Trakt is actually a pretty solid solution for him.
Not because the streaming apps can't track episodes individually. They can. Usually. Until:
- someone switches devices,
- profiles get mixed,
- an app randomly forgets progress,
- a season gets re-added under a different listing,
- or Paramount+ decides "Continue Watching" is more of a philosophical suggestion than a feature.
Which absolutely happens. Streaming apps are somehow simultaneously billion-dollar platforms and haunted carnival rides.
If his goal is simply:
"I want one place that remembers what episodes I've watched across services."
…then Trakt is probably the cleanest option available right now.
Especially useful if he:
- rotates between multiple streaming services
- watches on different devices
- binges several shows simultaneously
- forgets where he left off
- watches older shows with 10+ seasons
- has ADHD-level media consumption like the rest of modern civilization
The simplest legit-user setup would be:
- Trakt account
- Optional Trakt VIP if he wants official streaming sync integrations
- Mobile app or browser extension
- Use Trakt mainly as the "master memory"
Alternative options exist, but they're weaker:
- TV Time → very mainstream/social/mobile-focused
- JustWatch → better for "where is this streaming?" than progress tracking
- Simkl → surprisingly good, more anime-heavy crowd
- Reelgood → decent aggregator, less robust tracking
Trakt still tends to win for serious episode tracking without becoming obnoxious. Which is rare. Most apps eventually mutate into ad-delivery systems wearing the corpse of a useful feature.