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Software · head to head

Showtime vs Kodi

S

Showtime

Software

Signature entertainment and sports

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kodi logo

Kodi

Software

The ultimate entertainment center

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Kodi has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Showtime showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile); Kodi licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition
  • They diverge on capability: Showtime covers Streaming, Kodi covers Media playback.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Showtime and Kodi actually diverge.

Attributes where Showtime and Kodi differ
AttributeShowtimeKodi
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tvWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv
Founded19832003

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Showtime

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Sports
  • Live events
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Only in Kodi

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

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-tv support

What people use each for

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

Showtime

  • Premium streamingnot Kodi
  • Sports watchingnot Kodi

Kodi

  • Media centernot Showtime
  • Home entertainmentnot Showtime

Where each one falls short

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

Showtime

  • Showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current subscription period rather than immediately, with continued access through the paid period, per the App Store listing

Kodi

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Showtime

$10.99/month
  • Showtime Standalone$10.99/month
    • Original content
    • Ad-free

Kodi

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Showtime if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want original series.
Showtime review

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

Questions people ask

Is Showtime or Kodi better?
Neither clearly leads. Showtime starts at $10.99/month and Kodi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Showtime or Kodi?
Kodi has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Showtime and Free for Kodi.
Does Showtime or Kodi run on more platforms?
Showtime runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv. Kodi runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv.
Can I use Kodi for free?
Yes. Kodi has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Showtime starts at $10.99/month.
What is Showtime best used for?
Showtime is most often used for premium streaming, sports watching. Of those, premium streaming and sports watching are not what Kodi is typically brought in for.
What can Showtime do that Kodi cannot?
Showtime covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Sports. Kodi covers Media playback, Library management, Add-ons, Customization. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Smart-tv support.
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