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, the best Stremio add-ons, 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. These addons scrape the internet for content streaming links for movies, TV shows, live TV, anime, documentaries, music videos, and adult content.

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:

Install Stremio
Install a Stremio addon
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. They offer a wider range of content, including free movies and live TV, but the legality and safety of this content may vary.

We will highlight the best Stremio addons in 2025 later in the post.

Is Stremio Legal and Safe to Use?

Safety: Safe when downloaded from the official website
Legality: Legal when used with official 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:

Open the app store and type the word Stremio in the search bar.
Select Stremio from the suggested results.
Click Install.
Wait for the app to install.
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:

Open your web browser and navigate to the official Stremio website, stremio.com/downloads
Click Downloads.
Navigate to Stremio for your device, say Stremio for Windows, and click on the download link.
The Stremio installer file will begin downloading right away.
Go to your computer downloads and run the Stremio installer file.
Follow the on-screen steps to complete the installation.
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.

Read:

Follow these steps:

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

That’s all. You have successfully installed Stremio on Android TV or FireStick. Refer to our detailed guides on how to sideload apps using Downloader on FireStick and Android TV Box for additional assistance.

Best Stremio Addons in 2025

Legal Disclaimer: This tutorial is purely educational. FireStickTricks.com doesn’t own, host, operate, resell, or distribute any streaming apps, addons, websites, IPTV or services. The page contains some unverified services, and we are not certain whether they hold legal licenses to distribute the content. FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality of each app/service in all regions. Do your due diligence if you use any of the unverified apps/services, and stream only content that is available in the public domain. The end-user shall be solely responsible for the media accessed.

Here are the top Stremio addons in 2025 for streaming movies and TV shows, music and web videos, live TV, sports, and anime:

1. Torrentio

Torrentio is one of the most popular Stremio addons.

It is a community addon that pulls streaming links from torrent sites, letting you stream movies, TV shows, documentaries, and other VOD content online.

It offers free streaming links, but you can improve the video quality with Real Debrid.

Install Torrentio on Stremio

2. YouTube

YouTube is an official and legal addon. You can install this addon from the official Stremio repository.

This addon lets you watch YouTube videos.

You can start streaming without signing in with your Google account.

3. USA TV

USA TV is a third-party Stremio addon to watch live TV online.

It scrapes free streaming links from IPTV sources for news, sports, and other live TV content.

You can access up to 100 live TV channels from the US.

However, the streaming quality may vary depending on the source of the link.

4. The Pirate Bay+

The Pirate Bay+ is a torrent-based addon, pulling free VOD streaming links from The Pirate Bay website.

It features movies, series, documentaries, and other on-demand content.

This addon has several free streaming links. Some of them work fine. However, I encountered buffering with numerous links.

You can integrate The Pirate Bay+ with Real Debrid for a better experience.

5. Anime Kitsu

As the name suggests, Anime Kitsu is a Stremio addon for anime streaming.

It is a community addon that lets you watch popular anime, manga, and related content on the Stremio app, free of charge.

This addon pulls links from GogoAnime and other such sites

You can watch originals, dubbed, and subbed videos.

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 free 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 to pull streaming links from external sources.

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, even the community ones, are easy to install. On the other hand, installing Kodi addons is a complicated process that involves adding the source, changing the security settings, and installing the repository.

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 get the hang of 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 and lets you stream online content for free, 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 third-party addons	Primarily online streaming via addons
Addon Ecosystem	Large and community-driven (official + unofficial)	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)
VPN Usage	Recommended for third-party addons	Recommended when using unofficial addons
Common Use Case	Advanced users who want full media control	Users who prefer fast, simple streaming

Using a VPN with Stremio

While Stremio is legal, many third-party addons stream content through torrents, which can expose your IP address and browsing activity.

If you’re using addons like Torrentio, a VPN isn’t optional—it’s essential for privacy and safety.

A good VPN hides your IP, encrypts your traffic, and protects you from ISP throttling, geo-blocks, and potential copyright notices.

We recommend ExpressVPN — it offers fast speeds, strong encryption, and easy-to-use apps for FireStick, Android TV, mobile, and desktop.

✅ Pro tip: Always turn on ExpressVPN before streaming from community addons in Stremio.

Get ExpressVPN 61% Discount

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 community 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
No free links are available
The servers are temporarily down
Low seeder count on torrent-based links
Geo-restriction
Outdated addon

To resolve this issue, try using a different torrent link with more seeders, use a VPN to bypass the geoblock, or update the addon.

If you suspect the content you’re looking for is unavailable, search for a different title to see if streams are available.

3. Buffering

Buffering or lagging on Stremio is common, especially for live TV and torrent-based streams.

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)- use a VPN to conceal your online activities
Source limitations due to too many users or low seeders- try a different link or consider using Debrid services
Device limitations- choose a lower quality resolution or upgrade your device

4. App Freezing or Crashing

App crashing and freezing is frustrating. It can happen when you are busy streaming your favourite TV show or live sports event.

There are two main 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, like some VPN 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: Try a link with more seeders, 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.

The sizable number of Stremio addons, both official and community, provides the content you need in one app. Despite the safety and legal concerns associated with the latter, Stremio remains one of the widely used streaming software.

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

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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.