So here is my issue (Android-ONN Full HD Box), when I run Express VPN and try to watch a movie via Nuvio half the time I get a lot of buffering. When I turn off the VPN I have no issues watching a movie. My home internet speed is 1,110 Mbps. I did an internet speed test in Nuvio advanced settings and I got 25 to 40 Mbps with Express VPN on and 380 to 400Mbps with it off. I am right out side of SF and have tried servers in SF and Los Angeles both being in the 25 - 40 range.
So my question is does anyone use Nuvio/Stremio with Torbox without a VPN or should I be looking for a new VPN service. Also, I am new to this so if I am missing something please let me know.
I would suggest trying other server locations in ExpressVPN as that speed is a little slow for that VPN service. Your question whether you need a VPN or not is complete personal choice. Some will say you should and some will say you shouldn’t. This argument has surfaced on this page dozens of times. Both Nuvio and TorBox will work fine without a VPN, it’s whether or not you want to be protected or not.
I agree with what Troy said but I am a bit confused. You say your service is 1100 Mbs yet even without a VPN you only get 400 max? That would raise some major questions for me. I have a 150MBs down service and using Nord my average speed using an active VPN is 140-145. I never connect without an active VPN and use Nuvio and Stremio daily. Perhaps if not able to find a good server location with ExpressVPN you should check things like your Protocols. For a good experience with streaming it is my opinion that you need a steady 50Mbs, some say less but over the years 50 minimum has been what I believe you need for buffer free watching. Also you might want to try say ProtonVPN free for a comparison with ExpressVPN and see what happens.
The only way I would not use a VPN is if the only thing I was watching was a paid subscription to Netflix etc. There are way to many horror stories of agents knocking on doors. The last thing you want is having you know who sending in his goon squad looking for Aliens watching unverified streams.
I had a similar issue when I upgraded my internet speed. GB speed came into the house but I had a much slower speed to the TV. I didn’t know if it was the VPN. I’m new to this stuff too and not sure it will help, but mine was a connection problem. I upgraded all the cables and found the culprit. I had all my new GB cables going through an old ethernet splitter rated at 100mbps. Maybe check your connections?
I’m not so sure of the Validity of this statement other than seeing it in Clickbait articles. I live in the US and am sure that NOBODY is knocking on your door checking on what YOU are watching…This just does not happen.
@Erik1970 I’m just here to offer an alternative opinion. I don’t use Nuvio but have been a KODI user for 10 years as well as a few IPTV services and do NOT use a VPN and have NEVER had any issues. You gotta do what’s right for you but just wanted to offer a different opinion here
The issue is most likely your chosen VPN location.
For example, (Ireland) Sky F1 more often works perfectly if I’m ‘in’ Montreal Canada. But, once in a while, it refuses connection. I ‘move to’ Armenia. Sorted Within days my Montreal connection is back to normal.
For less than 3.00 a month, I think SS is well worth it. I don’t want to deal with any lawsuit letters and such. I know people that have gotten threat letters over bit torrents. I’ve been lucky and rarely download anything, but if I do I’ll feel better about it.
My response. ABSOLUTELY you do. Encryption was created for a reason and it wasn’t just to protect you from the internet police. Scammers, identity theft, malware and just plain bad players are real and of course you can find all sorts of ppl that have been scammed, it’s a major industry. I also wear my seatbelt these days when I drive. I absolutely never connect to the internet without an active VPN and have a kill switch enabled for that very reason, to ensure I am. Be well all you insiders, and stay safe.
Yeah that’s a lot different than knocking on doors which is what I was replying to and I remain with my stance.
And the letters? Yeah you might get one if you are streaming uncached torrents but if you use a Debrid service which I do problem solved. And I don’t download anything that can get you a letter depending on your ISP
Again “You do you” should be the motto for everyone. But it seems like “You have to use a VPN” is what most here say, just want to give an alternative response from someone who doesn’t that has been streaming for a decade + without one and without any issues from not having one
It’s EXPRESSVPN that is the issue, I had the very same thing, but as my sub was coming up, I checked and it would cost be more to renew than if I was a new sub, so I decided to switch, I went with PROTON, and instantly the buffer issues dissapeared, it was not just the buffering, if i made ANY change to a stream while running, ie. subs or skipping, i lost the feed for 3-4 minutes, on PROTON it is seamless on all options.
How TorBox Protects Your Connection
When you stream through Nuvio using TorBox, TorBox does the actual torrenting on its own remote servers.
Your IP address is never exposed to the peer-to-peer (P2P) torrent swarm. Copyright trolls and internet service providers (ISPs) can’t see you downloading or seeding a file because your device isn’t the one doing the torrenting.
The connection between TorBox and your device is encrypted via HTTPS. Because your stream is delivered over standard encrypted HTTPS web traffic, your ISP only sees that you are downloading data from TorBox’s web servers—they cannot see what file, movie, or show you are actually watching.
In short, TorBox handles the privacy side of the downloading process similarly to how a VPN shields your P2P activity.
Do You Ever Need a VPN With It?
Generally, no: Most users run Nuvio and TorBox completely naked of a VPN without any issues. In fact, running a VPN alongside streaming setups can sometimes introduce unnecessary complications like slower playback speeds, buffering, or routing conflicts.
The Privacy Nuance: While your ISP cannot see what you are streaming, they can see that you are connecting to TorBox’s servers. Furthermore, TorBox itself technically logs your streaming history within your account. If you have absolute, maximum-level paranoia about your ISP knowing you use a debrid service at all, then some users choose to keep a VPN running—just make sure your VPN is configured properly so it doesn’t throttle your playback speed or conflict with your setup.
For 99% of users, TorBox’s encrypted HTTPS link is all you need.
Where I previously lived, Comcast throttled my Real Debrid and Premiumize streams, so I was forced to use a VPN to bypass their throttling. However, 4 years ago, I moved to a community with gigabit fiber that actually promotes streaming, so I no longer use a VPN when streaming but I do use a VPN any other time that I am online.
Not sure how long you have been streaming but I have been doing this well over 10 years. Used Real Debrid for about 6-7 years then when RD had operational glitches switched to Torbox which is working flawlessly for me. I certainly understand everyone is different and “you gotta do you” but until I hear of an actual end use customer getting busted for streaming using a debrid service I’m not gonna worry about the TOS changes
Maybe check your connections?
Within days my Montreal connection is back to normal.
