The Best TV Tracker Apps in 2026: Trakt, Serializd, Simkl, and TV Time Alternatives Compared
77 preserved extracts. Unpublished draft; claims and verification flags are retained.
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tv blog draft E5 best tv tracker apps 2026
title: "The Best TV Tracker Apps in 2026: Trakt, Serializd, Simkl, and TV Time Alternatives Compared"
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tv blog draft E5 best tv tracker apps 2026
metadescription: "Compare TV tracker apps in 2026: Trakt, Serializd, Simkl, and TVmaze pricing, free limits, imports, and platforms, plus what TV Time's shutdown means."
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tv blog draft E5 best tv tracker apps 2026
audience: TV fans choosing an app to log episodes, get new-episode alerts, and move their watch history after TV Time's shutdown
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tv blog draft E5 best tv tracker apps 2026
updatefrequency: Quarterly, and immediately after any pricing, ownership, shutdown, or free-tier change at a listed app
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The Best TV Tracker Apps in 2026: Trakt, Serializd, Simkl, and TV Time Alternatives Compared
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.
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The Best TV Tracker Apps in 2026: Trakt, Serializd, Simkl, and TV Time Alternatives Compared
This guide compares pricing, free-tier limits, importing, platforms, and privacy, based on each company's own pages as of September 17, 2026. [Site Name] also offers its own [[Episode tracker]] and [[Watchlist]], but this guide covers the independent apps.
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Quick comparison
App — Best for — Free tier — Paid tier(s) — Platforms
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Quick comparison
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
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Quick comparison
Serializd — Reviews, ratings, lists, following friends — Yes (all current features free) — None listed — Web, iOS, Android
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Quick comparison
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
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Quick comparison
TVmaze — Schedules, calendars, bulk episode marking — Yes — Bronze, Silver, Gold (prices not shown on page) [VERIFY] — Web [VERIFY mobile apps]
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Quick comparison
TV Time — — — Discontinued July 15, 2026 — — — —
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Quick comparison
Sources: Trakt VIP; Serializd; Simkl VIP; TVmaze Premium; Wikipedia summary of TV Time's announcement.
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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).
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What happened to 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.
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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].
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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].
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Recent changes to know about
VIP renewal pricing (June 12, 2025). Trakt ended legacy, promotional, and grandfathered renewal prices; all renewals moved to standard pricing (Trakt forums).
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Recent changes to know about
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).
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Recent changes to know about
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).
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Recent changes to know about
Android TV. Trakt has announced an Android TV app (Trakt forums) [VERIFY launch date and availability].
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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].
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VIP features
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.
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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).
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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].
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Serializd
Choose Serializd if: you want a free, community-driven diary of what you watch, with reviews and ratings front and center.
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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).
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Simkl pricing
Free — $0 — Default watchlists and limited custom lists [VERIFY exact limits]
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Simkl pricing
Supporter — $1/month — Supporter badge and Discord role
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Simkl pricing
PRO — $34.99/year ($2.91/month) — No ads, private profile, rewatch tracking, custom lists, personalized recommendations, Trakt and TV Time import
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Simkl pricing
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
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Simkl pricing
Student VIP — $2.99/month — VIP for users with an educational email
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Simkl pricing
Lifetime VIP — $249 one-time — VIP permanently
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Simkl pricing
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).
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Simkl pricing
Choose Simkl if: you watch a lot of anime, want broad importing, or want one tracker across TV, movies, and anime.
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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].
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TVmaze
Choose TVmaze if: you care most about accurate air dates and calendar feeds.
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Import and export at a glance
Trakt — Many via connected apps and streaming sync [VERIFY direct CSV/TV Time import] — CSV export (VIP)
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Import and export at a glance
Serializd — TV Time, Trakt — [VERIFY]
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Import and export at a glance
Simkl — 20+ services free; Trakt, TV Time, JSON backup with PRO/VIP — RSS, JSON, CSV (VIP)
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Import and export at a glance
TVmaze — [VERIFY] — iCal and RSS feeds (Silver and up)
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Import and export at a glance
Tip: whatever you choose, export your history periodically. TV Time's shutdown is a reminder that a tracker can disappear.
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Privacy considerations
Public profiles. Social trackers are designed for sharing. Check profile visibility settings; Simkl lists a private profile as a PRO perk (Simkl).
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Privacy considerations
Ads and tracking. Trakt VIP removes advertising, and TVmaze premium tiers list "no tracking" (Trakt VIP; TVmaze Premium).
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Privacy considerations
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].
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Privacy considerations
Third-party apps. Apps that connect through an API can read your history. Review connected apps and revoke ones you no longer use.
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How to choose
Want it automatic? Trakt, especially with a media center or its streaming sync.
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How to choose
Want it social and free? Serializd.
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How to choose
Watch anime or want the widest imports? Simkl.
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How to choose
Mostly need a reliable schedule? TVmaze, alongside [Site Name]'s [[Release calendar]].
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How to choose
Mismatched episode numbers between apps are common; see our explainer on [[Episode order explained]].
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FAQ
No. TV Time announced it would discontinue its website and app on July 15, 2026.
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FAQ
What is the best free alternative to TV Time?
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FAQ
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.
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FAQ
Trakt's VIP page lists plans billed at $30 per year and $60 per year. Check the page for current pricing in your region.
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FAQ
Can I move my history from Trakt to another app?
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FAQ
Serializd and Simkl both list Trakt import, with Simkl requiring PRO or VIP for it.
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FAQ
Simkl has dedicated anime coverage and imports from MyAnimeList, AniList, and Kitsu.
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FAQ
Why do trackers show different episode numbers?
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FAQ
They may use different metadata sources or orderings (air, DVD, or absolute). Our [[Episode order explained]] guide covers why.
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Sources
Trakt, VIP page — https://trakt.tv/vip
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Sources
Trakt, Apps page — https://trakt.tv/apps
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Sources
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
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Sources
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
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Sources
Trakt forums, "Free Users Redirect to V3" (Mar. 17, 2026) — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/free-users-redirect-to-v3/102861
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Sources
Trakt forums, "An update to Community App connections" (July 22, 2026) — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/an-update-to-community-app-connections/117898
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Sources
Trakt forums, "Automatically sync your streaming services" — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/automatically-sync-your-streaming-services/34947
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Sources
Trakt forums, "Introducing Trakt for Android TV" — https://forums.trakt.tv/t/introducing-trakt-for-android-tv/77674
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Sources
Serializd — https://www.serializd.com/
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Sources
Simkl, VIP/PRO plans — https://simkl.com/vip/
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Sources
TVmaze, Premium — https://www.tvmaze.com/premium
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Sources
TV Time homepage — https://www.tvtime.com/
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Sources
Wikipedia, "TV Time" (citing TV Time Support and MacRumors, July 2026) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVTime
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Image suggestions
Original comparison graphic: feature matrix (free tier, paid price, import, platforms) using app names as text.
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Image suggestions
Original flowchart: "Which tracker should you use?"
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Image suggestions
App logos only per each company's press or brand guidelines; request press kits from Trakt, Serializd, Simkl, and TVmaze.
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Image suggestions
Screenshots only with permission or from official press kits. Do not use TV Time branding in a way that implies the app still operates.