Are you ready to cut the cord and embrace the world of streaming? It's time to explore the essential TV apps that will revolutionize your viewing experience!
The Cable-Cutting Revolution: Unlocking the Power of Smart TVs
In a world where TV prices have reached new lows, smart TVs and their apps have become the gateway to cord-cutting freedom. With brands like Hisense and TCL offering stunning displays, it's easier than ever to embrace a smart TV running Android, Roku OS, or webOS. But here's where it gets controversial: do you need to invest in a streaming device like Apple TV or Shield TV? Not necessarily! The rise of smart TVs means a vast array of apps are at your fingertips, making cable a thing of the past.
Our expert team has carefully curated a list of must-have TV apps, drawing on years of experience covering smart TVs and considering user and expert reviews. We've also factored in install counts to bring you the ultimate roundup of apps that will make escaping cable a breeze.
Kodi: The Media Center King
If you're a fan of maintaining your own local media library on hard drives, Kodi is your go-to app. With 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store, it's a popular choice for cable cutters. Born from XBMC, originally developed for Xbox, Kodi has evolved into a community-built, open-source media center available on Android and iOS (with a jailbreak).
Kodi's benefits are numerous: a wide selection of plugins to organize your content, a straightforward interface, and the ability to stream your media over your local network. But that's not all - Kodi is a one-stop shop for all your media needs. Add games, emulators, and even streaming services like YouTube, making it an essential app for cord cutters.
Plex: Your Personal Netflix
Plex combines local media storage with a server, allowing you to stream your content anywhere with Plex access. It's like having your own Netflix, but with complete control over the content. Plex's media server capabilities ensure smooth streaming, even for high-bitrate media, by converting files as needed. With 50 million downloads, it's a popular choice, especially for those cutting the cord.
Plex also functions as a media center, allowing you to build a local library and stream it across your network. However, there's a catch - Plex offers a paid subscription for on-the-go streaming, starting at $1.99/month. If you plan to watch your content away from home, Plex elevates your cable-cutting experience, but at a cost.
Jellyfin: The Perfect In-Between
If neither Plex nor Kodi suits your needs, Jellyfin is the ideal choice. It works similarly to Plex, allowing you to create a media server accessible outside your home, but it's open-source and free, with no subscription fees. Jellyfin offers deeper tuning and finer control over features like subtitles, making it perfect for tech-savvy users who demand full control over their media.
Jellyfin is also a great option for privacy-conscious individuals, as it keeps data local, unlike Plex, which records user analytics. Launched in 2018, Jellyfin has quickly gained a healthy user base, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store. It's an excellent alternative to Plex, especially for those seeking a free media server.
VLC: Keep It Simple
For those who prefer a minimal approach, VLC is the perfect choice. If you don't need a full media center interface like Kodi, Plex, or Jellyfin, VLC is a top pick for playing media without fuss. Simply connect a drive, open a file explorer, click on your media, and enjoy it within VLC. It's a lean and efficient media player.
VLC is battle-tested, launched in 2001, and available on various platforms, including Android, with over 100 million downloads. It's a reliable media player with built-in codecs, ensuring it works with almost any media file. VLC is a great backup option for when your media center app can't play a file.
YouTube TV: Live Streaming Made Easy
Now that you have media apps for locally stored files, how do you watch live news and sports without cable? YouTube TV is the answer (along with similar services like Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo). YouTube TV delivers your local stations for easy streaming, and you can even record them with a DVR-like feature.
With 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store, YouTube TV is a convenient way to access local news and sports. However, there's a price to pay - $82.99/month. While it's competitive with similar services, it may be too close to regular cable costs for some. But with new themed plans arriving this year, it could become more affordable to subscribe to specific sports or genres.
Our Expertise, Your Cord-Cutting Success
BGR has over a decade of experience covering smart TVs, their operating systems, and apps. By combining our expertise with user and expert reviews, we've created a list of the best TV apps for cutting the cord. Whether you need a full media center or a simple media player, these apps will help you build your ideal cord-cutting setup. So, are you ready to embrace the world of streaming? These essential TV apps will ensure your smart TV shines!
