# BFBS Player vs PalStream IPTV

The clearest difference is price: BFBS Player at Free against PalStream IPTV's $4.99. BFBS Player also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). PalStream IPTV's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 6 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

BFBS Player is free to download; PalStream IPTV costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

BFBS Player ships an update every 6 months, PalStream IPTV every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BFBS Player | PalStream IPTV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bfbs-player/id1017649305/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3** | — |
| Positive reviews | 19.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 66 MB | 50 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BFBS Radio](https://appshunter.io/developer/463475235) | [Ibrahim Qraiqe](https://appshunter.io/developer/318538483) |

## 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


### PalStream IPTV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/palstream-iptv/id6773535035)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BFBS Player free?

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

### Is PalStream IPTV free?

PalStream IPTV costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do BFBS Player or PalStream IPTV have ads?

Neither BFBS Player nor PalStream IPTV shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BFBS Player or PalStream IPTV?

BFBS Player ships an update every 6 months, and PalStream IPTV every 11 days. Most recently, BFBS Player was updated on September 17, 2026 and PalStream IPTV on September 18, 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.*