TV Time shut down on July 15, 2026
Simkl vs TV Time: the most complete free replacement? (2026)
Simkl is arguably the most generous free alternative: automatic tracking, lists, imports and full history cost nothing. It's also one of the few to seriously cover anime, on top of shows and movies.
Checked on July 24, 2026
Simkl and WatchTrail, point by point
| Criterion | Simkl | WatchTrail |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free core; VIP for a few $/month (lifetime option) | Free, no ads |
| Automatic tracking | Yes — browser extension (Netflix, Crunchyroll…) | No: you tick (or a whole season in one click) |
| Anime | Very well covered | Covered like any other show (no specialization) |
| Ads | Present on free, removed with VIP | None |
| Learning curve | Dense: lots of options and screens | Deliberately focused on tracking |
What Simkl does better than us
- The best free feature-to-price ratio: auto-tracking and full history without paying
- Automatic tracking straight from the browser, no Plex or Kodi needed
- Anime coverage few alternatives match
Where Simkl falls short
- The interface is busy: expect an adjustment period
- Ads on the free tier
- Automatic tracking relies on a browser extension (so your computer, not your TV)
Simkl is the right pick if…
If you watch a lot of anime, or if free automatic tracking is your number one criterion, Simkl is probably the better pick — and honestly, it does things we don't.
So where does WatchTrail fit?
WatchTrail targets the user who wants exactly the TV Time gesture back — tick your episode, see what's airing, know where to watch — in an interface that needs no learning, with no ads and no paid tier. The trade-off: tracking stays manual.
Frequently asked questions
Is Simkl really free?
The essentials, yes: automatic tracking, lists, import and full history. VIP, a few dollars a month, mainly adds advanced filters, deeper statistics and ad removal.
Does Simkl replace TV Time for movies?
Yes, Simkl tracks movies, shows and anime in one place — one of its advantages over shows-only alternatives.
The real criterion: your history
Whatever tool you pick, check that it takes your TV Time export — and how. On WatchTrail, every show is matched by its ID, not by its title.
See how to move my historyOther comparisons
Other services' pricing and features change over time: this page shows when it was last checked. When in doubt, the service's own page is authoritative.