Kodi actually has an official PlayOn addon, called PlayOn Browser. We’ll explain how you can use this to record shows for offline playback, and provide an in-depth configuration guide to get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Warning: Kodi should only be used for content to which you have the legal right to access. Neither the Kodi Foundation nor Comparitech advocates the use of Kodi for piracy.

Always use a VPN with Kodi

Internet Service Providers can and do reduce the speeds of users who stream frequently. This is called throttling, and it can cause playback issues like stuttering or buffering, even if you pay for a fast internet connection. You can prevent both of these issues by connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

These encrypt your data, hiding what you get up to online and preventing your ISP from recognizing the telltale signs of streaming traffic. We recommend NordVPN for Kodi users. It doesn’t keep any logs, works with just about every streaming service we’ve tested, and boasts some of the quickest speeds on the market. Better still, it includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

How to install and setup the PlayOn Kodi addon

Before we can start using the PlayOn Browser Kodi addon, we have a little bit of setup to do. This just involves signing up, installing PlayOn Home on your device, and linking your streaming accounts. Here’s how to do all of that in just a few minutes:

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

  • First, head over to PlayOn and download PlayOn Home. There’s almost always a free seven-day trial version available but after that, it costs $4.99 USD per month or $39.99 per year.
  • Once installed, you’ll have to register. Just click Create an account on the main screen and follow the steps, then log in
  • From the PlayOn main menu, click the gear icon in the lower-left corner of the screen. It will take a few seconds for the settings menu to load
  • Click the Channels tab
  • For each service that you have a subscription to, enter your login info into the box provided
  • When you’re done entering login info, click OK
  • This completes the non-Kodi part of the installation and setup. You can now close the PlayOn software and open up Kodi.
  • From the main menu, click Add-ons
  • Next, select Download followed by Video Add-ons
  • Scroll down the list and select PlayOn Browser. Click Install
  • When the addon finishes installing, select PlayOn Browser again. A list of channels will appear. Choose one that you set up already in the PlayOn software. Click the channel to open the main menu for that channel
  • Select whatever video you want to watch. That’s all there is to installing and setting up the PlayOn Kodi addon to watch movies and shows!

How to record shows and movies using PlayOn

To record a program so that you can keep it forever, follow these instructions.

  • Load the PlayOn software and move over to the Channels tab
  • Click on a channel that has a program you want to record
  • Navigate to the movie or particular episode of a show you want to record
  • Move your cursor over the episode or movie. You’ll see a circular button to the right of the program’s description. Click this
  • Your content will now begin recording. You’ll notice that the Record queue icon in the upper-right corner of the screen turns red to confirm this
  • When the recording is finished, open Kodi and navigate to the main menu of the PlayOn Kodi addon
  • Click PlayOn recordings. You’ll see your recording listed there, although it may be in a folder that PlayOn has created to help you keep all of your recordings organized
  • Click the episode or movie to play it and verify that it has been recorded

Recording programs uses up a lot of resources, and it’s a bit buggy. Sometimes, programs will not record correctly and you’ll have to start over. We recommend setting programs to record only when you’re not actively using your device. In addition, you should always test the videos afterward to make sure there was not an error.

PlayOn and Kodi: Your questions answered

Unfortunately, this isn’t currently the case, as PlayOn only works with extremely popular, fully licensed streaming services. This way, the company can make sure it’s not allowing its customers to download content from unofficial sources.

PlayOn Cloud is exclusively for Mac and mobile users. It doesn’t record shows to your device, instead storing them in the cloud and allowing you to choose where to download them later. However, there is a per-recording fee and you have to buy credits beforehand.

PlayOn Home, on the other hand, is the classic experience. There aren’t any fees outside of the subscription cost, and you download shows directly to your PC. This version relies on your hardware instead of the cloud’s so will likely take a bit longer to record content, though.