Acestream Kodi setups let Kodi play live streams that travel over the Ace Stream peer-to-peer network. Ace Stream itself still exists, but the way people connected it to Kodi has changed. The Plexus add-on this guide used to rely on is dead, and the repository that newer guides point to no longer works either. This page explains what Ace Stream is, how it fits with Kodi today, and what to watch out for.
Short answer: Ace Stream’s apps still exist, but I could not find a working, verifiable install source for any Ace Stream add-on for current Kodi, so this page no longer includes step-by-step add-on installs. The old Plexus method does not work on Kodi 19 or newer.
Acestream Kodi Quick Facts
| What it is | A peer-to-peer streaming platform where viewers share the load of a stream |
| Official apps | Ace Stream Media (Windows, Linux, Android) and Ace Stream Engine (Android, Android TV) |
| Not listed on the official site | Fire TV and macOS |
| What Kodi needs | The Ace Stream engine running, plus an add-on or a separate player to connect the two |
| Engine address | 127.0.0.1:6878 on the device running the engine (from Ace Stream’s API reference) |
| Plexus add-on | Discontinued, does not run on Kodi 19 or newer |
| Luar repository | Source addresses in circulation no longer work |
What Is Acestream?
Acestream is a multimedia platform that relies on peer-to-peer (P2P) bittorrent connections for maximum efficiency and to share the load of the stream. When you view an acestream Kodi stream, you share your connection with others and your Kodi box loads the stream in small pieces from a number of other users. Where a regular live stream lags as more users connect to the server, an acestream distributes the bandwidth load across more users for a better experience.
Acestream media links are very popular for live IPTV and special events where a regular link is going to be overloaded. Ace Stream’s own documentation describes it as an open network owned and operated by its users, which also means the platform carries whatever its users put on it. Much of what circulates is unlicensed live TV and sports.
What Are Ace Stream Links and Content IDs?
Every Ace Stream stream is identified by a content ID. Links usually start with acestream:// followed by that ID. Ace Stream’s API reference shows the engine accepting a content ID, and also an infohash, a magnet link or a URL. Whatever you use to play a stream, the engine has to be running first, because it does the actual peer-to-peer work.
How Does Kodi Play Ace Stream Now?
Kodi does not speak Ace Stream by itself. It needs the engine plus something that hands the stream over. Ace Stream’s API reference says the engine exposes a local web interface at 127.0.0.1:6878, with playback endpoints named /ace/getstream and /ace/manifest.m3u8 that take a content ID. That is how add-ons and other players talk to it. I have not tested a Kodi setup built directly on those endpoints, so I am not giving one as a how-to.
Plexus Is Dead
Plexus used to be the bridge, and the old version of this page walked you through installing it. It was written for Python 2, so it cannot run on Kodi 19 or newer, and the server it installed from is offline. The full explanation is in our Plexus Kodi guide.
Horus and the Luar Repository
Most 2025 and 2026 guides replace Plexus with an add-on called Horus, installed from a repository called Luar. Luarsource.github.io/Luar/ returns a “Site not found” page, and luarsource.github.io/Fuente/ lists a single “Hasta pronto” entry and no add-ons. I could not find a working Luar repository.
I also could not confirm that Horus works on Kodi 21. The only GitHub copy I found is a third-party mod with no releases and no named maintainer, and an undated Linux Adictos article says Horus fails on many channels because it is not maintained. So there are no install steps for it here.
Playing the Link in Ace Stream’s Own App
The simplest option I can source is to skip Kodi for channels that won’t play. Ace Stream makes its own apps, and the same Linux Adictos article suggests opening stubborn channels in a separate Ace Stream player app instead of inside Kodi. That is a workaround, not a fix.
Which Devices Can Run the Ace Stream Engine?
| Device | Official Ace Stream app |
|---|---|
| Windows | Ace Stream Media |
| Linux | Ace Stream Media |
| Android phone, tablet or box | Ace Stream Media, Ace Stream Engine |
| Android TV | Ace Stream Media (Smart TV), Ace Stream Engine |
| Fire TV and Firestick | Not listed on the official site |
| macOS | Not listed on the official site |
This comes from acestream.org as of October 2026. Fire OS runs Android apps, but Ace Stream does not list it and I have not verified it, so I cannot recommend a method for a Firestick.
Are There Acestream Kodi Addons That Still Work?
Some live Kodi addons have a selection of acestream links loaded into them. Kodi addons do not store any content. They are simply search engines into the public internet.
For live sports with official streams, our UFC guide and NFL guide cover the licensed routes.
Do You Need a VPN for Ace Stream?
Because you share your connection with others when you view acestream links, your internet service provider (ISP) and others can detect that you are streaming and see information about your connection. Depending where you live, some ISPs are vigilant, sending out letters and threatening legal action to users.
A VPN hides your real IP address from the other viewers on the stream and hides what you are doing from your ISP. Make sure the VPN you pick allows P2P traffic, because some providers block or limit it. NordVPN is the one we lead with, and our Best VPN for Kodi guide compares the rest. Streaming copyrighted material without permission is illegal in many countries.
Acestream Kodi Troubleshooting
Ace Stream Won’t Play in Kodi
Check that the Ace Stream engine is actually running before you start the stream, and that whatever connects Kodi to it points at the right address. If a channel still won’t play, try opening it in Ace Stream’s own player app instead.
Ace Stream Keeps Buffering
A peer-to-peer stream is only as good as the people sharing it, so a small or slow swarm will buffer no matter what you change. For the Kodi side, see Stop Buffering in Kodi.
Kodi Can’t Install the Add-on
If Kodi says it could not connect to a repository, the source is usually gone, as with the old Plexus and Luar addresses. See Can’t Install Kodi Addons and Kodi Not Working.
Acestream Kodi FAQ
What is Ace Stream?
Ace Stream is a peer-to-peer streaming platform. Viewers share the load of a stream with each other, which helps popular live streams hold up under heavy traffic.
Does Ace Stream work with Kodi 21?
Ace Stream’s apps still exist, but the Plexus add-on does not run on Kodi 19 or newer. I could not find a working install source for the add-on most newer guides use, so I cannot confirm a tested method for Kodi 21. Ace Stream’s own apps can play links outside Kodi.
Do you still need Plexus for Ace Stream?
No. Plexus is discontinued, was written for Python 2, and cannot run on Kodi 19 or newer.
Do you need a VPN for Ace Stream?
Ace Stream is peer-to-peer, so other viewers can see your IP address and your ISP can see that you are using it. A VPN hides your address from both. Pick one that allows P2P traffic.
Is Ace Stream legal?
Ace Stream is a platform and does not host content itself. Streaming copyrighted material without permission is illegal in many countries, so only watch what you have the right to watch.
Can you use Ace Stream on a Firestick?
Ace Stream’s official site does not list Fire TV, and I have not verified it, so I cannot recommend a method. Android TV is the closest listed platform.
Last checked October 2026 against Kodi 21.3 Omega.
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