Is Kodi Illegal for Streaming?

No, Kodi is not illegal for streaming. However, some add-ons developed by third parties provide pirated material, and streaming this content could be illegal depending on where you are.

What Happens If You Use Kodi Without a VPN?

If you don’t use a VPN with Kodi, all your Kodi activity will be visible to your internet service provider, network administrators and hackers. This vulnerability can expose you to cybercrime because it’s easy for criminals to get hold of your data.

Yes, your activity can be tracked when using Kodi, as your IP address is visible to your ISP and third parties unless you use a VPN.

Is It Legal to Watch Netflix on Kodi?

While there isn’t an official answer to this question, Netflix is not an official Kodi add-on (the CastagnalT repository offers it), so it’s hard to imagine it being considered illegal. After all, you’d be using a paid account that doesn’t contain pirated content.

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Is Kodi Legal & Safe in 2025?

Kodi is convenient for streaming a variety of free and paid content as well as organizing and sprucing up your media library. However, is Kodi legal? This guide answers all your questions about the software's legality and overall safety.

Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)

Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)

Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)

Last Updated: 20 Nov'24 2024-11-20T12:03:09+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: Is Kodi Legal?

Yes, Kodi is legal in itself, as long as you use it only to stream content that you have the right to stream. This includes content from paid subscriptions or free content from legal sites.
Some developers create third-party Kodi add-ons, some of which allow you to stream pirated content. Streaming such content could be illegal depending on where you are.
In its article on the topic, Kodi condemns those who use its name to sell products like unofficial Kodi boxes loaded with “broken piracy add-ons.” It also warns Kodi users about the risks of using unofficial add-ons and builds. ¹

Facts & Expert Opinion: Is Kodi Safe?

Official vs unofficial add-ons: Kodi and its official add-ons are safe, but some third-party add-ons provide pirated content that could expose you to malware. Kodi itself is not responsible for the development of these add-ons.
Legal issues: If you use Kodi to stream pirated content, you could be breaking the law. This depends on how strict the piracy laws are in your location.
Protecting yourself: To keep your Kodi activity and personal data private, we recommend using a secure VPN service like NordVPN, which has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best VPN for Kodi

Kodi is a versatile, open-source software for offline and online streaming. It lets you import your own media and watch streams of movies, shows and more via add-ons. When it comes to Kodi’s add-ons and features, this is the first question that most people ask: “Is Kodi legal?”

To cut to the chase, yes — Kodi is perfectly legal to download and use. However, some third-party add-ons that aren’t in Kodi’s official library may contain pirated streams, and streaming video content from these may be considered illegal depending on your location.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the nooks and crannies of Kodi’s legality and overall safety to help you make an informed decision on how best to use it. We’ll also explain how you can protect yourself with a VPN while using Kodi.

Legal disclaimer: We are not legal experts, and the information in this article should not be considered legal advice. Please consult a lawyer if you have concerns.

Meet the experts

Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)

Kit Copson, a seasoned writer and briefing editor at Cloudwards, specializes in bypassing geoblocks with a VPN, particularly in the context of streaming services and entertainment. With a BA in English & Creative Writing and a CELTA certification, Kit combines her extensive writing skills with a deep understanding of internet security protocols, secure browsing and online privacy. Her experience living in China has provided her with practical insights into overcoming internet censorship and accessing global content securely using VPN services. Kit’s expertise in IP address masking, encryption techniques and firewall circumvention ensures Cloudwards’ readers are well-informed about navigating digital content access amidst varying content licensing regulations.

More about Kit Copson

Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)

Sandra Pattison, a seasoned writer and editor at Cloudwards for over six years, is a recognized expert in leveraging VPN technology for bypassing geoblocks, particularly in the entertainment sphere. Sandra’s deep understanding of digital privacy and secure browsing, coupled with her interest in online streaming services, makes her an authoritative voice on accessing global content. Her expertise in circumventing regional restrictions allows readers to enjoy a world of entertainment, unrestricted by geographical limitations. Sandra’s practical, hands-on experience, along with her contributions to various tech platforms, highlights her skills in making complex tech topics accessible.

More about Sandra Pattison

Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

11/20/2024 Facts checked

Rewritten to include a step-by-step tutorial on using a VPN with Kodi, and to address the safety and legality of Kodi at the present time.
updates

What Is Kodi?

Kodi is a free media streaming software that lets you import, organize and play media files including movies, shows, games, photos, music and more. It started out as “Xbox Media Player” in 2002. Then, it became “Xbox Media Center,” which was released in 2004. The software was renamed “XBMC Media Center” in 2009 before becoming “Kodi” in 2014.

Kodi organizes your personal media library and jazzes it up with content like movie artwork, album covers and plot summaries. Software developers also create add-ons that you can install on Kodi to stream media — such as movies, shows, music, documentaries and more — from various sources. Examples of official Kodi add-ons include BBC iPlayer and Pluto TV.

Is Kodi Legal?

Yes, Kodi is legal software. It doesn’t supply content for users to stream; it simply allows you to play, import and add media, letting you organize it however you like. The user — not Kodi — is responsible for making sure they have the legal right to stream the media they import or access via add-ons.

The tricky thing here is that there are two kinds of add-ons: add-ons from Kodi’s official repository and add-ons created by third-party developers. The latter is what could cause legal hassles. Let’s take a look at why that’s the case.

Are Kodi Third-Party Add-Ons Legal?

Kodi third-party add-ons are legal only if they don’t provide access to pirated content. However, some third-party add-ons do just that, and watching pirated streams could be considered illegal depending on your local laws — we’ll get into that topic below.

Furthermore, it can be hard to categorize add-ons into “legal add-ons” and “illegal add-ons” as it all depends on their content. To make it even trickier, some repositories and add-ons may contain a mix of pirated and non-pirated content.

The Kodi Wiki page provides the following guideline: “The basic rule of thumb for what is not allowed, is that if the add-on is offering something for free that you would normally expect to pay for by any other means, then it’ll most likely be using pirate feeds.”

All that said, not all third-party repositories supply pirated content. Some, like the popular SlyGuy repository, contain add-ons for streaming services like Hulu and Disney+, which require paid accounts to use.

Kodi Legality & Streaming Laws by Country

With that out of the way, if you’re thinking about using a third-party add-on to stream pirated content, let’s take a look at some streaming laws from around the world. We’ll also discuss a few Kodi-related legal issues that have arisen.

Cloudwards does not condone watching pirated streams. We urge our readers to access only add-on content that they have the right to stream.

1. United States

The Protecting Lawful Streaming Act of 2020 targets “those who, willfully and for commercial advantage or private financial gain, illegally stream copyrighted material” (USPTO). The act goes on to state that a felony charge could be the consequence for those who provide illegal streams, “as opposed to users.”

As such, it appears that simply watching a pirated stream at home for no financial gain poses a low risk of legal trouble. However, those who provide such streams could face serious consequences.

In a 2018 report by TorrentFreak, we learn that the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment has been known to send cease and desist letters to third-party Kodi add-on and repo developers.

2. United Kingdom

According to information from FACT, it’s not only illegal to distribute, sell or provide pirated content — it’s also illegal to watch it. The site also claims that you may be contacted by police for watching illegal streams.

On the other hand, a 2020 article by The Independent explains that while people have received warning letters, nobody appears to have gone to prison just for watching a pirated stream.

However, some sellers of “Kodi boxes” — illegal streaming devices that come with Kodi and a bunch of third-party add-ons preinstalled — have been jailed in the U.K. For example, a West Yorkshire seller was sentenced to two years imprisonment in 2020.

3. Canada

Regarding the watching of illegal streams in Canada, a lawyer on JustAsk.com says that “it is not illegal to watch content on a website, as how that content got there (on the website) is something that you are not involved in.”

On the other hand, as in many other countries, downloading copyrighted streams and sharing or copying them for others is illegal.

4. Australia

It’s difficult to track down information on illegal streaming in Australia, but an article published in Mondaq explains that “pirating a film or TV show for personal use or viewing” is not a criminal offense. However, the article also notes that civil action may be brought for such activity by copyright holders.

Here’s another point that the article highlights: Certain acts of copyright infringement do fall into the criminal offense category, notably when commercial gain is involved. It would therefore make sense that those who profit from illegal streaming content could end up in hot water.

5. European Union

As with anywhere else in the world, specific laws surrounding copyright and streaming can vary by country in the EU. For example, it’s illegal to download and watch pirated streams in Germany, and those who do so can face fines.

Then there are countries with more relaxed rules, like Switzerland, where it’s legal to download and watch even pirated content as long as it’s for personal use only.

Another example is France. An article from Ouest France (translated from French) states that it’s risky to consume illegal streaming content. However, that’s mostly for the content publishers rather than those who merely watch it. The article goes on to say that you could still receive warnings if you’re caught, and even a fine for downloading.

Since the laws vary, if you plan to stream from illegal sources while traveling in Europe, check the local laws in advance. One thing is clear: The selling of top-set boxes with pirated material (like unofficial “Kodi boxes” set up by third-party developers) has been ruled illegal by the EU’s Court of Justice.

Is Kodi Safe?

Yes, Kodi and its official add-ons are safe. However, if you use third-party repositories, add-ons or builds, you run the risk of a malware infection on your device. You also put your privacy at risk because your IP address is visible to everyone, including your ISP, copyright holders, hackers and the government. The same goes for when you do anything online.

For this reason, we strongly recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) when you use Kodi or do pretty much anything online. A VPN connects you to servers in various locations worldwide, assigning you a brand-new IP address that hides your actual IP address and keeps your internet traffic (and streaming activity) private.

We also recommend investing in antivirus software to protect your device from malware that could potentially be hidden within third-party add-ons.

How to Use Kodi Safely With a VPN

To make sure your IP address and data are hidden from prying eyes when using Kodi, here are the steps for using a VPN with the software. In this example, we’ll use our top-recommended VPN, NordVPN. In case you don’t like it, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can read more about in our NordVPN review.

Sign Up for a VPN
Choose a VPN with a reputable security and privacy record, like NordVPN, Surfshark or ExpressVPN. Sign up for a plan on your chosen provider’s website.
Download and Install the VPN App
Find the correct VPN app for your device in the “download” area of the website and download it. To install the app, open the file in the top-right corner of your browser when it finishes downloading.
Connect to a VPN Server Nearby
Open the VPN app and connect to a server. You can use any server you want, but connecting to a nearby server tends to give you better speeds.
Access Kodi Content Safely
Now that your VPN has assigned you a new IP address to mask your real one, you can safely open Kodi and start streaming in complete privacy.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, Kodi is legal, as are many add-ons. What isn’t legal is the copyrighted material sometimes harbored within third-party add-ons — Kodi has nothing to do with their development.

If you’re curious about Kodi, you might want to see what we discovered about the most popular Kodi builds or learn how to watch Kodi on streaming devices like Roku.

Have we cleared up any concerns you had about Kodi’s legality? Are you a fan of third-party add-ons, or do you prefer to stick to the official ones? Have your say in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.

FAQ: Is Kodi Safe and Legal?

No, Kodi is not illegal for streaming. However, some add-ons developed by third parties provide pirated material, and streaming this content could be illegal depending on where you are.
If you don’t use a VPN with Kodi, all your Kodi activity will be visible to your internet service provider, network administrators and hackers. This vulnerability can expose you to cybercrime because it’s easy for criminals to get hold of your data.
Yes, your activity can be tracked when using Kodi, as your IP address is visible to your ISP and third parties unless you use a VPN.
While there isn’t an official answer to this question, Netflix is not an official Kodi add-on (the CastagnalT repository offers it), so it’s hard to imagine it being considered illegal. After all, you’d be using a paid account that doesn’t contain pirated content.

Sources:

The Piracy Box Sellers and Youtube Promoters Are Killing Kodi – Kodi