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Entertainment · head to head

Kodi vs mpv

Kodi logo

Kodi

Entertainment

The ultimate entertainment center

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
mpv logo

mpv

Entertainment

Free open source command line video player with no graphical interface, built for scripting and precision

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kodi licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition; mpv there is no graphical interface at all by default, so a typical non-technical user will find it unusable without significant setup.
  • They diverge on capability: Kodi covers Media playback, mpv covers Command line control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kodi and mpv actually diverge.

Attributes where Kodi and mpv differ
AttributeKodimpv
Pricing modelfreeOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tvMac, Windows, Linux
Founded2003Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Kodi

  • Media playback
  • Library management
  • Add-ons
  • Customization
  • Remote control
  • Smart home
  • Streaming services
  • Add-ons

Only in mpv

  • Command line control
  • Lua and JavaScript scripting
  • Plain text configuration
  • Cross-platform
  • Minimal on-screen overlay
  • Embeddable engine

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Kodi

  • Media centernot mpv
  • Home entertainmentnot mpv

mpv

  • A developer who wants to script or automate media playback rather than click through a graphical appnot Kodi
  • A Linux user who wants a lightweight player without the overhead of a full desktop application shellnot Kodi
  • Someone embedding video playback into another tool or workflow rather than using it as a standalone appnot Kodi
  • A power user who prefers editing a text config file over navigating a settings panelnot Kodi

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Kodi

  • Licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition

mpv

  • There is no graphical interface at all by default, so a typical non-technical user will find it unusable without significant setup.
  • It has no library browser, artwork fetching or organised media collection view, unlike IINA or Infuse.
  • There is no Apple TV, iOS or Android version, so it cannot be used for a living room or mobile streaming setup.
  • Configuration is entirely file and flag based, so getting a specific behaviour set up correctly has a real learning curve compared with a settings panel.
  • Because it is a general-purpose engine rather than a consumer product, there is no dedicated support channel beyond community forums and documentation.

Pricing, plan by plan

Kodi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Open source
    • All features
    • Add-ons

mpv

Free
  • mpvFree
    • Free and open source under GPL or LGPL depending on build
    • No account, subscription or paid tier
    • Cross-platform, same engine on every OS

Which should you pick?

Choose Kodi if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv.
  • You also want library management.
Kodi review

Choose mpv if

  • You need command line control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want lua and javascript scripting.
mpv review

Questions people ask

Is Kodi or mpv better?
Neither clearly leads. Kodi starts at Free and mpv at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kodi or mpv?
Kodi starts at Free and mpv at Free.
Does Kodi or mpv run on more platforms?
Kodi runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv. mpv runs on Mac, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Kodi for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kodi best used for?
Kodi is most often used for media center, home entertainment. Of those, media center and home entertainment are not what mpv is typically brought in for.
What can Kodi do that mpv cannot?
Kodi covers Media playback, Library management, Add-ons, Customization. mpv covers Command line control, Lua and JavaScript scripting, Plain text configuration, Cross-platform.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

mpv: Is mpv free?

Yes, entirely, and it is open source with no paid tier of any kind.

mpv: Does mpv have a GUI?

Not by default. It shows the video and a minimal overlay, but there are no menus, library or settings panel; IINA is the graphical Mac interface built on the same engine.

mpv: Can mpv play from network shares or cloud storage?

It can play many stream types via command line arguments, but it has no built in browsable network or cloud library the way Infuse does.

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