Best Jellyfin for Kodi Alternatives in 2026
The top Jellyfin for Kodi alternatives are The Movie Database Python, MusicBrainz Scraper Library and PVR IPTV Simple Client: 15 kodi add-ons our editors would look at instead of Jellyfin for Kodi, in our ranking order.
Jellyfin for Kodi: A free, open-source Kodi add-on for syncing and browsing Jellyfin libraries. Where it falls short: requires a jellyfin server.
Switching from Jellyfin for Kodi? For most kodi add-ons buyers the best Jellyfin for Kodi alternative is The Movie Database Python, built for kodi users who want movie metadata and artwork.
Why People Look for a Jellyfin for Kodi Alternative
- Requires a Jellyfin server
- Installation is through a third-party repository
- Support is through documentation and the community
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallThe Movie Database Python9.2
Kodi users who want movie metadata and artwork
Visit The Movie Database Python - Best free optionThe Movie Database Python9.2
Has a free plan
Visit The Movie Database Python
All 15 Jellyfin for Kodi Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forKodi users who want movie metadata and artwork
- Better than Jellyfin for Kodi:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.9
A free Kodi add-on that adds TMDb movie details and artwork to a library.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Kodi -
Best forKodi music libraries needing MusicBrainz information
A focused, free Kodi module for retrieving music information from MusicBrainz.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi -
Best forIPTV users needing playlists, guides, and catch-up
Connect IPTV playlists and program guides to Kodi’s PVR interface.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi -
Best forEmby users wanting native Kodi library integration
A free Kodi add-on for syncing Emby libraries and playback state.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Emby -
Best forPlex users wanting Plex media in Kodi’s library
A free, open-source bridge for browsing Plex libraries through Kodi.
7.9/10★★★★☆Try PlexKodiConnect -
Best forKodi users syncing watch history with Trakt
A free Kodi add-on for scrobbling playback and syncing watched status and collections with Trakt.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Trakt -
Best forJellyfin users who prefer dynamic browsing in Kodi
A free Kodi media source for dynamically browsing and playing Jellyfin libraries.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Jellyfin -
Best forKodi viewers who need configurable subtitles
A free Kodi add-on with detailed subtitle search, matching, and language filters.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forNextPVR users needing live TV and recordings in Kodi
A free Kodi client for watching NextPVR live TV and recordings, plus radio and EPG.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi -
Best forMediaPortal users needing TV, radio and guide data
A free Kodi client for MediaPortal TV Server, with live TV, recordings, radio and EPG.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi -
Best forMythTV users needing Kodi live TV and recordings
A free Kodi add-on for MythTV live TV, recordings, radio, EPG and timers.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi Add-ons -
Best forTvheadend users connecting Kodi as a PVR
A free Kodi PVR add-on for live TV, recordings, EPG data, and timers.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi -
Best forVDR users connecting a Kodi PVR
A focused, free Kodi PVR add-on for VDR live TV, recordings, EPG data, and timers.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi -
Best forDVBViewer users needing Kodi TV and recordings
A free Kodi add-on for DVBViewer live TV, recordings, EPG data, and timers.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi -
Best forHDHomeRun users connecting a Kodi PVR
A free Kodi PVR client for HDHomeRun, with packages for Windows, macOS, and Android.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Kodi
Jellyfin for Kodi Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Jellyfin for Kodi?
The Movie Database Python: #1 in our Kodi Add-Ons ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A free Kodi add-on that adds TMDb movie details and artwork to a library.
Is there a free alternative to Jellyfin for Kodi?
Yes. The Movie Database Python, MusicBrainz Scraper Library, PVR IPTV Simple Client, Emby for Kodi and PlexKodiConnect have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Jellyfin for Kodi alternatives?
Requires a Jellyfin server; Installation is through a third-party repository; Support is through documentation and the community.
How do I switch from Jellyfin for Kodi?
Export your data from Jellyfin for Kodi (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Jellyfin for Kodi.
How to Switch from Jellyfin for Kodi
- Export your data from Jellyfin for Kodi (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Jellyfin for Kodi.
Jellyfin for Kodi vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Add-on type | Playback features | Library features | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jellyfin for Kodi | Yes | Free | Metadata/library | Direct play; transcoding; add-on mode; native mode via NFS or SMB | Sync selected libraries to Kodi database; dynamic browsing of unsynced libraries; watched and resume-state sync | Kodi on PCs, tablets, Android TV, Fire TV and other TV boxes | 7.9 |
| 1 | The Movie Database Python | Yes | Free | Metadata/library | Movie metadata; posters; fanart; keyart option; keywords as tags | all Kodi platforms | 9.2 | |
| 2 | MusicBrainz Scraper Library | Yes | Free | Metadata/library | Music information retrieval from MusicBrainz | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | PVR IPTV Simple Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Pause/resume, seeking, timeshifting, catch-up/archive playback (provider and inputstream dependent); HLS, DASH, Smooth Streaming via inputstream.adaptive | XMLTV electronic program guide; channel groups, genre mapping, channel logos, provider metadata mapping | Linux, macOS, Windows | 7.9 |
| 4 | Emby for Kodi | Yes | Free | Service integration | direct play; transcoding; remote playback commands | synchronizes movies, TV shows, music videos, and music to Kodi database; dynamic library listings; watched and resume-state sync; extrafanart; profile backup | 7.9 | |
| 5 | PlexKodiConnect | Yes | Free | Service integration | Direct playback from network paths; Plex transcoding; skip intros, credits, and commercials | Plex-to-Kodi database sync; playlist sync; additional artwork; movie set grouping | 7.9 | |
| 6 | Trakt for Kodi | Yes | Free | Service integration | Scrobbles movies and TV episodes during playback; supports local media and compatible remote streams when metadata is available | Syncs movie and TV collections and watched status between Kodi and Trakt; can sync on library updates | All Kodi platforms | 7.9 |
| 7 | JellyCon | Yes | Free | Media source | Play movies, TV shows, music videos, music, and Live TV from a Jellyfin server | Dynamically browses server libraries; supports shortcuts and home-screen widgets | Kodi; supported device platforms not specified | 7.9 |
| 8 | OpenSubtitles.com | Yes | Free | Service integration | Subtitle search and download for movies and TV shows; filename and release matching; preferred-language subtitle selection | Searches using IMDb/TMDb identifiers and TV metadata; handles localized libraries and non-IMDb library IDs | Kodi 19–22; all Kodi platforms (Kodi metadata lists platform as all) | 7.9 |
| 9 | NextPVR PVR Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Live TV streaming; recording playback; radio listening | Kodi; platform availability depends on the Kodi build | 7.9 | |
| 10 | MediaPortal PVR Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Live TV and recordings over direct file access or RTSP; radio channel listening | EPG data and timers; optional EPG genre translation; channel-group filtering | Windows, macOS, Android | 7.8 |
| 11 | MythTV PVR Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Live TV streaming; recording playback; radio listening | EPG and recording timers | macOS (x86_64, arm64); Windows (i686, x86_64); Android (aarch64, armv7) | 7.7 |
| 12 | Tvheadend HTSP Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Live TV streaming; recordings playback | Windows, macOS, Android | 7.6 | |
| 13 | VDR VNSI Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Live TV streaming; recording playback | EPG data; timers | Windows, Android, macOS | 7.5 |
| 14 | DVBViewer PVR Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Live TV streaming; recording playback | Windows, macOS, Android | 7.4 | |
| 15 | HDHomeRun PVR Client | Yes | Free | Pvr/iptv | Windows, macOS, Android | 7.3 |
Head-to-Head
- Jellyfin for Kodi vs The Movie Database Python
- Jellyfin for Kodi vs MusicBrainz Scraper Library
- Jellyfin for Kodi vs PVR IPTV Simple Client
- Jellyfin for Kodi vs Emby for Kodi
- Jellyfin for Kodi vs PlexKodiConnect
- Jellyfin for Kodi vs Trakt for Kodi
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update