In recent years, cord-cutters have increasingly shifted from Kodi to APKs – Android applications. Think Cinema, Syncler, FilmPlus, and others in that category.
The Fire TV Stick continues to be the preferred device for streaming free movies and TV shows. It’s budget-friendly and easy to unlock, which enables side-loading apps not found in the Amazon App Store.
Android APKs streamlined the setup process. They eliminated the need for an extra step: installing a third-party add-on, as required with Kodi.
However, APKs come with their own set of significant drawbacks, which I’ve outlined below.
- Annoying Ads
- Updates often required
- Subtitles are hit and miss
- Movie/TV Show titles not matching what is played
- APKs are continually shut down for legal reasons
Real-Debrid
A large number of TROYPOINT cord-cutters utilize Real-Debrid. It helps fetch numerous buffer-free links, often in 4K and 1080p quality.
I recently conducted a poll on our Facebook Page. I learned that over 60% of TROYPOINT fans use Real-Debrid alongside both APKs and Kodi. Surprisingly, many respondents were unfamiliar with it.
Personally, I wouldn’t stream movies and TV shows without Real-Debrid. At a mere $4.65/month, the quality of links it provides is exceptional.
Just to be clear, this isn’t an advertisement for Real-Debrid. TROYPOINT doesn’t receive any revenue from promoting this service and never has.
My Past Favorite Streaming Apps
For the last two years, I’ve recommended Cinema HD and Syncler. Paired with Real-Debrid, they’re great for streaming free movies and TV shows.
However, Cinema has encountered numerous issues in recent months. For example, a user might click a link for a movie like Night of the Living Dead (a public domain film), and a completely different movie will play.
Additionally, the ads in Cinema have become excessive. I personally switched to Syncler and have enjoyed it for the past six months.
But some Syncler users express concerns about its complex setup process. Plus, you have to pay for Syncler+ to fully utilize the application.
Two weeks ago, I decided to revisit Kodi. I wanted to compare its performance with the popular APKs.
This decision was motivated by positive feedback from our TROYPOINT Insider members. Many praised the performance of certain Kodi addons when paired with Real-Debrid.
The Perfect Movie & TV Show Streaming Setup
During my testing, I experimented with both Seren and The Crew add-ons, as they seem to be the most popular Kodi add-ons compatible with Real-Debrid.
I was amazed by the sheer number of 4K and 1080p links I could access with these two add-ons.
To further evaluate, I compared the number of links from these Kodi addons with those from Syncler. My focus was on high-quality links, particularly 4K.
Seren consistently delivered the most high-quality links, especially in 4K. As a result, I’ve been using it exclusively for the past two weeks.
One of the advantages of Kodi addons is their automatic updates within the application. I’ve also noticed that subtitles tend to function more reliably.
Seren has a long-standing reputation, and they consistently release updates to enhance the user experience.
My Current Movie & TV Show Streaming Setup
Here’s the setup I’ve implemented on my Firesticks and Android TV Boxes at home.
Legal Disclaimer: It’s important to remember that this technology should only be used to stream free movies & TV shows that fall under Public Domain status or works that are not protected by copyright.
Stream Anonymously
A quick point on this.
I approach these addons and inexpensive paid services with caution. That’s why I always use IPVanish for protection.
By connecting to IPVanish on my Firestick & Android TV Box, I can maintain anonymity while streaming. My identifying IP address won’t be linked to my activity.
How to Setup IPVanish on Firestick & Android TV Box
Kodi
Installing Kodi is a breeze with my free TROYPOINT Rapid App Installer. It takes just two clicks! This application allows for quick installation of the most popular streaming apps and tools – in a matter of minutes.
Alternatively, you can opt for manual installation using the Downloader app.
Seren Add-on
Once Kodi is installed, I proceed with setting up the Seren Add-on. It’s crucial to follow the setup guide meticulously, as it involves configuring a scraper after installing the add-on.
Another excellent Kodi addon that works seamlessly with Real-Debrid is The Crew. And yes, it’s perfectly fine to have both Seren and The Crew installed simultaneously.
How to Setup The Crew Kodi Addon
Real-Debrid Account
I rely on my Real-Debrid account as the source for all my 4K and 1080p links. It’s worth noting that many popular free streaming APKs, including Cinema, Syncler, and FilmPlus, support Real-Debrid. So, even if you decide Kodi isn’t for you, your Real-Debrid account can still be utilized in most popular free streaming apps.
For those interested in using Real-Debrid with Seren, the Seren tutorial mentioned above includes instructions on how to configure it.
Trakt Account
Within the Seren Kodi add-on, I integrate my free Trakt account. This helps me track the TV shows and movies I’ve watched within the add-on. A check-mark appears next to a title once I’ve finished an episode or movie.
Perhaps even more importantly, I can use Trakt across all my streaming devices, ensuring my content remains synced.
Favoriting Shows & Movies
Favoriting TV shows and movies in Seren is easy. I simply long-press the select button on my remote while hovering over a title. This creates a shortcut in the Kodi Favorites section, allowing me to quickly access my preferred content without navigating through the add-on.
Change Default Kodi Skin
The default Estuary skin in Kodi has numerous menu items that I don’t find myself using. I’ve been experimenting with a different skin called Aeon Nox, which offers greater customization. I can remove or add menu items, incorporate movie/TV show art, and more.
A customizable skin like Aeon Nox lets you truly personalize your Kodi experience.
Final Thoughts
While this might seem like a lot to take in, it’s actually quite manageable. The time invested is well worth it. I appreciate being back in the Kodi ecosystem and tailoring it to my preferences using the customizable skin. This level of personalization isn’t typically possible with most APKs.
If you’re a Real-Debrid user, I highly recommend revisiting Kodi and exploring this setup. Should you need assistance, our free TROYPOINT Insider community is readily available to help you out!