Kodi has long been the go-to choice for home theater enthusiasts and media lovers, but it’s not the only game in town.
There are several alternatives to Kodi with better streaming capabilities, easier setup, and enhanced features.
From completely free open-source solutions to premium offerings with advanced features, these alternatives cater to different needs and preferences while delivering exceptional media management and playback experiences.
Take a look at some of the best, especially for PC users.
1. Plex Media Server
Plex stands out as one of the most polished and user-friendly media center solutions available today. It’s easier to install and has more extensive parental controls, making it perfect for families and users who want a hassle-free setup. Plex automatically organizes your media library with rich metadata, artwork, and descriptions, creating a Netflix-like experience for your personal content.
Key Features:
- Automatic media organization with rich metadata and artwork
- Remote streaming from anywhere with internet access
- Cross-platform compatibility across all major devices
- Live TV and DVR functionality with supported tuners
- Robust parental controls and user management
- Plugin ecosystem for additional functionality
- Hardware transcoding support for smooth playback
Explore: Kodi vs Plex
2. Jellyfin
Jellyfin is both free and Open Source and delivers a free and highly customizable media server solution with excellent cross-platform compatibility. Its sole aim is to host your personal media collection, and it does it all for free, without any premium tiers or subscription fees. This makes it an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users who want complete control over their media.
Key Features:
- Completely free and open-source with no premium tiers
- No telemetry or data collection – complete privacy
- Supports hardware acceleration for transcoding
- Plugin system for extending functionality
- Live TV and DVR support
- Mobile sync for offline viewing
- Advanced subtitle support including ASS/SSA formats
Also Read: Jellyfin vs Plex
3. Emby Media Server
Emby offers a middle ground between free and premium media server solutions. It offers many great features, including smart home integration, live TV, cinema intros, intro skipping, lyrics display, transcoding, and HDR tone mapping. While it has a free tier, many advanced features require Emby Premiere subscription.
Key Features:
- Smart home integration capabilities
- Advanced HDR tone mapping and transcoding
- Cinema intros and intro skipping features
- Lyrics display for music content
- Live TV and DVR functionality
- Mobile sync and offline downloads
- Comprehensive parental controls
Also Read: Best Emby Alternatives
4. Stremio
Stremio is both free and Open Source and uses 3rd party apps to view Movies, TV Shows, and more. One of the greatest assets Stremio offers is the ability to view your content from any of your favorite devices. It’s particularly popular for its addon system that extends functionality beyond local media.
Key Features:
- Cross-device synchronization and streaming
- Extensive addon ecosystem for additional content sources
- Clean, modern interface design
- Automatic content discovery and recommendations
- Subtitle support with multiple languages
- Calendar feature to track upcoming episodes
- Hardware acceleration support
Check Out: Jellyfin vs Emby
5. VLC Media Player
While primarily known as a media player, VLC has evolved into a capable media center solution for basic needs. It’s incredibly lightweight, handles virtually any media format, and includes basic media library management features. VLC is perfect for users who want simplicity without sacrificing compatibility.
Key Features:
- Universal format support – plays almost any media file
- Extremely lightweight and fast performance
- Built-in codecs require no additional downloads
- Basic media library and playlist management
- Network streaming capabilities
- Subtitle support and synchronization
- Available on virtually every platform
Explore the best alternatives to VLC here.
6. MediaPortal
Currently available only on Windows, Media Portal can run even on moderately equipped devices and is not a resource-intensive utility. It’s specifically designed for Windows users who want a dedicated home theater PC (HTPC) experience with extensive customization options.
Key Features:
- Windows-native optimization for best performance
- Extensive plugin ecosystem and customization
- Built-in TV tuner and recording capabilities
- Multiple interface skins and themes
- Advanced scheduling and recording features
- Multi-room support for whole-home entertainment
- Low system resource requirements
Check Out: VLC Alternatives For Mac
7. Universal Media Server
Universal Media Server is a powerful DLNA-compliant media server that focuses on seamless streaming to various devices. It automatically transcodes media to ensure compatibility across different devices and supports a wide range of formats without requiring manual configuration.
Key Features:
- DLNA/UPnP compliance for broad device compatibility
- Automatic transcoding for device optimization
- Support for external subtitles and multiple audio tracks
- Web interface for remote management
- Extensive format support including rare codecs
- Real-time transcoding with quality adjustments
- Multi-language interface support
Check Out: Best Media Player Classic Alternatives
8. Infuse
While primarily a Mac and iOS application, Infuse offers excellent integration with Mac systems and Apple ecosystems. It provides a premium media playback experience with beautiful interfaces and seamless iCloud synchronization across Apple devices.
Key Features:
- Native Apple ecosystem integration
- Beautiful, intuitive Apple-designed interface
- Automatic metadata fetching and organization
- iCloud sync across all Apple devices
- Support for multiple media sources and cloud services
- Advanced subtitle support and customization
- AirPlay integration for Apple TV streaming
Check Out: Best Plex Alternatives
9. MrMC
MrMC is essentially a fork of Kodi designed specifically for set-top boxes and media streaming devices, but it also works well on PC. It maintains the core Kodi functionality while focusing on stability and performance, making it ideal for users who love Kodi’s interface but want better reliability.
Key Features:
- Familiar Kodi-like interface and navigation
- Enhanced stability and performance optimization
- Support for multiple media sources and add-ons
- Advanced audio and video processing
- Customizable skins and interface themes
- Network attached storage (NAS) integration
- Hardware acceleration support
Check Out: Best Windows Media Player Alternatives
10. Serviio
Serviio is a free media server designed to stream media files to various devices throughout your home network. It focuses on simplicity and automatic media detection while providing robust streaming capabilities to DLNA-compatible devices.
Key Features:
- Automatic media library scanning and updates
- DLNA/UPnP server for streaming to multiple devices
- Web-based configuration and management interface
- Support for online content feeds and podcasts
- Transcoding profiles for different device types
- Metadata extraction and media organization
- Plugin support for additional functionality
Explore: Best Video Players For iPad
Conclusion
For users seeking the most comprehensive solution with professional support, Plex remains the gold standard.
Privacy-conscious users and those wanting complete control should consider Jellyfin, while Emby offers a good balance of features and user-friendliness.
Simpler alternatives like VLC or Stremio work well for basic media needs, while specialized solutions like MediaPortal cater to Windows HTPC enthusiasts.
If you’re still unsure, most of these alternatives offer free trials or versions, so you can test multiple options to find the perfect fit for your media center setup.
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