Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to TV Time · 📊 analytics
TV Time vs Tonkatsu Box
Cross-platform collection manager for retro games, movies, TV shows, anime, manga, visual novels, and books with tier lists, visual boards, and import/export. Here is how Tonkatsu Box ($0/mo open source) stacks up against TV Time ($35/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Tonkatsu Box 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 Self-host.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TV Time.
Tonkatsu Box
$0.00/mo · Open Source
TV Time vs Tonkatsu Box Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | TV Time (Paid) | Tonkatsu Box (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 & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Open Source |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 602 (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from TV Time to Tonkatsu Box
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TV Time.
How to deploy Tonkatsu Box
Clone https://github.com/hacan359/tonkatsu_box or deploy with Docker Compose
What it takes to run
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
Where your data lives
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
Why fork Tonkatsu Box 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 Tonkatsu Box FAQ
Is Tonkatsu Box a good free alternative to TV Time?+
Yes. Tonkatsu Box is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for TV Time. Cross-platform collection manager for retro games, movies, TV shows, anime, manga, visual novels, and books with tier lists, visual boards, and import/export.
What is the catch when switching from TV Time to Tonkatsu Box?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed TV Time.
How much do you save switching from TV Time to Tonkatsu Box?+
TV Time costs $35/mo ($420/yr) per seat, whereas Tonkatsu Box 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 Tonkatsu Box instead of TV Time?+
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.
