Stremio – Everything You Need to Know!

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about Stremio, including how it works, its safety and legality, installation steps for any device, and troubleshooting common issues. I’ll also briefly compare Stremio with Kodi to help you determine if it’s still worth it in 2025. 

What is Stremio?

Stremio is a popular media streaming software that allows you to stream online content on any compatible device. It lets you add special plugins, called addons.

Stremio offers dedicated apps for various platforms, including Windows, Android, macOS, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and select smart TVs.

You can also access Stremio in a browser. Stremio has an iOS app, but it has limited functionality.

Stremio’s key features are:

• Add-on-based streaming
• Cloud-synced library management
• Multi-device compatibility, letting you sync your  media collection across devices
• Integration with popular video sources like Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube
• An inbuilt media player that supports most video formats, including 4K HDR
• Security and privacy guarantees for users
• Free and open-source software

How Does Stremio Work?

Stremio does not host any content. It relies on addons to fetch content from the internet.

After installing the Stremio app, you will need to install the Stremio addons. It is a 3-step process:

1. Install Stremio
2. Install a Stremio addon
3. Stream content

Stremio addons are plugins that fetch content from platforms such as YouTube, public domain movie sites, and free-to-air TV channels. They are of two types:

• Official addons – Safe, legal, and maintained by Stremio.
• Community addons – Created by third parties and are often illegal. Therefore, FireStickTricks.com does not recommend such addons.

Is Stremio Legal and Safe to Use?

• Safety: Safe when downloaded from the official website
• Legality: Legal (if you are avoiding community addons). It is also available on official app stores, including Google Play Store, Samsung Store, and Apple Store.

I tested Stremio’s APK file (downloaded from the official website) on Virus Total. As you can see in the screenshot below, none of the 65 security vendors on Virus Total flagged the file as malicious.

Last Checked: August 14, 2025

Stremio is a legal app. However, make sure you do not install and use community addons.

How to Install Stremio on Different Devices

Stremio is available on official mobile app stores for Android and iOS. For all other devices, you can download and install the app from the official website stremio.com/downloads

How to Install Stremio on Mobile ( Android and iOS)

Follow these steps:

1. Open the app store and type the word Stremio in the search bar.
2. Select Stremio from the suggested results.
3. Click Install.
4. Wait for the app to install.
5. Click Enable and then Open to launch the app. That’s all. You can now sign up or sign in to set up Stremio and install addons.

How to Install Stremio on Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the official Stremio website, stremio.com/downloads
2. Click Downloads.
3. Navigate to Stremio for your device, say Stremio for Windows, and click on the download link.
4. The Stremio installer file will begin downloading right away.
5. Go to your computer downloads and run the Stremio installer file.
6. Follow the on-screen steps to complete the installation.
7. Once the installation is complete, launch the app, install the addons, and set it up.

How to Install Stremio on Android TV/FireStick

You can sideload Stremio on a FireStick also Android TV using the app called Downloader. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Google Play Store/Amazon App Store and search for the Downloader app.
2. Download the app onto your device.
3. Change the device settings to allow installation of apps from unknown sources.
4. Launch the Downloader app and navigate to the URL field.
5. Type the following URL: stremio.com/downloads, and click Go.
6. The Stremio website will load. Click on the main menu and select Downloads.
7. Navigate to the Android TV version and click on the download link (Stremio.X.X.X ARM APK)
8. The APK will begin downloading.  Wait for it to download.
9. Click Install when prompted to install the Stremio app.
10. Once the installation is complete, select Done.
11. You can delete the APK file because it is no longer needed. Click Delete.
12. Click Delete again to confirm.

Stremio vs Kodi: Which One Should You Use?

Stremio and Kodi are comparable.

They are both free and open-source media centers that let you stream content online, such as movies, TV shows, live TV, sports, and anime.

Moreover, they are both addon-based. This means they don’t host the content but use special plugins.

However, on a deeper level, the two apps are different.

Stremio is much simpler to use and set up. The data on this app is cloud-based, making it easy to sync your libraries, watch lists, and more across devices. The user interface is more intuitive, letting you discover the newest releases across movies, TV shows, and more.

Furthermore, Stremio’s addons are easy to install. On the other hand, installing Kodi addons is a complicated process.

Kodi wins on the customization and media management fronts. You can organize your local files on Kodi and install unique Kodi skins that personalize the media center to your liking.

Another perk of Kodi is the availability of more addons than Stremio.

However, Kodi demands a certain level of technical skills. There is a learning curve, but the setup is straightforward once you become familiar with it.

Ultimately, the choice between Stremio and Kodi depends on your needs.

Stremio is great if you are looking for a simple user interface and an intuitive app to discover and stream content. If you want a personalized media center that organizes your local files, go with Kodi.

Here’s a quick comparison table of both:

Feature	Kodi	Stremio
Installation	Local media center app for most platforms	Desktop/mobile app that streams online content
Content Sources	Local files and addons	Online streaming via addons
Addon Ecosystem	Large	Smaller but focused on streaming platforms
Interface	Customizable but complex	Simple and user-friendly
Setup Complexity	Moderate to advanced setup for addons	Quick setup with built-in addon support
Playback	Local and streaming support; can use external players	Streams online content with internal player
Device Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, FireStick, more	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web (limited), FireStick, Android TV
Library Management	Excellent for organizing local media	Cloud-synced watchlists and streaming history
Subtitles	Manual via subtitle addons	Automatic with OpenSubtitles
Customization	Highly customizable (skins, builds, settings)	Minimal customization options
Open Source	Yes	Partially (frontend open-source only)
Offline Use	Yes (for local media)	No (online streaming only)
Common Use Case	Advanced users who want full media control	Users who prefer fast, simple streaming

Troubleshooting Common Stremio Issues

Here are some of the common issues with Stremio and how to fix them:

1. Addons Not Working

Various factors may cause Stremio add-ons to stop working, including outdated or abandoned addons, a lack of content sources, an outdated Stremio version, and internet connection issues. Other rare causes include cache accumulation and content geo-restriction.

Here are some of the most common solutions:

• Confirm that the addon is online and working for other Stremio users
• Restart the Stremio application
• Uninstall the addon, and reinstall the latest/stable version
• Check your internet connection to rule out network issues
• Clear cache
• Use a VPN to unblock geo-restricted content

2. No Streams Available

No streams available is another common issue on Stremio. Here are some of the reasons:

• The content is no longer available
• The servers are temporarily down
• Geo-restriction
• Outdated addon

To resolve this issue, update the addon. If that doesn’t work, uninstall and reinstall the addon.

3. Buffering

Buffering or lagging on Stremio is common. Here are the common causes of buffering on Stremio and how to resolve them:

• Slow internet connection- fix your connection and try again
• Internet Service Provider interference (ISP throttling)- try a VPN
• Device limitations- choose a lower quality resolution or upgrade your device

4. App Freezing or Crashing

App crashing and freezing is frustrating. There are two leading causes of this issue: app or device problems.

App problems include an outdated app version, cache accumulation, and corrupt files. On the other hand, device problems include running low on storage and RAM, too many apps running in the background, and conflicting apps.

Here are the various solutions:

• Update the app to the latest version
• Restart the device
• Clear app cache
• Uninstall and reinstall the app
• Check device storage and RAM
• Disable the VPN app for a while to see if the issue persists
• Close unnecessary apps running in the background

6. Playback Issues

Playback issues on Stremio can come in different forms. Below are the causes and fixes:

• Audio is out of sync with the video: Try a different link, choose a lower video quality, and restart the Stremio app
• Out-of-sync subtitles: click the subtitle sync feature on the media player settings, and check your internet connection
• No sound, but the video is playing: Check audio output settings on the app and the device, restart the app, and try a different link.
• Black screen with audio: Clear app cache or restart the app
• Video playback stutter: Check your internet connection, choose a lower video quality, and restart the app

Final Verdict: Is Stremio Worth It in 2025?

Stremio remains a worthwhile option in 2025, particularly if you’re seeking a straightforward media center for streaming movies, TV shows, live TV, sports, and other online content. It’s easy to set up, and the cloud-based library management makes it easy to sync your watchlists and addons across devices.

What do you think of Stremio? Please share your thoughts below in the comments.

Legal Disclaimer - FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality or security of any add-ons, apps or services mentioned on this site. Also, we do not promote, host or link to copyright-protected streams. We highly discourage piracy and strictly advise our readers to avoid it at all costs. Any mention of free streaming on our site is purely meant for copyright-free content that is available in the Public domain. Read our full disclaimer.