OpenELEC VS OSMC

Compare OpenELEC VS OSMC and see what are their differences

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OpenELEC

OpenELEC, which stands for Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center, is a Linux operating system that makes the host computer a Kodi media center. The software was the winner of the Swiss Opensource Award in 2014.

OSMC

OSMC is a free and open source media center built for the people, by the people.

Landing page //
2019-01-29

Landing page //
2023-09-27

OpenELEC

Website: openelec.tv

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OSMC

Website: osmc.tv

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OpenELEC features and specs

Lightweight
OpenELEC is a lightweight operating system that is designed to run Kodi on minimal hardware, making it ideal for older devices.
Ease of Use
OpenELEC provides a simple user interface and straightforward installation process, which is appealing to users looking for an out-of-the-box media center solution.
Dedicated Media Center OS
Being dedicated solely to running Kodi, OpenELEC offers optimized performance and a streamlined system for media playback.
Cost-Effective
OpenELEC is open-source and free to use, which is beneficial for users looking for a cost-effective media center setup.
Strong Community Support
OpenELEC has a robust community of users and developers who provide support, share knowledge, and contribute to its development.

Possible disadvantages of OpenELEC

Limited Functionality
As a minimalistic operating system, OpenELEC may not support additional services or applications beyond its primary function as a media center.
Hardware Compatibility
OpenELEC may have limited compatibility with certain hardware components or peripherals, which could require users to ensure compatibility beforehand.
Less Frequent Updates
Compared to some other media center solutions or operating systems, OpenELEC may receive updates less frequently, potentially affecting access to new features or security patches.
Limited Customization
Due to its focus on simplicity and ease of use, OpenELEC offers fewer customization options compared to other more flexible operating systems.
Potential Stability Issues
Some users have reported stability issues, particularly when using newer versions or hardware, which may impact overall user experience.

OSMC features and specs

Open Source
OSMC is completely free and open-source, allowing users to modify and improve the code according to their needs.
Wide Device Support
OSMC can run on various devices, including Raspberry Pi, Vero, and other compatible hardware, making it versatile.
Built-in Kodi
It comes with Kodi pre-installed, providing a rich media player experience with support for a large number of add-ons and plugins.
Regular Updates
OSMC receives frequent updates, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and security patches.
Easy to Use
The user interface is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy for users of all technical levels to navigate and use.

Possible disadvantages of OSMC

Limited App Support
Compared to other operating systems, OSMC has a narrower selection of available applications and software.
Hardware Dependency
OSMC is primarily designed to run on specific hardware like the Raspberry Pi or Vero, which may not be ideal for all users.
Learning Curve for Customization
While it is customizable, making significant changes or improvements may require a deeper understanding of Linux and coding.
Potential Stability Issues
As with many open-source projects, users may encounter occasional bugs or stability issues.
Community-based Support
Support is mainly provided through community forums and user contributions, which might not be as reliable or fast as professional support.

Analysis of OSMC

Overall verdict

OSMC is generally considered a good choice, especially for users who want a straightforward and flexible media center solution. Its open-source nature ensures continuous improvements and adaptability to new technologies.

Why this product is good

OSMC (Open Source Media Center) is popular for its simplicity, ease of use, and ability to turn any device into a full-fledged media center. It supports a wide range of formats, offers frequent updates, and has a supportive community. Additionally, it is based on Kodi, providing a customizable interface and access to a vast library of plugins and add-ons.

Recommended for

Users looking for a free and open-source media center solution
People who want to repurpose old devices as media centers
Those who appreciate the Kodi interface and its extensive library of add-ons
Individuals seeking a customizable media experience

OpenELEC videos

+ Add

My HTPC Is Now Running OpenELEC

OSMC videos

+ Add

Raspberry Pi OSMC Media Player

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenELEC and OSMC)

OpenELEC

OSMC

Video

31 31%

Video

69% 69

Media Player

28 28%

Media Player

72% 72

Media Players And Streaming Platforms

24 24%

Media Players And Streaming Platforms

76% 76

Watch Movies Online

28 28%

Watch Movies Online

72% 72

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenELEC and OSMC. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenELEC and OSMC

OpenELEC Reviews

We have no reviews of OpenELEC yet.
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OSMC Reviews

The Best 5 Kodi Alternatives You Can Try

OSMC (short for Open-Source Media Center) is a free media player founded in 2014 and it comes as the best alternative to Kodi. It has a simple interface and it’s easy to use. And it offers an app store that enables you to customize your OSMC experience to your taste. This software allows you to play back media (movies, TV shows, music, pictures, etc.) from the local network,...

Source: moviemaker.minitool.com

10 Best Kodi Alternatives You Should Use (2023)

If you are searching for a simple alternative to Kodi, OSMc is a viable option. It is very similar to Kodi. OSMC is open-source software with wifi adapters. You can get some compatibility as it is supported in Raspberry pi, Apple TV and VERO. If you want the replacement for Kodi in a more neat interface, You must go for OSMC.

Source: techdator.net

15 Best Plex Alternatives [2022] – FREE and BETTER Options

OSMC is among the best Plex alternatives as a Debian-based Linux distribution that boots directly to Kodi Media Center. With OSMC it is easy to get started right away with very little tinkering. If you are a tinkerer, OSMC is the best open-source Plex alternative that allows you to make custom changes.

Source: www.smarthomebeginner.com

Best Kodi Alternatives for Free Streaming

OSMC is a free and open source operating system that makes heavy use of the Kodi project. Essentially, Kodi is how the user will interact with the operating system for the most part. The benefit of running OSMC instead of an operating system like Android for the purpose of using Kodi is the simplicity that OSMC offers.

Source: www.bollyinside.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OSMC should be more popular than OpenELEC. It has been mentiond 20 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenELEC mentions (2)

Does Kodi support HDR passthrough using an x86 processor or an nvidia/AMD dGPU on Linux now?
Its all good. I use to run Kodi on a HTPC that I built with openelec and it was pretty stable. I am not sure if it is available anymore (openelec.tv) it was a linux distro. I switched to NVidia shield due to the accessibility to Netflix and Amazon and I have not looked back. Oh an its cheaper than a HTPC I think... Source: over 3 years ago
Got Jellyfin a few days ago and LOVE the web version, but bad Roku app is a dealbreaker. Before I can it, are there any work arounds you guys have found?
I know there are various customized distros for the RasPi, such as OpenElec, but as a staunch Linux and FLOSS advocate I still don't think that's what most people are searching for when they look for a streaming device these days. Source: about 4 years ago

OSMC mentions (20)

Is there something like "network attached monitor"
The devices had a small daemon that would periodically send HTTP requests to the central web service and check if it needed to update the content it was displaying and would update content accordingly. The content was displayed through OSMC. Source: over 2 years ago
Pay me the buying power to afford the things you got at my age, and maybe then I'll buy these things...
Downstairs is a Raspberry PI hooked to large hard drive (8TB). That runs OSMC and provides network access for all computers/phones in the house while being hooked up to the living room TV. The IPTV can run through it but I just watch that on my computer. Source: over 2 years ago
one day my friend
Just put osmc on it and use it as media center. Depending on your hardware it can be pretty solid. And there is a lot you can configure. it's basically an os which boots direcly to kodi. Also it supports hdmi-cec so you can use your normal tv remote, it's awesome. Source: almost 3 years ago
Plexamp v4.2.2 Released
I have heard good stuff about https://osmc.tv/. Source: almost 3 years ago
Can someone suggest a Smart TV like distro?
From what I know there aren't many options for this use case, and those that I know of (like OSMC or Plasma Bigscreen) all run on ARM devices like Raspberry Pi, but not x86/64. I would recommend the same as other commenters: to just use a normal distribution and put something like Kodi on it. You could probably configure the system to automatically start up whatever UI you prefer to make it more seamless. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenELEC and OSMC, you can also consider the following products

LibreELEC - LibreELEC is ‘Just enough OS’ for Kodi, a Linux distribution built to run Kodi on current and...

Kodi - Kodi is an award winning free and open source media player that got its start on the Xbox console.

GeeXboX - Dec 3, 2017 - . Author: Tomtom 1 Comment. Hi,.

Stremio - Watch videos, movies, TV series and TV channels instantly.

LinHES - ChiliProject

Emby - media server for personal streaming movies tv music photos in mobile app or browser for all devices android iOS windows phone appletv androidtv smarttv and dlna.

LibreELEC vs OpenELEC