Originally created for Xbox and known as XBMC (Xbox Media Center), Kodi is now a standalone home entertainment solution that can provide an incredibly versatile media streaming experience. Kodi is free and open source, which makes it a flexible option that can be adapted to all your media streaming needs. Kodi is compatible with a large range of platforms and it supports advanced customization options. You can play music, watch your videos, or enjoy movies, TV shows and sports at home. Kodi is known for its efficient performance and high quality media player capacity. Kodi is regularly updated thanks to an active and growing community of developers around the world.
The software is designed to work on a variety of devices including computers, home servers, smartphones and tablets. Windows, Linux, Android, Mac OS X (as well as macOS Sierra) and even Raspberry Pi users, can download and install Kodi. If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you will need to jailbreak the device before getting Kodi. Once Kodi is running on your device, it transforms it into a streamer or digital set-top box that allows you to stream file from a home network, local storage or from the internet. Since Kodi offers the possibility of streaming online content, using a VPN can significantly improve your experience with this popular software.
Apart from allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions in order to get access to even more content online, Kodi secures your connection and keeps your online traffic private. Other won’t be able to see your online activities, including the content that you stream using Kodi. It is also important to keep in mind that in order to be able to watch movies, sport events and TV series, you need Kodi addons that support this option. There are addons like Exodus that allow you to browse lists of content that can be streamed via Kodi. However, a lot of this content is subject to copyright and if you decide to use Kodi to access it, using a VPN to protect your identity is essential.
Advantages of using a VPN for Kodi
Some streaming services are only available in a specific region, but thanks to a VPN you can overcome geographical blocks and access content without hassle. You can connect to a VPN server in a country that offers the content you want to watch and this will allow you to appear as if you were actually there. If you are a Netflix user, you will be able to access content in the US, where this streaming service offers a more extensive selection of content. While bypassing restrictions is a very important reason to use a VPN for Kodi, security is another crucial advantage that a VPN provides.
Since a VPN encrypts your traffic, it allows you to evade surveillance from government agencies like the NSA and GCHQ. Not even your ISP will be able to see what you do online and since nowadays we are aware that snooping is a real threat to privacy online, a VPN is a must-have for anyone who wants to avoid being tracked or monitored. With a VPN, you can use P2P and Torrents securely, without worrying about copyright trolls. Overall, a VPN can keep your data protected when you are connected to internet, helping you to defend your right to privacy.
Setting up a VPN with Kodi
Most providers offer dedicated clients for all major platforms, which makes the settings up process considerably easier. After downloading and installing the VPN client for your platform, you will be able to connect to a VPN server. All your traffic, including the media you stream from Kodi, will be routed through the encrypted VPN tunnel. Many VPN providers offer desktop software and mobile apps that support OpenVPN, which is recognized for the high level of security that it offers. The majority of VPN providers also offer instructions that will allow you to set up the service manually, if you prefer this option or if they don’y have their own VPN client.
Setting up the VPN on your network router is a practical solution that will let you enjoy the benefits of this service, even if you want to use Kodi on a device that doesn’t support VPNs. The process would depend on the firmware that is running on your router, but you can find online guides that can help in each case. Tomato and DD-WRT are the most popular custom firmware options that allow you to set up a VPN on a router. It is also possible to buy routers that are already configured with a specific VPN service. Once your router is running a VPN service, all the traffic passing through the device, will be routed through the VPN server. You can connect all your devices and enjoy security and freedom to access content across them.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the leading VPN solutions available and it is known for its fantastic speeds and top security. Thanks to ExpressVPN’s fast and efficient performance, you will be able to enjoy a great streaming experience with Kodi. They have servers in nearly 90 countries, which means that you have many options to access international content. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs of your online activities and it offers high quality software.
Buffered
Buffered is simple and fast and it is designed to offer security when you browse, stream or download content online. Ease of use is one of the main advantages of this service, but its speed and powerful performance also deserve to be highlighted. Buffered is one of the services that offers the possibility of bypassing geo-blocks, even when it comes to services like Netflix US. They don’t log your activity and offer access to servers in over 30 countries.
NordVPN
NordVPN offers a powerful combination of strong security and great speeds for streaming. They have servers in over 50 countries and they don’t keep any logs whatsoever, ensuring that your privacy is fully protected. NordVPN’s software is easy to use and it features options like kill switch, which shuts down your connection if the VPN drops at any stage. This ensures that your real IP remains private. NordVPN also offers super fast servers specially optimized for streaming, making it a great choice for Kodi.
PureVPN
PureVPN offers convenient clients for all major platforms and it stands out for the remarkable global coverage that it provides. They have over 500 servers in 141 countries so no matter where you are, you will find an option that suits your needs. PureVPN has a dedicated solution that is set to make your streaming experience more efficient. The speeds of the service are satisfactory and you can bypass restrictions without issues. They don’t keep logs of your online traffic.