Original draft’s last-verified label: 2026-09-17. Claims have not been reverified for this edition. Country, plan, dates, and [VERIFY] flags below belong to the original research; they do not establish current availability. References to unbuilt tools are omitted in this reader edition.
The biggest change for TV trackers in 2026 is that TV Time is gone: it announced on July 1, 2026, that its website and app would be discontinued on July 15, 2026. For most former TV Time users, the main options are Trakt (best for automation and connected apps, with tighter free limits), Serializd (free, social, and review-focused), and Simkl (strong importing and anime coverage). TVmaze is a good fit if you mostly want an accurate schedule and calendar.
This guide compares pricing, free-tier limits, importing, platforms, and privacy, based on each company's own pages as of September 17, 2026.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free tier | Paid tier(s) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trakt | Automatic scrobbling, media centers, connected apps | Yes, with limits | VIP (annual plans listed at $30/yr and $60/yr) [VERIFY tier differences] | Web; official iOS and Android apps; thousands of third-party apps via API |
| Serializd | Reviews, ratings, lists, following friends | Yes (all current features free) | None listed | Web, iOS, Android |
| Simkl | Importing from many services, anime, cross-device sync | Yes, with limits | PRO $34.99/yr; VIP $34.99 per six months; Lifetime VIP $249 | Web, iOS, Android, Windows; Chrome extension, Kodi, Plex |
| TVmaze | Schedules, calendars, bulk episode marking | Yes | Bronze, Silver, Gold (prices not shown on page) [VERIFY] | Web [VERIFY mobile apps] |
| TV Time | — | Discontinued July 15, 2026 | — | — |
Sources: Trakt VIP; Serializd; Simkl VIP; TVmaze Premium; Wikipedia summary of TV Time's announcement.
What happened to TV Time
TV Time, owned by Whip Media since 2016, announced on July 1, 2026, that its website and app would shut down on July 15, 2026 (Wikipedia, citing TV Time Support and MacRumors). The TV Time homepage now shows a thank-you message to its community (TV Time).
If you did not export your data before the shutdown, check whether TV Time's support site still offers a download [VERIFY whether any export path remains]. Serializd says it supports migrating history from TV Time, and Simkl lists TV Time import as a PRO/VIP feature (Serializd; Simkl). Both depend on having an export file or earlier connection, so confirm what each importer accepts before relying on it.
Trakt
Trakt is the most connected tracker. Its API powers what it describes as thousands of apps, including media center plugins, and it can "automatically scrobble what you're watching" (Trakt; Trakt apps). Trakt's official iOS and Android apps can also sync with streaming services; its announcement named Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Max, and Paramount+ (service names as written at the time) (Trakt forums) [VERIFY current supported list].
Recent changes to know about
- Free-tier limits (January 2025). Free users were limited to 2 personal lists of up to 100 items each and 100 items in watchlists and collections, while gaining features such as collaborative lists and 100 personal notes (Trakt forums) [VERIFY limits are unchanged].
- VIP renewal pricing (June 12, 2025). Trakt ended legacy, promotional, and grandfathered renewal prices; all renewals moved to standard pricing (Trakt forums).
- New interface for free users (March 17, 2026). Free users are redirected to Trakt's newer "V3" experience, while VIP users kept access to the older V2 site for now (Trakt forums).
- One community app for free accounts (July 22, 2026). Free accounts can connect one third-party "community app"; connecting more requires VIP. Trakt said it was not intentionally disconnecting existing apps (Trakt forums).
- Android TV. Trakt has announced an Android TV app (Trakt forums) [VERIFY launch date and availability].
VIP features
Trakt's VIP page lists no advertising, year-in-review stats, calendar notifications and iCal feeds, RSS feeds, CSV exports, advanced filtering, custom calendars, and early access to new features (Trakt VIP). The page shows plans of $2.50/month billed at $30/year and $5/month billed at $60/year [VERIFY what distinguishes the two plans].
Choose Trakt if: you use Plex, Kodi, Jellyfin, or other media software, want automatic logging, and are willing to pay for VIP if you rely on multiple connected apps.
Serializd
Serializd describes itself as a place to "track what you watch, write reviews, build lists, and discover your next favorite show," often compared to Letterboxd for TV. It is available on the web, iOS, and Android, and says it "is completely free to use. It costs nothing to use any of its current features" (Serializd).
Serializd's strength is its social layer: following friends, reading reviews, and browsing member lists. It supports migrating history from TV Time and Trakt. It is less focused on automation, so logging is mostly manual [VERIFY whether any automatic sync exists].
Choose Serializd if: you want a free, community-driven diary of what you watch, with reviews and ratings front and center.
Simkl
Simkl tracks TV, movies, and anime, with a database it says includes about 14,889 anime titles. It offers apps for iOS, Android, and Windows, plus a Chrome extension and Kodi and Plex integrations (Simkl).
Simkl pricing
| Plan | Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Default watchlists and limited custom lists [VERIFY exact limits] |
| Supporter | $1/month | Supporter badge and Discord role |
| PRO | $34.99/year ($2.91/month) | No ads, private profile, rewatch tracking, custom lists, personalized recommendations, Trakt and TV Time import |
| VIP | $34.99 every six months ($5.83/month) | All PRO perks, year and month in review, iCal sync, auto backup, RSS/JSON/CSV export |
| Student VIP | $2.99/month | VIP for users with an educational email |
| Lifetime VIP | $249 one-time | VIP permanently |
Source: Simkl VIP.
Simkl says it can import from more than 20 services, including Letterboxd, MyAnimeList, AniList, IMDb, Netflix, Kitsu, and BetaSeries. Importing from Trakt and TV Time, and restoring a JSON backup, requires PRO or VIP (Simkl).
Choose Simkl if: you watch a lot of anime, want broad importing, or want one tracker across TV, movies, and anime.
TVmaze
TVmaze is a schedule-first TV database with episode tracking. Its premium tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold) all include no advertising, "no tracking," a personalized schedule, bulk episode marking, and alternate airdates; Silver adds custom iCal and RSS feeds (TVmaze Premium). Prices were not displayed on the page when we checked [VERIFY].
Choose TVmaze if: you care most about accurate air dates and calendar feeds.
Import and export at a glance
| App | Import from | Export |
|---|---|---|
| Trakt | Many via connected apps and streaming sync [VERIFY direct CSV/TV Time import] | CSV export (VIP) |
| Serializd | TV Time, Trakt | [VERIFY] |
| Simkl | 20+ services free; Trakt, TV Time, JSON backup with PRO/VIP | RSS, JSON, CSV (VIP) |
| TVmaze | [VERIFY] | iCal and RSS feeds (Silver and up) |
Tip: whatever you choose, export your history periodically. TV Time's shutdown is a reminder that a tracker can disappear.
Privacy considerations
- Public profiles. Social trackers are designed for sharing. Check profile visibility settings; Simkl lists a private profile as a PRO perk (Simkl).
- Ads and tracking. Trakt VIP removes advertising, and TVmaze premium tiers list "no tracking" (Trakt VIP; TVmaze Premium).
- Streaming-account connections. Automatic sync may require linking streaming accounts or granting access to viewing history. Read each app's privacy policy before connecting [VERIFY each app's current privacy policy].
- Third-party apps. Apps that connect through an API can read your history. Review connected apps and revoke ones you no longer use.
How to choose
- Want it automatic? Trakt, especially with a media center or its streaming sync.
- Want it social and free? Serializd.
- Watch anime or want the widest imports? Simkl.
FAQ
Is TV Time still available? No. TV Time announced it would discontinue its website and app on July 15, 2026.
What is the best free alternative to TV Time? Serializd says all its current features are free and supports TV Time migration. Trakt and Simkl also have free tiers, with list and import limits.
How much does Trakt VIP cost? Trakt's VIP page lists plans billed at $30 per year and $60 per year. Check the page for current pricing in your region.
Can I move my history from Trakt to another app? Serializd and Simkl both list Trakt import, with Simkl requiring PRO or VIP for it.
Which tracker is best for anime? Simkl has dedicated anime coverage and imports from MyAnimeList, AniList, and Kitsu.
Why do trackers show different episode numbers? They may use different metadata sources or orderings (air, DVD, or absolute).
Sources
All accessed September 17, 2026.
- Trakt, VIP page — https://trakt.tv/vip
- Trakt, Apps page — https://trakt.tv/apps
- Trakt forums, "Freemium Experience: More Features for All with Usage Limits" (Jan. 21, 2025) — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/freemium-experience-more-features-for-all-with-usage-limits/41641
- Trakt forums, "Upcoming VIP Renewal Pricing Changes – Effective June 12, 2025" (May 13, 2025) — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/upcoming-vip-renewal-pricing-changes-effective-june-12-2025/56649
- Trakt forums, "Free Users Redirect to V3" (Mar. 17, 2026) — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/free-users-redirect-to-v3/102861
- Trakt forums, "An update to Community App connections" (July 22, 2026) — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/an-update-to-community-app-connections/117898
- Trakt forums, "Automatically sync your streaming services" — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/automatically-sync-your-streaming-services/34947
- Trakt forums, "Introducing Trakt for Android TV" — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/introducing-trakt-for-android-tv/77674
- Serializd — https://www.serializd.com/
- Simkl, VIP/PRO plans — https://simkl.com/vip/
- TVmaze, Premium — https://www.tvmaze.com/premium
- TV Time homepage — https://www.tvtime.com/
- Wikipedia, "TV Time" (citing TV Time Support and MacRumors, July 2026) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Time