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What is the best set-top box OS?

9

Options
Considered

51

User
Recs.

Mar 6, 2021

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

9 Options Considered

Best set-top box OS	Price	License	Based On
-- Android TV	-	Apache 2.0, GPL 2.0(Linux Kernel)	Android Open Source Project (AOSP)
-- PlayStation OS	-	Proprietary	FreeBSD
-- Xbox OS	-	Proprietary	Windows 10
-- SteamOS	-	Proprietary ontop of Linux	Debian
-- Plasma Bigscreen	-	GNU GPL	Debian>Ubuntu>KDE Neon

Android TV

Top Pro

Sideloading of apps

Top Con

No easy way to download apks and install them on the device

You always need a 3rd party device to download the apk files. See More

MotivatedEurynome's Experience

I just love my tiny andtroid tv box. See More

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

Top Pro

Built-in Chromecast

Android TV has Chromecast built-in. See More

Top Con

Certified and non-certified

Only a few devices are certified AndroidTV devices that include legally all the unfree GApps like the PlayStore. See More

CaffeinatedTangaroa's Experience

It is amazing LiveTV, netflix, youtube, prime and hulu everything just works. See More

Top Pro

Can run Android apps

It can run all Android apps, however, you might need a mouse. See More

Top Con

AndroidTV remote can not emulate a mouse

It's not possible to control the mouse cursor with your Android phone. See More

Top Pro

AndroidTV remote

Any Android device can become a remote which makes it a lot easier to write text. See More

Top Pro

Neutral

It's not focusing on any vendor. Sure, on official devices all the Google services are pre-installed by default, however, you can easily disable them. See More

Top Pro

Easy to use

It is bare and easy to use. See More

Top Pro

Opensource

The base system is open source. See More

Top Pro

No google account

Basic features dont need a google account. However if you want to download some apps from the play store of if you need the google assistant then you need a google account. See More

Top Pro

Good game console for casual playing

Almost any Android game runs on Android TV however you mainly want to use game that support an controller. There are also plenty of emulators available for Android and some streaming solutions like google stadia, nvidia geforce now. or steam link. See More

Top Pro

Cheap devices

Certified AndroidTV devices are starting at around €50. See More

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SteamOS

Add Video or Image

Top Con

Only for gaming

It cant really replace a set top box with AndroidTV or Fire OS since it is mainly made for gaming. See More

Top Pro

Sideloading of apps

You can install other Linux apps like Kodi or Retroarch to expand its abilities See More

Specs

License:Proprietary ontop of Linux

Based On:Debian

Default Desktop Environment:Steam Big Picture, Gnome

Init-System:Systemd

Top Con

Needs a Keyboard and mouse

It is only running the steam client on top of debian so to configure the underlying OS you need a keyboard and a mouse. See More

Top Con

Adding non-steam content is a pain

It is a pain to add non-steam content so you have to manually add artwork or use third-party tools like Steamgrid. See More

Top Con

Proprietary

Steam is proprietary software. See More

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