Kodi for IPTV, or a dedicated player?

How Kodi does IPTV

• You enable PVR IPTV Simple Client, paste the M3U address and, separately, the XMLTV guide address, then restart Kodi and wait while it loads the channels.
• Xtream Codes logins need a different, third-party add-on, or converting them into an M3U address.
• Films and series from the playlist show up as channels unless you add more add-ons or skins.

What a dedicated player like OndalyTV changes

• Paste an M3U address or type an Xtream Codes login and you are watching: guide, films and series are sorted by themselves.
• Films and series get artwork, seasons and continue watching without extra add-ons.
• Subtitles that sync themselves to the dialogue (Windows app) and skip intro that learns each series from its sound.
• Your own Jellyfin, Emby or Plex server in the same app as your playlist.

When Kodi is the better choice

• If you want everything in one open-source media centre (local files, music, add-ons) and enjoy configuring it.
• If you watch on Linux, macOS, iOS or a Raspberry Pi: OndalyTV runs on Android TV, Android phones and Windows.
• If free and open source matters more to you than convenience.

Moving over takes a few minutes

1. Install OndalyTV: on Android TV or an Android phone, the APK from ondaly.tv; on Windows, the Microsoft Store or ondaly.tv.
2. Add the same playlist: paste the M3U address, or type the Xtream Codes server, username and password your provider gave you.
3. If your provider has a separate guide (XMLTV) address, add it too; with Xtream Codes it usually comes by itself.
4. Try it first with the built-in demo playlist if you want to see the app before touching your own list.

Price

Live TV is free, with no account. Premium unlocks the rest: the yearly plan (7.99 € a year + VAT, first 7 days free) or a lifetime licence (24.99 € once + VAT), on 5 devices with 2 watching at once.