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. review
  2. official
  3. review
  4. review
  5. review
  6. review
  7. review
  8. review
  9. review
  10. official
  11. Is Simkl free to use?docs.simkl.org
    official
  12. official
  13. official
  14. official
  15. news
  16. security

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