Best TV Time Alternative in 2026: Refract
If you're looking for a TV Time alternative, Refract is the most complete option: it's completely free with no ads, tracks movies, TV shows, and anime in one unified library, and has a built-in importer for your TV Time watch history. If you want more than TV tracking without paying for it, Refract is worth the switch.
Why people are looking for a TV Time alternative
TV Time built its reputation as a straightforward episode tracker for TV shows. Over time, several friction points have pushed users to look elsewhere:
- Ads: TV Time is free but ad-supported, and shows ads throughout the experience of logging what you watch.
- Limited movie support: TV Time is primarily built around TV episodes. Movie tracking is an afterthought rather than a core feature.
- No anime tracking: TV Time focuses on Western TV and does not support anime as a first-class media type.
- No import variety: If you also use Letterboxd, IMDb, or Trakt, TV Time offers no path to consolidate that history.
None of this makes TV Time a bad product — it still does its core job well. But if your tracking needs have grown beyond it, there are better-suited options.
What TV Time still does well
TV Time has a large, active community, a well-designed episode-by-episode check-in flow, and a social discovery layer that's genuinely useful for Western TV fans. Its notification system for new episodes and its show-discussion threads are features that many users appreciate and don't find replicated everywhere. If you primarily watch English-language TV and the ads don't bother you, TV Time remains a capable choice.
Why Refract is the strongest alternative
Refract was built from the start to address the gaps above. The core principles: free forever (no ads, no paywall, no premium tier), unified tracking for movies, TV, and anime, and a data-portability-first import system that lets you arrive with your full watch history intact.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Refract | TV Time |
|---|---|---|
| TV shows | ✓ Full tracking | ✓ Full tracking |
| Movies | ✓ Full tracking | Limited |
| Anime | ✓ Full tracking | — |
| Free forever | ✓ Always free | Free with ads |
| No ads | ✓ Zero ads | Ad-supported |
| Episode diary & ratings | ✓ Per-episode diary | ✓ |
| Import history | ✓ TV Time, Letterboxd, IMDb, Trakt | Limited |
| Cross-device sync | ✓ iOS & Android | ✓ iOS & Android |
| Social features | ✓ Profiles, follows, activity feed | ✓ Community & discussions |
| Statistics & year in review | ✓ Detailed stats & yearly wrap | Basic |
| Books & games | Coming soon | — |
How to switch from TV Time to Refract
Switching takes about five minutes of setup. Your watch history comes with you.
- Export your data from TV Time — Go to TV Time's settings and request a data export. You'll receive a file with your full watch history.
- Download Refract — Available on iOS and Android (links below).
- Open the Import screen — In Refract, go to Settings → Import → TV Time.
- Upload your export file — Refract processes it in the background and notifies you when the import is complete.
- Review your library — Your shows, episode progress, and ratings will be there.
Frequently asked questions
Can Refract import my TV Time watch history?
Yes. Refract has a built-in TV Time importer. Export your data from TV Time, then use the Import screen in Refract to bring over your entire watch history — including which episodes you've watched. The import runs in the background and shows you progress as it goes.
Is Refract really free?
Completely free, no catch. Refract has no subscription tier, no premium upgrade, and no ads. Every feature — tracking, diary, stats, social, recommendations — is available to every user at no cost.
Does Refract track anime as well as TV shows?
Yes. Refract is built as a unified tracker for movies, TV shows, and anime. If you track anime alongside your regular TV watching, Refract keeps everything in one library with accurate episode counts and metadata.
Does Refract sync across devices?
Yes. Your library, progress, ratings, and diary sync instantly across all your devices — iOS and Android. Sign in with the same account and everything is there.
Does Refract track movies too?
Yes. Refract gives movies full first-class tracking — diary entries, ratings, watch history, and stats — alongside TV shows and anime. TV Time's movie support is more limited by comparison.
Can I import from Letterboxd or IMDb as well?
Yes. Refract supports imports from TV Time, Letterboxd, IMDb, and Trakt, so you can consolidate tracking history from multiple services in one place.
Other TV tracking alternatives worth considering
Refract isn't the only option. Here's an honest look at the other commonly recommended alternatives:
- Serializd — A clean, community-focused TV tracker with a strong social layer. TV-only; no movies or anime.
- Simkl — Broad media support (TV, movies, anime) and good automation via scrobbling. Interface is more utilitarian.
- Trakt — Long-established, powerful API and scrobbling ecosystem. Free tier has limitations; Trakt VIP unlocks additional features.
- Letterboxd — The gold standard for movie tracking and film community. TV-only in a limited sense; primarily movies.
Try Refract — free, no ads, forever
Import your TV Time history in minutes. Available on iOS and Android.