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Google TV alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Google TV: only runs on Google TV devices and supported smart TVs, and home screen promotes sponsored content and Google's own services. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Google TV, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Stremio currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Stremio logoStremioFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 568.8
2Plex logoPlexFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +47 of 752.6
3Kodi logoKodiOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 452.2
  1. Stremio logo

    1. StremioTop pick

    Best for: Viewers who want one library and synced watch progress across phone, TV and computer

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google TV

    Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware.

    Pros

    • One library and watch progress synced across many devices
    • Add-on system makes it very flexible
    • Free, with open-source apps
    • Plays torrents and magnet links directly

    Cons

    • No content of its own; usefulness depends on third-party add-ons
    • Popular community add-ons often serve pirated streams
    • iOS app is limited compared with Android and desktop
    Visit Stremio Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Stremio a good Google TV alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop apps
    Windows, Mac, Linux
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Casting
    Chromecast
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Own content
    None; comes from add-ons
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Torrent playback
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stremio.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Plex logo

    2. Plex

    Best for: Households that want the most polished apps on every device with minimal fuss

    Free plan + paidSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted, Web, iOS, Android

    52.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google TV

    Puts your own media library and free streaming channels behind one interface on almost any TV or streaming stick.

    Pros

    • Apps on nearly every TV, console and phone
    • Easy setup and friendly for non-technical users
    • Strong metadata, Plexamp music app and DVR

    Cons

    • Remote streaming of your own media now needs a paid pass
    • Accounts and sign-in depend on Plex's cloud
    • Interface pushes Plex's own ad-supported content
    Visit Plex Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Plex a good Google TV alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, streaming at home
    Checked Oct 29, 2026plex.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Remote Watch Pass trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 29, 2026plex.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Plex Pass features
    Remote streaming, hardware transcoding, downloads
    Checked Oct 29, 2026plex.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Server platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, NVIDIA Shield, NAS
    Checked Oct 29, 2026support.plex.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Remote Watch Pass plan
    $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026plex.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Remote Watch Pass yearly
    $29.99 a year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026plex.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days (Remote Watch Pass)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026plex.tv(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Kodi logo

    3. Kodi

    Best for: Tinkerers who want a fully customisable media centre on a TV, Pi or Android box

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    52.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google TV

    Free, open-source TV interface you can install on many boxes and fully customise, with no Google account or ads.

    Pros

    • Plays almost any format with no transcoding
    • Deep customisation with skins and add-ons
    • Free, open source and account-free

    Cons

    • Built for a single screen rather than streaming to many devices
    • Setup and add-ons take time to learn
    • Reputation is hurt by unofficial piracy add-ons
    Visit Kodi Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Kodi a good Google TV alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes, GPL
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, tvOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Interface
    10-foot UI for TVs and remotes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)
    Content included
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kodi.tv(opens source in a new tab)

The best Google TV alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Stremio logo

Best Google TV alternative for most people

Stremio

Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware.

Kodi logo

Best Google TV alternative for a free option

Kodi

Free, open-source TV interface you can install on many boxes and fully customise, with no Google account or ads.

YouTube logo

Best Google TV alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

YouTube

For many viewers YouTube already covers most watching, and it runs on every smart TV platform.

Stremio logo

Best Google TV alternative for open source

Stremio

Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware.

Plex logo

Best Google TV alternative for self-hosting

Plex

Puts your own media library and free streaming channels behind one interface on almost any TV or streaming stick.

Prime Video logo

Best Google TV alternative for Mac

Prime Video

Amazon's app also rents and sells films and bundles add-on channels, if you'd rather centre your TV on Amazon.

Stremio logo

Best Google TV alternative for Windows

Stremio

Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware.

Stremio logo

Best Google TV alternative for Linux

Stremio

Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware.

Stremio logo

Best Google TV alternative for iPhone and Android

Stremio

Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware.

Stremio logo

Best Google TV alternative for working in the browser

Stremio

Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware.

Google TV alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Google TV?

Stremio ranks first right now. Also gathers films and shows into one library, and runs on phones, PCs and TV boxes rather than only Google TV hardware. Prime Video and YouTube follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Google TV?

Yes. Stremio (free plan + paid), YouTube (free plan + paid), Plex (free plan + paid) and Kodi (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Google TV?

Yes: Stremio and Kodi.

Which Google TV alternatives work on Linux?

Stremio, Plex and Kodi run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Google TV?

The complaints we hear most: only runs on Google TV devices and supported smart TVs; home screen promotes sponsored content and Google's own services; some apps and features vary by country.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Google TV, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.