People often ask "Should I get IPTV or Kodi?"—but they're not alternatives. Kodi is software. IPTV is a service. You can actually use them together.
What is Kodi?
Kodi is a free, open-source media center app. It plays your own videos and music, and with add-ons it can do much more—including showing live TV from an IPTV subscription.
What is IPTV?
An IPTV subscription gives you access to live channels and on-demand content over the internet, which you watch in a player app. See What is IPTV?
Comparison
| Kodi | IPTV subscription | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Player / media-center software | Content service |
| Cost | Free | Paid subscription |
| Includes channels? | No | Yes |
| Can work together? | Yes—Kodi can play an IPTV subscription via PVR IPTV Simple Client | |
Why the confusion?
Years ago, third-party Kodi add-ons and "builds" promised free movies and TV, and Kodi got associated with that. Those add-ons are not part of Kodi, often stop working, can contain malware, and may give access to unauthorized content. The Kodi project itself does not endorse them.
Using Kodi for IPTV the right way
Install the official PVR IPTV Simple Client from Kodi's own repository and add your M3U link. Step-by-step: Kodi IPTV setup.
Kodi or a dedicated IPTV app?
- Kodi: great if you also manage a personal media library or enjoy customizing.
- TiviMate / Smarters: quicker setup and a simpler daily experience. See Smarters vs TiviMate.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kodi illegal?
No. Kodi is legal software. Legality depends on the add-ons and content you use.
Can Kodi replace an IPTV subscription?
No—Kodi doesn't include channels. It's a player.
Which devices run Kodi?
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Fire TV, Xbox and more. See IPTV on Xbox.
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