Android TV vs Kodi
When comparing Android TV vs Kodi, the Slant community recommends Kodi for most people. In the question“What are the best TV streaming solutions?” Kodi is ranked 1st while Android TV is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Kodi is:
Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Xbox, Apple TV (jailbroken), and more.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy to use
It is bare and easy to use.
Pro Sideloading of apps
You can sideload apps.
Pro Can run Android apps
It can run all Android apps, however, you might need a mouse.
Pro Built-in Chromecast
Android TV has Chromecast built-in.
Pro Can install on several devices
Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Xbox, Apple TV (jailbroken), and more.
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.
Pro Free
Pro Open source
Completely FOSS, licensed under GPL 2.0
Pro Great customization/multiple skins
You can change navigation flow and other aspects of Kodi with the plethora of customization options and skins.
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.
Cons
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.
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.
Con Terrible navigation
Menus over menus with dozens of submenus.
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.
Con Poorly optimized
Often not a fluid experience on low-end devices.
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.