A basic monitor with a Fire TV Stick, an Onn 4K box, or a Chromecast with Google TV plugged into the HDMI port can outperform a mid-range smart TV. The picture stays neutral instead of running through a vendor’s “vivid” preset, the OS stops nagging you about content the manufacturer wants to push, and you pick the apps that fit your watching habit. The catch is that most TV-mode apps assume you already know which ones do not waste your time.
We tested six apps that do the heavy lifting on a monitor-plus-stick setup. The list mixes streaming aggregators, media servers, free linear TV, and universal players. Every pick below works on Android, Android TV, Fire OS, and the Chromecast with Google TV interface.
What to look for in a TV-mode app
Before you install anything:
- Does the app have a TV-native layout? Mobile-only apps look wrong at three metres and ten foot UI matters.
- Does it support a remote, not just touch? Most streaming sticks come with a directional pad.
- Does it cache enough offline to survive a flaky connection?
- Does it accept add-ons or external sources, or is it locked to its own catalogue?
- Is the subtitle pipeline reliable? SRT, embedded, and forced subtitles should all work.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Paid tier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stremio | Streaming aggregator | Android, Android TV, web, desktop | Yes | Optional Premium | Open source core |
| Plex | Personal media server | Android, Android TV, iOS, web | Yes | Plex Pass | Proprietary |
| Jellyfin | Self-hosted media server | Android, Android TV, iOS, web | Yes | None | Open source |
| VLC | Universal video and audio | Android, Android TV, iOS, desktop | Yes | None | Open source |
| Kodi | Customisable media center | Android, Android TV, Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | None | Open source |
| Pluto TV | Free linear TV | Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Roku | Yes | None | Ad-supported |
The apps
1. Stremio — Best streaming aggregator
Stremio brings every supported catalogue into one library view: subscriptions to YouTube channels, podcasts, and on-demand sources sit next to add-ons for OpenSubtitles, Letterboxd watchlists, and Trakt sync. The Android TV build navigates entirely with a remote, the watch progress syncs across devices, and the Discover view surfaces top-rated titles each week.
Where it falls short: the official catalogue is intentionally light; you bring your own add-ons to expand sources. Live TV requires a paid add-on or a tuner.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, every add-on, no ads
- Paid: optional Premium subscription for higher-bandwidth servers and caching
Platforms: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Windows, macOS, Linux, web
Bottom line: the first install for any monitor-based setup that needs everything in one library.
2. Plex — Best for personal media libraries
Plex turns a NAS or always-on PC into a media server that streams to anything. The Android TV client reads the server’s catalogue, scans metadata, and applies cover art automatically. Plex’s free linear TV channels appear next to your library, and the watch-together feature works across devices on the same account.
Where it falls short: the company keeps shifting personal media features behind Plex Pass. The recent push toward sharing controls and rentals divides long-term users.
Pricing:
- Free: streaming personal libraries and ad-supported on-demand
- Paid: Plex Pass subscription (monthly, annual, or lifetime) for advanced features
Platforms: Android, Android TV, iOS, web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Bottom line: the right pick if you already have a server full of media or if you do not mind a Plex Pass.
3. Jellyfin — Best self-hosted media server
Jellyfin is the open-source server many former Plex users moved to after the policy changes. Setup is a one-time chore on a NAS or Raspberry Pi; the Android TV client then plays your library with no account beyond the local one you create. There are no servers to phone home to, no subscription, and no required cloud relay.
Where it falls short: initial server setup is more work than Plex. Remote streaming over the internet needs a reverse proxy or Tailscale; you do not get a turnkey relay.
Pricing:
- Free: every client, every feature, no ads
Platforms: Android, Android TV, iOS, web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker
Bottom line: the right pick if you want a server you own end to end.
4. VLC — Best universal player
VLC plays nearly any video or audio file you throw at it. The Android TV build added a leanback layout that handles a remote without the touch quirks the mobile app sometimes shows. Network shares, local files, and live streams (HLS, RTSP, DLNA) all open from the same browser, and subtitle handling stays best-in-class.
Where it falls short: the library view feels dated next to Plex or Jellyfin. There is no metadata scraping and no watch history sync.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, every codec, no ads
Platforms: Android, Android TV, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS
Bottom line: the fallback that opens whatever Plex and Jellyfin refuse.
5. Kodi — Best customisable media center
Kodi is the Swiss Army knife of TV-mode apps. The default skin handles local libraries, IPTV add-ons, network shares, and even retro game launchers. The repository system lets you bring in third-party content sources, custom artwork providers, and skin overhauls. Power users build entire home theatres around it.
Where it falls short: the menus are deeper than newcomers expect, and certain third-party add-ons drift into legally grey territory. Stick to first-party repos.
Pricing:
- Free: every feature, every add-on, no ads
Platforms: Android, Android TV, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi
Bottom line: the right pick if you want to build the experience yourself.
6. Pluto TV — Best free linear TV
Pluto TV is ad-supported live TV in the same shape Spectrum or cable used to be. Hundreds of channels run on a schedule with classic sitcoms, movies, news, and live sport mixed in. The Android TV layout includes a channel guide, and the on-demand library covers entire show runs.
Where it falls short: ads run on every channel, often loud and repetitive. The catalogue rotates without notice, so a show available last week may not be there today.
Pricing:
- Free: every channel, every show, ad-supported
Platforms: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Roku, iOS, Apple TV, web
Bottom line: the easiest free-channel pick to drop on a guest monitor.
How to pick the right one
Install Stremio if you want one library that aggregates everything. It is the most flexible app on this list and a sensible default for a new TV-mode setup.
Install Plex if you already pay for it or you want the most polished personal-library experience. Install Jellyfin if you object to Plex’s recent direction or you would rather host everything locally with no external relay.
Install VLC as a complement to whatever else you choose; it will play files the others refuse. Install Kodi only if you intend to customise; the default skin is fine but the real value comes from add-ons. Install Pluto TV if you want zero-effort free linear TV for guests or background watching.
A practical stack on a monitor with a Fire TV Stick or Onn 4K: Stremio plus Jellyfin plus VLC plus Pluto TV. That covers libraries, personal media, fallback playback, and free channels.
FAQ
Do I need a smart TV to use these apps?
No, that is the point. Any monitor with an HDMI port plus a Fire TV Stick, Chromecast with Google TV, or Onn 4K Pro will run every app on this list.
Which app works best with a remote?
Stremio, Jellyfin, Plex, Kodi, and Pluto TV all have ten-foot layouts designed for a remote. VLC works fine with a remote on Android TV builds; on plain Android, expect more swiping.
Can I record live TV with any of these apps?
Plex supports DVR with a paired tuner under a Plex Pass subscription. Kodi supports DVR through PVR backends like TVHeadend. Pluto TV does not record.
Are these apps free to install on a Fire TV Stick?
Most are on the Amazon Appstore. Jellyfin and Kodi sideload via APK if they are not listed in your region; Aptoide TV also distributes them.
What is the cheapest hardware to run these?
A second-hand Fire TV Stick 4K Max or a new Onn 4K Pro from Walmart runs every app on this list comfortably. Both are inexpensive and accept a wireless controller for the Kodi gaming use case.
