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Best Kodi Alternatives in 2026

Free#2 of 42 in Video Player Software

The top Kodi alternatives are VLC media player, mpv and SMPlayer: 15 video player software our editors would look at instead of Kodi, in our ranking order.

9.2/10Editor score
Visit Kodi
Kodi9.2 Visit Kodi

Kodi: A free, flexible choice for organizing and playing media across five platforms. Where it falls short: third-party services and content sources require user configuration.

Switching from Kodi? For most video player software buyers the best Kodi alternative is VLC media player, built for most users needing a free all-purpose player.

Why People Look for a Kodi Alternative

  • 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

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 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.

  1. VLC media player

    Best forMost users needing a free all-purpose player

    • Better than Kodi:
    • Editor score 9.4 vs 9.2

    A broad, free player for local media, network playback, subtitles, and major platforms.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our VLC media player verdict → Visit VideoLAN
    9.4/10★★★★★
    Visit VideoLAN
  2. mpv

    Best forPower users who want scripting and control

    A highly configurable free player for users who value scripting and control.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our mpv verdict → Visit mpv
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit mpv
  3. SMPlayer

    Best forFree desktop playback with subtitle tools

    A capable free desktop player for formats, subtitles, streaming, and playback controls.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our SMPlayer verdict → Visit SMPlayer
    8.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit SMPlayer
  4. Bitmovin Player

    Best forEnterprise streaming and DRM deployments

    A broad video playback SDK for enterprise streaming, DRM, and multi-device delivery.

    • Playback speed control
    Free plan Our Bitmovin Player verdict → Visit Bitmovin
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit Bitmovin
  5. MPlayer

    Best forTechnical users needing broad legacy support

    A free, open-source player for technical users who need wide format and stream support.

    • Playback speed control
    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our MPlayer verdict → Visit MPlayer
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit MPlayer
  6. Infuse

    Best forApple users with network media libraries

    A format-rich Apple player with strong network playback and optional Pro upgrades.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan · 7-day trial Our Infuse verdict → Visit Infuse
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Infuse
  7. KMPlayer

    Best forFree high-resolution playback across devices

    A broad-format player with 4K/8K playback, network access, cloud support, and Chromecast.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan · 3-day trial Our KMPlayer verdict → Visit KMPlayer
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit KMPlayer
  8. 5KPlayer

    Best forFree 4K/8K playback on desktop

    A broad-format free player for high-resolution media on Windows and macOS.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our 5KPlayer verdict → Visit 5KPlayer
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit 5KPlayer
  9. DivX Player

    Best forUsers wanting a simple 4K desktop player

    A capable free 4K player for Windows and Mac, with Pro-only cloud imports and extras.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our DivX Player verdict → Visit DivX Player
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit DivX Player
  10. GOM Player

    Best forUsers wanting subtitles and broad format support

    A capable cross-platform player for subtitles, formats, URLs, and VR video.

    Free plan Our GOM Player verdict → Visit GOM Player
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit GOM Player
  11. Zoom Player

    Best forWindows home-theater enthusiasts

    A feature-rich Windows player for home theaters, with no free plan and a paid entry point.

    • Portable version
    • Playback speed control
    • Hardware acceleration
    Our Zoom Player verdict → Visit Zoom Player
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Zoom Player
  12. Haruna

    Best forLinux users wanting a customizable mpv frontend

    A customizable free player for Linux users who want mpv controls and online playback.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our Haruna verdict → Visit KDE
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit KDE
  13. FFplay

    Best forDevelopers and command-line playback users

    A free, open-source player for technical users who need control over media playback.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our FFplay verdict → Visit FFmpeg
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit FFmpeg
  14. Parole

    Best forLinux users wanting a basic free player

    A capable Linux-only player for local media, discs, streams, subtitles, and playlists.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our Parole verdict → Visit Parole
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit Parole
  15. Totem

    Best forLinux users wanting basic media playback

    A free, open-source Linux player for local files, streaming, discs, subtitles, and playback controls.

    • Playback speed control
    Free plan Our Totem verdict → Visit GNOME
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit GNOME

Kodi Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to Kodi?

VLC media player: #1 in our Video Player Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad, free player for local media, network playback, subtitles, and major platforms.

Is there a free alternative to Kodi?

Yes. VLC media player, mpv, SMPlayer, Bitmovin Player and MPlayer have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

Why do people look for Kodi alternatives?

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.

How do I switch from Kodi?

Export your data from 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 Kodi.

How to Switch from Kodi

  1. Export your data from Kodi (most tools have an export in their settings).
  2. Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
  3. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
  4. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Kodi.

Kodi vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromHardware accelerationScore
2KodiYesFreeYes9.2
1VLC media playerYesFreeYes9.4
2mpvYesFreeYes9.0
3SMPlayerYesFreeYes8.9
4Bitmovin PlayerYes8.8
5MPlayerYesFreeYes8.7
6InfuseYes$16.99/yrYes8.6
7KMPlayerYesYes8.5
85KPlayerYesFreeYes8.4
9DivX PlayerYesYes8.3
10GOM PlayerYes$22 one-time8.2
11Zoom PlayerNo$23.95 one-timeYes8.1
12HarunaYesFreeYes8.0
13FFplayYesFreeYes7.9
14ParoleYesFreeYes7.8
15TotemYesFree7.7

Head-to-Head

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update