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23 Best Kodi Add-ons in 2023 — Fully Tested and Work 100%

Tim Mocan Tim Mocan

Your Kodi traffic is visible to hackers and your internet service provider (ISP). I strongly recommend using a top-quality VPN with Kodi to secure your online activities and hide your IP address. My top pick is ExpressVPN because it works with all Kodi streaming add-ons, has blazing-fast speeds, and provides excellent security and privacy features.

Kodi is an excellent media center and one of my favorite apps. I use it to stream TV shows and movies and to listen to my favorite SoundCloud artists. I even use it to stream torrents when I don’t feel like using a torrent client.

However, there are thousands of Kodi add-ons available, and it can definitely feel overwhelming and even intimidating trying to pick the best ones. In my experience, many add-ons simply don’t work, and even worse, some of them are dangerous and may contain malware that can harm your device.

So, I spent weeks testing tons of Kodi add-ons to find the best ones. All of my picks are from reputable developers, are compatible with the latest Kodi release, and work as expected.

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Best Kodi Add-ons for Movies and TV Shows

1. Netflix

Best Kodi Add-ons for Movies and TV Shows

There are many unofficial Kodi add-ons for Netflix, but I prefer CastagnaIT because it comes from a trusted developer in the Kodi community. It also erases your login credentials when you log out — so if someone steals your device, they can’t use Kodi to compromise your Netflix account.

I never experience errors with this add-on, and it’s good for new Kodi users thanks to a very intuitive design. I like how it displays subtitles correctly, and it supports HD videos on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, 4K videos are only available on Android.

To use this add-on, you need a Netflix subscription.

Source: CastagnaIT repository

Requires subscription: Yes

2. Disney+

Best Kodi Add-ons for Movies and TV Shows

This add-on comes from the SlyGuy repository, which is also a highly-trusted Kodi repository. In my tests, it allowed me to watch my favorite shows in HD without any issues. Plus, I really like that there’s a search feature — it generally took me just 3–5 seconds to find the latest Marvel series or a popular movie like Encanto.

A Disney+ subscription is required to access this add-on.

Source: SlyGuy repository

Requires subscription: Yes

3. HBO Max

Best Kodi Add-ons for Movies and TV Shows

The HBO Max Kodi add-on is really easy to use, it has a search feature, it supports HD streaming, it works with subtitles, and it’s completely bug-free. I quickly found Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Hangover and never experienced any problems watching them.

To use this add-on, you’ll need an HBO Max subscription.

Source: SlyGuy repository

Requires subscription: Yes

4. Hulu

Best Kodi Add-ons for Movies and TV Shows

I was really impressed with how fast I was able to browse the Hulu add-on, as different pages and menus immediately loaded. I also really like that you can watch all videos in HD.

However, keep in mind that Hulu is only available in the US. If you travel outside the US, the best way to access your account is with a VPN, which will allow you to connect to a US server and make it appear as if you’re still in the US. I recommend ExpressVPN because it has servers in over 15 US cities, it has the fastest speeds out of all of the VPNs on the market, and it works seamlessly with Kodi.

Source: SlyGuy repository

Requires subscription: Yes

5. BBC iPlayer

Best Kodi Add-ons for Movies and TV Shows

The BBC iPlayer add-on is also called iPlayer WWW. The add-on has an easy-to-use interface that allows you to browse through the entire BBC iPlayer catalog.

Keep in mind that you need a UK TV license to watch videos on BBC iPlayer, and also that it’s only available in the UK. Like with Hulu, if you travel abroad and want to continue to access your favorite content, you’ll need to use a VPN. ExpressVPN has servers in 5 UK locations and consistently works with BBC iPlayer, allowing you to stream videos from anywhere in the world.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

6. Crackle

Best Kodi Add-ons for Movies and TV Shows

The Crackle add-on lets you watch tons of movies, web shows, and TV shows for free. It also provides access to 40+ genres, including horror, Black entertainment, stand-up comedy, travel, suspense thrillers, musicals, reality shows, and more. Crackle only works in the US, so you’ll need to use a VPN. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming the Kodi Crackle add-on abroad thanks to its really fast speeds.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

Best Kodi Add-ons for Videos

1. YouTube

Best Kodi Add-ons for Videos

This add-on lets you watch videos from your favorite YouTube channels inside the Kodi app. It’s very easy to search for your favorite content, and it supports HD streaming.

However, this add-on requires you to perform a manual setup. Basically, you need to supply your own application programming interface (API) keys. Fortunately, there are helpful instructions on the developer’s GitHub page. It only took me about 5–6 minutes to configure the YouTube add-on and start using it.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

2. Dailymotion

Best Kodi Add-ons for Videos

I recommend this add-on if you can’t find what you need on the YouTube add-on or you don’t want to use that add-on due to the API setup process. It’s more user-friendly (it doesn’t require any API keys), it gives you access to tons of videos, and its video speeds are just as fast as the YouTube add-on.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

3. Vimeo

Best Kodi Add-ons for Videos

This add-on is great if you like videos that cover niches like culture and society. You can watch tons of indie documentaries, animations, experimental movies, short movies, and comedy shorts. Videos always loaded instantly, but I sometimes experienced minor buffering when skipping through them.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

Best Kodi Add-ons for Sports

1. ESPN

Best Kodi Add-ons for Sports

This add-on gives you access to the ESPN streaming service, which comes with exclusive live sports coverage and access to a big library of documentaries. To use this add-on, you’ll need to log in using your TV provider or ESPN+ account.

Source: SlyGuy repository

Requires subscription: Yes

2. NBC Sports Live Extra

Best Kodi Add-ons for Sports

This add-on provides access to live streams, 7,300+ replays, and 1,500+ clips. However, it’s missing a search feature, which is a minor annoyance. Since the NBC Sports Live Extra add-on only works in the US, you need to use a VPN to access it when you’re outside of the US.

To use this Kodi add-on, you’ll need to sign in with your TV provider account.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: Yes

3. beIN Sports Connect

Best Kodi Add-ons for Sports

This add-on provides live coverage of NBA, Premier League, and UEFA events. You’ll either need a subscription or your TV provider account login details to use this add-on.

Remember that beIN Sports Connect isn’t available worldwide, so you might not be able to use this add-on if you travel abroad. To solve that, you need to use a VPN.

Source: SlyGuy repository

Requires subscription: Yes

Best Kodi Add-ons for Animation

1. South Park

Best Kodi Add-ons for Animation

This add-on lets you watch every season of South Park. The best part is you don’t need a subscription or an account to watch Kyle, Stan, Kenny, or Cartman.

I also like the Random Episode future, which randomly picks a South Park episode for you to watch — I often use it when I lounge on the couch and don’t know what to watch.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

Best Kodi Add-ons for Documentaries

1. DocumentaryHeaven

Best Kodi Add-ons for Documentaries

DocumentaryHeaven is an excellent add-on if you’re into documentaries. It lets you use the DocumentaryHeaven site inside Kodi, which includes access to tons of documentary videos. The add-on offers 40+ documentary categories, including archaeology, 9-11, conspiracies, evolution, environment, gangs, lifestyle, psychology, and more.

Best of all, DocumentaryHeaven is completely free to use.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

2. CuriosityStream

Best Kodi Add-ons for Documentaries

The CuriosityStream add-on lets you watch thousands of documentaries spanning tons of genres like lifestyle, society, science, technology, history, and more. However, you need a paid subscription to use CuriosityStream, but it’s pretty affordable and you get access to documentaries that have a higher production value than what you’d find on DocumentaryHeaven’s free add-on.

Source: SlyGuy repository

Requires subscription: Yes

Best Kodi Add-ons for Live TV

1. Pluto TV

Best Kodi Add-ons for Live TV

I think Pluto TV is the best Kodi add-on for live TV, as it gives you access to 1,300+ live TV channels from 10+ countries. Even better, Pluto TV is completely free to use and this add-on has good speeds — I watched videos from all 10+ countries and they always loaded in about 2–3 seconds. A minor drawback is the subtitles don’t work for all channels.

If you don’t have access to Pluto TV in your country, you’ll need a VPN (like ExpressVPN) to access it when you travel abroad.

Source: SlyGuy Repository

Requires subscription: No

2. Plex Live

Best Kodi Add-ons for Live TV

Plex is a client-server media player platform, which lets you sync and stream content hosted on one device to other devices. Plex is also a free streaming platform that gives you access to 260+ channels from the US, with genres ranging from news and music to kids’ shows and Korean drama. However, not all channels provide subtitles.

Source: SlyGuy repository

Requires subscription: No

3. NHK Live

Best Kodi Add-ons for Live TV

If you’re passionate about Japanese media, this Kodi add-on is great. It gives you free access to live programs that cover Japanese news, lifestyle, documentaries, and more. I especially like that most of the content is in English and that English subtitles are available for content that is only in Japanese. HD videos loaded instantly when I used NHK Live, but I sometimes experienced minor buffering when skipping through the videos.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

4. RaiPlay

Best Kodi Add-ons for Live TV

RaiPlay provides access to live Italian TV and radio programs and on-demand content up to 1 week old.

RaiPlay is free, but it only works in Italy — so it’s the same as other apps listed here like Hulu and BBC iPlayer. If you try to access RaiPlay outside of Italy, you won’t be able to use this add-on. To solve that issue, you’ll need to use a VPN with Kodi (my top pick is ExpressVPN) to watch or listen to RaiPlay outside Italy.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

Best Kodi Add-ons for Music

1. SoundCloud

Best Kodi Add-ons for Music

SoundCloud is an awesome music streaming platform, so I was really happy to find a Kodi add-on for it. The add-on has a search function, a top 50 chart, and playlists for different genres, such as workout music, chill music, and study music. You can also use this add-on to listen to podcasts.

Some tracks are not available in all countries, so you might need a VPN like ExpressVPN to listen to them when you travel abroad.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

Best Kodi Add-ons for Gamers

1. Rooster Teeth

Best Kodi Add-ons for Gamers

This add-on lets you watch Rooster Teeth videos, which mostly cover video games. Rooster Teeth provides great entertainment — I especially love the Red vs. Blue series, which is a comedy web series that is based on the setting of the Halo video games.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

2. Twitch

Best Kodi Add-ons for Gamers

If you love watching gaming streams, I highly recommend this Kodi add-on. It provides access to Twitch, which is a platform that lets you watch live-streamed video games.

Twitch is free to use, but Twitch creators offer monthly subscriptions that provide access to special perks, including custom emotes that are specific to a Twitch channel.

Source: Official Kodi repository

Requires subscription: No

Best Kodi Add-ons for Streaming Torrents

1. Elementum

Best Kodi Add-ons for Streaming Torrents

Elementum is a Kodi add-on that can stream torrents. Basically, you don’t need to wait for a video torrent to finish downloading to watch it. Instead, you can open the torrent file inside Elementum and start watching the video, and the add-on will download and seed the torrent while you’re watching.

I used Elementum to stream several public domain torrents and it always worked well — the stream started in less than 5 seconds, and I never experienced buffering while watching the videos.

To get the most out of your experience, I recommend using a VPN with this Kodi add-on. It will prevent Elementum and anyone in the swarm (the total number of people downloading and uploading a torrent) from seeing your real IP address. Plus, a VPN will stop your ISP from throttling your P2P speeds.

If you need a good VPN for Elementum, I suggest ExpressVPN, which ranks #1 on our list of the best P2P VPNs on the market. It supports torrenting on 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries, provides high-end security features, and has blazing-fast download speeds.

Source: Elementum

Requires subscription: No

My team and I don’t condone using Kodi add-ons to illegally torrent copyrighted content. I strongly recommend only using Elementum with a VPN to protect your privacy and prevent bandwidth throttling while downloading legal torrents.

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Is Using Kodi Legal?

Yes. However, it’s illegal in some countries to use Kodi add-ons to stream pirated copyrighted content for free. While law enforcement agencies usually target the add-on developers, you still might face legal repercussions (depending on the laws in your country) for using add-ons that infringe on copyright. This is why I strongly recommend only using Kodi add-ons that don’t illegally provide access to copyrighted content. I advise you to avoid any add-ons that promise free access to paid streaming platforms or add-ons that display illegally pirated content.

My team and I don’t condone using Kodi add-ons that infringe on copyright regulations. Always make sure you install and use Kodi add-ons from legitimate sources (like the official Kodi repository or the SlyGuy repository), which only provide you with access to streaming services and don’t deliver streaming content themselves.

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Are Kodi Add-ons Safe to Use?

Yes, but only as long as you use add-ons from trustworthy and well-established sources, including the official Kodi repository, the CastagnaIT repository, and the SlyGuy repository.

All of these add-ons are created by developers that are trusted by the Kodi community and don’t violate any copyright laws. For example, CastgnaIT’s Netflix add-on lets you access your Netflix account in Kodi, but you need a Netflix subscription to use it. A shady add-on would claim to provide you with free access to Netflix. Also, unverified sources may host malware.

To avoid malicious code, I advise using a top-notch antivirus like Norton 360. It has a unique scanning engine that can detect even the newest malware strains, and it also comes with other high-end security features.

What’s more, some Kodi add-ons log your IP address, which poses a risk to your privacy. To protect your personal data, I recommend using a VPN with Kodi. My top pick is ExpressVPN due to its industry-leading security features, excellent streaming support, and blazing-fast speeds.

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How to Troubleshoot Kodi Add-ons

Many Kodi add-ons aren’t regularly updated. All the add-ons I mentioned work well, but you could experience issues with any add-on for a number of reasons. I put together a list of tips for how to resolve the most common types of problems:

Kodi Add-ons Freeze, Crash, or Buffer

This generally happens if you installed older add-ons that are not compatible with the latest version of Kodi. To fix this issue, uninstall the add-on. Similarly, if you just installed a new Kodi build, which is a customized Kodi installation, also uninstall it.

If that doesn’t solve your problem, disable the hardware acceleration. This setting sometimes causes Kodi add-ons to crash, especially on Android. Here’s how to disable hardware acceleration in Kodi:

  1. Click the gear icon in your home screen.
  2. Click Player.
  3. In the bottom left corner, you’ll see an icon with Basic or Standard to its right. Click it until the text changes to Expert.
  4. Highlight the Videos tab.
  5. Disable Allow hardware acceleration – DXVA2.

Another thing you can try is clearing Kodi’s cache, which can cause errors when it fills up. Kodi’s cache usually empties itself, but you might need to sometimes manually flush it. There are no in-app settings that let you perform this action, so you’ll need to install the EZ Maintenance+ add-on. Then, just click the Maintenance tab and select Clear Cache.

If none of these tips work, I recommend reinstalling the latest version of Kodi.

Failed to Install a Dependency Error

The easiest way to fix that issue is to clear Kodi’s cache. When you install an add-on, it should normally show you which dependencies it needs and automatically install them. However, errors sometimes occur and the dependencies aren’t installed.

If that doesn’t work, I recommend removing and reinstating your Kodi database. The database is responsible for storing all information related to add-ons, so if it becomes corrupted, you start experiencing errors. Here’s how to delete and reinstate the Kodi database:

  1. Click the cog icon in your home screen.
  2. Select File Manager, and then double-click Profile directory.
  3. Next, double-click Database.
  4. Find Addons33.db and right-click or long-press it (depending on your device). When a menu pops up, select Delete.
  5. Hit Yes when asked to confirm your decision.
  6. Close the Kodi app, wait 1–2 minutes, and relaunch the app. Reinstall the add-on you were trying to install.

Unable to Connect Error

This error occurs when Kodi isn’t able to connect to a repository. The easiest fix is to double-check the repository source’s address to make sure it’s spelled out correctly. Common mistakes include using lowercase letters instead of uppercase letters or forgetting to add https:// at the start of the address. If the link still doesn’t work, it may be outdated or authorities may have shut it down, and you should look for an alternative link.

Check Log for More Information Error

This error occurs when Kodi can’t correctly install an add-on or when an add-on crashes or experiences errors. Unfortunately, just clicking on the error message won’t take you to the log-in question. To check a Kodi log, you need to use the Log Viewer for Kodi add-on, which can be downloaded from the official Kodi repository. Once installed, just open the add-on and use it to read the log to find the solution. That said, Kodi logs are not beginner-friendly. If you don’t understand the log’s instructions, I recommend trying other solutions like clearing Kodi’s cache or reinstalling Kodi.

Kodi Streams Don’t Load

This sometimes happens due to internet connectivity issues or because the add-on no longer works (all of the ones I recommend work 100% of the time).

Another reason is that you’re using geo-blocked Kodi add-ons. For example, this will likely happen if you try to use the BBC iPlayer add-on while traveling abroad — it’s only available in the UK. In that case, I recommend using a VPN to solve this problem. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in the UK and regain access to the BBC iPlayer add-on catalog. My top pick for streaming from anywhere in the world is ExpressVPN because it consistently works with all popular streaming add-ons on Kodi.

The Search Function Doesn’t Work in Add-ons

This might happen because the search function is outdated. If that’s the case, you have to wait for the developers to update the add-on. Alternatively, you can find a similar add-on that works with the new Kodi version. To avoid outdated add-ons, check out my list of the best Kodi add-ons.

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Do You Need a VPN for Kodi?

Yes, and here are the top reasons why:

  • Access streaming sites while traveling abroad.
  • Prevent bandwidth throttling.
  • Protect your privacy.

Geo-Blocked Add-ons

A VPN replaces your IP address with a virtual IP address from the location where you’re connected. This way, Kodi add-ons (or any other websites) can’t see your real IP address or location. A VPN will allow you to use Kodi add-ons that are only available in your country when you travel abroad.

Bandwidth Throttling

Without a VPN, your ISP can see your online traffic, including which web services you use and how much data you use on each service. If you use too much data on Kodi, your ISP might throttle your Kodi connections. But a VPN will encrypt your Kodi traffic, preventing your ISP from seeing what you’re doing online.

Privacy

A VPN prevents Kodi from seeing your actual IP address, and it also encrypts your traffic, making it indecipherable.

How to Use a VPN with Kodi in 3 Easy Steps

  • Step 1: Get a good VPN. My top pick is ExpressVPN for its excellent streaming support, blazing-fast speeds, industry-leading security and privacy features, and huge server network (3,000+ servers in 90+ countries).
  • Step 2: Download and install the VPN on your device. This shouldn’t take more than 1–2 minutes (just follow the installation wizard’s instructions).
  • Step 3: Open the VPN app, connect to a server, and open the Kodi app. You’re all set to use your Kodi app.

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Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

Quick summary of the best VPNs for Kodi in 2023:

🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Kodi in 2023

Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

ExpressVPN is the best Kodi VPN on the market (and it’s also ranked #1 on our top 10 list). It provides excellent streaming support, maintains the fastest speeds out there, has high-end security features, and is very easy to use.

ExpressVPN works with all popular streaming add-ons, including Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Since it also claims to work with 100+ other streaming services, you can access tons of streaming add-ons on Kodi.

ExpressVPN comes with 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries, so it’s extremely easy to find and connect to a nearby server to get fast speeds. I ran dozens of speed tests on both nearby and distant servers, and HD videos on Kodi add-ons always loaded instantly.

I also like that ExpressVPN comes with split-tunneling, a feature that lets you pick which apps use the VPN and which apps use your local network. I used this feature to only send Kodi traffic through my ExpressVPN connection, and it increased my Kodi speeds by about 10%.

ExpressVPN has industry-leading security features that protect your Kodi data. For example, it has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited several times. In addition, it has advanced security features like RAM-only servers, which means every server reset wipes all of the data, and full leak protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.

ExpressVPN offers several paid plans that start at $6.67 / month. While the price is a bit higher than other VPNs, it offers the best value — plus, it usually includes additional months for free and backs each purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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🥈2. CyberGhost VPN — Good Beginner-Friendly VPN for Streaming

Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

CyberGhost VPN’s apps are very easy to use and come with dedicated streaming servers in 20+ countries that can access 50+ streaming services.

The provider’s streaming servers refresh their IPs very often, so it’s harder for streaming add-ons to detect and block them. CyberGhost has dedicated streaming servers for platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, RaiPlay, and more, so you can access tons of Kodi add-ons.

I think CyberGhost is a good pick if you’re new to VPNs because its apps are very intuitive. I’m also a big fan of the Smart Rules feature, which lets you customize your VPN connection preferences. For example, I set up CyberGhost to automatically connect to a Netflix streaming server in my country and open the Kodi app as soon as I launched the VPN app.

CyberGhost provided me with good streaming speeds, but it wasn’t as fast as ExpressVPN — HD videos loaded instantly on nearby servers, but I experienced minor buffering at the start of the videos.

It also has advanced security features like RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and full leak protection. The no-logs policy has been audited, and CyberGhost issues a transparency report.

CyberGhost VPN has paid plans that start at $2.11 / month. It backs its long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee, and its shortest plan is covered by a 14-day money-back guarantee.

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Read our full CyberGhost VPN review

🥉3. NordVPN — Has a Kodi Add-on & High-End Security Features

Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

NordVPN is one of the few providers with a dedicated Kodi add-on. To use it, you need to perform a manual setup inside the Kodi app using the OpenVPN protocol, but NordVPN has helpful tutorials to help you out.

And I like how the provider has great security to keep your Kodi traffic safe. It comes with advanced features like full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy. Plus, its no-logs policy has passed several independent audits.

And NordVPN’s apps provide access to even more security features. You get Threat Protection, which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites and also protects you from malware-infected downloads — so it can keep you safe from malicious Kodi add-ons. Also, there’s Dark Web Monitor, which alerts you if your NordVPN account credentials have been compromised.

The VPN is also good for streaming since it works with 10+ streaming services, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. That said, I think you get better variety with ExpressVPN since it can access 100+ streaming platforms.

I also had good speeds with NordVPN in my tests. HD videos generally loaded in 2 seconds and I didn’t experience any buffering while skipping through them.

NordVPN’s plans start at $4.99 / month, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for all purchases.

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4. Surfshark — Very Affordable VPN for Kodi

Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

Surfshark is super affordable, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a good Kodi VPN and are also on a tight budget.

The VPN has great streaming support since it can access 50+ services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. However, unlike ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN, it doesn’t work with Disney+.

The provider’s apps are also really user-friendly. The intuitive interface makes it very simple to find and connect to servers, and I like how pretty much all settings and features have helpful explanations. Plus, Surfshark supports unlimited connections, meaning you can use this VPN on as many devices as you want.

The VPN’s speeds are also decent, as it usually took only 3 seconds for HD videos to load and there was only minor buffering at the start (but I didn’t experience any quality drops). That said, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN were much faster in my speed tests.

You also get strong security with Surfshark since it has RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, and an audited no-logs policy. It only has DNS leak protection, but I never experienced any leaks in my tests.

Surfshark’s plans start as low as $2.30 / month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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5. PrivateVPN — Minimalistic Kodi VPN for People on a Budget

Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

PrivateVPN is one of the cheapest Kodi VPNs on the market, can access all popular streaming Kodi add-ons, and is great for people who want a VPN with a clean interface. While its apps don’t have many features like other top VPNs, the design isn’t as overwhelming.

PrivateVPN has servers in 60+ countries, so it’s pretty easy to find nearby servers for fast speeds. PrivateVPN provided me with decent Kodi streaming speeds, but they were still the slowest on this list — HD videos usually loaded in 4–6 seconds on nearby and distant servers.

PrivateVPN has a no-logs policy, but it hasn’t been audited like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN, and it doesn’t issue a transparency report. However, I like that in addition to a standard kill switch, you get an app-based kill switch (Application Guard) that shuts off selected apps if the VPN disconnects. In my tests, Application Guard always closed the Kodi app when I manually disconnected from PrivateVPN’s servers.

PrivateVPN has budget-friendly plans that start at $2.00 / month and backs each purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Comparison of the Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023

VPN Starting Price Works with Netflix Servers Simultaneous Connections Money-Back Guarantee
🥇1. ExpressVPN $6.67 / month 3,000+ servers in 90+ countries 5 30 days
🥈2. CyberGhost VPN $2.11 / month 9,400+ servers in 90+ countries 7 45 days (long-term plans only)
🥉3. NordVPN $4.99 / month 5,400+ servers in 55+ countries 6 30 days
4. Surfshark $2.30 / month 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries Unlimited 30 days
5. PrivateVPN $2.00 / month 200+ servers in 60+ countries 10 30 days

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How to Choose the Best VPN for Kodi in 2023

  • Get a VPN with streaming support for Kodi add-ons. All of my top picks work with tons of streaming Kodi add-ons like Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Crackle.
  • Go for a VPN with fast Kodi speeds. Using a VPN will always slow down your speeds due to the encryption-decryption process and the distance between you and the VPN server. But the best VPNs minimize the speed loss so that it’s barely noticeable. All the VPNs on my list provided me with really fast streaming speeds on Kodi, but ExpressVPN was the fastest.
  • Pick a VPN with strong security. All of my top picks have industry-standard VPN security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy (to prevent the VPN from logging your data), a kill switch that disables online access if the VPN disconnects to prevent data leaks, and protection against DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks.
  • Find a VPN that’s easy to use. Each VPN I recommend comes with apps for all major platforms that are very intuitive, have an easy-to-navigate interface, and provide helpful explanations for all settings and features.
  • Find a VPN that provides good value. All of the VPNs in this article allow multiple simultaneous connections (Surfshark allow unlimited connections) and provide access to extra features like split-tunneling. They also come with affordable plans and a generous money-back guarantee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do “Kodi add-on,” “Kodi repository,” and “Kodi build” mean?

Here’s a quick overview of each term:

  • Kodi add-on — This is software that can be installed inside the Kodi app. A Kodi add-on allows the Kodi app to stream movies and TV shows and play music, for example.
  • Kodi repository — A repository is a collection of Kodi add-ons. Once you download a Kodi repository, you can use the Kodi app to browse the repository’s add-on selection and install any add-ons you want. For example, if you want to use the Netflix Kodi add-on, you need to download it from the CastagnaIT repository.
  • Kodi build — This is a customized Kodi installation. Basically, a build will install Kodi on your device, alongside dozens of add-ons, settings, and other features. I don’t recommend using Kodi builds because they tend to slow down your system. Also, some Kodi builds might be malicious or come with malicious add-ons. It’s much safer to pick and install Kodi add-ons yourself.

Can Kodi add-ons infect your device with malware?

Yes, as there are malicious Kodi add-ons out there — if you download them, they can run malicious code on your device, infecting it with malware. This is likely to happen if you download add-ons from shady developers and third-party sources. That’s why I strongly recommend only using Kodi add-ons from trusted, well-established sources like the official Kodi repository or the SlyGuy repository. Also, you should only download the add-ons from the original source, not third-party sites.

But that’s not enough to 100% protect your device from malicious Kodi add-ons. This is why I also recommend using an antivirus. Norton 360 is the best antivirus in 2023 because its high-end scanning engine can detect even the newest strains of malware.

Do you really need a VPN for Kodi?

Yes, I strongly recommend it. There are a few good reasons to use a VPN with Kodi, which include:

  • A VPN helps you access Kodi streaming add-ons that are only available in your country when you travel abroad.
  • VPNs make your traffic unreadable, which prevents ISPs from throttling your Kodi speeds.
  • VPNs also secure your privacy, as Kodi add-ons can’t log your IP address.

If you need a good VPN for Kodi, I highlighted the best options in this guide.

Does Kodi have a built-in VPN?

No, but you can use third-party apps (like VPN Manager for OpenVPN) to manually set up VPN connections in Kodi. However, I don’t recommend doing that, as the setup process is inconvenient and time-consuming. It’s significantly easier to install an affordable standalone VPN app on your device.

Can you use a free VPN with Kodi?

Yes, but I don’t really recommend using them. Most free VPNs don’t work with Kodi streaming add-ons, lack essential VPN security features, have very slow speeds, and limit how much data you can use each day or month. Instead, you should get a quality premium VPN like ExpressVPN.

Best VPNs for Kodi in 2023 — Final Score:

Rank
Overall Score
Best Deal
1
9.6
save 49%
2
9.2
save 84%
3
9.0
save 63%
4
8.8
save 82%
5
8.8
save 85%
About the Author
Tim Mocan
Tim Mocan
QA Editor

About the Author

Tim Mocan is a QA Editor at SafetyDetectives. He has 5+ years of experience researching and writing about cybersecurity topics, and he specializes in VPNs. Prior to joining SafetyDetectives, he worked as a contributor for other VPN review websites and as a content writer for several VPN providers. Throughout his freelance writing career, he has also covered other niches, including SEO, digital marketing, customer loyalty, home improvement, and health and rehab. Outside of work, Tim loves to spend his time traveling, playing video games, binging anime, and using VPNs (yes, really!).