This is the correct answer. Kodi+fen+RD is my choice but it requires a bit more maintenance.

Browser auth is easier to dev and more secure because SSL is pre-established. Browsers tend to get security updates more often and have built in cert stores. Browsers are so central to an OS nowadays that path traversal is easier to set up, relative to individual apps.

If every application had to write this functionally, companies would have to redirect dev focus away from their core services and, most likely, would be shittier (for a number of reasons). It would also lead to more OS bloat.

On the other hand, if every app was a web app they’d be able to track you even better than they do now (at least regarding human interaction with the app itself); it’s easy to set up an outbound block on an application that isn’t a browser. On the other hand, installed apps can establish persistence. Like how Logitech does with its options software (I fucking hate this behavior btw).

• Note that I’m not disagreeing with your opinion, just trying to enrich it

Stremio is hard to beat for ease of use, but personally I prefer Kodi/Fen for

1. Kodi’s ability to customize audio - ie turn up center channel so you can actually hear what actors are mumbling without needing to constantly adjust the volume
2. Fen’s interface and ability for the user to discover new content

The downsides are Kodi’s (relative) lack of stability compared to alternatives and the fact that you have to manage storage meticulously if you’re using a smart device to run it. Kodi’s thumbnail cache can get out of control rapidly.

You can install a custom web UI.

https://github.com/qbittorrent/qBittorrent/wiki/List-of-known-alternate-WebUIs

I did this a while back, and while the alt I tested was great on mobile it didn’t offer the functionally I like to use with the built in UI.

I wanted to split mobile/desktop traffic, which I imagine is relatively straightforward if you have a decent amount of web dev experience, but alas I do not.