Simkl
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
Buy if you want free, automatic tracking of everything you watch, especially with Kodi, Jellyfin or Stremio setups.
Comparison
Simkl vs AniList
Simkl and AniList both land on Worth it.
AniList
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
A free, well-liked anime and manga tracker with a strong community and open API . easy yes for hobbyists.
| Compare | Simkl | AniList |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Worth it | Worth it |
| Best for | Heavy TV and anime watchers | Anime watchers tracking episodes |
| Who it's not for | Anyone wanting to stream . it only tracks | Teams or businesses wanting a work tool . this is a hobby tracker, full stop |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.16 | No confirmed vulnerabilities found; site publishes a security page and uses OAuth2, with one unconfirmed community hack report. |
| Support quality | No evidence in sources | Users cite constant bugs and toxic staff |
| Public sentiment | Redditors praise Simkl's tracking depth and integrations while criticizing the official mobile app experience.⁵ | Users broadly praise AniList as a better alternative to MyAnimeList, while a vocal minority complains about bugs and staff conduct. |
| Biggest gotcha | VIP and PRO prices aren't shown in the sources reviewed; check the official features-comparison page before paying | Non-commercial restriction on the API; commercial use is not covered by the free terms |
Pick Simkl when
- Heavy TV and anime watchers
- Self-hosted media server users
- TV Time migrants
- Watch-history completionists
When Simkl is not a fit
- 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
Pick AniList when
- Anime watchers tracking episodes
- Manga readers managing reading lists
- Users wanting community reviews and discovery
- Developers needing a free anime data API
When AniList is not a fit
- Teams or businesses wanting a work tool . this is a hobby tracker, full stop
- Commercial API users . terms allow free use only non-commercial
- Anyone requiring an official mobile app . none exists, third-party clients only
- People who need responsive support . bug and moderation complaints recur
Sources
- Simkl Lists: TV, Anime, Movies . Google Playplay.google.comreview
- Simkl Lists . App Storeapps.apple.comofficial
- Simkl Review . The Nerdy Studentthenerdystudent.comreview
- Read Customer Service Reviews of simkl.com . Trustpilottrustpilot.comreview
review
- TV Time Alternatives megathread . Redditreddit.comreview
- Trakt.tv vs SIMKL . Wako guidewako.appreview
- Best Trakt Alternatives . Achriomachriom.comreview
official
- Is Simkl free to use?docs.simkl.orgofficial
- Lifetime VIP Plan . Simkl docsdocs.simkl.orgofficial
- SIMKL/script.simkl . Kodi scrobblergithub.comofficial
- jellyfin-plugin-simkl . GitHubgithub.comofficial
- Simkl Keeps Record of Your IM Conversations . TechCrunchtechcrunch.comnews
- Simkl security pagesimkl.comsecurity