Simkl costs $35/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to Simkl, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Simkl is SeriesGuide (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 1 self-hostable tool is available (including Tonkatsu Box). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $2,100/year compared to Simkl's $35/mo subscription.
The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Simkl vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $35/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeriesGuide | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.2k | Simkl vs SeriesGuide → |
| Showly | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 1.5k | Simkl vs Showly → |
| Tonkatsu Box | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 602 | Simkl vs Tonkatsu Box → |
The picks
3 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
SeriesGuide
open sourceOpen SourceLocal2.2knov 2026Android app for tracking TV shows and movies you're watching, have watched, or plan to watch, powered by TMDb data.
The catch vs SimklCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/UweTrottmann/SeriesGuide/ or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Showly
open sourceOpen SourceLocal1.5knov 2026Android and iOS app for tracking TV shows and movies, managing watchlists, and syncing viewing history with Trakt.tv across devices.
The catch vs SimklCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/trakt/showly or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Tonkatsu Box
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host602nov 2026Cross-platform collection manager for retro games, movies, TV shows, anime, manga, visual novels, and books with tier lists, visual boards, and import/export.
The catch vs SimklRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Simkl.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/hacan359/tonkatsu_box or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Simkl Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 3 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Simkl open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Simkl?+
The top free alternative to Simkl is SeriesGuide (open source, Open Source). Android app for tracking TV shows and movies you're watching, have watched, or plan to watch, powered by TMDb data. Other popular Simkl replacements include Showly, Tonkatsu Box.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Simkl?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to Simkl, 1 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Tonkatsu Box (Open Source).
How much does switching from Simkl to a free alternative save?+
Simkl starts at $35/month per seat ($420/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like SeriesGuide saves $2,100 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Simkl clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Simkl is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Simkl or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 3 battle-tested open-source alternatives like SeriesGuide.
What is the catch when switching from Simkl to SeriesGuide?+
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
