Let me explain the process of finding the Best VPN for Kodi. I’ll guide you through my journey.
When I started with Kodi tutorials and articles, one question popped up constantly. It came up at least a dozen times every single day.
Back then, I hadn’t created any tutorials about using a VPN with Kodi. Not a single one.
But the constant questions made it clear. I needed to make some guides on the topic. It was a must.
Finding a quality VPN provider was crucial for me. You see, I was planning to create a ton of tutorials about this tech.
I really didn’t want to go through all that trouble just to switch services later. Imagine creating all those articles and videos, only to find out the VPN isn’t good enough.
The VPN application I chose needed to be reliable. It also needed to work seamlessly with the popular Kodi devices.
Thorough research was key. I didn’t want to waste time recreating my VPN tutorials later if things changed. That would be a real pain.
Loading some of these applications onto different streaming devices can get complicated. Because of that, I decided to focus on tutorials for just one VPN service.
Creating guides for every single VPN out there wasn’t realistic. I had to pick one. And it had to be the best based on my needs, which you’ll see outlined below.
Here’s another important factor. I have a pretty big email newsletter. It has over 800,000 subscribers. On top of that, my website gets almost 2 million visits each month.
My readers and subscribers rely on me. They trust me to give them the best tech advice and tutorials. That’s a big deal.
Whenever I exclusively recommend a product, my reputation is on the line. This was especially true for my VPN articles and videos. My name was attached to it.
After spending months testing VPNs with different Kodi boxes, I made a choice. IPVanish VPN was the winner, hands down.
Honestly, it was a no-brainer. Especially when I compared the features that Kodi users really care about.
I’ll show you how I reached this decision. Just take a look at the important requirements below. They were my guiding principles.
Why You Need a VPN for your Kodi
In the past, people mainly used VPNs for accessing torrent sites. That was the primary reason.
But things have changed. With the rise of add-ons that can pose security risks, cause permission issues, and affect streaming quality, VPNs are more vital than ever.
So, why do you really need a VPN for Kodi? Let’s explore the reasons that have convinced so many users. They’re pretty compelling.
ISPs can Slow Down Your Connection
ISP throttling is a real problem. It happens when your internet provider intentionally slows down your connection. They usually do this when you’re downloading large video files, which is super frustrating.
Comcast, Cox Communications, and Charter are some examples. All have been accused of interfering with seeding connections. This happens when users access P2P or BitTorrent traffic on the network.
Kodi Addons Can Be Geo-Blocked
Many VPN content providers limit their services to specific countries. Others, like Netflix and Amazon, don’t release all their streams in every region.
Geo-blocking is frustrating, especially when traveling. It’s particularly annoying when governments restrict website access in certain countries.
Also, new content like video games often comes out in the United States first. If you live elsewhere and want to be among the first to play, consider a VPN.
Privacy Loss is Possible Without a VPN
Servers can see your location and identity. This can make you vulnerable.
This is a big deal with Kodi because many addons aren’t verified. We don’t know what their developers do with our data.
A VPN service lets you stream movies and TV shows, download files, and browse privately. Your ISP won’t even be able to see your online activity.
Using a VPN helps bypass content restrictions. This is particularly helpful when using Kodi.
Comparing VPN For Kodi Services
My goal was to find the best VPN for Kodi. I created a list of features that most users look for. It’s important to remember that hundreds of services exist, and testing them all is impossible.
I researched online and read tons of VPN reviews. I then narrowed it down to about 20 for thorough testing.
I tested big names like IPVanish, Express VPN, Nord VPN, PUREVPN, Private Internet Access (PIA), VyprVPN, Hide My Ass, TunnelBear, and KeepSolid VPN Unlimited.
After a month of testing these VPNs with various Kodi boxes, I found that IPVanish VPN was the best. My testing and research made this an easy choice, especially when considering features that Kodi users value most.
Best VPN For Kodi Is IPVanish
Popular VPN services share common features like zero traffic logs, unlimited bandwidth, and 24/7 customer support. The requirements below are tailored specifically for Kodi users. That’s what makes IPVanish the top pick for them.
Kodi VPN Remote Control Friendly User Interface
Right now, the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are the most popular Kodi devices, thanks to their affordability and good hardware. They’re great for using Kodi. Installing Kodi on them is simple too.
The same goes for installing Kodi on Chromecast with Google TV.
Other popular options include generic Android TV Boxes, NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast, and the MECOOL Box. It’s important to suggest a VPN app that works seamlessly with each device’s remote control.
In my tests, most apps didn’t work well with remotes, or they didn’t work at all! To use them, you had to side-load the installation file (.apk) onto the device. Then you’d need an external keyboard.to navigate the application.
My users, I knew, would want a VPN that just works. They wouldn’t want to mess with external keyboards or air mouses. They’d want it to work flawlessly right out of the box.
The IPVanish app has always been great for remote use. But in late June 2017, they launched a new version. And it’s even better than before (see the screenshot below).
If you’re looking for my VPN installation tutorials, you can find links to them at the bottom of this page.
The QuickConnect section shows your connection details. This includes things like Time Connected, Protocol, Server, Data Up, and Data Down. It also shows your Visible Location, Server Last Updated, and Connected Server.
In the Server List section, you’ll find the available servers. The Map tab gives you a visual view of where these servers are located geographically. If you want to filter them by latency or region, head over to the Filter tab.
Lastly, there’s the Account section. Here you’ll find the email address you used to register with IPVanish. You’ll also see your Password, Account Status, Current Tier, Renewal Date. And there’s a handy link to the Members’ Area, too.
Download Speeds
When you’re using a VPN with Kodi, download speed becomes super important.
Using a VPN app will always impact your download speed a bit. There are two main reasons for this. First, it takes some processing power for your device to run the VPN alongside everything else. The VPN runs in the background when it’s connected. So, your device has to share its processing power.
Second, your internet traffic gets routed through a different server when you’re connected to the VPN. This is how your device gets a new IP address.
That being said, Kodi devices with powerful processors tend to handle VPNs better. The speed of the VPN server you connect to also plays a big role.
When I was reviewing the top Kodi VPN apps, the IPVanish servers came out on top in terms of speed.
Based on all my tests, IPVanish truly excels in the download speed department. Its download speeds were unmatched by any other service I tried.
Take a look at the internet speed test below. You’ll see that I’m getting 124 Mbps download and 24 Mbps upload while connected to IPVanish.
As we move forward and 4K video streams become the norm, Kodi users will need these kinds of download speeds. They’re essential for supporting higher quality media.
Numerous Servers Worldwide
IPVanish is among the best VPN services worldwide. It’s a top-tier provider, no doubt. The IPVanish network is huge, with over 40,000 different IP addresses. These are spread across over 1,000 servers in 60 different countries.
This means Kodi users get fast downloads no matter where they are. Plus, they can easily bypass geo-blocked streams. All they have to do is connect from a different location.
My TROYPOINT subscribers are located all around the globe. So, it was crucial for me to select a provider with a broad network. I’m only focusing my tutorials on one VPN. Therefore, I needed to make sure it would work for everyone, not just in the United States.
Unlimited Connections Allowed On the Same Account
Most people have multiple Kodi boxes in their homes. They often have one connected to each TV. Knowing this, I sought out a service that allows for multiple connections with a single account.
IPVanish has a great feature. You can use one account on an UNLIMITED number of differentdevices at the same time.
TROYPOINT obtained some insider information lately.
It’s about IPVanish’s support for Unlimited Devices.
If you have a lot of devices that need a VPN, I’ve made a tutorial for you. It shows how to install a VPN on a router.
Doing this protects every device that connects to the internet through the router. This is a pretty technical process. I still suggest loading the VPN application directly onto your device for a simpler set up.
Multiple Applications for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Linux, Fire TV/Stick, Chromebook
Kodi can be installed on many devices. These include Fire TV/Stick, Windows, Linux, Mac, Chromebook, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi. It can even be installed on less common operating systems such as BSD and Freescale.
Many of my readers use Android devices for their Kodi boxes. This might change at some point, though.
IPVanish offers applications for several platforms. This means there will always be an app available, no matter what device we’re using for Kodi.
IPVanish lets you have up to ten connections at once with a single account. This means you can use the service on your other devices, too.
You’ll see me recommend this a lot on the TROYPOINT website. You should always use a VPN when you’re traveling. That’s right, VPNs are useful for things besides just Kodi!
Consider all the public Wi-Fi hot-spots you use when you travel. Or even just when you’re away from home.
If you’re anything like me, your phone, tablet, and computer all have sensitive information stored on them. You wouldn’t want anyone to be able to access that data.
It’s crucial to never connect to public Wi-Fi without connecting to a VPN first. It’s easy for hackers to intercept what you’re typing on these unsecured networks. They could even steal your personal info.
IPVanish offers apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV/Stick, Windows Phone, Linux, and Chromebook. This gives you the option of using your account on any of those devices and staying safe.
Protect All Applications On Kodi Device
Various third-party Kodi add-ons have been under scrutiny recently.
There have even been lawsuits filed. Because of this, it’s crucial that your VPN service protects all the applications on your device, and not just Kodi.
This is because new Android apps are popping up all the time. Apps like Cinema APK also need to be routed through a secure, encrypted connection.
More and more third-party Kodi Addons and Kodi Builds are shutting down. This means people are going to start turning to Android APKs, torrents, and streaming sites that offer a ton of content.
I’d recommend taking a look at the popular lists below. They’re great alternatives to Kodi.
It’s important to protect your entire device. This prevents your streaming activity from being visible to your internet service provider.
Some services only offer protection within Kodi. This leaves other apps on your device vulnerable.
IPVanish is installed directly on your device. This means that all of your running apps will be protected.
We don’t just want to protect Kodi. We also want to make sure that other apps are secure, as well.