IPTV app · Android, Fire OS, Windows & Mac
Kodi for IPTV: the free, do-it-yourself route
Kodi is the free, open-source media centre that many people already run for their local films and music — and it can play live IPTV too, through a built-in add-on called PVR IPTV Simple Client. You feed that add-on your M3U playlist and an XMLTV guide, and Kodi turns into a full live-TV player with an EPG. It runs on Android, Fire OS, Windows and Mac.
The appeal is that it is completely free and hugely flexible. The catch is that it is a general media centre, not a purpose-built IPTV app, so the setup takes a few more steps than a dedicated player like IPTV Smarters.
The verdict: The best free, flexible option if you already use Kodi or don't mind a longer setup. For a plug-and-play IPTV experience, a dedicated player is simpler — but nothing beats Kodi on price and control.
Kodi at a glance.
| Platforms | Android, Android TV, Fire OS, Windows, macOS, Linux |
|---|---|
| Login formats | M3U playlist (via PVR IPTV Simple Client); Xtream URL supported |
| EPG / TV guide | Yes, from an XMLTV source |
| Cost | Free and open-source |
| Best for | Existing Kodi users and tinkerers who want a free, flexible setup |
How IPTV works in Kodi
Kodi doesn't handle live TV on its own — it uses a PVR add-on. The standard one, PVR IPTV Simple Client, ships with Kodi and reads an M3U playlist plus an XMLTV guide URL. Once you enable it and point it at your OTTV details, Kodi's TV section fills with your channels, categories and programme guide, and it behaves like any other live-TV player.
Because Kodi is the same on every platform, once you've done this on one device the steps are identical on the next. If you already run Kodi for media, adding IPTV is just enabling one add-on.
The trade-offs to know
This is the most hands-on setup of any player we cover. You navigate into the add-on's settings, add the M3U URL and the EPG URL by hand, and enable the client — a few more steps than pasting a login into IPTV Smarters. It rewards people who like control and don't mind a menu or two.
Kodi is also not sold with any channels, and you should be wary of third-party 'IPTV' builds or add-ons that claim to provide them. Use the official Kodi app and the built-in Simple Client with your own OTTV subscription.
Setting up Kodi.
- 1
Install the official Kodi
Install Kodi from kodi.tv or the Play Store on Android and Android TV. On a Firestick, sideload it with the Downloader app, following our Firestick setup guide for the sideloading steps. On Windows or Mac, download the desktop build from kodi.tv.
- 2
Enable PVR IPTV Simple Client
Go to Add-ons → My add-ons → PVR clients → PVR IPTV Simple Client, and enable it. This is the add-on that turns your OTTV playlist into live TV.
- 3
Add your OTTV M3U and EPG
Open the add-on's settings. Under 'General', set the M3U play list URL to your OTTV M3U link. Under 'EPG Settings', add your XMLTV/EPG URL so the guide fills in. Save.
- 4
Load the guide and test
Return to the Kodi home screen and open the TV section. Let the channels and guide finish loading, then start a channel to confirm smooth playback.
What it's good at
- Completely free and open-source
- Hugely flexible — live TV alongside your local media
- Same setup across Android, Firestick, Windows and Mac
- Full EPG through the built-in Simple Client
Where it falls short
- Most hands-on setup of any player here
- A general media centre, not a purpose-built IPTV app
- Third-party 'IPTV builds' are best avoided — use the official app
How Kodi connects
- Android phone & tabletAndroid handhelds running the same Play Store IPTV apps, useful as a second screen or for travel.
- Android TV boxNvidia Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, MECOOL and Xiaomi boxes, where TiviMate is the strongest player.
- Amazon Firestick & Fire TVThe most popular IPTV device. IPTV Smarters Pro is sideloaded via the Downloader app.
- Windows PCWindows 10 and 11 desktops running the IPTV Smarters desktop build or VLC.
- Mac (macOS)Intel and Apple Silicon Macs running the IPTV Smarters Mac build, VLC or GSE Smart IPTV.
- NVIDIA Shield TVNVIDIA's high-end Android TV streamer, powerful enough to run TiviMate smoothly on very large playlists.
- Chromecast with Google TVGoogle's affordable Google TV streamer that installs Play Store IPTV players like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters.
- MECOOL Android TV boxBudget Android TV boxes; the Google-certified models run Play Store IPTV apps like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters.
- Formuler IPTV boxPurpose-built IPTV boxes running the MYTVOnline app for portal and Xtream logins, with Android sideloading too.
- BuzzTV set-top boxAndroid IPTV set-top boxes with a programmable remote that run standard players like IPTV Smarters and TiviMate.
- Dreamlink IPTV boxAndroid-based IPTV set-top boxes that run their own player plus sideloaded apps like IPTV Smarters.
- Xiaomi Mi Box & Mi TV StickXiaomi's affordable Android TV streamers with the full Google Play Store, so IPTV players like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters install directly.
- Onn Google TV 4KWalmart's budget Google TV streamer running full Android TV, so Play Store IPTV apps like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters install with no sideloading.
- Amazon Fire TV CubeAmazon's fastest Fire OS streamer with hands-free Alexa and Ethernet; IPTV players sideload through the Downloader app like any other Fire TV device.
Try Kodi with OTTV.
Kodi supplies no channels of its own — you load your own subscription into it. An OTTV free trial gives you an Xtream Codes login and M3U URL to drop straight in, so you can see how Kodi handles the stream before you commit.
Frequently asked.
- How do I watch IPTV on Kodi?
- Use the built-in PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on. Enable it, then add your OTTV M3U playlist URL and your XMLTV/EPG URL in its settings. Kodi's TV section then shows your channels and guide like any live-TV player.
- Is Kodi free for IPTV?
- Yes. Kodi is free and open-source, and the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on is built in. You still need your own OTTV subscription — Kodi supplies no channels itself.
- Kodi or IPTV Smarters?
- IPTV Smarters is the simpler, plug-and-play choice for most people. Kodi is the better pick if you already use it for media or want a free, highly flexible setup and don't mind a longer, more hands-on configuration.
More IPTV apps.
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