Kodi is a media center application and entertainment hub that combines all your media on an attractive and user-friendly platform. It’s free, open-source, customizable, and runs on many devices.
Kodi stores your media in a library, expands features, and lets you watch live TV. You can install Kodi on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and tvOS.
There are plenty of applications like Kodi that offer similar experience, some even better. Plex, Emby, OSMC are some of the popular ones. However, the best Kodi alternative is Stremio. It’s free, compatible with all devices, and offers numerous add-ons, taking your entertainment experience to the next level.
More about Kodi and why explore alternatives?
Kodi can play almost every media content, including movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, PVR, and games. Kodi is also a versatile media tool. It supports a dozen builds and hundreds of add-ons. You can also interact with it using a JSON-RPC-based remote interface.
But while Kodi is a solid tool, it also has some limitations. It takes a learning curve to get used to it. Kodi uses community-produced addons that are rarely updated, making them susceptible to malware attacks. Besides, Kodi consumes a lot of resources when in use.
Due to these reasons, many users often look for Kodi alternatives. If you’re one of them too, then stick around, I’ll talk about the best alternatives to Kodi today.
Let’s jump in.
Best Kodi Alternatives
1. Stremio
Stremio is a one-stop solution for video entertainment. You can watch movies, TV shows, Live TV, and web channels on Stremio.
After downloading and installing the app on your device, you must create an account. Then, you will go to the addon catalog on Stremio and select and install the addons you wish to include in your board.
You will access various content from there, including many movies, podcasts, TV channels, sports channels, and more.
If you are concerned about your privacy, you do not need to create an account; you can access all of these on the guest mode. However, you will not be able to save all your favorite add-ons and stations, so you cannot sync data across devices.
Stremio is a much lighter app than Kodi, so you will not need to worry about the storage space on your device.
Stremio is an open-source app; therefore, you will access your favorite videos for free. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Mobile, Android TV, and iOS. You can download the latest versions for each operating system from Stremio’s Download page.
2. Plex
Plex is an app that lets you watch TV for free. You will instantly access over 250 Live TV channels and choose from over 50,000 titles.
If you own some videos, music, movies, and other media devices, you can upload them to Plex to have all your favorite content on one app. The app also organizes your content based on descriptions, titles, and casting listings, making it more straightforward than Kodi, a moderately complex app.
You will need to register on the app and create a free account. The free version runs on adverts, but if you do not want any advertisements running when watching your favorite show, you can purchase a paid plan.
The paid plans let you download your favorite movies and music. You can customize your interface color themes and watch and record live TV.
Additionally, you can download the Plex app on multiple devices, including Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple, Chromecast, PlayStation, and Vizio.
Check out their download page for the different download options.
Explore the best alternatives to Plex in this post.
3. Emby
Emby is a personal media server platform that lets you bring all your music, home videos, photos, and live TV and automatically convert them so you can stream and play them on any device.
To use Emby, you first need to download and install the server, download the Emby app for your device, sign up, and access your media. Because Emby comes with a Supported Server, you can access it on Multiple Operating systems, Docker, NASes, and gaming consoles, unlike Kodi.
With Emby mobile sync, you will always access your videos, music, and photos everywhere you go, even when you do not have access to the internet. You can also set parental restrictions for users, set time limits, and even create access schedules on the app.
Emby apps are available for download on many devices, including Home Theater Computers, Xbox, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Mobile apps are also available for Windows phones and tablets, iPad, iPhones, and Android. You can download the apps on the Emby download page.
Emby is a free app. If you wish to enhance your media experience, you can purchase Emby Premiere.
The Emby Premiere version lets you download media to your Android, iOS, and Windows device for easy offline playback. You can also schedule recordings and enjoy full access on PS4, Xbox One, iOS, Fire TV, and Android.
Check out the best alternatives to Emby in this post.
4. MediaPortal
MediaPortal is open-source software that will transform your PC into a media solution allowing you to view your digital media in the comfort of your living room.
The software runs on basic hardware that lets you access your music, photos, movies, and favorite TV series on your projector or your plasma or LCD TV. What’s more, you can watch your favorite show, schedule future shows, and even record them.
Also, you can stream TV, radio, and any media to a network connected to HTPC/PC or access MediaPortal on your mobile device or the web. MediaPortal lets you check the weather and news. Moreover, you can use your remote to control HTPC.
The advantage of using MediaPortal over Kodi is that it will automatically list your videos, music, and pictures in your folder, so you will not need to access them manually like in Kodi.
MediaPortal has two versions, MediaPortal 1 and MediaPortal 2. MediaPortal 1 has a board set of skins and a wider choice of plug-ins.
Depending on your needs, you can download MediaPortal 1 or MediaPortal 2 from their download page.
5. OSMC
OSMC is an open-source media center that allows you to access movies, TV shows, music, pictures, and games. It has a simple yet excellent interface that makes it easy to use.
The software is built on Debian Linux, but you should not worry if you are not hands-on with Linux. The OSMC interface makes it user-friendly. It comes with a flagship device called Vero 4K that OSMC developers built to give you the best experience with OSMC.
You can easily download and install it on several devices, including the Vero 4K, Raspberry Pi, and Apple TV. Thus, you can access it on more devices than Kodi. Also, Kodi is a media center application that runs on the OSMC operating system so that OSMC can run every add-on available on Kodi.
OSMC undergoes a monthly update. The update enhances bug fixes, new features, performance upgrades, and stability improvements. However, they may also make immediate updates whenever there’s a need to do so.
It has an active community where you can join and ask questions when you feel stuck.
6. Universal Media Server
Universal Media Server is a Digital Living Network Alliance-certified (DLNA), Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), and an HTTP/S media server supported by major operating systems, including macOS, Linux, and Windows.
It not only gives you a beautiful web interface but will not track your activity on the app giving you total privacy. This feature is unavailable on Kodi.
Also, it supports a wide range of devices including smartphones, computers, gaming consoles, audio devices, and TVs.
You can manage your podcasts, online radio channels, and TSS Feeds for all media types on Universal Media Server. It also comes with a live subtitle feature that supports over 40 languages.
You do not need to worry about the formats for your files and networks. Universal Media Server supports a wide range of networks and can transform them to suit your language preference, device, and network.
Universal Media Server runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, and Docker.
The app is free. Though if you want to help them offset their web server costs, you can go to their Donate page and contribute.
7. Serviio
Serviio is a media server that lets you stream your media files, like images, music, or video, to renderer devices, including mobile phones, game consoles, Blu-ray players, or TVs.
You can also control the app on an Alexa device or with your voice by simply saying what you want to watch. Serviio is based on versatile Java technology, therefore, it will run on many platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, and other NAS platforms.
Serviio has many ways of organizing files, unlike Kodi, which requires you to configure your files, which can be confusing.
It has tons of impressive features. It streams images, videos (HD and SD), and audio files in their transcoded or native format in real time. It can stream content from known online sources, such as live video/audio streams, RSS feeds, and web pages.
Serviio supports CD covers, video thumbnails, DVD posters, and more. It also supports raw camera images. Besides, it automatically updates the library whenever you remove, add, or update a media or metadata file.
Serviio has a free version. However, you may want more features like access to your files anywhere and the possibility of sharing your content on your connected household. In that case, you will purchase the pro version.
8. JRiver
JRiver is a media center for seamless image, audio, video, and TV. You will be able to play your media without any setup.
Video formats on JRiver come in a lot of packages. You can stream videos from Hulu or Netflix, watch DVD and Blu-ray formats, and watch YouTube clips and movies. JRiver will integrate these different formats into a seamless interface.
JRiver will use your internet connections and LAN networks to stream your media using its media network features. Also, how JRiver organizes its media library makes it stand out from Kodi.
JRiver is not a free app. You can download and install the trial version before buying the license.
9. Jellyfin
Jellyfin is software that keeps you in control of your media. You can collect, manage, and stream your media with Jellyfin. It also lets you watch live TV and record it automatically, which adds to your media library.
You can watch media on your web browser, an option that is not available on Kodi. Furthermore, you can watch it via your Chromecast, or if you have an existing Kodi Installation, you can stream your media there. You can also download apps for iOS, Android, Roku, Android TV, or Fire TV devices.
Jellyfin is open-source software that is available for free download and use. Also, it will not track your data, maintaining your privacy.
Downloads are available for Docker, Debian, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Gentoo Linux, Fedora and CentOS, Generic Linux, macOS, and Windows. A portable version is also available for any system with a .NET Core runtime.
10. TogetherTube
TogetherTube is now a part of Watch2Gether. It is a powerful moderation tool that will not only let you watch videos but also lets you interact with other users.
It is a fun app that lets you create a room, invite friends, and watch videos together.
The app comes with a synchronized player to ensure every user in your room can see the video simultaneously. Each room has a built-in chat system that lets you communicate with other users.
Each user gets to rate and add the videos they like, and TogetherTube will play the video with the highest votes. What differentiates TogetherTube from Kodi is the social aspect of the app that lets you connect with friends.
TogetherTube lets you watch video premieres and binge-watch a favorite TV show. You can even create a virtual dance party on the app.
Moreover, the app is ideal for people in long-distance relationships and friends who want to hang out virtually.
TogetherTube is a web app, you will not be required to download any app. All you do is sign up on their website, invite your friends, and stream on your favorite media from YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, Netflix, Amazon, and Disney & Co.
11. Infuse
Infuse by Firecore is one of the best alternatives to Kodi for Apple users, although it serves a slightly different purpose.
Instead of relying on add-ons, Infuse focuses on delivering a polished, hassle-free media playback experience across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and Apple Vision devices.
It natively supports virtually every major video format, including MKV, MP4, ISO, and Blu-ray folders, along with 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS audio.
It automatically downloads artwork, metadata, cast information, and ratings to organize your library beautifully, and it can stream directly from local folders, NAS devices, Plex, Emby, Jellyfin, WebDAV, SMB, FTP, and popular cloud storage services without requiring transcoding.
Other features include subtitle downloads, Trakt synchronization, AirPlay, Google Cast, parental controls, playlists, and iCloud sync for watched history.
Infuse is arguably the superior option for Apple users seeking an elegant, reliable, and premium media player that simply works.
12. koel
koel is an app that was named after a bird that sings non-stop. Thus, the developers created the app to entertain users with free streaming music.
It is an easy-to-use app that organizes your music, queues it, and plays it. Koel is easier to use than Kodi.
The app requires a server that runs on Laravel, which means that only modern browsers support it. Thus, it can run on Edge, Opera, Safari, Firefox, and Chrome.
Besides the web-based version, you can download koel on your mobile device. Purchase the app from Google Play or App Store and get started.
Also Read: Kodi vs Plex
Wrapping Up
My favorite Kodi alternative is Stremio. For starters, you can use Stremio to stream TV shows, movies, live TV, and even listen to music.
Stremio supports official and nonofficial video streaming, and the add-on feature ensures you have a wide variety of media to select from. Some of the best add-ons on Stremio include Netflix, YouTube, and Pirate Bay.
You can also access it on multiple devices, and with the free account you create, Stremio will synchronize your media across devices.
