The Best VPNs for Streaming

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool used to make your connection on a public network a
private connection. Public and untrusted Wi-Fi networks are not safe to use, but a VPN like
ExpressVPN creates a layer of protection between your device and the internet at-large. It’s easiest
to picture a VPN as a secure tunnel, protecting your online traffic from interception while it
travels from your device to its destination, and back again.

In the US, UK, and many European nations, employing a VPN to access diverse international content libraries is entirely legal. Essentially, there is no risk of facing legal consequences when streaming with a VPN in these regions.

Concerns often arise regarding geo-restriction bypassing, with some users equating it to piracy. It’s crucial to distinguish that piracy involves accessing copyrighted material without payment, whereas VPN usage for streaming still involves payment for the accessed platform. To simplify, using a streaming VPN doesn’t grant free access to content but rather circumvents licensing restrictions.

While the act of streaming via VPN is not illegal, certain streaming platforms explicitly state that accessing geo-blocked content violates their terms of service.

Smart DNS is a technology redirecting DNS (Domain Name Server) requests to servers in a different country. Unlike VPNs, Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt browsing data or mask IP addresses. However, it facilitates access to websites and services unavailable in your country by making your DNS requests appear to originate from a different location.

Commonly used to bypass geographic restrictions on devices lacking native VPN support, Smart DNS setup involves updating device DNS settings with the details of the chosen VPN server.

For watching restricted content on gaming consoles and Smart TVs, Smart DNS proves the simplest method. Yet, many VPN services lack Smart DNS functionality. For desktop or mobile streaming, using a full VPN is recommended, as they offer greater reliability, encrypt internet traffic, and provide broader regional content access compared to Smart DNS, typically limited to US and UK streaming libraries.

Kodi, a widely used streaming media player, sees millions utilizing free add-ons for sports, movies, and TV shows. Since some Kodi add-ons host copyrighted works, ISPs can penalize or block Kodi users. Using a VPN with Kodi becomes crucial to mask the real IP address, preventing ISPs from monitoring streaming activity.