Softwr

Entertainment · head to head

Kodi vs Tiled

Kodi logo

Kodi

Entertainment

The ultimate entertainment center

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tiled logo

Tiled

Game Development

Flexible level editor for 2D games

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; Tiled no official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • They diverge on capability: Kodi covers Media playback, Tiled covers Tile layers.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kodi and Tiled actually diverge.

Attributes where Kodi and Tiled differ
AttributeKodiTiled
Pricing modelfreeopen-source
PlatformsWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tvWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryEntertainmentGame Development
Founded20032008

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

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 Tiled

  • Tile layers
  • Object layers
  • Terrain tool
  • Auto-mapping
  • Wang tiles
  • Custom properties
  • Scripting (JavaScript)
  • Multiple export formats

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

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

Kodi

  • Media centernot Tiled
  • Home entertainmentnot Tiled

Tiled

  • Tile-based maps for RPGs, platformers, and Breakout-style gamesnot Kodi
  • Orthogonal, isometric, and hexagonal map layoutsnot Kodi
  • Object layers (rectangles, ellipses, polygons, points) for collision boxes, spawn points, and triggersnot Kodi
  • Large 'infinite' maps and multi-map world projectsnot Kodi
  • Export to game engines via built-in/scripted exporters using the open TMX formatnot 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

Tiled

  • No official iOS or Android builds; desktop-only distribution
  • No official browser-based version of the editor itself, despite exporting to many engine formats
  • Building from source requires a Qt 6.2+ / C++ / Qbs toolchain
  • Multi-license codebase (GPL 2.0 application plus Apache 2.0 and BSD components), so redistributors must track which license applies per file

Pricing, plan by plan

Kodi

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

Tiled

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Free and open source level editor
    • GNU license free software
    • Download from itch.io or GitHub

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 Tiled if

  • You need tile layers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want object layers.
Tiled review

Questions people ask

Is Kodi or Tiled better?
Neither clearly leads. Kodi starts at Free and Tiled at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kodi or Tiled?
Kodi starts at Free and Tiled at Free.
Does Kodi or Tiled run on more platforms?
Kodi runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv. Tiled runs on Windows, macOS, 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 Tiled is typically brought in for.
What can Kodi do that Tiled cannot?
Kodi covers Media playback, Library management, Add-ons, Customization. Tiled covers Tile layers, Object layers, Terrain tool, Auto-mapping. Both handle Windows support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Tiled: How much does Tiled cost?

Tiled is completely free. It is a free and open source level editor licensed under GNU free software principles.

Source
Tiled: Where can I download Tiled?

Tiled can be downloaded at no cost from itch.io or from the project's GitHub repository. There is no cost barrier to downloading, installing, or using Tiled.

Source
Tiled: How is Tiled funded?

Tiled is funded through sponsorships from over 200 sponsors who donate approximately 3,600 USD per month. This currently funds the lead developer for 2 days per week of work.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Kodi

More on Tiled

Keep looking

Other head to heads