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 app. It allows you to watch a lot of content from the internet on virtually any supported device. It also allows you to add special plugins, called addons.

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

You can also use Stremio directly in your web browser without installing the app. There is also an iOS version, but it has some limitations compared to other platforms.

Key features of Stremio are:

• Add-on-based streaming – You can access a wide range of content by installing community or official addons.
• Cloud-synced library management – It allows you to keep track of watched shows and movies across devices.
• Multi-device compatibility- Stremio keeps your media collection synced across devices, making it easy to switch between devices.
• Integration with popular streaming services – The app pulls content from video sources like Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube and makes it available in one place.
• Built-in media player – Stremio includes a built-in media player that supports most video formats, including 4K HDR.
• Security and privacy guarantees – The app is designed keeping your privacy in mind and guarantees that your data won’t be tracked or used anywhere.
• Free and open-source – The software is developed with community contributions and is free to use.

How Does Stremio Work?

Stremio does not host any content itself. The app sources content from the internet using addons.

The Stremio app doesn’t work on its own. You also need to install Stremio addons after installing the app. It is a 3-step process:

1. Install the Stremio app on your device
2. Install required Stremio addons
3. Start streaming 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 – Maintained by Stremio, these addons are safe to use and are legally compliant.
• Community addons – The addons are often illegal addons created by third parties. We at FireStickTricks.com do not recommend using community addons, as their security and legality are not confirmed.

Is Stremio Legal and Safe to Use?

The safety and legal status of the Stremio addon depend on several factors, such as the source of the download, which addons you use, and the type of content you stream.

• Safety: Stremio is generally safe when downloaded from the official website or trusted app stores.
• Legality: Stremio itself is legal and is available on official app stores, including the Google Play Store, Samsung Store, and Apple App Store. However, if community addons are added and used to access copyrighted content without authorization, it becomes illegal.

I tested the Stremio APK file (downloaded from the official website) on VirusTotal. 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 for download on official mobile app stores for Android and iOS devices. 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 Google Play Store or App Store. 
2. Type the word Stremio in the search bar.
3. Select the Stremio app from the suggested results.
4. Click Install.
5. Wait for the app to install.
6. Click Enable and then Open to launch the app.

That’s it. You can now sign up or log in to your Stremio account, install addons, and start streaming.

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

Installing Stremio on a desktop is as easy as installing ot on Android devices. 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 the main menu, then 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. Please 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.

They are both addon-based platforms, which means they don’t host the content themselves but use special plugins(addons) to access media.

While both Stremio and Kodi share similarities, on a deeper level, the two apps are different.

Stremio is a simple app to set up and use. The cloud-based data on the app makes it easy to sync your libraries, watch lists, and viewing history across devices. The user interface is modern and intuitive, making it easier to discover the newest released movies and TV shows.

Kodi, on the other hand, requires a certain level of technical skills for setup and use. There is a learning curve, but the setup is straightforward, and navigation becomes easy once you get used to it.

Furthermore, Stremio’s addons are extremely easy to install. On the other hand, installing Kodi addons is a complicated process and requires adding sources and repositories.

Kodi offers better customization and media management options than Stremio. It allows you to personalize your experience by installing unique Kodi skins to suit your preferences. It also acts as a media manager, helping you organize and play your local content from your own library.

Furthermore, Kodi has more addons available than Stremio.

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

Stremio is excellent if you are looking for a simple user interface and an intuitive app for discovering and streaming 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 complete media control	Users who prefer fast, simple streaming

Troubleshooting Common Stremio Issues

If you are experiencing problems with Stremio, some of the common issues and their solutions are below:

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 find out if there is any network issue
• Clear cache
• Use a VPN to unblock geo-restricted content

2. No Streams Available

Another common issue on Stremio is ‘ No streams available’. Some of the reasons for this issue are:

• The content is no longer available
• The servers are temporarily down
• The content is geo-restricted and is not available in your region
• Addon is not updated to its latest version

You can resolve this issue by updating 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 outdated app versions, cache buildup, 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 take many 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 the app’s and the device’s audio output settings, 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 lets you 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.