Smart TV software ages worse than the panel it runs on. Two years after purchase, the launcher is slower, streaming apps stop updating, and the manufacturer has moved on to the next model. The cleanest fix is a $50 streaming box (Google TV, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, an old Chromecast) plugged into HDMI, running apps that get real updates. When the box goes bad, you replace the box, not the panel.
This guide covers eight apps that make a streaming box actually replace the smart TV features you were using. All eight run on Android TV, Google TV, or Fire TV OS (which is a fork of Android). We tested on a Chromecast with Google TV 4K, a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and a Nvidia Shield TV Pro.
What to look for in a streaming-box replacement setup
- A launcher you can live with. The stock Google TV launcher pushes rentals; Fire TV pushes Prime. A third-party launcher that respects your app grid changes the whole experience.
- A universal player. One media app that plays everything from your NAS, your local drive, and streaming URLs saves you swapping inputs.
- Live TV integration. If cord-cutting includes an antenna or an IPTV service, look for apps that handle EPG (electronic program guide) properly.
- Voice or remote-friendly UI. TV apps that assume you have a keyboard fail on TV. Prefer apps designed for D-pad navigation.
- Sideload support. Many of the best TV apps live outside the Play Store. Confirm your box allows sideloading APKs or use a companion sideload app.
- Update discipline. Prefer apps that ship monthly builds. Stale TV apps break silently when streaming APIs change.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google TV | Universal remote and content hub | Yes | Free | Bundled on Google TV boxes |
| Kodi | Local media library | Yes | Free (open source) | Community add-ons for everything |
| Jellyfin | Self-hosted alternative to Plex | Yes | Free (open source) | No accounts, no upsell |
| Plex | Self-hosted with polish | Yes | $4.99/mo Plex Pass | Best UI for a home server |
| SmartTube | Ad-free YouTube on TV | Yes | Free (open source) | Sideload only |
| VLC for Android TV | Universal video and audio | Yes | Free (open source) | Plays everything |
| Emby for Android TV | Family-friendly Plex alt | Yes | $4.99/mo Premiere | Better parental controls than Plex |
| Projectivy Launcher | Replacement TV launcher | Yes | Around $4.99 Pro | Removes ads from home screen |
The apps
1. Google TV, best universal content hub
Google TV (the app, not the OS) is a content aggregator that consolidates your streaming subscriptions into one interface. It searches across Netflix, Prime, Disney+, HBO, and dozens more, and it lets you build one continue-watching list across services.
Where it falls short: The home screen pushes rentals and Google’s ad partners. Some streaming apps refuse deep-linking, so you still have to navigate inside their own app to actually play.
Pricing:
- Free.
Platforms: Google TV, Android TV, Chromecast (built-in).
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: The default that is worth keeping, especially if you subscribe to more than two streaming services.
2. Kodi, best local media library
Kodi is the open-source media center app that has been running on TVs since the original Xbox era. It plays anything, indexes local libraries with proper metadata scraping, and its add-on ecosystem covers everything from live sports to weather widgets.
Where it falls short: The default skin (Estuary) is powerful but overwhelming. Add-ons vary wildly in quality. First-run setup takes 30 minutes if you want it looking polished.
Pricing:
- Free, open source (GPL).
Platforms: Android TV, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, Linux, Windows, macOS.
Download: kodi.tv/download or Google Play.
Bottom line: The oldest name in the category and still the deepest. Non-negotiable if you have a local media library.
3. Jellyfin, best free self-hosted media server
Jellyfin is the fork of Emby that stayed open source. Runs your media server on a NAS, PC, or Raspberry Pi, streams to any TV client. No account, no cloud, no monthly fee.
Where it falls short: Live TV integration is basic compared to Plex. Metadata scrapers occasionally need manual correction.
Pricing:
- Free, open source (GPL).
Platforms: Server on Windows / macOS / Linux / Docker; clients on Android TV, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV.
Download: Server: jellyfin.org/downloads. TV client: Google Play.
Bottom line: The pick if you want a Plex-like experience without paying anyone.
4. Plex, best polished self-hosted media server
Plex is the most polished self-hosted media server on the market. The TV client is fast, the metadata is best-in-class, live TV with an HD HomeRun tuner is a first-class feature, and the mobile-to-TV handoff works reliably.
Where it falls short: Plex has been pushing its ad-supported streaming and Plex Discover harder each year. Some features that were once free (mobile sync, dashboards) now require Plex Pass.
Pricing:
- Free base with some features paywalled.
- Plex Pass $4.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $119.99 lifetime.
Platforms: Server on Windows / macOS / Linux / NAS; clients on every TV OS.
Download: Server: plex.tv/media-server-downloads. TV client: Google Play.
Bottom line: The pick if polish beats principles. Lifetime Plex Pass is a good deal if you know you will keep it.
5. SmartTube, best ad-free YouTube on TV
SmartTube is the ad-free YouTube client for Android TV. Open source, sideload only, and updated frequently to keep pace with YouTube API changes. Sponsorblock integration skips ad reads inside videos automatically.
Where it falls short: Sideload only; not on the Play Store. Google could break it any time (it has before; the app team recovers fast).
Pricing:
- Free, open source.
Platforms: Android TV, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield.
Download: SmartTube GitHub releases.
Bottom line: The single biggest quality-of-life app on this list for TV viewers who watch YouTube.
6. VLC for Android TV, best universal player
VLC for Android TV is the TV build of the everything-plays media player. Streams from network shares (SMB, FTP, WebDAV, NFS), plays anything the codec list supports, and does not phone home.
Where it falls short: No metadata scraping or library management, just a file browser. Not a Plex replacement, a supplement.
Pricing:
- Free, open source (GPL/LGPL).
Platforms: Android TV, Fire TV, plus every OS you can name.
Download: Google Play or videolan.org.
Bottom line: Install this as insurance. When Kodi or Plex chokes on a codec, VLC plays it.
7. Emby for Android TV, best family-friendly self-hosted server
Emby is Plex’s older sibling that went closed-source (and spawned the Jellyfin fork as a result). It still has the best parental controls of any home media server: age-based ratings, per-user libraries, hard-cutoff bedtime timers.
Where it falls short: Premium features (mobile sync, cinema mode, cloud sync) are paywalled behind Emby Premiere. Development is slower than Plex or Jellyfin.
Pricing:
- Free with core features.
- Premiere $4.99 per month, $54 per year, or $119 lifetime.
Platforms: Server on Windows / macOS / Linux / NAS; TV client on Android TV, Fire TV.
Download: Server: emby.media/download. TV client: Google Play.
Bottom line: The pick for households with kids where parental controls matter.
8. Projectivy Launcher, best replacement TV launcher
Projectivy Launcher replaces the ad-heavy default TV launcher with a customizable grid. Rows show apps, favorite channels, live TV, custom shortcuts. No sponsored rows, no rental promos.
Where it falls short: Not on the Play Store for all regions; sideload may be required on some devices. Pro features are behind a one-time unlock.
Pricing:
- Free with core features.
- Pro unlock around $4.99 one-time.
Platforms: Android TV, Google TV, Fire TV.
Download: Google Play or Aptoide TV.
Bottom line: The change that makes the biggest daily difference. Set it as your default launcher and never see a rental promo again.
How to pick the right one
- If you subscribe to more than two streaming services: Google TV as the hub.
- If your home network has a media library: Plex for polish, Jellyfin for free, Emby for parental controls. Pick one, not all three.
- If you watch YouTube on the TV: SmartTube, no other option comes close.
- If you deal with weird files (obscure codecs, old rips): VLC.
- If the default launcher’s ads bother you: Projectivy Launcher as the default.
- Kodi is the everything-app; if you want add-on flexibility over polish, start there.
- Stay on your TV’s built-in software only if you have not hit the two-year rot yet.
FAQ
Which streaming box lasts the longest?
Nvidia Shield TV Pro has the longest track record, with active updates for eight-plus years. Google TV with Chromecast and Fire TV Sticks are cheaper but tend to slow down after two to three years.
Can I use these apps on my smart TV without a streaming box?
Some of them, if your TV runs Google TV or Fire TV OS. Manufacturer-locked TV OSes (Samsung Tizen, LG WebOS) run their own app catalog and cannot install Android APKs.
Is Kodi legal?
Kodi itself is legal open-source software. Some third-party add-ons stream copyrighted content and are not legal. Use Kodi with legitimate add-ons (Plex integration, HD HomeRun, official streaming apps).
What is the best free alternative to Plex?
Jellyfin. Full stop. Same server model, open source, no paid tier, and the Android TV client is very close to feature parity with Plex’s TV app.
Do I need a NAS to run Jellyfin or Plex?
No. Both run on any PC, laptop, Raspberry Pi 5, or NAS. A NAS is convenient because it runs 24/7 quietly and has proper disk redundancy.
Can I sideload apps on a Google TV box?
Yes. Enable Developer Options, allow installs from unknown sources for a file manager like FX File Explorer, then transfer APKs via network share or use a sideload launcher app.
