons isn’t any more complicated than installing your other add-ons.
To help you with the installation, here is a step-by-step guide.
- Open on the settings menu and navigate to Security Settings.
- Select Unknown Sources option and click Yes to turn it on.
- Go back to Settings and then Add-ons.
- Select Install from zip file.
- Navigate to the repository file, click and wait for it to install.
- You will see a notification at the top right corner once the add-on is added.
- Now click Add-on Settings.
- Under VPN Configuration, select your VPN Provider.
- If required, enter your login details.
- From there go to the VPN Connection tab and choose your preferred server.
- Click OK and enjoy your VPN connection.
Note that not all service providers work with Kodi VPN Manager.
Therefore, before you choose this option, first determine whether the VPN manager supports your VPN service provider.
Installing VPN Onto the Kodi Box
Firestick
- Go to Settings and select Device.
- Next click Developer options and set ADB Debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources to ON.
- Now go back to the Home menu and search for an app called ‘Downloader’ and download it.
- Once downloaded, open the app and click on browser option in the left-side menu.
- Enter the direct download link for the VPN app and get the APK file. We advise you only download APKs directly from the VPN provider’s website.
- When the download finishes, you’ll be prompted to install the app. If not, open Downloads in the Downloader app and click the APK file.
- Go back to the Home screen and open Apps and Games to access the VPN.
- Log in and connect to a server of your choice.
Windows Devices
- Setting up a VPN on a Windows computer or tablet is fairly easy. Here is the step by step guide.
- After it downloads run the installer.
- Launch the app and enter your username and password.
- Choose a server and connect.
Android Kodi Boxes
Popular Android Kodi boxes include Chromecast, Xiaomi Mi Box, and NVidia Shield TV.
To install Kodi VPN on Android Kodi devices, you can either install the VPN app directly from the Play Store or sideload the APK file.
Since most Android Boxes come preloaded with Google Play Store, installation is quite easy and can be done in a matter of minutes.
All you have to do is open the app store and from there, you’ll be able to download and install a free VPN for Kodi on your Android device.
Let’s take a look at the step-by-step process:
- From your Kodi box, navigate to the Play Store app and open it.
- Once you’ve opened the app, you’ll need to log in to your Google account. If you don’t have an account yet, there’s no need to worry. Registering a new Google account is quite easy and won’t take much of your time.
- Search for your preferred VPN service or simply type the term “VPN.” You’ll be presented with a number of suggestions from which to choose.
- Go back to your home menu, and find the installed VPN, and click on it to run it.
If you are unable to access the Google Play Store, you can download the VPN app from official websites as well as trusted third-party sources.
All you have to do is open File Manager and click the APK to install it. It’s as easy as that!
Conclusion
Using a VPN with Kodi has undeniable benefits both in terms of security and privacy. If you are playing anything other than your local media collection, then you need to install a Kodi VPN.
There are just too many security loopholes that hackers can exploit. A VPN connection will allow you to rest easy knowing that your data is safe.
For a seamless experience, we recommend ExpressVPN. It’s a premium Virtual Private Network service that offers a 30 days money-back guarantee!
Whether you choose the free option or the premium plan, you will enjoy a highly secure tunnel, zero logging, and more importantly, fast speeds.