Kodi

Multimedia/Entertainment center, formerly known as XBMC. Runs on Android, BSD, Linux, macOS, iOS and Windows.

GitHub stars
21,315
License
GPL-2.0
Latest release
22.0rc1-Piers
27 September 2026
Last commit
13 October 2026
Runs on
C++, Debian packages

Commits per month, last 12 months

3,998 commits

Replaces

Paid products Kodi can stand in for.

How to self-host Kodi

Kodi runs on C++ and Debian packages. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

  1. Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
  2. Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
  3. Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
  4. Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Questions

Is Kodi free?

Yes. Kodi is open source under the GPL-2.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.

Can I self-host Kodi?

Yes. Kodi runs on C++ and Debian packages. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

What does Kodi replace?

People use Kodi instead of Emby, Netflix or Plex.

Is Kodi still maintained?

The last change to Kodi's code was on 13 October 2026, with 3998 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

Media Streaming - Multimedia Streaming

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.