Trakt vs Simkl: Which service should hold your watch history?

Compare Trakt and Simkl accounts, mobile workflows, anime organization and import options.

The short answer

Choose Trakt if…

you use Trakt-connected apps or media-center integrations
you want Trakt’s official web and mobile experience

The trade-off: App and API limits can depend on your Trakt plan.

Choose Simkl if…

you want dedicated anime organization
you prefer Simkl’s website and supported automatic trackers

The trade-off: Simkl Lists is one client; other features live on the website or in integrations.

What matters for your library

Trakt and Simkl are separate tracking services with websites, mobile clients and connected tools. Compare the ecosystem you use today, the way anime is organized, and the direction of any import before connecting accounts.

Trakt vs Simkl in everyday use

Compare the publisher’s screens below. Tap an image to see the details; the captions distinguish the task each screen illustrates.

Finding unfinished episodes

Trakt: Continue Watching shows the next episode and series progress.

Simkl: Season progress bars show completed and remaining episodes.

Trakt publisher image: Continue Watching shows the next episode and series progress. — Trakt

SIMKL / Simkl Lists publisher image: Season progress bars show completed and remaining episodes. — Simkl

Opening a show

Trakt: Title details combine tracking actions, information and community context.

Simkl: A compact title page offers episode-marking and tracking-state controls.

Trakt publisher image: Title details combine tracking actions, information and community context. — Trakt

SIMKL / Simkl Lists publisher image: A compact title page offers episode-marking and tracking-state controls. — Simkl

Planning another watch

Trakt: Discovery categories surface popular and anticipated titles.

Simkl: An airing schedule organizes episodes from followed shows by date.

Trakt publisher image: Discovery categories surface popular and anticipated titles. — Trakt

SIMKL / Simkl Lists publisher image: An airing schedule organizes episodes from followed shows by date. — Simkl

Feature comparison

Trakt vs Simkl
Feature	Trakt	Simkl
Service status	Active	Active
Movies & TV	Included	Included
Anime organization	Combined catalog	Dedicated category
Mobile access	Official apps / clients	Lists / PWA / clients
Web library	Included	Included
Automatic tracking	Supported integrations	Supported integrations
Paid plans	VIP	Pro / VIP
Trakt → Simkl	Source account / ZIP	Documented import
Two-way service sync	Not established	Not established

Service features and mobile-client features differ. Check current account limits and import formats.

By Moviebase · Checked Sep 12, 2026 · Sources

Published by Moviebase using official service documentation and publisher artwork. Images show the mobile clients, not every web feature. No account migration or device test was performed.

Keeping your history

Moving from Trakt to Simkl

Simkl documents a Trakt connection and a Trakt ZIP-file import. Choose the route offered by its current importer, then inspect matched history, watchlist and ratings.

A ZIP upload is a one-time import. A connected update option is not proof of two-way synchronization; check the current plan and frequency.

Read Simkl’s import options

Questions

Are Trakt and Simkl the same account service?

No. They maintain separate accounts and libraries, even when an integration copies supported records between them.

Does Simkl Lists include every Simkl feature?

No. The screenshots show the Lists client. The service also has web, PWA and integration workflows.

Can I keep both libraries automatically identical?

This comparison verifies a Trakt-to-Simkl import and a connected update option, not complete two-way synchronization. Check the current import settings and field coverage.

Try the workflow with a few familiar titles

Check your history, an unfinished show and a saved film before moving your whole library.

Explore Trakt Explore Simkl