Kodi
With Kodi, you use your computer as a media center for your own movies, music and photos.
Developer Kodi Foundation
Version 21.3 · GPL-2.0-or-later · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to Kodi?Compare PotPlayer, SMPlayer, mpv, MPC-HC.Compare alternativesWith Kodi, you use your computer as a media center for your own movies, music and photos. You organize a library and operate it from an interface that is also usable on a larger screen.
You add folders and supported network locations yourself. Clear file names help to recognize movies and series. Extensions can add features, but you don't have to install all kinds of add-ons for playing your own files.
Download Kodi
Downloads are available for Windows, macOS, Linux.
Getting your own collection properly identified
Put different movies in separate folders and use recognizable file names with title and year. That narrows the chance that Kodi is looking for information from the wrong movie. Adding a media folder does not provide subscription or movies: you use files and services for which you can access yourself. Check separately which rights require an extension.
Compare Kodi with alternatives
Play mostly local video files, compare subtitles, playlists and operation. An extensive media library is something other than a player who quickly opens one file. Also check with high resolution whether hardware acceleration works with your video card and the used video format.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| KodiYou are viewing this app | You organize movies, series and music in a media center with an interface for TV and remote control. To quickly open a separate file, this library setup is less necessary. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-2.0-or-later |
| PotPlayerView this alternative | You use a Windows video player with many image, audio and subtitle settings. The extended menus require more research if you just want to open a movie. | WindowsFree to use |
| SMPlayerView this alternative | You get a graphical interface around a playback engine like mpv, with settings and remembering playback positions. This lowers the threshold compared to single configuration files. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| mpvView this alternative | You use a minimalist player with many possibilities via configuration and scripts. You choose whether you have enough sober control on the screen. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| MPC-HCView this alternative | You get a compact Windows video player with classic interface and extensive codec and subtitle support. The emphasis is on playback of files. | WindowsOpen source |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You can use this if you want to view your own files via a large screen or play music centrally. It fits a media PC with remote control. For live TV you need a suitable source and backend; the presence of a TV menu does not mean that there are channels available automatically.
Getting started
Start with one media folder and check the recognition of titles. Then set image, sound and possibly your remote control.
Privacy
Privacy depends on your media resources, metadata retrievals and add-ons. A local movie folder is something other than an online streaming service. Do not give extensions unnecessary access and check their origins. For shared devices, think about which library titles become visible to other users.
Good to know
Kodi doesn't deliver movies, television subscriptions or viewing rights himself. The reliability and availability of add-ons vary.
Please note
Kodi is not a subscription to movies or sports. An add-on may require its own account, payment or available source. Use only sources for which you have access. When playing problems check codec, sound output and network connection before randomly installing additional packages.
Advantages
- You can organize different types of media in one TV-oriented environment.
- Library information makes a large collection more accessible.
- Add-ons offer extensions for concrete additional needs.
Things to consider
- Good recognition requires neat folders and names.
- Add-ons and external services need their own maintenance.
- TV recording and some online resources require additional equipment, software or accounts.
Download Kodi
The download page opens in a new tab.
Provider’s website · kodi.tv
Version history
21.3
You'll get faster re-scanning of your library and playback corrections.
What’s new?
- Your video library will be reread more quickly.
- At Blu-rays you will get corrections for playback on Linux and for sound and subtitles after resume.
- You have less trouble with crashes when connecting audio devices and stopping certain streams.
Report a new version
Our verdict
Kodi is suitable if you want to present your own media collection on a television or media PC. You can access movies, series, music and photos from one interface. The library is especially useful when your files are consistently named. Kodi provides the play environment; the availability of media and additional services depends on what you add.
Choose Kodi for a media collection that you want to access from one play environment. Start with a representative folder and check recognition, image and sound on the equipment you're looking at. Must an external service provide most of your offer, research that link separately. A beautiful library interface does not compensate for unreliable or missing access to the content.
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