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The best TV Time alternatives in 2026 (an honest comparison)

July 13, 2026 · updated September 4, 2026 · 5 min read

With TV Time closing on July 15, 2026, millions of users are looking for a new home for their show tracking. Here's an honest comparison of the serious options — including ours, limits included.

Trakt — the most complete, but paid for the essentials

Trakt is the historical reference: huge database, integrations (Plex, Kodi…), open API. But the official mobile app lags behind, the UI is aging, and many essentials (extended calendar, filters, no ads) require the VIP subscription. TV Time import exists (official importer).

Simkl — rich but dense

Simkl covers shows, anime and movies with detailed stats. Its very busy interface divides opinions, but the core — tracking and full history — is free. TV Time import: yes, depending on your export format.

Serializd — elegant, but shows only

Built as the “Letterboxd for TV”, lovely for reviews. But no movies, no release calendar, no notifications — but a TV Time import, shows only.

WatchTrail — our proposal (limits included)

WatchTrail was built during the TV Time shutdown, specifically for its users: TV Time ZIP import as is, in minutes, with reliable ID-based matching, episode-by-episode tracking, movies, calendar, email and push notifications per show, where-to-watch for your country, Marvel/Star Wars/DC universe checklists, stats and a yearly recap. Free, ad-free, export your data anytime.

In all honesty: the project is young. No native app yet (it's an installable PWA), no Plex/Trakt integration. If you need the Trakt ecosystem today, pick Trakt. If you want the TV Time experience back — free and with your history — give us a try.

The deciding factor: your history

Whatever you choose, get your TV Time export first — if you don't have it, request it (GDPR, still valid after the shutdown). Then pick the service that can re-import it cleanly: that's the difference between “starting over” and “continuing as if nothing happened”.

Why WatchTrail as an alternative — the details

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Also read: Switch trackers without starting over: Trakt, Simkl, IMDb, Letterboxd · TV Time is shutting down: how to save (and reuse) your history · Why I built WatchTrail (right as TV Time was shutting down) · What order should you watch the Marvel movies and shows (MCU) in 2026? · TV Time has shut down: now what? The guide to not losing your shows · How much time have you really spent watching TV shows? (and how to find out) · How to track your TV shows in 2026: the complete (and free) method · In what order should you watch Star Wars in 2026? (movies + shows, without getting lost) · Why you abandon TV shows (and how to finally finish them) · Where to watch a show legally? The simple reflex (based on your country) · I moved 136 shows off TV Time: the numbers · Nolan's The Odyssey: where to watch it, and when to expect streaming · House of the Dragon season 3: every episode and where to watch · What changed on WatchTrail this summer