Top Alternatives to Kodi – Media Centre Software Compared
If you’re looking for alternatives to Kodi, this article walks you through several top-rated media centre and streaming server programmes, shows you which devices they run on, and gives you a comparison table to help decide.
What is Kodi and Why Consider Alternatives?
Kodi provides a flexible media player and centre for video, music and photos, often used on home theatre PCs and streaming devices. However, depending on your needs (remote access, streaming server features, device support) you might find one of the alternatives below offers a better fit.
Key Alternatives
- Plex — A widely-used media server + client solution. Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, NAS, Android, iOS, Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV. 1
- Jellyfin — Fully open-source, free media server. Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, NAS, Android, iOS, Smart TVs. 2
- Emby — Flexible media server solution, sits between Plex and Jellyfin in terms of features/licensing. Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, NAS, streaming devices. 3
- Stremio — More streaming-focused, add-on oriented application for movies/TV rather than full self-hosted server model. Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. 4
Comparison Table
| Software | Licence / Cost | Devices You Can Run It On | Primary Strengths | Notes / Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plex | Free tier + subscription (“Plex Pass”) for full features | PC (Windows/macOS/Linux/NAS), Android, iOS, Smart TVs, Fire TV, Roku | Polished UI, broad device support, “plug-and-play” | Some advanced features (hardware transcoding, remote access) behind paywall. 5 |
| Jellyfin | Free & open-source | PC (Windows/macOS/Linux/Docker/NAS), Android, iOS, Smart TVs | No subscription, full control, privacy-friendly | Setup may require more technical work; device support slightly less broad than Plex. 6 |
| Emby | Free tier + paid for full features (‘Emby Premiere’) | PC/NAS, Android, iOS, Smart TVs | Good balance of features and flexibility, strong customization | Some features locked behind paid tiers; smaller ecosystem than Plex. 7 |
| Stremio | Free application (add-ons may vary) | PC (Windows/macOS/Linux), Android, iOS | Easy streaming from add-ons, rapid access to content | Less emphasis on self-hosted library; user needs to rely on add-ons/streams. 8 |
Which One Should You Choose?
Here are some quick guidelines:
- If you just want a polished, largely turn-key solution to stream your media library across devices and you’re okay with some paid features → go with Plex.
- If you prioritise privacy, full control, open-source nature and want to avoid subscriptions → Jellyfin is a strong choice.
- If you want more customization, user-profiles, good feature-set and are okay with some cost or work → Emby.
- If you’re more interested in streaming content via add-ons rather than strictly managing a local library → Stremio.
Final Thoughts
Each of these alternatives to Kodi brings a slightly different flavour. There’s no one perfect solution for everyone. Your best choice depends on your library size, how many devices you use, how much effort you’re willing to invest in setup and maintenance, and whether you prefer paying for convenience or configuring a free solution yourself.
Also useful: a player for Plex, Jellyfin or Emby, plus hardware to run your own media server.
- Google TV Streamer 4K: a simple Google TV box with Ethernet and the full Play Store. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
- Synology DiskStation DS224+ 2-bay NAS: a popular home NAS that runs Plex Media Server. In France and Italy it is sold as a bundle with two 4TB drives, so those links name the bundle. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | DS224+ with 2x 4TB (Amazon FR) | DS224+ with 2x 4TB (Amazon IT)
- WD Red Plus 4TB NAS hard drive: a NAS-rated drive for a home media library. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
Best IPTV boxes to buy
These are media boxes and sticks that can run players and licensed apps. The first six are Google certified Android TV or Google TV devices with Google Play. The three Fire TV Sticks run Amazon’s own systems with the Appstore instead of Google Play: the 4K Max and 4K Plus run Fire OS, which is Android based, while the new Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) runs Vega OS, which does not allow sideloading Android apps, only Appstore apps. The last one, the Formuler, runs its own Android and is not certified. They are not pirate hardware. They do not come with channels or playlists. I am not claiming I personally lab-tested every SKU this month.
Pick a Google TV box when you want Play Store apps on a proper TV OS or a dedicated player behind the sofa. Pick a Fire TV Stick when Prime Video and the Appstore already cover what you watch. If you need an Android player from outside the Appstore, skip the Vega OS stick.
- NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro: the premium pick, a certified Android TV player with AI upscaling, Dolby Vision/Atmos and Gigabit Ethernet for the main living-room telly. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
- Google TV Streamer 4K: solid Google TV living-room default with Ethernet, 32GB storage and Dolby Vision/Atmos. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
- Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen): Google TV box with 32GB storage, Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision/Atmos, the cheaper box route than the Streamer. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
- Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen): budget Google TV stick with Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision/Atmos when you want HDMI-simple, not a full box. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
- Budget Google TV 4K player: a cheaper certified Google TV player for a second telly. The model differs by store, so each link names the one you get there. MECOOL KD3 (Amazon UK) | onn. Google TV 4K Streaming Box (Amazon US) | Strong LEAP-NOVA-X (Amazon DE) | Strong LEAP-NOVA-X (Amazon FR) | Strong LEAP-NOVA-X (Amazon IT)
- MECOOL MEon1: Google TV certified 4K box with AI upscaling and 32GB storage for a dedicated player behind the sofa. Amazon UK
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: the most powerful Fire TV Stick, with Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision/Atmos and 16GB storage. It runs Fire OS, which is Android based, so you get Appstore apps and can still sideload an Android player. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE
- Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: the older Fire OS stick with Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision/Atmos. It is being phased out, so buy it only while stock lasts. Like the Max, it can still sideload Android apps. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
- Fire TV Stick 4K (2026): the newest and slimmest 4K stick, with a new remote. It runs Vega OS, which does not allow sideloading Android apps, only Appstore apps, so check your player is in the Appstore before you buy. Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT
- Formuler Z12 Ultra SE: the newest Formuler box, built around MYTVOnline 4 for IPTV playlists. It runs Formuler’s own Android rather than certified Google TV, so there is no Netflix in HD and no Google certification. Formuler Z12 Ultra SE (Amazon UK) | Formuler Z12 Ultra SE (Amazon US) | Formuler Z12 Ultra SE (Amazon DE) | Formuler Z12 Ultra SE (Amazon FR) | Formuler Z12 Ultra SE (Amazon IT)
Whichever you pick, check that the app you need is in its store before you pay. And none of these boxes or sticks magically make unlicensed streams legal.
