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The best apps for an Android TV or Google TV depend on what you watch and whether you want to stream, play your own files, watch free channels, or send games from a PC. This refreshed shortlist focuses on apps with distinct uses—not ten interchangeable streaming services. App availability, catalogs, and prices vary by country and device, so check the official Google Play listing on your TV before installing.
Android TV is the platform; Google TV is a newer viewing experience built on Android TV OS. A phone app is not automatically made for a television, and an app available on one TV may not appear on another. Google says availability can depend on the device, country, language, and developer. Google’s app and content availability guidance explains these variations.
Best Android TV apps at a glance
| App | Best for | Cost model | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Free video, creators, and music | Free with ads; paid options may be available | Account use can personalize recommendations; content and features vary by region. |
| Netflix | Mainstream movies and series | Subscription required | Catalog and plans vary by country. |
| Prime Video | Amazon video, rentals, and purchases | Subscription and/or paid content | Not everything shown in the app is included with a subscription. |
| Disney+ | Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and family viewing | Subscription required | Catalog, tiers, and bundles vary by country. |
| Tubi or Pluto TV | Free ad-supported viewing | Free with ads | Availability and channel or on-demand selection vary by region. |
| Plex | Personal media library and, where available, free streaming | Free app; some features may require payment | Personal-library streaming generally needs a computer, NAS, or other server. |
| Kodi | Organizing and playing lawful local media | Free | Third-party add-ons are separate; their quality and legality vary. |
| VLC | Straightforward local media playback | Free | Availability depends on the device’s TV Play Store listing; hardware can limit formats. |
| Steam Link | Streaming PC games to a TV | Free app; requires games and a host PC | Needs a suitable network and usually a controller. |
| Send Files to TV | Moving files to or from a television | Check the current listing for ads or paid options | Devices generally need to be on the same local network. |
“Free” here describes the app or viewing model, not necessarily every title or feature. Some apps offer paid upgrades, rentals, subscriptions, or purchases.
The 10 best apps, by use
1. YouTube: best for everyday free video
YouTube is a practical first install for creator videos, music, clips, and other free viewing. It is widely familiar and designed for television browsing, though the amount of advertising and the recommendations you see may depend on your account and settings. YouTube Premium and other paid offerings, where available, are optional rather than a requirement to install the app.
#1 Best Overall
- No More App-Switching. Forget learning to navigate a new screen with every app. TiVo Stream 4K enables one centralized place for searching, browsing, and creating watch lists across all your apps..DC Input Range 5V/1.0A. Power Consumption : Maximum 5 W
- Recommendations Across All of Your Apps: Get rid of the walls between what you watch. TiVo recommends your next favorite shows and movies based on what you love, not where they live.
- Say it and watch it. The power of voice control makes it easy to find shows. Integrated Google Assistant allows you to launch apps, dim the lights and more.
- One place for all your favorite streaming apps. TiVo Stream 4K includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock plus many more, so you can get to your shows fast.
- TiVo Stream 4K is one of Time Magazine’s “2020 Best Inventions, Special Mention” and PCMag hails it as “an excellent media streamer for TV lovers.” Operating Temperature 0˚C - 40˚C
- Choose it for: a broad mix of free video without setting up a personal media server.
- Cost: free with ads; paid options and content availability vary.
- Consider instead: a subscription service for a curated catalog of licensed films and series.
2. Netflix: best for subscription streaming
Netflix is a strong choice if its local catalog and plan suit your household. The TV app provides a direct route to its subscription library, but installation alone does not unlock viewing. Plan prices, advertising tiers, account rules, and titles can change and differ by country.
- Choose it for: a dedicated on-demand subscription service.
- Cost: subscription required; check the local Netflix site for current plans.
- Consider instead: Prime Video, Disney+, or another service whose catalog better matches what you watch.
3. Prime Video: best for Amazon subscribers and rentals
Prime Video brings subscription viewing together with titles that may need a separate rental or purchase. Check the label on a title before pressing play; the app’s presence does not mean every film is included in a subscription. Availability and billing terms depend on country.
Rank #2
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
- Choose it for: Amazon’s included video selection alongside paid rentals or purchases.
- Cost: may involve a subscription, a separate title purchase, or both.
- Consider instead: a service with a simpler all-in-subscription catalog if you do not want to distinguish included and paid titles.
4. Disney+: best for Disney-owned franchises and family viewing
Disney+ is worth considering for households that regularly watch Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, or National Geographic programming. The available catalog, plan tiers, bundles, and advertising options depend on where you live.
- Choose it for: those franchises and a dedicated family-oriented service.
- Cost: subscription required; verify the local plan and catalog.
- Consider instead: a broader general-entertainment service if those catalogs are not a priority.
5. Tubi or Pluto TV: best for free ad-supported viewing
Tubi and Pluto TV offer free viewing supported by advertising in markets where their services are available. Tubi is a useful place to browse on-demand titles; Pluto TV is known for a channel-style experience as well as on-demand options. Catalogs and live channels are regional, and neither is a universal substitute for paid services.
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- 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Enjoy your TV in stunning resolution Ultra HD ers four times the resolution of Full HD for greater clarity and detail
- Android TV: With the Android TV operating system you will have access to the best content, download the infinity of applications available through the Google Play Store!
- Voice remote control: Just press the Google Assistant button and ask it to find, play and control content
- Chromecast Built-in: Easily cast movies, shows, and photos from your Android or iOS device to your Android TV
- Easy Setup: Access your Google account and configure the device, language and Wi-Fi network
- Choose Tubi if its local on-demand selection is the better fit.
- Choose Pluto TV if you prefer browsing channels rather than selecting every title.
- Cost: free with ads where available.
In the United States, Google TV’s Live area also includes free channels. Google says those built-in channels do not require an app, sign-up, or subscription; providers including Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, and Haystack News can add channels after their apps are installed. Availability differs elsewhere. Google’s Android TV live-channel guidance lists the applicable options.
6. Plex: best for a personal media library
Plex is useful when your films, shows, music, or other media live on a computer or NAS and you want to browse them on the television. For personal-library streaming, the TV app is only one part of the setup: you generally need a separate server device, a Plex account, and a working home network. Plex also offers free ad-supported content in some locations, but that is different from streaming your own library.
Rank #4
- Ask to control your TV with your voice, and quickly cast your photos, videos, music and more from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV with Chromecast built in
- Built-in Virtual Assistant – just press the mic button on the remote to get what you want
- Built-in content and entertainment including YouTube, Play Movies & TV, and more
- Support for thousands of Apps on the Play Store
- 2K resolution TV streaming
- Choose it for: a browsable library hosted on a computer, NAS, or other server.
- Cost: app and some services may be free; certain features may require a paid plan.
- Consider instead: VLC or Kodi if you only need to play files directly from USB or local storage.
7. Kodi: best for a customizable local-media center
Kodi is a free media-center application for organizing and playing media you own or are authorized to access. It can be customized, but it takes more setup than a conventional streaming app. Kodi itself should not be confused with third-party add-ons: add-ons have separate developers, access, and legal status. Use only lawful sources and assess add-ons carefully.
- Choose it for: a customizable interface for an existing local collection or authorized media sources.
- Cost: free; setup and metadata organization can take time.
- Consider instead: Plex for a server-based library with a more guided experience, or VLC for direct playback.
8. VLC: best for direct local playback
VLC is a straightforward option for playing media files from accessible local storage or network locations, if the app is offered for your TV model. App support for a file format does not guarantee smooth playback: the television’s processor and hardware decoding also matter, especially for high-resolution video or demanding audio formats.
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Best Value
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- 【Immersive 8K UHD 】 As an outstanding tv moving box, it delivers stunning 8K ultra-high-definition image quality and vivid HDR color grading. This exquisiteandroid tv boxes adopts advanced video decoding technology, presenting sharp pictures and smooth frames for a theater-like visual feast at home.
- 【Stable WiFi 6 & Bluetooth 5.0 Technology】 Built-in upgraded WiFi 6 module greatly improves network speed and anti-interference ability for this box for tv. Combined with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, this modern tv box android 2026 realizes fast wireless pairing with audio devices and game controllers.
- 【Complete Accessories & User-Friendly Operation】 This compact smart box for tv is fully equipped with essential accessories: TV box，remote control, high-definition HDMI cable, power adapter and detailed user manual. Simple plug-and-play design makes this Android TV box easy to install, and reliable customer support guarantees your satisfying using experience.
- Choose it for: playing files without building a media-server library.
- Cost: free.
- Check first: whether VLC appears in your television’s Play Store and whether your device supports the files you intend to play.
9. Steam Link: best for streaming PC games
Steam Link streams games from a computer running Steam to a compatible television or streaming device. It does not supply a game library by itself: you need a host PC with the games installed, a network that can handle the stream, and a controller or other suitable input method. A wired connection can help where Wi-Fi is congested, but results depend on the full network and hardware setup.
- Choose it for: playing compatible PC games on the living-room screen.
- Cost: the app is a gateway to your existing gaming setup; games and hardware are separate.
- Consider instead: a console or a native TV gaming service if you do not want to keep a PC running.
10. Send Files to TV: best for local file transfers
Send Files to TV can simplify moving a video, photo, or other file between a phone, computer, and TV. “No internet” does not mean “no network”: transfers generally rely on the devices being connected to the same local Wi-Fi network. Install the app on the sending and receiving devices where supported, then follow its pairing and transfer prompts.
- Choose it for: occasional file transfers to a television without relying on a cloud upload.
- Cost: check the current app listing for any advertising or paid features.
- Consider instead: USB storage or a media server if your TV supports those workflows.
Choose apps by what you actually want to watch
- For documentaries and factual programming: start with YouTube and the services available in your country; then check their catalogs before subscribing, since titles vary by region.
- For free live channels in the United States: check Google TV’s Live area first. Add Plex, Tubi, Pluto TV, or Haystack News only if their channel selection adds something you want.
- For free on-demand viewing: try Tubi or another locally available ad-supported service before adding a subscription.
- For anime: Crunchyroll is a focused alternative to general streaming apps; its Google Play editorial listing highlights it among notable Google TV apps, but availability and plans vary. Google Play’s Google TV editorial selection is a platform listing, not a guarantee of regional availability.
- For a collection stored at home: use Plex when you want a server-based library, Kodi for customization, or VLC for simpler direct playback.
- For PC gaming: use Steam Link only if you have a suitable host PC, network, and input device.
Install apps from the TV’s official store
- From the home screen, open Apps.
- Select Search, then enter the app name using the remote, voice search, or a connected phone if available.
- Open the official app listing and check the developer and description.
- Select Install, then launch the app and complete sign-in or setup if needed.
Google distributes TV apps through Google Play, but the catalog is not identical across devices or countries. A mobile-only app may not be offered for a TV interface, and an app can be restricted or removed. An APK installed outside the store is not proof that the app is supported on your television.
If an app does not appear or work
- Confirm that the device runs Android TV or Google TV; a box marketed as “Android” may not use a certified TV platform.
- Check the app’s country availability and the country associated with your Google Play account.
- Search using the exact app name and developer name, and review the official service’s compatibility information.
- Install available TV software and Play Store updates, then restart the television or streaming device.
- Check free storage and remove apps or files you no longer need if space is low.
- If the official TV app is unavailable, consider the service’s supported web, phone, or casting option instead of installing an unknown APK.
Uncertified or inexpensive boxes can lack app certification, protected-video support, reliable updates, or a usable TV Play Store. Even a compatible app can be awkward if it expects touch gestures rather than a remote. Avoid unofficial streaming APKs advertised as free access to paid films or sports: they can expose credentials or devices to risk and may distribute content without authorization.
Use built-in Google TV features before adding another app
- Discovery and watchlist: Google TV can surface recommendations and help track titles across services, though available sections and content depend on location, subscriptions, device, and account activity.
- Live channels: In the United States, check the built-in Live area for free channels before installing another live-TV app.
- Google Cast: Many Android TV and Google TV devices support casting from compatible apps, so an extra receiver app is not automatically necessary.
- Manufacturer features: AirPlay, USB playback, and ambient or screensaver tools depend on the television or streaming device. Check its settings and manufacturer documentation before installing a third-party utility.
- Apps-only mode: Google TV offers this mode through All settings → Accounts & Profiles → profile → Apps only mode → Turn on. It reduces personalized home-screen recommendations, but also disables Search, Assistant, watchlist changes, and like/dislike controls. Google’s Google TV help describes the mode and other interface variations.
Google says linking third-party subscriptions can share data with Google services to improve recommendations, and Google TV or Android TV may show labeled ads. Review account-linking and privacy settings if you prefer not to connect services. The same Google guidance explains that content and layout can vary by activity, location, language, device, and partner arrangements.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
