Best Kodi Alternative For Mac
With news that the Blamo Repo has gone offline, a lot of Kodi users want to know what the best Placenta alternative is!Come and find out our choice for top replacement for Blamo’s flagship multi-source Kodi addon. The Placenta Kodi addon was a multi-source addon similar to countless others than have been introduced into the Kodi community.
- There are dozens of alternatives to Kodi, but you’ll find only the finest ones listed below. So, let’s take a look at the 10 best Kodi alternatives available for you in 2018.
- 4 Fantastic KODI Alternatives. You will notice a huge selection of apps being touted as alternatives of the overpowered Kodi media desktop, but, seldom does an app match up to that brilliance.
Even though Kodi is considered to be the most popular home theater software, it doesn’t come without any alternatives. After all, a single application can hardly meet everyone’s needs. Therefore, we set out to find the very best Kodi alternatives that you can download and use straight away – and we’re ready to present the results of our research.
We have focused on apps that match Kodi’s media playback capabilities, as well as on the features related to creating and maintaining a media library. What differentiates them are individual interfaces, some extra features, and their platform support. With this said, we’re more than sure that you’ll find an application that suits all your needs.
Without further ado, we’re proud to present the top 9 best Kodi alternatives in 2019.
1. Plex
| Overview | |
| Supports | Android, iOS, Windows, Xbox, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, PlayStation, Smart TV, Web, Tivo, Netgear, Kodi |
|---|---|
| Price | Free and paid ($4.99/month, $39.99/year, $119.99/lifetime) |
| Visit | Plex |
If not better, Plex is almost as good as Kodi. It comes loaded with so many features that you can be easily overwhelmed by them. The client-server architecture of the platform makes it the right foil to stream media via various devices. This allows the same content to seamlessly stream on all your supported devices.
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The fascinating user interface comes to life when you use this home theater application. In fact, Plex mimics quite a lot of Kodi features when it comes to the collection of channels. You can watch the content based on whichever topic or channel you prefer. While Plex offers a lot of goodness as a free tool, the paid one offers a more premium experience against a dime of a cost. There’s a smart way to integrate Plex with Kodi and keep using the best of these two worlds.
2. SPMC
| Overview | |
| Supports | Android, Amazon FireOS |
|---|---|
| Price | Free of charge |
| Visit | SPMC |
Note:SPMC is no longer under active development. However, you can still download it from the official website and use it without any limitations.
If you are an Android user and want something that looks and behaves just like Kodi, this is it. SMPC is the abbreviation for Semper Media Center. It has been developed by the former Android manager for Kodi and gives you the same feel. Any add-on that is compatible with Kodi also works well for SMPC. As the maker himself calls it, SMPC is the ‘Android-minded fork’ for Kodi. As such, it’s clear that this is one of the best Kodi alternatives, especially when it comes to Android smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
The most tangible disadvantage of SMPC is that you cannot use it with iOS. That would have made SMPC the perfect clone of Kodi. We hope SMPC will at some point clone Kodi for iPhone and iPad too. On the plus side, SMPC works just as fine with Amazon Firestick devices. It’s a win-win if you are either an AmazonFirestick or Android user.
3. Emby
| Overview | |
| Supports | Android, Windows, Linux, MacOS, Docker, FreeBSD, Amazon Fire, Android TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One, PS4 |
|---|---|
| Price | Free and Premium ($4.99/month, $54.00/year, $119.00/lifetime) |
| Visit | Emby |
Emby calls itself the ‘Open Media Solution’ and we do not have much of a disagreement there. It functions much like Plex minus the risk of proprietary software. An open-source platform, Emby also makes use of the client-server mechanism. For one, Emby makes it super-easy to stream media to all connected devices. There is also a bit of live TV functionality in Emby that allows you to play with DVR recordings. Furthermore, parental control is a tactical component that sets Emby apart from other platforms.
Besides being convenient, Emby is also pretty smart. It recognizes the hardware capabilities of different devices and adjusts media components accordingly. We collectively fell in love with the neat organization of media that Emby does. Once connected, it notifies users of important events based on their activity on the platform. The premium feature allows you access backups and the application’s Cinema Mode. At the moment, Emby is about as polished as Plex and could become one of the best Kodi alternatives.
4. JRiver
| Overview | |
| Supports | Windows, MacOS, Smart TVs |
|---|---|
| Price | Free Trial; $49.98 Windows license (one-time purchase) |
| Visit | JRiver |
JRiver has been designed along the lines of Kodi. It is meant to be the one place where you will find all your media playing needs to be addressed. JRiver is especially useful for those who look at their desktop PC as their primary media solution. We have observed that some of the best Kodi alternatives do not have particularly good mouse integration. That is because they are designed primarily for TVs. However, JRiver fares way better on that front.
The primary interface for JRiver is a Graphic User Interface that looks very similar to Windows. That allows you to make specific alterations on individual media files and even play a bit with the settings. You can select several media files at the same time and assign some bulk attribute to them. But you can always use the platform to watch your favorite movies in the living room as well. When it comes to ripping physical media discs to the library, JRiver even beats Kodi. Cheers to that!
5. Media Portal
| Overview | |
| Supports | Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10) |
|---|---|
| Price | Free of charge |
| Visit | Media Portal |
Not many have heard about Media Portal because it is new to the scene. Also, it is not as feature-rich as Plex or Kodi. But some apps often seem to be built around specific functionalities that the app they are trying to beat lacks in. The USP of Media Portal is Digital Video Recording (DVR). It is a feature that allows you to record, schedule or watch live TV. While Kodi does support Live TV, it is known for a few hiccups too.
Besides the DVR functionality, Media Portal also supports a variety of TV tuner cards. Best mac brush for liquid foundation. Of course, you are always welcome to use it for playing music, videos, and Blu-Ray discs. The application is further accentuated with the availability of plugins. These plugins allow you to do everything, right from watching YouTube to tracking the latest scores. The one serious downside is that Media Portal is presently available for Windows only. Even the remote controls for iOS and Android are pretty defunct.
6. Stremio
| Overview | |
| Supports | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
|---|---|
| Price | Free of charge |
| Visit | Stremio |
Much like Kodi, Stremio allows you to enjoy TV shows and movies on different platforms primarily from a single screen. The great thing about using Stremio is that you will always find the best quality of content regardless of which medium you view it on. The platform allows you to create a personal library to store all your content and collections. The service works fine across a number of devices. Syncing the library in one place syncs it with the other places as well.
An additional Stremio feature called the Linvo database always ensures that the data is arranged properly on each device. There’s a special notification setting that tells you if your favorite show has a new episode. The recommendation engine also gives you plenty of hints of new shows that you may like to watch. Creating an account on Stremio is quite easy as well. The service can only be used once you have an account on it.
7. OSMC
| Overview | |
| Supports | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Apple TV, Raspberry Pi, Vero |
|---|---|
| Price | Free of charge |
| Visit | OSMC |
The abbreviation stands for Open Source Media Center (OSMC). New and raring, the first thing that anyone notices about OSMC is the remarkably simple interface. The simplicity in the design runs as an undercurrent in all its operations – attached storage, local network, and internet media play. The interesting part is that even OSMC is built on the Kodi model. Or, you may call it Kodi’s very own Linux version. Simply put, it works well with any Kodi add-on.
Apart from regular things, OSMC is supportive of a range of Wi-Fi adapters and TV tuners. The web-based UI and support for desktop environment show that the platform is here to stay. Perhaps, it is this vision that has won OSMC so many accolades the likes of from Lifehacker, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. So much so, OSMC has also launched its flagship device, the VERO 4K. The device comes with support for HD audio, 4K video, and 10-bit content.
8. Universal Media Server
| Overview | |
| Supports | Windows, MacOS, Linux |
|---|---|
| Price | Free of charge |
| Visit | Universal Media Server |
Universal Media Server is a hassle-free media streaming platform that is also DLNA compliant. Originally a PS3 media server fork, USM makes it possible to stream media files to multiple devices including Blu-ray players, smartphones, TVs and even game consoles. The UI is amazingly simple and can be set up very easily as well. The media player can stream, transcode and play video, audio, and image in a number of formats. Features of the players include bit-rate adjustment, and of course, DLNA support.
The Universal Media Players is also a classic because it is Java based. Apart from that, there are quite a few plugins that come built-in the platform. Additionally, you can also install a few plugins on your own. If that is not enough, you can even get extended info on movies from IMDB and integrate the music database from MediaMonkey into it. While UMS is not exactly Kodi, it sure has a stream of functionalities of its own. If you’re looking something familiar but still quite different from Kodi – you will find that this is one of the best Kodi alternatives.
9. Serviio
| Overview | |
| Supports | Windows, MacOS, Linux, QNAP, Synology, Asustor, ClearOS |
|---|---|
| Price | Free; Pro version available for $25 |
| Visit | Serviio |
Serviio is a media server that seems to have been modeled after Plex. It allows you to stream various media files including music, games, and videos to devices like Bluray players, TV set, games consoles or even mobile phones. Doing all that is possible once Serviio is connected to a home network. For one, Serviio is quite on top of the line as far as multi-device compatibility is concerned. It even streams media to the Xbox 360. It also supports individual device profiles so that it is easier to play the best quality for each device.
Since Serviio has been built with Java technology, it tends to run well on most of the platforms including Linux, Mac, and Windows. You can choose whether you want to stream video and audio just in Standard Definition or in true High Definition. Serviio also allows you to stream content from online resources like live video and audio streams, RSS feeds or even web pages. The platform also supports quite a few plugins.
How did you like our list of the best Kodi alternatives? Let us know in the comments section below. And also, don’t forget to help us spread the word by sharing this article through our socials, on Facebook and Twitter.
Kodi is the talk of the Web and with good reason. It’s easily the most robust, most flexible media center out there, allowing you to do everything from managing your in-home media library to using add-ons to stream content from all over the world. There’s nothing quite like it, yet sometimes it’s good to have an alternative.
After all, the Kodi interface isn’t great, and sometimes you have to do quite a bit of tweaking to get the best out of it. Whether you’re looking to stream stuff from the Internet or from other devices in your home, in this article we’ll go over the best Kodi alternatives across the three major platforms: macOS, Windows and Linux.
Related: 6 of the Best Kodi Addons for Movies
1. Kokotime
Platform: Android
One of the more fresh-faced media centers, Kokotime is a dedicated Android app that lets you browse files on your home network, peruse your playlists, and stream it all to your Android device (or indeed any device that your Android is streaming to).
Kokotime does a great job of organizing the media stored on your network, be it by genre or the rating you gave it. It has Chromecast support too, but actually goes one better with a feature called Universal Cast which is capable of streaming media from your storage devices to your phone or to any output devices connected to your network.
Even though it’s fairly young, Kokotime has a decent repertoire of third-party add-ons that’s only likely to increase over time. Impressive.
2. Universal Media Server
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
This app has a simple presentation, letting you stream media between different devices and even software within those devices such as web browsers. Universal Media Server has DLNA support as well as alternative streaming options for non-DLNA devices and is capable of streaming (and quickly transcoding) content between computers, games consoles, and smart TVs.
It’s not the easiest software to set up, but once you get there, the whole process of consolidating your media is nice and smooth. It has a small but solid selection of plugins, and more tech-savvy users can even configure it for web streaming.
3. OSMC
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
If you don’t want to stray too far from the Kodi you’ve familiarized yourself with over the years but just want something a little more open and versatile, then the Open Source Media Center (OSMC) is a no-brainer. It’s actually an entire Linux distro based on Kodi, bringing a modified version of the Kodi front end to a number of platforms that wouldn’t be able to have it by default, such as Raspberry Pi and Apple TV.
It has a slightly different interface to the default one that ships with Kodi with a nice radial menu home screen that points you to all the features of OSMC, which include live TV, local library streaming, TV tuner support, and, of course, support for all the wonderful Kodi addons you could dream of.
4. Plex
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
It is impossible to talk about alternatives to Kodi without mentioning Plex. This software makes it easy to have a centralized solution that can manage your media just like Kodi. The benefit to Plex is that it runs from a server instead of from a dedicated PC or appliance. Media can be accessed and streamed from the web and several different operating systems via apps.
Plex is the perfect alternative, as it can run on all sorts of servers, not just Linux. Officially, it supports Linux, macOS, Windows and even FreeBSD server operating systems.
5. Emby
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Emby has long been considered the open-source alternative to Plex Media Server. Like Plex, Emby runs on a server and has official support for Mac, Windows, Linux and BSD server operating systems. Media can be accessed via the web interface or by many of the Emby apps available for mobile and even game consoles.
Best Kodi Alternative 2018
If you’ve tried Plex as an alternative to Kodi but want to try something else, consider giving Emby a try.
6. Stremio
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Stremio is a local media center program for Mac, Linux and Windows that supports playback of live TV and local media. Features include support for add-ons, auto-detect subtitles, and “instant HD playback,” as well as the ability to broadcast media via DLNA to the Apple TV, Chromecast and other devices. If you prefer a centralized media center like Kodi but need a solid alternative, give this software a try. You won’t regret it!
7. MediaPortal
Platform: Windows
Media Portal is a Windows-only media center that operates very similarly to Kodi. Like Kodi, users can tune into live TV, record live TV, and install plugins. Additionally, the software can be customized with different skins as well as handle multiple types of media (music, photos, etc.). If you’re a Windows user and are in need of a good media center alternative, this software should be your first stop.
8. Usher
Platform: Mac
Looking for a good media management system for macOS? Try Usher. This software makes media management easy on the Mac, as it can handle your iTunes library as well as your photos and other media libraries on the system. A lot of the media solutions on this list are packed full of features. Things like add-ons, DLNA, and mobile support are nice but not essential. Usher is for those just looking for an easy way to manage and watch media on the Mac and little else.
Conclusion
Best Kodi Alternative For Android
Kodi is on a lot of PCs, tablets, and even hobby boards like the Raspberry Pi. Still, this software isn’t for everyone. Some might find that it is a bit lacking in terms of looks or features. That’s why it’s so important to shed light on some quality Kodi alternatives. From Plex to Media Portal, for those looking to get off of Kodi and onto something else, this list has you covered.
What’s your favorite Kodi alternative? Tell us below!
This article was first published in March 2017 and was updated in June 2018.
Image credit: gsloan
