Comparison

iSTB vs IPTV Player

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

Head to head
About

iSTB

Stream IPTV content from MAC address-based providers, Xtream Codes API, and M3U playlists. Enjoy features like EPG, VOD with subtitles, multi-view, and background audio playback. Requires a valid IPTV subscription.

Highlights
  • Add/remove unlimited portals
  • Connect to multiple portals
  • Search channels and genres
  • Electronic programming guide (EPG)
  • View & download VOD content
  • Watch VOD with subtitles
  • Multi View and Picture in Picture
Features
Read full description

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 iSTB Lite app to check if your provider is supported** **Some providers are not supported** Features: - Add/remove unlimited portals - Connect to multiple portals at once with profile groups - Search genres by name - Search channels by name - Add channels to a favorites list - Full electronic programming guide or EPG (dependent on your provider) - View & download VOD content (dependent on your provider) - Catch up on past programs (dependent on your provider) - Watch VOD with subtitles from OpenSubtitles - Resuming of VOD and catch up content - Play audio in background - Watch multiple streams at once with Multi View (dependent on your provider) - Play picture in picture (supported devices) - Cast to TV (May not work with all providers. Requires VLC app to be installed and a Chromecast.) - Watch content in portrait or landscape - Dark theme - And more! Please note: - This app works with MAC address & Xtream Codes based IPTV providers and M3U playlists only. Download the iSTB Lite 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.

About

IPTV Player

This app transforms your IPTV playlists into a streamlined live TV, movie, and series viewing experience. It supports Xtream logins and M3U links, offering features like TV guides, custom EPG, and seamless playback controls.

Highlights
  • Xtream Codes login
  • M3U/M3U8 playlist support
  • Live TV with program info
  • Custom EPG support
  • Movies and Series details
  • Picture-in-Picture
  • Multiple playlist support
Features
Read full description

Opus turns your own IPTV playlist into a clean, fast TV experience on iPhone and iPad. Sign in with your Xtream details or paste an M3U / M3U8 link, and Opus sorts everything into Live TV, Movies and Series in seconds. WHY OPUS • Xtream Codes login: host, username and password • M3U and M3U8 (HLS) playlist links • Live TV with current program info and a per-channel TV guide • Custom EPG (XMLTV) URL support • Movies and Series with seasons, episodes, cast, ratings and trailers • Continue Watching, Favorites, Recently Added and Popular rows • Fast search across channels, movies and series • Picture-in-Picture and background audio • Subtitles and audio track selection, aspect ratio controls • Next Episode button so binge sessions never stop • Multiple playlists in one app • PIN lock for playlists, hide and reorder categories • Dedicated iPad layout ONE ACCOUNT, ALL YOUR SCREENS Create a free Opus account to keep playlists, favorites and watch progress in sync. Got an Apple TV? Scan the QR code on your TV with the Opus app and your playlists appear on the big screen instantly. PLANS Opus Pro removes the viewing limit and unlocks every feature. Pick how many devices you want to use with one Opus account: 2 devices: $2.99 / month, $7.99 / 3 months, $19.99 / year 5 devices: $4.99 / month, $12.99 / 3 months, $29.99 / year 10 devices: $39.99 / year, or $79.99 one-time lifetime purchase IMPORTANT Opus is a media player only. It does not include, sell or host any channels, streams or playlists, and it is not affiliated with any content provider. You need your own playlist or subscription from a service you are authorized to use. Images in the store listing are mock-ups. We do not support streaming copyrighted material without the rights holder's permission. Some movie and series details come from TMDB. Opus is an independent app with no endorsement from TMDB. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Recurring billing. Cancel anytime. When you purchase this subscription, the total amount will be charged to your Apple Account. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The account will be charged for renewal 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. If you purchase a subscription to this publication, any unused portion of the free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited. For more information, please visit our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Prices are in US dollars, may vary in countries other than the US, and are subject to change without notice. Privacy Policy: https://opusmediaplayer.com/privacy-policy/ Terms and Conditions: https://opusmediaplayer.com/terms-and-conditions/

Screenshots

iSTB4 screens
IPTV Player4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: IPTV Player at Free against iSTB's $14.99. iSTB's advantage is review sentiment (59% vs 39%) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

IPTV Player is free to download; iSTB costs $14.99 up front. iSTB sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and IPTV Player sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iSTB holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 937 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of iSTB's written reviews are positive against 39% of IPTV Player's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iSTB ships an update every 10 days, IPTV Player every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
iSTB versus IPTV Player: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriSTBIPTV Player
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (1.8K ratings) — better4.3 (937 ratings)
Positive reviews59.0% of reviews — better38.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1.8K — better937
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#9 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB150 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperNihal AhmedBIEL LLC

Customer experience

iSTB

All ratings1,791 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews466 reviews
Positive59.0%
Neutral10.7%
Negative30.3%

IPTV Player

All ratings937 ratings
Positive83.0%
Neutral4.1%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews465 reviews
Positive38.7%
Neutral12.0%
Negative49.2%

User reviews

iSTB

From 1.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly app
  • 🚀 Smooth streaming
  • 🔒 Reliable service
  • 💡 Useful features like EPG and favorites
  • 🎨 Good interface design

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔋 Battery drain issues
  • 🔍 Difficult navigation and search
  • 📺 Compatibility problems on some devices
  • 💸 Expensive for some users

IPTV Player

From 937 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Stable app
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Fast playback
  • 🚀 Seamless syncing across devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Buggy playback
  • 🐛 Unreliable restore purchases
  • 🐛 Slow initial load times
  • 💰 Expensive subscription

Bugs and requests

iSTB

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Xtream codes not working
  • Catchup TV not functioning
  • Channels not loading or buffering
  • Sync issues across devices
  • Playback problems on specific networks

Requested features

5 requests
  • Picture-in-Picture mode
  • Chromecast/AirPlay support
  • More customization options
  • Improved EPG and channel organization
  • Background playback and multi-tasking

IPTV Player

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Constant login prompts
  • Playlist download issues
  • Incorrect metadata display
  • Unreliable 'Continue Watching' feature
  • Incompatibility with some devices

Requested features

8 requests
  • Parental controls
  • A-Z channel sorting
  • Favorites management
  • Grid-style channel layout
  • Live TV EPG
Show 3 more
  • Offline viewing/downloads
  • Multi-view/PIP support
  • Automatic playlist updates

In-app purchases

7 purchases

iSTB

One-time7
  • Starter Pack$0.99
  • Supporter$0.99
  • Regular Pack$1.99
Show 4 more
  • Silver Booster$2.99
  • Binge Pack$4.99
  • Gold Patron$4.99
  • Top Donor$9.99
10 purchases

IPTV Player

Subscriptions9
  • OPUS PREMIUM$4.991 Month
  • Weekly V2$4.997 Days
  • Opus Pro 3 Months V3$9.993 Months
Show 6 more
  • OPUS PRO 3 Months V4$9.993 Months
  • Monthly V2$9.991 Month
  • 3 Months V2$14.993 Months
  • Yearly V2$29.991 Year
  • Opus Pro Yearly V4$29.991 Year
  • OPUS PRO Yearly V4$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Opus Pro Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is iSTB free?
iSTB costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is IPTV Player free?
IPTV Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iSTB or IPTV Player?
iSTB is rated higher. iSTB averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while IPTV Player averages 4.3 from 937 ratings.
Do iSTB or IPTV Player have ads?
Neither iSTB nor IPTV Player shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iSTB or IPTV Player?
iSTB ships an update every 10 days, and IPTV Player every 3 weeks. Most recently, iSTB was updated on November 7, 2026 and IPTV Player on November 7, 2026.

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