Skip to main content

The best Kodi add-ons

People tend to associate Kodi as a place to watch and store their pirated content, but this isn’t completely true. Although some users might take advantage of Kodi and create illegal collections, this software application is capable of so much more. 

If you know which add-ons you need, you can improve your experience with the app, and Kodi can become a portal for you to store your completely legal collection of content and media.

How to install a Kodi add-on

However, before we start sifting through our picks for the best Kodi add-ons, we first need to turn our attention to how to download an add-on. Fortunately, it couldn’t be easier: Locate and select the Browse Add-on Repository option in Kodi, and filter by the various categories until you find the section you’re after. Track down the add-on then hit Install. Just keep in mind that this will only show add-ons available from the official Kodi repository.

Now, let’s get started.

Best Kodi add-ons

FilmOn TV

You won’t find a more cable-like viewing experience on Kodi than FilmOn TV, and that’s because, in the eyes of controversial U.S. District Judge George Wu, FilmOn is a cable provider. But we digress. The service has one of the largest collections of both free and top-tier premium material, including award-winning A-list movies and must-see cable shows, spread across an on-demand platform and 600 live channels.

HDHomeRun

We’ve all been there. You recorded something on the DVR downstairs and wanted to watch it that evening in bed. Too comfortable to move, you settle for something else, while the thought of what you could be watching eats you up inside. OK, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but with HDHomeRun, you can view content on your HDHomeRun DVR through Kodi — anywhere. Provided you have Wi-Fi, of course.

Plex

Have a Plex Media Server? You can access it from Kodi. Just download the Plex add-on, link your account (a Plex Pass subscription is required to do this, which will set you back $5 per month, $40 per year, or $120 for a lifetime membership), and then you’ll be able to stream all the material stored on your server, such as DVR recordings, movies, shows, music, and home movies. Again, no extra hardware needed.

Pluto TV

Don’t have cash to burn? Pluto TV is home to more than a hundred channels and thousands of movies and TV shows, and it won’t run you a dime. Being free, the selection of content isn’t the best out there, with the catalog consisting of curated rerun channels, aging movies, and canceled shows — if you don’t want to wait a decade to watch the last season of Game of Thrones, you’ll need an alternative.

SoundCloud

If you haven’t followed our guide to download your favorite songs from SoundCloud or local storage (the main purpose of Kodi), you’ll want to take advantage of the SoundCloud add-on to stream them live. The experience itself is rather similar to that of SoundCloud for Chromecast — though it isn’t quite as simple to use, nor is it as streamlined — with the option to stream saved tunes and search for fresh material.

Twitch

Don’t worry gamers, there’s something for you, too. There’s a Twitch add-on for Kodi, and it works much the same as its Chromecast counterpart, letting you watch the action unfold as it happens. You can also log in and view your list of preferred streamers, browse by featured streams and the most popular games, and even participate in chat. Just keep in mind that the interface itself is rather clunky and monotonous, so it’ll take some getting used to.

YouTube

There’s no shortage of fantastic material on YouTube — ranging from informative documentaries to humorous sketches. Just sign in to your Google Account and all of your subscriptions will surface, so you can keep up to date with your favorite YouTubers. This allows you to tune in to your favorite content when it’s uploaded on the big screen with no streaming stick required.

There’s more!

That’s a selection of the best Kodi add-ons, available from the official Kodi repository. There are hundreds of thousands of other add-ons out there, from independent repositories, which introduce sources that aren’t supported by their respective owners like Netflix. It’s worth noting that such add-ons aren’t illegal since an active membership is still required — they just take a bit of tinkering to get working.

Editors' Recommendations

Josh Levenson
Having spent half a decade writing about the latest AV, mobile and social news for some of the world’s largest…
Sonos Beam soundbar just got an unprecedented price cut
Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar.

One of the best soundbar deals at the moment is on the Sonos Beam at Best Buy. The latest model is currently reduced from $499 to $350 so you save nearly $150 off the regular price. A high-end soundbar in this price range, Sonos is always a popular brand for anyone seeking great audio so it's likely this deal won't stick around for long. Let's take a quick look at why it's worth your time and money.

Why you should buy the Sonos Beam
There's a lot to like about the Sonos Beam. Crucially, it promises easy setup while also delivering immersive and room-filling sound. It offers advanced audio processing so you get balanced sound from wall to wall at any volume level. That includes even at low volumes. Switch to the Night Sound mode in the app and you get even better quality with the intensity of loud effects lowered and the quieter sounds enhanced. There's also a Speech Enhancement mode for guaranteeing crystal clear dialogue with Oscar-winning sound engineers having helped fine-tune the soundbar to provide such quality.

Read more
Best Bluetooth speaker deals: Save on Bose, Sonos, JBL, and more
Sonos - Roam

Take your music with you wherever you go by buying a Bluetooth speaker. They come in all shapes and sizes, from budget-friendly options to feature-packed devices. You should always be on the lookout for savings though, and to help you with your search, we've rounded up some of the best Bluetooth speaker deals that you can shop right now, including products from popular brands like Bose, Sonos, and JBL. These discounts won't last forever though, so if you see an offer that matches your needs and fits within your budget, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase right away.
Insignia Rugged Portable Bluetooth Speaker -- $15, was $20

It's extremely easy to use Bluetooth speakers as the technology is found on most modern mobile devices and computers, according to our wireless speaker buying guide, and if you want to enjoy this connectivity for extremely cheap, you can go for the Insignia Rugged Portable Bluetooth Speaker. You can take it anywhere because of its durable and splash-proof design, and it can even function as a speakerphone for hands-free calls if you pair it with a compatible smartphone. The Bluetooth speaker can last up to 6 hours of playback on a single charge.

Read more
Student? This deal gets you Hulu for $2, and it’s well worth it
Hulu app icon on Roku.

If you're a student, you're going to love the deal going on at Hulu right now. Sign up today and you can pay just $2 per month for the service instead of the usual $8 per month. For anyone who loves movies and TV shows, this is a deal not to be missed out on. All you need to do is be enrolled at a U.S. Title IV accredited college or university and be able to pass verification to confirm that. Here's why you'll want to sign up for Hulu.

Why you want to sign up for Hulu
Hulu is one of the most popular streaming services around for good reason. It has a ton of great content. Right now, for instance, it has the latest season of The Kardashians along with Power Book II: Ghost, Succession, and Yellowjackets. For lighter times, there's always Family Guy too. That's a pretty great start, right? It gets better.

Read more