Kodi
Kodi: A free, flexible choice for organizing and playing media across five platforms. Ranked #2 of 42 in Video Player Software by our editors (9.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for home theater and media-library users.
At a glance
- Editor score9.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forHome theater and media-library users
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported platformsWindows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android
- Founded2009 · United States
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Movie and TV libraries include metadata, artwork, episode views, and watched status
- Plays local, network, disc, archive, and internet-streamed media
- Supports subtitles, add-ons, live TV/PVR, skins, and remote control
Where it doesn't
- Third-party services and content sources require user configuration
- Live TV and PVR depend on supported backends and client add-ons
- Its many media features may be more than users seeking a simple player need
Our verdict on Kodi
Kodi is a free, open-source media player and entertainment hub for people who want one interface for video, music, photos, podcasts, games, and other media. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. For home theater and media-library users, its focus is broader than basic video playback: users can organize movies and TV shows with metadata, artwork, episode views, and watched status, while playing content from local storage, network shares, discs, archives, and internet streams.
The standout area is media-library and playback depth. Kodi supports subtitle playback and subtitle search or download during playback, playback-speed control, and hardware-accelerated video decoding options. Its published codec support includes MPEG-1, MPEG-2, H.263, MPEG-4 SP/ASP, H.264, H.265, AAC, MP3, AC3, and DTS, among others. Subtitle support includes SRT, SAMI, SSA/ASS, WebVTT, VobSub, PGS, and SUP. Skins allow interface changes, while the JSON-RPC web interface and remote-control support suit dedicated entertainment setups.
Kodi also extends beyond a local library through community add-ons and an official add-on repository. Live TV, EPG, and PVR/DVR functions are available through supported integrations such as MediaPortal, MythTV, NextPVR, and Tvheadend, plus PVR client add-ons. That breadth makes Kodi a strong pick for users building a configurable media center around their own sources. It is less suitable for someone who wants a minimal player with no setup decisions: third-party services and content sources require configuration, and live-TV features depend on compatible backends and add-ons.
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Kodi pricing
Kodi fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Codec support | MPEG-1, MPEG-2, H.263, MPEG-4 SP/ASP, H.264, H.265, HuffYUV, MJPEG, RealVideo, RMVB, Sorenson, WMV, Cinepak, AAC, MP3, AC3, DTS |
| Subtitle formats | SRT, VPlayer, SAMI, MPL2, MicroDVD, SSA/ASS, EIA-608/EIA-708, TX3G, WebVTT, VobSub, PGS, SUP |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| Maximum resolution | Not verified |
| Playback speed control | Yes |
| Portable version | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: MediaPortal, MythTV, NextPVR, Tvheadend, PVR client add-ons, JSON-RPC |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | kodi.tv |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Kodi integrations
Kodi lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- MediaPortal
- MythTV
- NextPVR
- Tvheadend
- PVR client add-ons
- JSON-RPC
Alternatives to Kodi
- VLC media playerA broad, free player for local media, network playback, subtitles, and major platforms.9.4
- mpvA highly configurable free player for users who value scripting and control.9.0
- SMPlayerA capable free desktop player for formats, subtitles, streaming, and playback controls.8.9
Kodi vs the competition
- Kodi vs VLC media player
- Kodi vs mpv
- Kodi vs SMPlayer
- Kodi vs Bitmovin Player
- Kodi vs MPlayer
- Kodi vs Infuse
Compare Kodi with any tool side by side →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Kodi for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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