Plus we tell you if it's any good
Media center apps have been all the rage for a while now. The growing number of streaming services renders it all but necessary to get a powerful media center to manage it all.
And while apps like Plex and Kodi have established themselves as leaders in the market, there are many other options with their own advantages. Stremio, for example, is a multi-platform media center app that is quickly gaining popularity, especially for PC users.
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What makes Stremio different from the likes of Kodi? Is it actually worth it? Let’s find out.
Stremio: A Leaner, Meaner Alternative
There is a reason Kodi is the number one choice for a media center application. It has a wealth of features that you would be hard-pressed to find in other apps, making it a great choice for power users.
But not every user needs all those features. Most people just want to stream their favorite shows and movies without any fancy bells and whistles. In these cases, a simpler interface would be a better choice.
Stremio is a media center app that promises exactly that. With a clean and clutter-free interface, it is much easier to navigate. The streamlined design makes the app operate much faster as well, especially on a PC.
Features of Stremio
Stremio stands out from other similar streaming aggregators with a bunch of unique features. Here is a brief overview:
Clean UI
The most obvious advantage of Stremio over other media center applications is its simplified user interface. Shows and movies are easy to find and discover, aggregating content from multiple sources.
Platforms like Netflix and YouTube are integrated by default, allowing users to get started without needing to configure any additional addons. Stremio also offers a vast catalog of popular TV series and movies to browse through, listing sources for any selected content.
Torrent Support
Stremio is one of the rare, few media center apps with support for streaming torrents. Instead of having to download a complete torrent video and them playing it, you can just stream it directly with Stremio.
As you might expect, this opens up a whole new range of video streaming sources, allowing you to access much more multimedia content than is available on the principal streaming platforms alone.
Community Add-ons
Another big strength of Stremio is its customizability. Add-ons – both official and community-made – can be installed to unlock more content sources and get more entertainment.
And as Stremio can work with torrents, many of these third-party add-ons scrape torrent files, allowing you to stream from them too.
Faster Speeds
Media center apps, while convenient, are often a tad slower too. This is especially true for the more feature-rich apps, with the powerful plugins often slowing down the basic functions.
Stremio sets itself apart by keeping things simple and smooth. Its performance is much better than leading apps like Kodi, especially on a PC.
On slower internet connections, one can even pre-load any video, preventing it from buffering while you are watching. This works while Stremio is minimized as well, so you can continue with other activities while your media gets fully loaded.
Calendar Visualization
Another handy feature is the calendar. It keeps track of shows added to your library, displaying the dates on which upcoming episodes are slated to release. You can also choose to be notified when a fresh episode is out, which is always appreciated.
Guide To Using Stremio
Unlike most media center applications, Stremio is rather straightforward to use. You just download the app, create an account, and search for things you want to watch. If you are still having trouble, here is a guide to help you get started.
- First, download Stremio from the official website. We will be demonstrating on a Windows PC, but the app is available on all platforms. Linux, Mac, or even Apple App Store and Google Play Store for iPhone and Android. Even smart TVs are supported, though it may be tricky to install on devices like an Amazon Firestick or Fire TV.
- Run the downloaded setup to install Stremio on your PC.
- Once the installation is complete, you will be presented with options to create a desktop shortcut and associate Stremio with torrent files. It might be a good idea to uncheck the torrent option if you download other types of torrent files yourself.
- When you run Stremio for the first time, you will need to create or log in to an account. This account basically holds your user data, including your personal library and add-ons. You can use the same account to continue where you left off on any device.
- The main screen of Stremio will now open up. This is called the Board, and it displays popular movies and TV shows along with stuff you have been watching recently.
- By default, you may not get many sources for the media you are looking for. To install add-ons, click on the puzzle piece icon on the top right. This brings you to a list of official and community addons sorted by categories. There are addons for movies, series, anime, TV channels – basically anything you want to watch.
And that’s all there is to it. As Stremio aggregates content from all streaming platforms, you can watch your Netflix shows alongside Amazon Prime TV series, apart from free sources like YouTube and third-party torrents.
Keep in mind that Stremio does not verify the integrity of any third-party addon, and you must do your own research before installing any.
Is Stremio Any Good?
There is no dearth of media center apps out there. Whether you want to stream on an Android TV or just catch a few movies on your laptop, you have many options to choose from.
But if you are looking for a no-frills application that can be used without much tinkering, then Stremio is just the app for you. With its intuitive user interface and easy-to-install add-ons, you can start streaming in no time.
The best part is that it also runs faster, loading videos quickly and running them without any buffering. You can even source videos from torrent files, and stream them directly without having to download them.
And as Stremio is available for all platforms ranging from smart TVs to smartphones, there is no reason to miss out on the fun.
