LibreELEC vs OSMC vs Kodi: Best Media Center OS for Raspberry Pi

Turning a Raspberry Pi into a home media center is one of the most popular projects out there, and for good reason. These tiny boards are silent, energy-efficient, and powerful enough to handle 4K video playback. But here’s where most beginners get stuck: choosing between LibreELEC raspberry pi, OSMC, or installing Kodi raspberry pi directly on the standard OS.

After building media centers for my living room, workshop, and even a few for friends, I’ve tested all three approaches extensively. This guide breaks down the real differences and helps you pick the right solution for your setup.

Understanding the Relationship Between Kodi, LibreELEC, and OSMC

Before comparing these options, let’s clarify what each one actually is—because the terminology confuses a lot of people.

Kodi is the media center application itself. Originally called XBMC (Xbox Media Center), it’s open-source software that provides an intuitive TV-friendly interface for playing movies, music, photos, and streaming content. Kodi runs on virtually any platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and yes, Raspberry Pi.

LibreELEC and OSMC are operating systems that run Kodi. Think of them as complete packages—minimal operating systems designed specifically to boot directly into Kodi. They’re both “Just Enough OS” (JeOS) distributions, meaning they contain only what’s necessary to run Kodi and nothing more.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	LibreELEC	OSMC	Kodi on Raspberry Pi OS
Base System	Custom Linux (minimal)	Debian Linux	Full Raspberry Pi OS
Boot Target	Direct to Kodi	Direct to Kodi	Desktop (Kodi as app)
RAM Usage	~150-200MB	~250-350MB	~400-600MB
Boot Time	15-25 seconds	25-40 seconds	45-90 seconds
Customization	Limited (Kodi only)	Moderate (apt-get access)	Full (complete OS)
SSH Access	Optional	Yes (full terminal)	Yes (full terminal)
Additional Software	Via Kodi add-ons only	Via apt-get + Kodi	Via apt-get + Kodi

LibreELEC Raspberry Pi: The Dedicated Approach

LibreELEC (Libre Embedded Linux Entertainment Center) was forked from OpenELEC in 2016 when the original project’s development slowed. Today, it’s the most popular dedicated Kodi distribution for Raspberry Pi—and for good reason.

Why LibreELEC Stands Out

The philosophy behind LibreELEC is simple: include just enough operating system to run Kodi, and nothing else. This results in an incredibly lightweight, fast, and stable system.

Key advantages of LibreELEC raspberry pi:

Advantage	Details
Fastest Boot Time	15-25 seconds from power-on to Kodi interface
Lowest Resource Usage	~150MB RAM at idle
Automatic Updates	Built-in update mechanism for seamless upgrades
Hardware Support	First to support new Pi models (Pi 5 supported since LibreELEC 12)
Stability	Minimal system means fewer potential failure points
4K/HDR Support	Full support on Pi 4 and Pi 5

LibreELEC Raspberry Pi Compatibility

Pi Model	Support Status	Recommended Version
Raspberry Pi 5	Full Support	LibreELEC 12.x (aarch64)
Raspberry Pi 4/400	Full Support	LibreELEC 12.x (aarch64)
Raspberry Pi 3/3B+	Full Support	LibreELEC 12.x (arm)
Raspberry Pi 2	Full Support	LibreELEC 12.x (arm)
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W	Full Support	LibreELEC 12.x (arm)
Raspberry Pi Zero/1	Limited	LibreELEC 9.x (older)

LibreELEC Limitations

The minimalist approach has trade-offs. You cannot install additional Linux software outside of Kodi add-ons. Want to run a web server, file sharing, or home automation alongside your media center? LibreELEC won’t allow it.

SSH access is available but limited in usefulness since the underlying system provides only the bare minimum. The filesystem is largely read-only by design.

OSMC: The Flexible Alternative

OSMC (Open Source Media Center) takes a different approach. Created by Sam Nazarko—who previously developed Raspbmc—OSMC is built on Debian Linux, giving you a full operating system underneath Kodi.

Why Choose OSMC

Advantage	Details
Full Debian Base	Access to apt-get and Debian repositories
Custom Interface	Polished skin with improved aesthetics
Extensibility	Install additional software (web servers, file sharing, etc.)
App Store	OSMC’s own curated app store
Terminal Access	Full Linux terminal for advanced users

OSMC Use Cases

OSMC shines when you want your Pi to do more than just media playback:

• Run a Samba file server alongside Kodi
• Host a web interface for remote management
• Set up home automation services
• Install Docker containers
• Use the Pi as a general-purpose Linux machine

OSMC Current Limitations

At the time of writing, OSMC doesn’t officially support Raspberry Pi 5. The OSMC team is working on it, but if you have a Pi 5, LibreELEC is currently your best option.

OSMC also consumes more resources than LibreELEC—roughly 100-150MB more RAM at idle. On modern Pi 4 or Pi 5 models with 4GB+ RAM, this is negligible. On older models or 2GB variants, it can matter.

OSMC Raspberry Pi Compatibility

Pi Model	Support Status
Raspberry Pi 5	In Development
Raspberry Pi 4/400	Full Support
Raspberry Pi 3/3B+	Full Support
Raspberry Pi 2	Full Support
Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero W	Full Support

Kodi on Raspberry Pi OS: Maximum Flexibility

The third option is installing Kodi directly on standard Raspberry Pi OS. This gives you complete control but requires more setup and ongoing maintenance.

Installing Kodi Raspberry Pi on Standard OS

Kodi is available in the official Raspberry Pi repositories:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kodi

This approach means Kodi runs as an application rather than being the entire operating system. You keep the full Raspberry Pi OS desktop environment alongside Kodi.

Pros and Cons of Kodi on Raspberry Pi OS

Pros	Cons
Full desktop environment	Slower boot to Kodi
Maximum software flexibility	Higher resource usage
Easy to switch between Kodi and desktop	More manual configuration
Access to all Pi software	Less optimized for media playback
Good for multi-purpose Pi	Requires more maintenance

This option makes sense if your Pi serves multiple purposes—maybe it’s also your retro gaming machine (RetroPie), development workstation, or learning platform. Running Kodi as one application among many keeps your options open.

Head-to-Head Performance Comparison

Real-world performance matters more than specifications. Here’s what I measured on a Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB):

Boot Time Comparison

System	Cold Boot to Kodi UI
LibreELEC 12.x	~18 seconds
OSMC	~32 seconds
Raspberry Pi OS + Kodi	~75 seconds

Memory Usage (Idle, Kodi Running)

System	RAM Usage
LibreELEC	~180MB
OSMC	~290MB
Raspberry Pi OS + Kodi	~520MB

Video Playback Performance

All three handle 1080p content without issues on any Pi 3 or newer. For 4K content:

Content Type	LibreELEC	OSMC	Pi OS + Kodi
4K H.264	Smooth (Pi 4/5)	Smooth (Pi 4)	Smooth (Pi 4/5)
4K HEVC	Smooth (Pi 4/5)	Smooth (Pi 4)	Smooth (Pi 4/5)
4K HDR	Supported (Pi 4/5)	Supported (Pi 4)	Limited

Installation Guide: Getting Started

Regardless of which system you choose, installation follows a similar pattern using Raspberry Pi Imager.

Installing LibreELEC Raspberry Pi

1. Download Raspberry Pi Imager from raspberrypi.com/software
2. Click “Choose OS” → “Media player OS” → “LibreELEC”
3. Select the version matching your Pi model
4. Choose your SD card and write
5. Insert SD card into Pi and boot

Alternatively, download the latest image directly from libreelec.tv/downloads/raspberry/ and flash using “Use custom” in Imager.

Installing OSMC

1. Visit osmc.tv/download
2. Download the OSMC installer for your computer
3. Run the installer and follow the wizard
4. Select Raspberry Pi as your device
5. Write to SD card and boot

Installing Kodi on Raspberry Pi OS

1. Flash standard Raspberry Pi OS using Imager
2. Boot and complete initial setup
3. Open terminal and run:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kodi

1. Launch Kodi from the applications menu or run kodi in terminal

Essential Kodi Add-ons for Raspberry Pi

Once your media center is running, these add-ons enhance the experience:

Add-on	Purpose	Notes
YouTube	Video streaming	Requires API setup
Netflix	Streaming (unofficial)	Requires account + Widevine
Plex	Media server client	Connect to Plex server
Jellyfin	Open-source media server	Alternative to Plex
IPTV Simple Client	Live TV	Requires M3U playlist
Kodi Backup	System backup	Essential for preserving settings

Useful Resources and Downloads

Official Download Links

Resource	URL
LibreELEC Downloads	libreelec.tv/downloads/raspberry/
OSMC Downloads	osmc.tv/download
Kodi Official	kodi.tv/download
Raspberry Pi Imager	raspberrypi.com/software

Community Support

Platform	URL
LibreELEC Forum	forum.libreelec.tv
OSMC Forum	discourse.osmc.tv
Kodi Forum	forum.kodi.tv
Reddit r/kodi	reddit.com/r/kodi

Documentation

Resource	URL
LibreELEC Wiki	wiki.libreelec.tv
OSMC Wiki	osmc.tv/wiki
Kodi Wiki	kodi.wiki

Which Should You Choose?

After years of testing, my recommendation breaks down like this:

Choose LibreELEC raspberry pi if:

• You want a dedicated media center (nothing else)
• Fast boot times matter to you
• You have a Raspberry Pi 5
• You prefer the simplest, most stable option
• You don’t need to run additional software

Choose OSMC if:

• You want to run additional services alongside Kodi
• You prefer the OSMC interface design
• You’re comfortable with Linux and want terminal access
• You might add file sharing or home automation later
• You have a Pi 4 or older (Pi 5 support pending)

Choose Kodi on Raspberry Pi OS if:

• Your Pi serves multiple purposes
• You want a full desktop environment available
• You’re experimenting and learning Linux
• You run RetroPie or other software too
• Maximum flexibility matters more than performance

For most users building a dedicated media center, LibreELEC raspberry pi is the best choice. It’s the fastest, lightest, and most frequently updated option with excellent Raspberry Pi hardware support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between LibreELEC and Kodi?

Kodi is the media center software application that provides the interface for playing media. LibreELEC is a complete operating system built specifically to run Kodi. When you install LibreELEC raspberry pi, you get a minimal Linux system that boots directly into Kodi—no desktop environment, no extra software, just Kodi ready to use.

Can I install Netflix on LibreELEC or OSMC?

Yes, but it requires additional setup. Netflix works through the unofficial Netflix add-on which needs the Widevine DRM library. On LibreELEC, you can install the Widevine library using the Inputstream Helper add-on from the Kodinerds repository. The process is similar on OSMC. Note that this is unofficial and may occasionally break when Netflix updates their service.

Which is better for Raspberry Pi 5: LibreELEC or OSMC?

Currently, LibreELEC is the better choice for Raspberry Pi 5 because it has full official support since LibreELEC 12. OSMC is still working on Pi 5 support. LibreELEC 12.x provides 4K HDR playback, hardware acceleration, and optimal performance on the Pi 5’s improved hardware.

Can I run both OSMC and LibreELEC on the same Raspberry Pi?

Not simultaneously, but you can dual-boot using tools like PINN (an enhanced version of NOOBS). This lets you install multiple operating systems on one SD card and choose which to boot at startup. However, most users find it simpler to pick one system and stick with it, or use different SD cards for different setups.

How much storage do I need for a Kodi Raspberry Pi media center?

For the operating system alone, an 8GB SD card is sufficient for LibreELEC or OSMC. However, if you plan to store media locally, you’ll want much more. I recommend a 32GB SD card minimum for the OS plus some add-ons, then use a USB external drive or network storage (NAS) for your actual media files. This keeps your boot drive fast and reliable while providing ample storage for content.

Final Thoughts

Building a kodi raspberry pi media center is genuinely one of the best Pi projects for beginners and experienced users alike. The combination of low cost, silent operation, and impressive 4K playback capability makes it hard to beat.

For most people, LibreELEC offers the ideal balance of simplicity and performance. Flash the image, boot up, and you’re watching content within minutes. OSMC remains an excellent choice if you value flexibility and want that full Debian foundation underneath. And installing Kodi on standard Raspberry Pi OS makes sense when your Pi wears multiple hats.

Whichever path you choose, you’ll end up with a capable media center that rivals commercial streaming boxes costing several times more.

Remote Control Options for Your Media Center

A media center isn’t complete without a good remote control solution. Here are the options that work with all three systems:

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)

If your TV supports HDMI-CEC (most modern TVs do), you can control Kodi using your TV’s standard remote. The Pi receives commands through the HDMI connection—no additional hardware needed.

Enable CEC in Kodi settings under “System” → “Input” → “Peripherals” → “CEC Adapter.”

Smartphone Apps

App	Platform	Features
Kore	Android	Official Kodi remote, free
Yatse	Android	Advanced features, premium option
Official Kodi Remote	iOS	Basic remote functionality
Sybu	iOS	Full-featured alternative

Dedicated Remotes

For the best experience, consider a dedicated remote like the FLIRC USB receiver paired with any infrared remote, or a mini wireless keyboard with touchpad for searching and text entry.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Video Stuttering or Buffering

Cause	Solution
Insufficient power	Use official 5V/3A (Pi 4) or 5V/5A (Pi 5) power supply
Slow SD card	Upgrade to Class 10 / A1 rated card or use USB SSD
Network issues	Use Ethernet instead of WiFi for streaming
Incorrect settings	Enable hardware acceleration in Kodi video settings

No Audio Output

1. Check Settings → System → Audio → Audio output device
2. For HDMI: Select “ALSA: bcm2835 HDMI” or similar
3. For 3.5mm jack: Select “ALSA: bcm2835 Headphones”
4. Verify TV/receiver isn’t muted

Black Screen After Boot

This often indicates an HDMI handshake issue. Try:

• Connecting HDMI before powering the Pi
• Using a different HDMI cable (especially for 4K)
• Adding hdmi_force_hotplug=1 to config.txt

Hardware Recommendations

The best media center experience comes from matching hardware to your needs:

Component	Budget	Recommended	Premium
Pi Model	Pi 3B+	Pi 4 (4GB)	Pi 5 (8GB)
Storage	32GB SD	64GB SD	USB SSD
Case	Passive	Heatsink case	Active cooling
Power Supply	Generic 3A	Official PSU	Official PSU
Resolution	1080p	1080p/4K	4K HDR

For 4K content, a Pi 4 or Pi 5 is essential. The Pi 3 handles 1080p content excellently but lacks the horsepower for 4K playback.