# BFBS Player vs RIAT

The clearest difference is ads: BFBS Player at none against RIAT's shown. BFBS Player also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and device support (4 vs 2). RIAT's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for BFBS Player against 5.0 for RIAT. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

BFBS Player ships an update every 6 months, RIAT weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BFBS Player | RIAT |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfbs-player/id1017649305/reviews) | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riat/id6744925651/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 19.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 66 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BFBS Radio](https://appshunter.io/developer/463475235) | [THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CHARITABLE TRUST ENTERPRISES](https://appshunter.io/developer/891726908) |

## What reviewers say

### BFBS Player

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfbs-player/id1017649305)

Access a variety of UK TV channels and exclusive Forces content while serving overseas. Requires authentication with a Defence Gateway account for serving British Forces members and entitled users. Not intended for unsupervised use by minors.

**Highlights:** UK TV channels, Exclusive Forces channels, Overseas access, Defence Gateway authentication, Forces TV channel access in UK

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for overseas access
- 👍 Catch up service appreciated
- 👍 Improved login process (recent)
- 👍 Works well for some users
- 👍 Free service appreciated

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Location detection issues
- 🐛 Constant buffering
- 🐛 Login problems
- 🐛 App crashes/freezes
- 🐛 Limited channels available

**Reported bugs**

- App thinks users are in the UK when abroad
- App buffers constantly
- Unable to play stream
- Cannot log in
- App returns to login screen after submitting info

**Requested features**

- Show all channels
- Improve location detection for overseas users
- Add Apple TV app
- Enable screen mirroring/casting
- Make app backwards compatible for older iPads


### RIAT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/riat/id6744925651)

Your official guide to the world's greatest airshow, held annually at RAF Fairford. Access all the essential information to enhance your visit, from schedules to site maps.

**Highlights:** Official event guide, Visit information, Schedules, Site maps, Essential details

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BFBS Player free?

BFBS Player is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RIAT free?

RIAT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BFBS Player or RIAT?

BFBS Player and RIAT are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.

### Do BFBS Player or RIAT have ads?

RIAT shows ads; BFBS Player does not.

### Which is updated more often, BFBS Player or RIAT?

BFBS Player ships an update every 6 months, and RIAT weekly. Most recently, BFBS Player was updated on October 24, 2026 and RIAT on October 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*