The Fireplace App vs iSTB Lite
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The Fireplace App
Create a cozy holiday atmosphere with a virtual fireplace and festive music. Perfect for family gatherings and enjoying the Christmas spirit indoors.
- Virtual roaring fireplace
- Stream holiday music
- Cozy atmosphere creation
- Family-friendly entertainment
- Indoor holiday spirit
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The Holiday Fireplace is your app to get all cozy and warm with family and friends around the Christmas holidays. Stream holiday music while watching the roaring flames in the comfort of your own home!
iSTB Lite
Watch IPTV content from various providers using MAC address, Xtream Codes API, or M3U playlists. Features include channel search, favorites, EPG, and VOD playback. This app requires a valid IPTV subscription.
- Add/remove portals
- Search channels by name
- Add channels to favorites
- Electronic programming guide (EPG)
- View VOD content
- Watch with subtitles
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iSTB allows you to watch IPTV from MAC address based providers which use Stalker Middleware, providers using the Xtream Codes API and M3U playlists. **Please use the this app to check if your provider is supported** **Some providers are not supported** Features: - Add/remove a portal - Search genres and channels by name - Add channels to a favorites list - Full electronic programming guide or EPG (dependent on your provider) - View VOD content (dependent on your provider) - Catch up on past programs (dependent on your provider) - Watch VOD with subtitles from OpenSubtitles - Watch multiple streams at once with Multi View (dependent on your provider) - Watch content in portrait or landscape - Dark theme Get the full version of the app for loads of other features: - Add/remove unlimited portals - Connect to multiple portals at once with profile groups - No interruptions while watching content - Download VOD content - Play audio in background - Watch multiple streams at once with Multi View (dependent on your provider) - Cast to TV (May not work with all providers. Requires VLC app to be installed and a Chromecast.) - Play picture in picture (supported devices) - Opening last view channel - And more! Please note: - This app works with MAC address & Xtream Codes based IPTV providers and M3U playlists only. Use this app to check if your provider is supported. - You will need a valid subscription with an IPTV provider to watch content. This app does not offer any video or audio content itself. - All content is provided by your IPTV provider. If you have any questions or problems regarding the content or your subscription, please contact your IPTV provider directly. - You will need an active internet connection to watch content. Data charges may apply. Please check with your internet provider directly. - By using this app, you acknowledge and agree that you have the legal right to access and view the content provided by you. The app does not host, store, or distribute any copyrighted content. Users are solely responsible for ensuring that they comply with applicable laws, regulations, and copyright agreements when accessing and streaming content. The app and its developers assume no liability for any misuse of the service. If you do not have the necessary rights to access certain content, you must refrain from using the app for such purposes.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iSTB Lite at none against The Fireplace App's 3. iSTB Lite also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (74 vs 1). The Fireplace App's advantage is rating (3.0 vs 2.6) and review sentiment (50% vs 31%). On price and ads 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
Both are free to download. The Fireplace App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. iSTB Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.
The Fireplace App holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iSTB Lite has 74 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of The Fireplace App's written reviews are positive against 31% of iSTB Lite's.
The Fireplace App ships an update every 11 months, iSTB Lite every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The Fireplace App | iSTB Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (1 ratings) — better | 2.6 (74 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 31.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 74 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 195 MB | 117 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | NWIC Inc. | Nihal Ahmed |
Customer experience
The Fireplace App
iSTB Lite
Bugs and requests
The Fireplace App
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
iSTB Lite
Reported bugs
10 issues- PiP not working properly
- App stops working after iOS updates
- Pop-up message stops movies
- App closes when loading channels on MacBook
- App not working on iOS devices
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- Cannot watch in fullscreen
- Buffering issue on Apple TV
- Error: could not content from the portal
- App doesn't load on LTE, only WiFi
- Constant alerts stop programs
Requested features
16 requests- Playback speed controls
- Support for WebVideoCast
- Picture-in-picture support
- Parental control
- Record video functionality
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- Volume control
- M3U list support
- Add multiple profiles
- Support for Mac platform
- Apple TV compatibility (native)
- Full screen button
- Panel usage time
- More list slots
- Discount on pro version
- Support for AirPlay
- Support for German language
In-app purchases
The Fireplace App
- Monthly Subscription$7.991 Month
- 1 Month$7.991 Month
- Annual Subscription$89.991 Year
iSTB Lite
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The Fireplace App free?
Is iSTB Lite free?
Which has better reviews, The Fireplace App or iSTB Lite?
Do The Fireplace App or iSTB Lite have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Fireplace App or iSTB Lite?
Other comparisons
