Best Kodi Alternative for iPhone in 2025: Top Apps Reviewed
Looking for the best Kodi alternative for iPhone? Discover top-rated apps like Kodi for iOS with great features, easy setup, and Apple TV compatibility.

Looking for a Kodi alternative for iPhone in 2025? You're not alone. While Kodi is a powerful media center, it isn’t natively available on the App Store. That’s why many iOS users are turning to other apps that offer similar or even better streaming experiences.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the best apps like Kodi for iPhone, their features, real-world performance, and how they stack up. We’ll also explore compatibility with Apple TV, tips for choosing the right app, and answer common user questions.
Let’s dive into the best alternatives to Kodi that you can use right now on your iPhone.
Why You Need a Kodi Alternative for iPhone
Kodi is open-source and flexible, but it isn’t available through the App Store due to Apple’s restrictions. Installing it requires complex workarounds like jailbreaking or sideloading, which aren’t ideal for most users.
That’s where apps like Kodi for iPhone come in. These apps:
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Are available directly on the App Store
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Don’t require jailbreaking
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Offer streaming, media organization, and playback
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Often support Apple TV and other Apple devices
Top 7 Kodi Alternatives for iPhone
Here are the top-rated Kodi alternatives that work seamlessly with iPhones and Apple TV in 2025.
1. Plex
Best for: All-in-one media management
Features:
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Organizes and streams your own media
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Remote access and streaming
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Free and premium plans
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Works with Apple TV
Why It’s Great: Plex turns your iPhone into a powerful media server. It offers a smooth interface and wide compatibility with devices, including smart TVs.
2. Infuse
Best for: Beautiful UI and native iOS integration
Features:
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Plays most video formats without conversion
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iCloud sync, Trakt integration
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Optimized for iPhone and Apple TV
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No ads, even in the free version
Why It’s Great: Infuse is a premium media player built for Apple devices. It offers excellent playback quality and supports subtitles and streaming from cloud services.
3. VLC for Mobile
Best for: Simple, reliable playback
Features:
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Supports almost all file formats
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No ads, completely free
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Local network streaming
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Built-in subtitle support
Why It’s Great: VLC is open-source and known for reliability. It's a great option if you want a clean, no-frills video player without paying a dime.
4. Emby
Best for: Advanced media server features
Features:
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Personal media server setup
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Parental controls
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Multi-device sync
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Apple TV and Chromecast support
Why It’s Great: Emby gives you Kodi-like customization, combined with cloud sync and real-time transcoding. It’s ideal for families or users with large libraries.
5. Stremio
Best for: Add-on based streaming like Kodi
Features:
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Add-ons for various content sources
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Cross-platform sync
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Easy to use UI
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Calendar-based organization
Why It’s Great: Stremio is closest in spirit to Kodi. It offers community add-ons for streaming movies, TV shows, and more. It also supports Apple devices.
6. PlayerXtreme
Best for: Business and personal use
Features:
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File sharing via FTP, SMB, and UPnP
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HD streaming support
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Password protection
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Supports various codecs
Why It’s Great: PlayerXtreme is popular in both personal and corporate use cases due to its robust features and professional interface.
7. nPlayer Lite
Best for: Streaming from remote servers
Features:
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Supports network protocols (FTP, SMB, WebDAV, etc.)
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Dolby sound
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Background playback
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Adjustable subtitles
Why It’s Great: nPlayer Lite supports many remote file sources and advanced controls. It’s ideal if you want to stream media over your home or office network.
Feature Comparison Table
App | Media Server | Streaming | Apple TV Support | Subtitles | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free/Paid |
Infuse | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free/Paid |
VLC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
Emby | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free/Paid |
Stremio | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
PlayerXtreme | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free/Paid |
nPlayer Lite | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
Real-Life Use Cases
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Family Sharing: Plex and Emby let you set up profiles for kids and adults with parental controls.
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Students: VLC and Infuse are great for offline learning videos and subtitles.
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Remote Work: PlayerXtreme and nPlayer help access business presentations and documents securely.
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Cord Cutters: Stremio offers access to free streaming content through add-ons.
Benefits of Using a Kodi Alternative on iPhone
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No Jailbreaking Required: All apps are App Store-approved
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High Compatibility: Works with iOS and Apple TV
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Easy Setup: No complex configurations needed
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Secure Streaming: All apps comply with Apple’s security standards
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Offline Support: Download and watch later with many apps
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install Kodi on iPhone without jailbreaking?
Not easily. Kodi isn’t available on the App Store, so alternatives like Plex or Infuse are better choices unless you're tech-savvy.
Is Infuse better than Kodi?
For iPhone users, Infuse offers better iOS integration and a modern interface. Kodi has more add-ons but is harder to install.
Which Kodi alternative supports Apple TV?
Apps like Infuse, Plex, VLC, Emby, and Stremio support Apple TV natively and stream content smoothly.
What’s the best free Kodi alternative?
VLC and Stremio are completely free and offer excellent playback and streaming support without hidden fees.
Are these apps legal?
Yes, all apps listed are legal and available via the Apple App Store. Just ensure the content you stream is also legal.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
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Easy to use
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No need to jailbreak
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Excellent media organization
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Cloud and local streaming options
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Apple ecosystem integration
Cons:
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Some apps require paid features
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Add-ons may be limited vs Kodi
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Setup varies slightly by app
Conclusion: The Best Kodi Alternative for iPhone
If you're searching for a Kodi alternative for iPhone, options like Plex, Infuse, VLC, and Stremio offer powerful features without the need for complicated installation. They’re easy to use, integrate well with iOS and Apple TV, and give you full control over your media.
Whether you're looking for a cloud-based media hub or a simple video player, these apps like Kodi for iPhone deliver excellent performance in 2025. Choose one that suits your needs and start enjoying smooth, flexible, and secure media streaming on your iPhone.
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