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4.7 star rating
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What is the best alternative to Roku?
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Kodi
All
12
Experiences
Pros
6
Cons
5
Specs
Top
Pro
Can install on several devices
Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Xbox, Apple TV (jailbroken), and more.
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Con
You may have to jailbreak some devices
This is only for things like a Fire stick, but Android TV boxes etc. should be fine.
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Top
Pro
Lots of plugins available
Like PlutoTV, Curiosity Stream, and YouTube. 3rd party repositories, such as the SlyGuy Repository, contain more plugins like Disney+, Paramount+, Hulu, and Netflix.
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Con
Terrible navigation
Menus over menus with dozens of submenus.
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Pro
Free
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Con
Not Client/Server Capable
While most solutions provide a client/server setup the KODI developers REFUSE to adopt this approach forcing individual setups for every device.
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Pro
Open source
Completely FOSS, licensed under GPL 2.0
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Con
Poorly optimized
Often not a fluid experience on low-end devices.
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Pro
Great customization/multiple skins
You can change navigation flow and other aspects of Kodi with the plethora of customization options and skins.
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Con
No official AAA addons for streaming services
It does not have any official AAA addons and fully relies on the community which result in often broken packages/addons.
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Pro
Can play many different file formats
It supports Blu-ray Discs, CDs, DVDs, USB Flash Drives, local Hard Disk Drives, AirPlay, network file shares, basically every video, audio, and image format available, subtitle files, and even retro game console ROMs.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, AndroidTV, iOS, tvOS
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Experiences
Free
76
14
Emby
All
3
Experiences
Pros
3
Top
Pro
Easy to use and configure
But with tons of advanced configuration options available for those that want them.
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Top
Pro
Awesome support
Active and lively support forums where the developers and other users engage to quickly resolve any issues you may experience, which will be few and far between anyway.
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Pro
Live TV and DVR functionality
Add the Premiere option for around $5.00 per month and you get a full featured DVR that will play and record Live OTA TV, IPTV, Cable or Satellite signal and a great EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
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15
0
Synology Diskstation
All
4
Experiences
Pros
4
Top
Pro
Complete multimedia platform
The DSM includes packages for audio, video and picture services. You can organize all you media within the Diskstation and access it with your browser, the network, FTP, WEBdav and much more. You can even stream your media via the Internet.
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Top
Pro
Easy-to-use interface
Every Synology Diskstation is shipped with the DSM, the Linux based interface. You can access it via your browser and configure and administer the Diskstation. There are a lot of different features for a lot of problems who want to be solved.
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Top
Pro
Enterprise features like LDAP and Active Directory support
There are a lot of features that helps you to implement the Diskstation into your IT infrastructure. The Diskstations support LDAP and Active Directory to connect to existing servers or host a new one.
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Top
Pro
Access your data everywhere
It doesn't matter where you are: you can access ll your data via the internet using the Synology Cloud Services. Another feature is the Dropbox-like client-based sync between your Diskstation and various devices like your Mac, Windows PC or even your smartphone.
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7
0
Android TV
All
6
Experiences
Pros
4
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Con
Your privacy is for sale with this solution
A lot of data is collected about what you are watching - depending on your TV - your voice is recorded (if it has a microphone) or you are observed watching TV (if it has a camera). That data is sent to the manufacturer, Google and 3rd party companies that you never even heard of. This is all done by presenting you a wall of lawyer-gibberish that no one reads and everyone just agrees to because all they wanna do is watch TV.
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Top
Pro
Easy to use
It is bare and easy to use.
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Top
Pro
Sideloading of apps
You can sideload apps.
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Top
Pro
Can run Android apps
It can run all Android apps, however, you might need a mouse.
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Top
Pro
Built-in Chromecast
Android TV has Chromecast built-in.
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Specs
License:
Apache 2.0, GPL 2.0(Linux Kernel)
Based On:
Android Open Source Project (AOSP)
Default Desktop Environment:
Leanback Launcher
Init-System:
Android init
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51
2
JustStream
All
8
Experiences
Pros
8
Top
Pro
Mirror MacBook on Apple TV
Many people prefer to use Apple hardware with the company’s own software. This is also the case when they mirror MacBook on Apple TV.
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Top
Pro
Supports Screen mirroring Mac to Sony TV
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Top
Pro
Chromecast Mac Streaming and Mirroring
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Top
Pro
Supports Mirror Mac to Roku Smart TV
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Top
Pro
Supports Mirror for Samsung TV
Cables are a thing of the past. Thanks to JustStream, you can mirror Mac to Samsung Smart TV wirelessly and easily.
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Top
Pro
Additional External Audio
If a video file has its audio stored in a separate file, don’t fret. JustStream can open them both, and you can even adjust the audio delay.
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Top
Pro
Complete Subtitle Support
You can expect JustStream to run any common subtitle file. Better yet, you can add external subtitles to your videos and stream like that.
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Top
Pro
Create Streaming Playlists
Collect multiple files into a playlist and keep them running back-to-back without having to switch them manually. Forego all interruptions!
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Experiences
12.99$
4
0
Raspberry Pi
All
3
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
1
Top
Pro
Not just a Media Center
You can use it for surfing the web, play retro games, and host your own.
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Top
Con
Lack of 4K support
The max video output is 1080p. Edit: Raspberry Pi 4 now supports dual 4K displays. More at : https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/
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Top
Pro
Customizable
A lot of Media Center OS to choose.
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15
1
Google TV
All
4
Experiences
Pros
3
Specs
Top
Pro
Flexible Media Storage
You media can be stored on a variety of devices. The Google TV supports DLNA which allows for streaming from mobile devices, network attached storage (NAS), PCs, and more. Google TV can also access media from a simple USB storage device as well.
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Top
Pro
Cross Platform Mobile App
The Google TV remote app is available on for both iOS and Android devices, making it easy to control your TV with whatever phone, or tablet you have.
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Top
Pro
Extensible With Apps
Being build on the android operating system, the Google TV also has access to the Google Play app store eco system, meaning that any android app can be easily adapted for the Google TV, including direct apps from media providers and games.
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Specs
License:
Proprietary on top of Android TV
Based On:
Android Open Source Project (AOSP)
Default Desktop Environment:
GoogleTV Launcher
Init-System:
Android init
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12
2
Chromecast (2015)
All
9
Experiences
Pros
7
Cons
2
Top
Pro
Pretty cheap for what is on offer
Chromecast costs only $35 which makes the overhead to jump into the ecosystem pretty minimal on the consumer's part.
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Top
Con
Limited OS support
The device is designed for Windows, OSX, Android and iOS. Linux support is limited and Windows Phone support is nonexistant.
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Top
Pro
Can be powered using TVs USB port
If you have a USB port on your TV, you can use that to power the Chromecast. The Chromecast is powered through a standard micro USB port.
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Top
Con
Somewhat lengthy setup process
To set up Chromecast, attach it to your TV, download the Chromecast app on your host device, pair it, connect the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi, wait for the updates to download and from there you are ready to cast.
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Top
Pro
Does the processing on a different device
Unlike other set top boxes, the Chromecast just takes in a video stream in VP8 or H.264 format, and can stream that content either directly from the provider, or through a device that processes video to those formats. Because everything is done on a different device, you wont need to upgrade the Chromecast as often as other set top boxes, and anyone can play content from their phones, tablets, or computers.
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Pro
Available SDK means any app can utilize chromecast
With the amount of apps available on the Play Store, seeing that an SDK is available for any of them to use means that a large swath of apps can and do use Chromecast making for a very large ecosystem for what is a pretty cheap streaming device.
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Top
Pro
Easily support multiple bands of Wi-Fi
Dual-band Wi-Fi support with 2.4GHz and 5GHz allows for easy connection to multiple different routers, this way no one is left out with a non compatible device as well as support for faster speeds which is helpful with HD content.
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Top
Pro
Color choices available for easy matching or preferences
The device has red, yellow and black options which allows for one to match some of their other devices in their living room as well as offers a choice to be more of an individual through a color option.
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Top
Pro
Simple to use once setup
Once the device is set up, using Chromecast is straightforward. Just click the the cast icon from within apps or programs to stream it to your TV.
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Experiences
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10
3
Apple TV
All
5
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
3
Top
Con
No built-in Chromecast
Unlike official Androidtv devices it has no Chromecast built-in.
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Top
Pro
Seamless Airplay support
The Apple TV works seamlessly with Airplay for streaming from Apple devices.
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Top
Con
Remote is very easy to lose
The remote is incredibly small and can easily fall between couch cushions.
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Top
Pro
Simple consistent UI
All apps need to conform to the Apple TV UI, meaning they all act similarly.
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Top
Con
Aged
Compared to newer internet TV options, the Apple TV is a lot less powerful, and has less capabilities, such as not supporting games or voice search.
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11
4
Plex
All
8
Experiences
Pros
3
Cons
4
Specs
Top
Pro
Supported on many devices
It's pretty hard to find a NAS or STB that doesn't support Plex.
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Top
Con
Needs registration
You need a PLEX account even if you use it on your local LAN.
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Top
Pro
Accessible via web browser
A modern web browser is enough to get everything Plex has to offer.
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Top
Con
Proprietary software
Unfree software.
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Top
Pro
Added lots of media databases
Metadata for media files will automatically be updated by using media databases. This provides posters, movie trailers, descriptions, information about actors, etc.
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Top
Con
No gapless audio-playback
Plex still does not support gapless playback of audio files such as mp3 or FLAC.
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Top
Con
Playback error: This server is not powerful enough to convert video
More hardware requirements on Plex due to a useless/non-intuitive transcoder. When using lower spec hardware (eg SBC) Plex will not transcode or play HD+ videos. When compared to other packages (eg Jellyfin which transcodes nicely using FFMeg), Plex falls short on video playback and transcode settings to get videos to play (fastest/lightest option still fails).
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android
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Experiences
Free / paid
57
18
Amazon Fire TV
All
7
Experiences
Pros
5
Cons
2
Top
Pro
Voice search
There is a dedicated voice search button on the remote so you can quickly bring up the voice search prompt from any app that works fast and accurately.
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Top
Con
Lots of Amazon advertisement
The Fire TV prefers Amazon services, and is tailored to purchasing shows and movies through Amazon. The voice search does not clearly expose if it's already available on a non amazon service.
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Top
Pro
Has support for tons of media service integrations
The Fire TV has support of the following of services: Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, ESPN, Pandora, Showtime, MLB, iHeart Radio, Vevo, Vimeo, Crackle, Bloomberg, Twitch, NBA, Amazon Music, Plex, YouTube, Tune In, Flixster, Quello, AOL on, WWE, HuffPost Live, Frequency, Red Bull TV, and Smithsonian Channel.
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Top
Con
Inconsistent UI between apps
Each app has a unique UI making it harder to jump between each app, and requires you to learn a slightly different UI for every app.
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Top
Pro
Has a simplified kids mode
There is a mode called "freetime" that lets you whitelist specific apps and set watch time limits for kids, or for a simplified interface with only certain apps.
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Top
Pro
Most powerful set top box
Even though it's only $99, it's far more powerful than its competitors, with a quad core processor and 2GB of ram, and that power really shows in the fluidity of the UI.
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Top
Pro
Bluetooth Remote
The Fire TV remote doesn't require line of sight, and has a microphone for voice search, thanks to bluetooth support.
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Experiences
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3
2
Built By the Slant team
Find the best product instantly.
4.7 star rating
Add to Chrome
Add to Edge
Add to Firefox
Add to Opera
Add to Brave
Add to Safari
Try it now - it's free
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