An IPTV subscription gives you a login. The player app is what turns that login into a channel list, a programme guide and a picture on your screen. Two people with the same subscription can have a very different experience depending on the app they choose, so it is worth picking carefully.
This guide compares the player apps UK viewers ask us about most often. We look at what each one does well, where it falls short, which devices it runs on and how it is paid for. We have left out prices, because app makers change them often and some vary by device. Always check the current price in the app store before you pay.
What a good IPTV player app should do
Before comparing apps, it helps to know what separates a good player from a frustrating one. These are the things that make the biggest difference day to day.
- A clear programme guide. You should be able to see what is on now and next across many channels at once, in a grid that looks like a traditional TV guide.
- Fast channel switching. Changing channel should take a second or two, not five or six.
- Support for your login type. Most apps accept Xtream Codes details, an M3U link or MAC address activation, but not all of them accept all three. Our article on M3U, Xtream Codes and MAC address logins explains the difference.
- Catch-up support. If your subscription offers catch-up on some channels, the app needs to support it to let you play programmes from earlier in the week.
- Favourites and hidden groups. A long channel list is far easier to use when you can hide groups you never watch and pin the ones you do.
- Regular updates. Apps that are not updated tend to break after the device's own software updates.
TiviMate
TiviMate is the app many experienced IPTV users settle on if they watch on an Android TV, Google TV or Fire TV device.
What it does well
Its programme guide is the closest thing to a traditional set-top box guide you will find in a player app. Channels sit down the left, programmes run across in a time grid, and you can scroll through the evening with the remote. Channel switching is quick, and the app copes well with very large channel lists. You can sort and hide groups, set favourites, and set how often the guide refreshes.
What to know first
TiviMate only runs on Android-based TV devices. It does not run on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Samsung or LG smart TVs, or Windows. Several of its most useful features, including support for more than one playlist, catch-up controls and recording, sit behind a paid premium upgrade. It is not always listed in the Amazon Appstore, so Fire TV users may need to install it from the developer's own website using the Downloader app, as our Fire TV Stick setup guide explains.
Best for
Anyone watching mainly on a Fire TV Stick, an Android TV box or a Google TV device who wants a traditional TV-style guide.
IPTV Smarters Pro
IPTV Smarters Pro is one of the most widely used players, largely because it runs on so many platforms.
What it does well
It is available for Android phones and tablets, Android TV, Fire TV, iPhone, iPad and computers, so you can use the same app, with the same layout, on most of the screens in your house. It separates live TV, films and series into clear sections, and it handles Xtream Codes logins well, loading the on-demand library and programme guide automatically.
What to know first
Its programme guide is less polished than TiviMate's, and on large channel lists it can feel slower to scroll. The look and features can vary slightly between platforms. Check you are installing the genuine app from an official store, because similarly named copies appear from time to time.
Best for
Households that watch across several types of device and want one familiar app on all of them.
IBO Player
IBO Player is common on smart TVs, where the choice of apps is limited.
What it does well
It is available on many recent Samsung and LG smart TVs as well as Android devices. Instead of asking you to type a long login with the TV remote, it shows a MAC address and a device key on screen. You send those to your provider, who activates them, and your channels appear. For people who find typing on a TV frustrating, that is a real advantage.
What to know first
IBO Player normally charges its own activation fee after a short trial, separate from your IPTV subscription. If you reinstall the app or reset the TV, the MAC address can change and you will need to send the new one. Its interface is functional but less refined than the best Android players.
Best for
Samsung and LG smart TV owners who do not want to add a streaming stick. Our Samsung and LG setup guide covers activation step by step.
Smart IPTV
Smart IPTV is one of the longer-established players for smart TVs.
What it does well
It runs on a range of smart TV platforms and uses a MAC address system similar to IBO Player. You upload your playlist through the app maker's website rather than typing it on the TV.
What to know first
It charges a one-off activation fee per TV. Availability in Samsung and LG app stores has changed over the years, and some newer TVs may not list it. The interface is basic compared with modern alternatives.
Best for
Older smart TVs where it is still available and newer players are not.
GSE Smart IPTV
GSE Smart IPTV has been around for a long time on iPhone and iPad.
What it does well
It supports M3U playlists and Xtream Codes logins, handles programme guides, and offers plenty of settings for people who like to adjust things such as buffer size and video decoding.
What to know first
Its menus are dense, and new users can find it harder to set up than simpler apps. Some features need an in-app purchase.
Best for
iPhone and iPad users who want more control than a simple player gives them.
iPlayTV
iPlayTV is designed for Apple TV.
What it does well
It feels at home on Apple TV, with a guide and channel list built around the Siri Remote. It supports M3U playlists and programme guide links.
What to know first
It is a paid app and focuses on Apple TV, so it will not cover the Android devices in your house. If you mainly use Xtream Codes logins, check the current version supports the way your provider sends details.
Best for
Households that watch mainly on an Apple TV 4K. Our Apple device guide covers setup.
VLC media player
VLC is a free, open-source media player that runs on almost everything, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.
What it does well
It opens an M3U link directly, so it is a useful way to test whether a playlist works. It is free, with no adverts.
What to know first
VLC is a media player rather than a TV app. It shows your channels as a long playlist with no programme guide, no catch-up and no favourites. Watching that way every evening soon becomes tiring.
Best for
Testing a playlist, or occasional viewing on a laptop. See our guide to watching IPTV on a PC or Mac for better long-term options.
Kodi
Kodi is a free media centre for Android, Windows, Mac, Linux and some other platforms.
What it does well
Using Kodi's official PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on, you can load an M3U playlist and programme guide and get a full TV guide inside Kodi. It is very flexible, and many people already use Kodi for their own media library.
What to know first
Setup takes longer than with a dedicated player, and Kodi's flexibility means more settings to understand. Only use add-ons from Kodi's official repository. Third-party add-ons that promise free access to paid channels can expose your device to malware and are often unlawful.
Best for
People who already use Kodi and are comfortable adjusting settings.
Which IPTV player app should you choose?
| Your main device | Our suggestion | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV Stick or Cube | TiviMate or IPTV Smarters Pro | Fast, with good guides on Fire OS devices |
| Android TV or Google TV | TiviMate | The most TV-like guide on Android |
| Samsung or LG smart TV | IBO Player | Widely available, with MAC activation |
| iPhone or iPad | IPTV Smarters Pro or GSE Smart IPTV | Reliable on iOS with Xtream Codes support |
| Apple TV 4K | iPlayTV or IPTV Smarters | Built for the Apple TV remote |
| Windows or Mac | IPTV Smarters or VLC | Desktop versions available |
| Several kinds of device | IPTV Smarters Pro | The same app across most platforms |
Tips before you pay for any player app
Try before you buy
Most paid apps offer a free trial or a free version. Use it at the times you usually watch, such as a Saturday evening, to see how the app behaves when your broadband is busiest.
Keep your login somewhere safe
Save your Xtream Codes details or M3U link in a password manager or a note on your phone. Moving to a new app or device is much quicker when you do not have to ask for them again.
Download only from official sources
Install apps from Google Play, the Amazon Appstore, the Apple App Store, your TV's own app store, or the developer's official website. Copies of popular apps shared through other links can contain malware.
Separate the app from the subscription
Player apps do not come with channels. If an app offers channels of its own for a small fee, treat that as a warning sign, and read our guide on how to spot an IPTV scam.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same IPTV login in more than one app?
Yes. Your login is not tied to a particular app. You can use one app on the living room TV and a different one on your phone, as long as the number of screens playing at the same moment stays within your plan's limit.
Why does the same channel look better in one app than another?
Apps decode video in different ways. Many let you switch between hardware and software decoding in their settings. If a channel stutters or shows a black screen, changing the decoder option often fixes it.
Do I need to pay for a player app?
Not always. Several players are free or have a free version, and VLC and Kodi are free. Paid upgrades usually add features such as recording, catch-up controls or more than one playlist. Your subscription works with free and paid apps alike.
If you are still unsure which app suits your setup, tell us your device when you contact King of Stream and we will recommend one, and send your login in the format that app needs.
