Emby for Kodi review
A free Kodi add-on for syncing Emby libraries and playback state.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Emby for Kodi connects Kodi to an Emby Server, bringing selected media libraries into Kodi’s native database. It is aimed at people who already use Emby and want to browse movies, TV shows, music videos, or music through Kodi. The add-on is free and self-hosted, and it is open source. Instead of syncing every available library, users can select which Emby libraries to synchronize; other libraries and features can appear as dynamic plugin listings. This makes it a service integration for an Emby-and-Kodi setup rather than a standalone media player or server.
Its main strength is the range of library and playback functions in that integration. Kodi can receive watched and resume-state updates from Emby, while playback supports direct play and transcoding. The add-on also presents Live TV, playlists, home videos, and photos, and Emby clients can send remote playback commands to Kodi. For users who want Kodi’s native library experience with Emby-managed media, these functions cover more than basic catalog browsing. The fit is narrower for someone who does not already rely on both applications, since the add-on connects Emby Server and Kodi rather than replacing either one.
Installation follows Emby’s repository instructions: add Emby’s repository in Kodi, then install the add-on there. It does not use Kodi’s default built-in repository, so setup includes a repository step beyond selecting an add-on from Kodi’s default source. Documentation is the listed support channel. The add-on itself is free; Emby Premiere is separate, so the add-on’s free status should not be read as covering that subscription. Choose Emby for Kodi if you want synchronized libraries and playback state inside Kodi and are comfortable with this installation route. If you want an add-on that works without Emby Server or one installed from Kodi’s default repository, this is not the right fit.
Emby for Kodi pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Synchronizes selected Emby libraries with Kodi’s native database
- Syncs watched and resume state between Emby and Kodi
- Supports direct play, transcoding, Live TV, and remote playback commands
- Where it doesn't
- Requires both Emby Server and Kodi
- Installation uses Emby’s third-party repository
- Support is documented through docs
Emby for Kodi fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update