Trakt is the best TV show tracking app still running in 2026, with automatic scrobbling from Plex and Kodi and equal depth for movies and TV series. TV Time, the original winner of this six-app test, shut down on July 15, 2026 and deleted account data; exported histories can be parked at tasteray.com/tv-time.
With peak TV showing no signs of slowing down, keeping track of which shows you are watching, which episode you are on, and what is coming up next has become a chore in itself. TV show tracking apps promise to solve this.
We tested 6 of the most popular options, focusing specifically on the TV tracking experience — episode-level logging, new episode alerts, and series management.
Our Methodology
Each app was used for 30+ days while actively following 10-15 TV shows. We evaluated: episode marking speed, notification reliability for new episodes, calendar accuracy, backlog management, and whether the app made it easier to keep up with multiple ongoing series.
The Rankings
TV Time
Pros
- Purpose-built for TV tracking — episode-level marking is fast and reliable
- New episode notifications are timely and accurate
- Progress tracking shows where you are in each series
- Social features let you discuss episodes with other fans
- Available on iOS and Android with good mobile UX
Cons
- Ads in free tier are intrusive and disruptive
- Movie tracking feels like an afterthought
- Stats are basic compared to Trakt
- Data export is limited
The best pure TV tracking experience on mobile while it lasted: TV Time shut down on July 15, 2026 and deleted its account data. Kept in this ranking for the record. If you saved your export, TasteRay's rescue page at tasteray.com/tv-time can park it.
Trakt
Pros
- Automatic scrobbling from Plex, Kodi, and other media centers
- Tracks both movies and TV with equal depth
- Detailed stats and viewing history
- Episode calendar is comprehensive and accurate
- Excellent API with rich third-party app ecosystem
Cons
- Interface feels dated on the web
- VIP subscription ($30/year) needed for full features
- Setup is more complex than TV Time
Best for power users and media center users. The automatic scrobbling is a game-changer if you use Plex or Kodi.
Letterboxd
Pros
- Best community for discussing quality TV dramas
- Excellent for logging limited series and miniseries
- Beautiful interface and design
- Strong editorial and list culture
Cons
- No episode-level tracking — only logs complete series
- TV support is secondary to film
- Cannot track ongoing shows episode by episode
- No new episode notifications
Great for logging completed series, but not a real TV tracking tool. Use it alongside a dedicated tracker.
IMDb
Pros
- Most comprehensive TV database — every show and episode listed
- Episode ratings help you decide if a show stays good
- Watchlist feature works for tracking series to start
- Free to use
Cons
- No episode-level progress tracking
- No new episode notifications
- Interface is cluttered and ad-heavy
- Not designed as a tracking tool
Useful as a reference for episode info and ratings, but not a functional TV tracker.
TasteRay
Pros
- AI recommendations include TV series, not just movies
- Mood-based discovery helps find new shows to watch
- Shows streaming availability across platforms
- Free with no limitations
Cons
- No episode tracking or progress management
- No new episode notifications
- No TV-specific tracking features
- Focused on discovery, not tracking
Not a TV tracker, but useful for discovering new series. Pair it with Trakt for the complete experience.
JustWatch
Pros
- Shows where to stream each TV show
- Alerts when shows become available on your platforms
- Good for deciding which streaming service to subscribe to
Cons
- No episode-level tracking
- No progress management or series backlog features
- Discovery is platform-based, not taste-based
- Not designed as a tracking tool
Useful for finding where to watch, but does not solve the tracking problem at all.
Sources and further reading
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FAQs about Best TV Show Tracking Apps in 2026
What is the difference between TV Time and Trakt?
The core difference between TV Time and Trakt came down to simplicity versus power: TV Time offered the friendlier mobile experience, while Trakt adds automatic scrobbling from media centers, deeper stats, and a richer API. Since TV Time shut down in July 2026, Trakt is the one still available, and former TV Time users can park their exports at tasteray.com/tv-time.
Can I track TV shows on Letterboxd?
Tracking TV shows on Letterboxd, ranked second in this comparison, is possible but limited, since it logs an entire series at once rather than individual episodes. There's no way to mark your progress through a specific season or get new episode alerts. For real episode-level tracking, Trakt handles the job properly now that TV Time is gone.
Do any TV tracking apps show where to stream each episode?
Trakt shows streaming availability alongside its episode tracking, as TV Time did before its 2026 shutdown. A tracker alone doesn't match the depth of a dedicated tool, so for the most comprehensive picture of where to stream, pairing Trakt with JustWatch, ranked here specifically for streaming search, covers the gap.