can i fork it?

Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to TV Time · 📊 analytics

TV Time vs Showly

Android and iOS app for tracking TV shows and movies, managing watchlists, and syncing viewing history with Trakt.tv across devices. Here is how Showly ($0/mo open source) stacks up against TV Time ($35/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.

⚡ Quick Verdict · 2027 Comparison

Showly is a verified Open Source-licensed open-source replacement for TV Time. Switching from TV Time ($35/mo) saves $420/yr per solo seat, or $2,100/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Local.

The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

Open-Source Alternative

Showly

$0.00/mo · Open Source

TV Time vs Showly Specifications

facts verified 2026-11-07

DimensionTV Time (Paid)Showly (Replacement)
Monthly Price$35 / mo$0 / mo
1-Year Cost (1 seat)$420 / yr$0 / yr (Save $420)
1-Year Cost (5 seats)$2,100 / yr$0 / yr (Save $2,100)
1-Year Cost (10 seats)$4,200 / yr$0 / yr (Save $4,200)
Source & LicenseProprietary SaaSopen source Open Source
Where It RunsVendor CloudLocal (on your machine)
PlatformsWeb / Cloud
desktopcross-platformone-click install
GitHub Stars—★ 1.5k (active nov 2026)

Deep Dive: Switching from TV Time to Showly

Trade-offs, installation & data architecture

The Catch vs TV Time

What you trade away

Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

Installation

How to deploy Showly

Clone https://github.com/trakt/showly or deploy with Docker Compose

Day-2 Operations & Setup

What it takes to run

Download the native package or installer for your operating system.

Data Ownership

Where your data lives

All application data lives locally on your own machine.

Build vs Fork Verdict: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens)

Why fork Showly instead of vibe-coding a TV Time clone?

Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for TV Time or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 3 battle-tested open-source alternatives like SeriesGuide.

TV Time vs Showly FAQ

Is Showly a good free alternative to TV Time?+

Yes. Showly is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for TV Time. Android and iOS app for tracking TV shows and movies, managing watchlists, and syncing viewing history with Trakt.tv across devices.

What is the catch when switching from TV Time to Showly?+

Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.

How much do you save switching from TV Time to Showly?+

TV Time costs $35/mo ($420/yr) per seat, whereas Showly is $0/mo. Switching saves $420/yr for a solo user, $2,100/yr for a 5-person team, and $4,200/yr for a 10-person team.

How do I install or self-host Showly instead of TV Time?+

Install: Clone https://github.com/trakt/showly or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.

Other Free Alternatives to TV Time

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Showly Also Replaces

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