I have been using Kodi since 2019, having recently given the platform a new lease of life with my Fire TV Stick. It has been my go-to digital media center for several reasons, including its flexibility, customization options, open-source functionality, and a thriving community of developers creating new add-ons. However, while Kodi ticked most boxes, as a frequent traveller, I wanted the ability to access my media library remotely. It was time to give Plex a try.
I was initially skeptical about Plex, as it seemed too polished to be taken seriously. I also had concerns about its limitations compared to Kodi, but soon after setting it up, all these doubts were put to rest. As it turned out, Plex far exceeded Kodi in usability, stability, and even offered some features I didn’t realize I was missing.
Plex offers a superior setup and user experience
Easy installation and an intuitive interface make all the difference
Even for experienced Kodi users, setting it up can be a frustrating process. Getting it to properly scrape metadata for listings, organize my libraries, and troubleshoot when something goes wrong can be time-consuming, especially if you want everything to look just right. With Plex, setup took less than 30 minutes and was headache-free and intuitive. Using an old MacBook Pro as my server, I simply pointed Plex to my media folders, and it automatically organized everything with attractive artwork, full descriptions, and detailed information.
A few minutes later, I had Plex installed on my Fire TV Stick, phone, and iPad, and the interface synced seamlessly across all three devices. There was no need to worry about tweaking settings or poorly scraped data. It also looked great right off the bat, although customization options are limited compared to Kodi, which offers numerous aesthetic skins.
Streaming and remote access are the real game-changers
Access your media library anywhere, on any device
Kodi works just fine as long as you are on the same local network, but setting it up to work remotely is such a pain that I found it frankly wasn’t worth the effort. With Plex, remote streaming isn’t just built in by default; it is one of its prominent features. I can now access my full media library, whether I’m in the next room or 1,000 miles away, as long as my server is up and running.
Plex also offers impressive transcoding that adjusts the video quality depending on my device and network speed. Where Kodi could choke when playing larger files, Plex automatically converts these for smaller devices and slower connections with no tweaking necessary. I can also share my library with friends and family who live on the other side of the world, without having to play with settings or download third-party plugins.
There’s so much more on offer than just the basics
One of the biggest surprises upon installing Plex was the extra features it offers, beyond local file playback. If you have a tuner, you can access live over-the-air TV; however, if, like me, you rely solely on streaming, there is a sizable curated library of free ad-supported content to enjoy. Premium users can integrate Tidal and Spotify for music streaming, although this seems superfluous to me, as all my devices already support them.
One attribute that proved particularly helpful was Plex’s Discover feature. Do you ever find yourself switching between streaming platforms in search of a particular movie or show title? With Discover, I can search across all my platforms, including HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and more, directly from within Plex. It’s still early days for me, but this Plex feature has become my new universal search bar.
Die-hard Kodi fans will no doubt argue that all of the above features are available with the proper add-ons, but in the age of streaming, where most entertainment is available at the touch of a button, this is simply not enough. Plex’s features are available right out of the box, and I don’t have to scour the internet for solutions, having faced yet another issue while tinkering. As a bonus, as Plex rapidly evolves, it benefits from official support and regular updates, ensuring everything remains current and secure.
Plex is the evolutionary leap that Kodi never made
I have spent a considerable amount of time optimizing Kodi to create my perfect personalized media hub, and for the most part, I have been happy with it. It appealed to my DIY nature, and I am a firm believer in the open-source ethos. However, there are times when you just want something to work, and work well. This out-of-the-box functionality and ease of use are a big part of what makes Plex so appealing, but these are not what place it streets ahead of the competition.
Plex’s slick user interface, bonus features, and, essentially, its remote streaming functionality are what make Plex so much more than a Kodi alternative. For anyone serious about managing their own media library, I would recommend the Plex route. My only regret is not making the switch sooner.
