Essential Android TV Apps and Software Solutions for Your Big Screen

Android TV is an excellent platform for unlocking the full potential of your big screen. It comes with Google's Play Store, which gives you a good range of apps to choose from and install. For the best experience, you need a mix of videos, music, productivity, and system apps. With that in mind, here are the essential Android TV apps you need to install right away.

Top Media Players and Streaming Services

Kodi is a media streaming service. It might appear to be just another media player at first, but it offers much more. The app comes with numerous add-ons that provide access to on-demand videos, live TV, weather updates, news, productivity tools, and more. You can even play games on Kodi. Kodi is completely free and open-source. With all these features, Kodi is a must-have for any Android TV device. You can install it and decide whether to use it as a simple video player or become a full-fledged Kodi power user.

If you find Kodi too complex for playing videos, then VLC is an excellent alternative. VLC Player has long been considered one of the best video players on Android. Thankfully, its qualities comfortably translate onto the larger screen. The app can play a wide variety of codecs, supports subtitle files, and has a user-friendly interface. VLC Player can play files from local storage, external drives, and local network devices, making it an excellent all-rounder choice for streaming videos.

Web Browsing on Android TV

Web browsing on Android TV has been neglected by Google for quite some time. The default Android browser, Google Chrome, is not pre-installed on Android TV because it is not compatible with this platform.

Puffin TV Browser is a web browser designed specifically for Android TV. As a result, Puffin TV is fast and works seamlessly with your Android TV remote. All browsing activities are encrypted through VPN servers to enhance privacy. Unfortunately, Puffin browsers, including Puffin TV Browser, are no longer free to use. A paid subscription is required, which costs $1 per month.

Open TV Browser is the best choice if you're looking for a great alternative to Puffin without the subscription fee. It's a specialized browser for Android TV, so you won't have to worry about remote compatibility issues. Open TV has a built-in ad blocker and numerous features that make it very similar to a desktop browser, including incognito mode, parental controls, and bookmarks. Best of all, it's completely free and available for download on the Google Play Store.

File Management and System Tools

It's always helpful to have a file manager installed on your device, especially if you plan to sideload apps. Fortunately, many excellent file managers are available for Android TV, such as X-plore File Manager, Total Commander, File Commander, and TvExplorer. If you need a free and professional file manager, we recommend X-plore File Manager. Its dual-pane interface is especially useful for sideloading apps, as it makes it easy to transfer APK files from a USB stick. Alternatively, if you prefer something more straightforward, File Commander is a good option for Android TV.

Key Features of Essential Android TV Apps

Kodi: Media streaming service, free and open-source, supports numerous add-ons.
VLC Media Player: Plays a wide variety of codecs, supports subtitles, and local network devices.
Puffin TV Browser: Fast, remote-compatible, requires a paid subscription ($1 per month).
Open TV Browser: Free alternative, built-in ad blocker, incognito mode, and bookmarks.
X-plore File Manager: Dual-pane interface, ideal for sideloading apps via USB.

Advanced Launcher Solutions for Operators

For those looking for a more specialized experience, Accedo Android TV Launcher is a premium solution to replace the standard Android TV Operator Tier launcher with an engaging set-top box experience uniquely tailored to your brand. It is ideal for Pay TV operators with high demands on customization and superior user experiences, without compromising on the flexibility of integrations and a rapid time to market. Accedo empowers operators to roll out a fully branded set-top box experience to better engage with viewers. Tailor the UI to your own uniquely branded designs and put your content at the front and center of the UX.