Kodi vs Plex: Local Media Player or Streaming Server

Pick Kodi if you want a free, open-source media player for one TV or computer that plays files from your own drives and network shares, with deep control over the look and settings. Pick Plex if you want one server that streams your library to phones, smart TVs and consoles around the house and, with a paid pass, outside it too.

The two are often compared, but they are built differently. Kodi is a player you install on each device that shows your media. Plex is a server plus apps: one computer holds and serves the library, and every other device connects to it. That one difference explains most of what follows.

Kodi vs Plex at a glance

What is the difference between Kodi and Plex?

Kodi plays media on the device it runs on. Kodi describes itself as a "free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub" designed around a "10-foot user interface" for TVs and remote controls. You install it on a TV box, PC or Raspberry Pi and point it at files on local drives or network storage. If you have three TVs, you install and set up Kodi three times.

Plex splits the work. You install Plex Media Server once, on a PC or NAS, and it organises your library. Every other device just opens the Plex app and streams from that server.

Neither one comes with movies or shows of your own. Kodi's download page says the official version "does not contain any content whatsoever," and Team Kodi does not endorse pirated content. Plex does offer its own free, ad-supported movies and live TV channels on top of your personal library.

Is Kodi really free, and what does Plex cost?

Kodi is completely free and run by volunteers, with no paid tier. Plex is free for streaming on your home network. On 6 November 2026, Plex's US plans page listed:

• Remote Watch Pass: $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year, for remote streaming of personal media only, with a 14-day free trial.
• Plex Pass: $6.99 a month, $69.99 a year, $249.99 for five years or $749.99 lifetime. It adds remote streaming for everyone on your server, hardware transcoding, offline downloads, Skip Intro and Credits, live TV recording and parental controls.

If you only watch at home on one or two screens, neither costs anything.

Which is better for watching on many devices?

Plex, because of its server design. One Plex server feeds apps on Android, iOS, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox and a web browser. Plex can also convert videos so they stream to more devices at once; hardware transcoding is a Plex Pass feature.

Kodi runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV (tvOS), Raspberry Pi and LG webOS. In return, Kodi gives you more control on the screen in front of you: swappable skins, an add-on catalogue, support for hundreds of remote controls and CEC-compatible TVs, and a JSON-RPC interface for remote apps. Its two official remote apps, Kore for Android and the Official Kodi Remote for iOS, are also free and open source.

Which is better for live TV and recording?

Kodi, if you want it free. Kodi can watch and record live TV through PVR backends such as MediaPortal, MythTV, NextPVR and Tvheadend, at no cost. Plex's live TV and DVR feature needs a Plex Pass plus a supported tuner and an antenna.

What version of Kodi is current?

We checked Kodi's release page on 6 November 2026. The latest stable release was Kodi 21.3 "Omega", published on 31 October 2025. Kodi 22 "Piers" had reached its first release candidate, announced on 10 October 2026, but was not yet a final release. For normal use, Kodi recommends the stable version.

Looking beyond these two? Our list of Kodi alternatives covers other media centres.

Which should you choose?

• You have one living-room PC or TV box: Kodi.
• You want the same library on phones, TVs and consoles: Plex.
• You want to share your library with family in other homes: Plex with a Plex Pass.
• You want free live TV recording: Kodi with a PVR backend.
• You want open-source software only: Kodi.

FAQ

Can I use Kodi and Plex together?

They can use the same media files. You can keep your files on one drive or NAS, run Plex for phones and TVs, and point Kodi at the same network folders on a home theatre PC.

Does Kodi come with movies or TV channels?

No. Kodi contains no content; you play media you own. Team Kodi does not support or endorse pirated content.

Does Plex cost money?

Not for streaming on your home network. Remote streaming needs a Remote Watch Pass ($2.99 a month) or a Plex Pass ($6.99 a month), unless the server owner has Plex Pass.

Does Kodi work on Apple TV and iPhone?

Yes. Kodi lists iOS and tvOS among its supported platforms.