How KinoChain compares
Letterboxd is the gold standard for film logging and social discovery. KinoChain isn't trying to replace it — we're building for people who want deeper discovery and streaming integration on top of their logging habit.
Here's how the two compare:
Here's how the two compare:
Feature comparison
| Feature | KinoChain | Letterboxd |
|---|---|---|
| Film diary & logging | Yes — full diary with ratings, reviews, tags | Yes — diary, ratings, reviews, tags |
| Lists & watchlists | Yes — custom lists, system watchlist and favourites | Yes — lists, watchlist, top 4 |
| Film discovery | Chains — linked films by director, actor, theme | Lists, similar films, genre browsing |
| Streaming integration | Direct Plex, Jellyfin, Emby connection. Cross-references your library with your taste. | JustWatch links for streaming availability. No library integration. |
| Recommendations | Personalised picks from your own library based on watch history | Genre-based similar films. No personal library awareness. |
| Open API | Planned — public API for developers | Invite-only. Not open to most users. |
| Data portability | Full export. Import from Letterboxd, Trakt, IMDb. | Export via data request ZIP. Import limited. |
| Cost | Free during development. Pro tier planned. | Free. Pro ($19/year). Patron ($49/year). |
Last updated July 2026. Features change — check both platforms for current offerings.
Who is KinoChain for?
KinoChain is for film lovers who:
- Run a Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby server and want smarter picks from their own library
- Want discovery that goes beyond genre-based "similar films"
- Value data portability and the ability to import/export freely
- Enjoy the Letterboxd-style logging experience but want more from their watch history
If you're happy with Letterboxd's social features and don't care about streaming integration, Letterboxd is a fantastic product and you should keep using it. KinoChain is built for the gap between logging and watching — answering "what should I watch tonight?" with an answer drawn from your own library.
- Run a Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby server and want smarter picks from their own library
- Want discovery that goes beyond genre-based "similar films"
- Value data portability and the ability to import/export freely
- Enjoy the Letterboxd-style logging experience but want more from their watch history
If you're happy with Letterboxd's social features and don't care about streaming integration, Letterboxd is a fantastic product and you should keep using it. KinoChain is built for the gap between logging and watching — answering "what should I watch tonight?" with an answer drawn from your own library.
Bring your Letterboxd data with you
Import your entire diary, ratings, reviews, watchlist, and lists from a Letterboxd export. Takes minutes.