How To Watch Netflix With the Kodi Add-On
The best things in life are free and one of those things is Kodi, an open-source multimedia entertainment system that doesn’t cost a cent – the even better news is that it’s completely legal as well.
Kodi is versatile enough to function on almost every operating system but it doesn’t come with libraries of content which is why many people use it in conjunction with Netflix, or by using the Kodi Netflix addon.
There used to be a handy link to the essential Alelec repository that gave users access to Netflix’s extensive library but, after this stopped working last year sometime, Kodi users have been trying to find a workaround.
With the beta release of Kodi’s latest version, Kodi 18 Leia, comes the holy grail and Kodi users can once again enjoy the virtually unlimited content of Netflix… as long as they’re in the US or have a reliable VPN, that is.
How to Watch Kodi Netflix With the Kodi Netflix Addon
The first step to getting access to the latest TV series, documentaries, and movies is to download the latest version of Kodi and the necessary zip file that will give you access to Alelec repository that holds the key to the Netflix library. Kodi itself is surprisingly quick to install, despite its size, and is compatible with most main operating systems, including Windows and Mac, Android and iOS, as well as Linux and Raspberry Pi.
At this stage, the use of a VPN isn’t critical, but it will mean more protection against a range of potential cyber threats and could even boost your internet speed. Either way, once you’ve got the wheels turning, it’s time to turn your attention to the Alelec repository.
To install Netflix on Kodi, follow these simple steps:
- Download the Kodi Netflix add-on* zip file
- In Kodi, open the Settings menu using the cog icon on the top left
- Open system systems
- Select Add-ons from the menu and allow add-ons from unknown sources
- Return to the main menu and select Add-ons
- Open Add-on browser
- Click on the “install from zip file” option
- Select the Netflix add-on from your downloads folder and click OK
- Return to the main menu and select Netflix from your add-ons
Why You Need a VPN to Watch Netflix on Kodi
Once this process has been completed, you can log in to Netflix directly from Kodi and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Of course, just how fruitful this is, depends on your IP address as much of the content on Netflix is restricted to US viewers so those trying to access it from overseas will be disappointed unless they can convince the site that they’re in the US.
A good VPN can do this by creating a fake IP address in the country of your choice but, with Netflix being so notorious for its geographical restrictions and cutting-edge content blocking, it takes a pretty mighty VPN sword to slash through these barriers and get you into the Pandora’s box of pleasures that is Netflix’s US library.
While users can access some Netflix content without a VPN, depending on their location, this could be extremely limited. For example, did you know that UK viewers can only access just over 34% of the content available to US viewers, while those in Hong Kong get just 8.34%.
A VPN can guarantee you have free reign of Netflix’s extensive US library regardless of your geographical location, but only the very best are agile enough to get around the blocks and only the very fast enough can give you uninterrupted high-resolution streaming, so making the right choice could mean the difference between pixelated disruptions and pure viewing pleasure.
The best VPNs for Kodi, because they can negotiate geographical restrictions, will also give you access to more add-ons, hide your activity from your ISP to prevent bandwidth throttling, and prevent exposing you online by providing superior DNS leak protection.
Best VPNs for Watching Netflix on Kodi
#1. ExpressVPN – Koolest Kat for Kodi
One of the longest-standing VPS around, ExpressVPN is still running rings around its competitors, in terms of security, protection, access, and speed. Few VPNs have been able to guarantee consistent access to Netflix, but ExpressVPN has always been one of them. Not only that, but ExpressVPN has apps that make it compatible with everything from a Windows PC to an Amazon Firestick.
Quick and easy to set up and operate, ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable VPNs around, using the latest encryption and boosting user privacy with its zero-knowledge servers. Not only is there no-logging, but ExpressVPN will go out of its way to protect its users and secure their trust.
With an extensive network of servers that includes multiple servers in the US which is part of its advantage when it comes to accessing Netflix. Streaming sites can detect IP addresses that are used frequently to access their content and subsequently block them. Many of these are IP addresses belonging to VPN servers so, the more options there are, the more likely it is to maintain consistent access.
ExpressVPN has just 32 servers in the US, which is tiny compared to some, but it manages to deliver the goods time and again. It’s not the cheapest but, as they say, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys which is true of VPNs as well. So, rather than risking the frustrations of a VPN that works one week but not the next, secure your Kodi/Netflix partnership by adding ExpressVPN as your third wheel.
To find out exactly why we rate ExpressVPN so highly, check out our full review, or take advantage of three free months by signing up today.
#2. NordVPN – Most Secure VPN for Kodi
While most VPNs protect the device Kodi is installed on, NordVPN provides a specific app just for Kodi users. Installing this follows the same steps as installing Netflix on Kodi so it should be self-explanatory for those users who’ve achieved that goal.
The benefit of having NordVPN operating within Kodi itself is that users can instruct the VPN to start automatically the moment Kodi is opened, meaning you’ll never accidentally stray into the wild digital world without protection.
With even more international servers than CyberGhost VPN, NordVPN keeps users safe and secure in the most far-flung corners of the world, while protecting their freedom of access and leaping over geoblocks as though they were mere bumps in the road. Like CyberGhost, NordVPN has several servers dedicated to streaming Netflix and, while its speeds may be a little slower than the other VPNs listed here, it’s capable enough to ensure you have a great viewing experience.
NordVPN was one of the first to introduce the now standard 256-bit AES encryption and this is supplemented with a strict no-logging policy. Like Surfshark, NordVPN has different features available for different locations so, for example, if you’re in China, you can connect to an obfuscated server and bypass the complex government restrictions. NordVPN also has servers dedicated to peer-to-peer traffic and, uniquely, others that give users access to The Onion Router with the additional benefit of VPN protection.
Versatile and effective, NordVPN is great for streaming US television from abroad as its servers are so widely distributed. It’s also got a great user interface that makes traveling the world virtually as much fun as doing it physically.
If you’re looking for robust VPN protection while traveling, why not give NordVPN a whirl, or find out more about its perks and impressive customer support in our full review.
#3. Surfshark – Best Budget VPN for Kodi
Surfshark VPN may be comparatively new to the scene but its capabilities believe. its lack of experience. Few cybersecurity experts set any store by this VPN when it first emerged from the dark waters of its developers’ minds. With less than 1000 servers, it looked like a very small fish in a very big pond, but it’s proved it has both the speed and dexterity of its namesake the shark and continues to go from strength to strength.
Despite its comparatively limited server network, which now stands at just over 800, Surfshark has repeatedly navigated Netflix’s various restrictions and hurdles to giving its international users high-speed access to the Netflix library. Although not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, it’s not far behind it and is certainly nipping at its heels.
In many ways, Surfshark VPN has designed itself to offer a combination of ExpressVPN’s no-logging, zero-knowledge service with the additional security offered by NordVPN. The amalgamation makes it a formidable cybersecurity tool that’s capable of providing extra protection with its multi-layered MultiHop feature while maintaining speeds suitable for torrenting and streaming.
One of the benefits of Surfshark VPN is that it’s one of the few that will protect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. While ExpressVPN users are limited to three devices, and CyberGhost’s to seven, Surfshark users can install the Kodi Netflix add-on at the same time as using an Xbox, smart coffee maker, smartphone, and smart just about everything else.
With something akin to an introductory special offer, Surfshark is currently one of the most affordable VPNs to use with Kodi and Netflix, although that may change as its popularity increases, so why not sign up today and get some serious protection at Monopoly-money prices?
#4. CyberGhost – Most User-Friendly VPN for Kodi
CyberGhost VPN is the friendly ghost of cybersecurity, cloaking its users in a carefully encrypted VPN tunnel so they can travel the digital world without restriction. CyberGhost has one of the most extensive server networks of any VPN, with over 4,500 servers worldwide and an incredible 1,029 in the US alone. With that many IP addresses available, the chances of Netflix blocking CyberGhost are limited, to say the least.
Not only does CyberGhost have server numbers and speed on its side, but it also has dedicated servers that are optimized for streaming Netflix. Its colorful, user-friendly interface makes connecting to these simple and fun. Rather than focusing on location, as many other VPNs do, CyberGhost prioritizes user activity and has preset configurations for accessing basic websites, and torrenting anonymously, as well as streaming.
Competitively priced, CyberGhost enables users to connect seven different devices simultaneously, giving them more protection for less money than many other leading VPN providers. Simplicity of use is the name of the game with CyberGhost, and it is so easy, you could teach your grandmother to do it in half the time it takes to teach her to suck eggs.
CyberGhost’s simplicity belies both its power and its sophisticated approach to both privacy and security. Like the other recommended VPNs for Kodi, CyberGhost is a strictly no-logging VPN which uses the latest security protocols and encryption to safeguard your online traffic.
While most VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, CyberGhost goes one step further with a 45-day grace period and a 24-hour free trial. Check out our review for more reasons to sign up with CyberGhost today.
Conclusion to installing Kodi on Netflix
There are lots of benefits of using a VPN with Kodi, not least of which is the ability to install Netflix on Kodi and gain access to all its content regardless of your physical location. While it’s perfectly legal to use Kodi to watch Netflix, the geographical restrictions mean that users outside the US will have limited content to choose from. The best VPNs for Kodi solve this problem by hiding your real IP address behind a fake one.
Although Kodi itself is a legal app, not all its plugins are, especially those that give users access to copyrighted content without paying for it. This is where the risk comes in and where a VPN can help keep you protected and hidden from prying eyes and the potential dangers of P2P traffic. While we would never recommend using Kodi or a VPN to access illegal content, having a VPN means you’ll be much safer should you accidentally stray.
Not only can a VPN ensure that you get to watch whatever you want using the Kodi Netflix add-on, but it can also increase your streaming speeds by hiding your activity from your ISP and circumventing the annoying practice of bandwidth throttling. A VPN also offers some safeguards against the potential perils and malware that often haunt less reputable streaming sites.
While any of the VPNs listed here are capable of giving you both freedom and security while watching Netflix on Kodi, we recommend ExpressVPN as the best value for money but, at the end of the day, the choice is yours.
* SecureThoughts will not take any responsibility for damages occurring from the abovementioned link.
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