Comparison

INPLAY vs ClearPlayer TV

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

INPLAY

This multimedia player supports DRM content and offers in-app communication features for users. It allows for both online streaming and offline playback of downloaded movies, with adaptive download capabilities. Users can also opt for private communication channels.

Highlights
  • DRM content playback
  • In-app communication/chat
  • Offline playback
  • Adaptive download
  • Multi-language audio and subtitles
  • Customizable watermarks
Features
Read full description

IdeaNova INPLAY player plays DRM content and provides communication/chat functionality. INPLAY DRM is a free multimedia player provided by IdeaNova Technologies that plays DRM content and allows users to chat with each other. The content can be played over connected network from a backend streaming server or can be downloaded for offline playback. This is the port of INPLAY media player to the iOS platform. INPLAY for iOS can play single and multi bitrate content. INPLAY is intended for everyone, is totally free, has no ads, other than for the purpose of demonstrating pre-roll ad functionality, no in-app-purchases, no spying and is developed by IdeaNova developers. Features –––––––– INPLAY for iOS can use the default content or users can supply their own content for testing of various encoding and encryption features. The following features are available in this INPLAY sample DRM player: * INPLAY communicator: Allows users to communicate about the movies, travel or life in general while traveling and watching a movie over local network. This unique feature allows users to communicate with other passengers or communication with the flight crew for the purpose of service requests, personal announcements, etc. This is all possible without access to the Internet and the user can opt out of using this service and communicate over a private channel with only the users they trust. * INPLAY adaptive download: Allows users to download a movie and watch it offline without any infrastructure at all. This is a rather unique implementation as the content is still Widevine DRM protected and once downloaded, access to watch the content is granted for the duration of the Widevine DRM license. INPLAY has also implemented adaptive download, which maximizes the ability to download the content in a given time by adjusting the content bandwidth to the available network. *Online playback of FairPlay DRM content *Online playback of Widevine Classic DRM content *Online and offline playback of Widevine Modular DRM content *Playback of pre-roll advertisement – non DRM content *Playback using multi language audio and subtitles for Widevine Modular DRM content *INPLAY support display of visible watermark with options to adjust font and opacity

About

ClearPlayer TV

A universal media player for M3U/M3U8 and Xtream Codes playlists, offering robust playback features like Picture-in-Picture and DRM support. It allows users to organize and securely share their media sources without ads or pre-loaded content.

Highlights
  • M3U/M3U8 and Xtream Codes playlist support
  • ClearKey DRM and XMLTV EPG
  • Picture-in-Picture and background playback
  • Automatic audio track selection
  • Secure playlist and EPG sharing
  • Channel search and category organization
Features
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ClearPlayer is a universal media player for iOS, iPadOS, and Apple TV, engineered for modern streaming standards, custom playlists, ClearKey, and XMLTV EPG integration — built from the ground up for viewers who demand total control over their playback experience. Stream Engine & Performance • Unified Native Playback: Hardware-accelerated bitstream processing powered by AVFoundation and VideoToolbox for smooth, battery-efficient playback • Advanced Protocol Pipeline: Seamless playback of HLS (RFC 8216) and MPEG-DASH (ISO/IEC 23009-1) streams across fragmented MP4 (fMP4), CMAF, and MPEG-TS containers, with integrated ClearKey support • Real-Time Stream Inspector: Live technical readout of resolution (up to 4K UHD), frame rate (50/60 fps), bitstream codec (HEVC, AVC), instantaneous bitrate, and dynamic range (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, SDR) • Live DVR & Extended Time-Shift: Pause, rewind, and scrub live broadcasts with deep time-shift buffer support and configurable seek jump steps (10s, 30s, 1m, 2m) • Multi-Channel Audio & Subtitles: Instant track selection for multi-language audio, spatial formats (including Dolby Digital Plus), and embedded subtitles • Quick Play: Instantly test and launch any stream URL or M3U snippet with a single tap, without adding it to your permanent library • Native Picture in Picture (PiP) and continuous background / lock-screen audio playback Playlists & Formats • Comprehensive M3U & M3U8 Support: Handles nested playlists, extended tags (#EXTINF, #EXTGRP, #EXTVLCOPT, #EXTHTTP), and compressed archives • Xtream Codes Integration: Full organization for Live TV libraries, complete with account status and connection monitoring • Extended Streaming Parameters: Native handling for Kodi and VLC streaming metadata (#KODIPROP), custom HTTP headers, user-agent overrides, and key system parameters • Direct File Import: Add playlist files directly from the Files app or iCloud Drive • Automated Background Refresh: Scheduled synchronization with smart token renewal and offline cache persistence Interactive TV Guide (XMLTV EPG) • Visual EPG Grid: Interactive program schedule matrix across channels and timelines, optimized for touch and the big screen • Rich Program Metadata: Detailed program sheets featuring synopsis, cast, directors, release year, genres, and episode details • Multi-Source Hierarchy: Attach multiple XMLTV sources with customizable prioritization and intelligent channel matching • High-Definition Channel Logos: Crisp vector SVG and raster logo rendering with intelligent dark and light contrast adaptation • Now Playing Integration: Automatic program progress tracking and artwork updates on the lock screen and Control Center Privacy & Asymmetric Sharing • End-to-End Encrypted Sharing: Share playlists securely between devices using state-of-the-art asymmetric device-key cryptography (HPKE Curve25519) • Protected Source URLs: Keep underlying stream URLs and credentials safely locked in the recipient's secure Keychain, completely hidden and non-exportable • Expiration Controls: Set optional time-based expiration dates on shared access • Absolute Privacy: No advertisements. No user tracking. No accounts required. Your playlists and viewing habits stay entirely on your device. Tailored Design & Localization • Liquid Glass Visual Design: 14 customizable accent colors, adaptive light and dark themes, and selectable channel layouts (Grid or List) • Global Reach: Fully localized in 22 languages ClearPlayer does NOT provide, host, or distribute any media content or channels. It is a technical playback tool: users must supply their own content sources and are solely responsible for the links they choose to play.

Screenshots

INPLAY4 screens
ClearPlayer TV4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ClearPlayer TV at 5.0 against INPLAY's 3.0. ClearPlayer TV also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). INPLAY's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ClearPlayer TV holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

INPLAY ships an update every 4 months, ClearPlayer TV every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
INPLAY versus ClearPlayer TV: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterINPLAYClearPlayer TV
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIdeaNova Technologies, Inc.Matteo Nunziati

Customer experience

INPLAY

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ClearPlayer TV

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

INPLAY

No in-app purchases

None

ClearPlayer TV

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is INPLAY free?
INPLAY is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ClearPlayer TV free?
ClearPlayer TV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, INPLAY or ClearPlayer TV?
ClearPlayer TV is rated higher. INPLAY averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ClearPlayer TV averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do INPLAY or ClearPlayer TV have ads?
Neither INPLAY nor ClearPlayer TV shows ads.
Which is updated more often, INPLAY or ClearPlayer TV?
INPLAY ships an update every 4 months, and ClearPlayer TV every 4 days. Most recently, INPLAY was updated on October 15, 2026 and ClearPlayer TV on October 20, 2026.

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