shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Simkl?

Automatically track what you watch — TV, anime, movies - simkl.com

Worth it. Buy if you want free, automatic tracking of everything you watch, especially with Kodi, Jellyfin or Stremio setups. Skip it if you expected a streaming service, a team tool, or a polished mobile app.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 25+ public sources; VIP/PRO prices not published in the sources reviewed.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo evidence in sources
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
VIPNot published in sources reviewed
PRONot published in sources reviewed

Best for

  • Heavy TV and anime watchers
  • Self-hosted media server users
  • TV Time migrants
  • Watch-history completionists

Not for

  • Anyone wanting to stream — it only tracks
  • Casual viewers watching a few shows a year
  • Teams or businesses; it's consumer-only
  • People demanding a polished mobile app

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

VIP and PRO prices aren't shown in the sources reviewed; check the official features-comparison page before paying

medium

Complaint thread: 'I paid for Simkl just to...' — verify exactly what VIP/PRO unlock before paying

medium

TV Time migrants report rebuilding lists manually; import quality varies by source

low

Third-party 'Simkl' apps on app stores aren't official; stick to the official Lists app

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Core tracking, lists and watch history are completely free
  • Auto-scrobbles from Kodi, Jellyfin and Tautulli setups
  • 4.5/5 from 4,197 Google Play ratings for the Lists app
  • Public API powers a third-party app ecosystem
  • Lifetime VIP plan removes recurring fees

Cons

  • Official mobile app drew sharp user criticism
  • Trustpilot shows 3.0/5, though from only 2 reviews
  • It tracks, doesn't stream — no watching inside the app
  • No funding rounds disclosed; small operation

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/21/2026 - 16 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x6review x8security x1news x1

Key stats

  • Value for money: 4/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 16

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 4/5. Free core; paid tiers optional
  • Ease of use: 3/5. Core flow fine; app criticized by users
  • Feature depth: 5/5. Scrobblers, API, plugins, lists, watch history
  • Support quality. No evidence in sources
  • Security posture: 3/5. No known vulns; no public security page
  • 4.5/5 Google Play rating 4,197 ratings for the official Lists app
  • 3.0/5 Trustpilot rating Only 2 reviews — tiny sample
  • Yes Free tier Core tracking free; VIP and PRO paid
  • 2007 Active since TechCrunch covered its original IM-recorder product

Pricing

Free

$0

  • Automatic tracking and watch history
  • Lists for TV, anime and movies

VIP

Not published in sources reviewed

  • See official features-comparison page
  • Lifetime VIP option exists

PRO

Not published in sources reviewed

  • Free via Simkl loyalty program

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

Companies that could

  • Firecore (Infuse) Uses Trakt instead
Full analysis

Based on 25+ public sources; VIP/PRO prices not published in the sources reviewed.

Free personal TV/anime/movie tracker with deep integrations; it tracks, it doesn't stream, and it's not for teams.

Methodology

Based on 25+ public sources; VIP/PRO prices not published in the sources reviewed.

Sources

  1. Simkl Lists: TV, Anime, Movies — Google Playplay.google.com
    review
  2. Simkl Lists — App Storeapps.apple.com
    official
  3. Simkl Review — The Nerdy Studentthenerdystudent.com
    review
  4. Read Customer Service Reviews of simkl.com — Trustpilottrustpilot.com
    review
  5. VERY much disappointed by Simkl Lists app — Redditreddit.com
    review
  6. A newbie is choosing between Simkl and Trakt — Redditreddit.com
    review
  7. TV Time Alternatives megathread — Redditreddit.com
    review
  8. Trakt.tv vs SIMKL — Wako guidewako.app
    review
  9. Best Trakt Alternatives — Achriomachriom.com
    review
  10. Simkl Features: Free, VIP and PRO planssimkl.com
    official
  11. Is Simkl free to use?docs.simkl.org
    official
  12. Lifetime VIP Plan — Simkl docsdocs.simkl.org
    official
  13. SIMKL/script.simkl — Kodi scrobblergithub.com
    official
  14. jellyfin-plugin-simkl — GitHubgithub.com
    official
  15. Simkl Keeps Record of Your IM Conversations — TechCrunchtechcrunch.com
    news
  16. Simkl security pagesimkl.com
    security

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