iSTB vs Dragon Media Manager
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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 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.
Dragon Media Manager
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REQUIRES YOUR OWN SOFTWARE AND SERVER Dragon Media Manager is a remote-control companion for Radarr, Sonarr, SABnzbd, and Unraid running on servers you own or are authorized to access. You must install and configure the services you want to use separately, then connect the app using their server addresses and API keys. The app does not run these services or perform their work on its own. Library management, downloads, and server actions are carried out by your connected software and server. No server software, hosting, movies, TV episodes, or streaming subscription is included. Your movies, shows, downloads, and server health—together in one place. Dragon Media Manager connects to your own Radarr, Sonarr, SABnzbd, and Unraid services, giving you a convenient way to manage your media setup from iPhone and iPad, with companion experiences on Apple Watch and Apple TV. DISCOVER YOUR NEXT MOVIE OR SHOW Browse popular and top-rated titles, explore movie and TV details, and open trailers. See what's already in your library, then search for and add titles to Radarr or Sonarr. ADD MEDIA YOUR WAY Choose quality profiles and folders, adjust monitoring and search options, and save add defaults and presets for quicker additions. Shared preferences help keep additions consistent across Discover, Siri shortcuts, and Apple Watch. SEE WHAT'S COMING Release Radar and the calendar bring upcoming movies and episodes together. Home Screen widgets put upcoming releases within easy reach. KEEP DOWNLOADS MOVING Check your SABnzbd queue, follow progress, and pause or resume downloads without switching to a server dashboard. CHECK YOUR SERVER View Unraid server health, storage, Docker containers, and virtual machines alongside your media services. TAKE IT TO YOUR WRIST Use the Apple Watch companion to check library counts, upcoming releases, downloads, and services. Find & Add lets you search for movies or TV shows and add them using your saved iPhone preferences. Watch features use your configured iPhone connection. SHORTCUTS FOR EVERYDAY TASKS Use Siri and the Shortcuts app to add movies and shows, check downloads and upcoming releases, and request library or server status. KEEP YOUR SETTINGS TOGETHER Optional iCloud sync keeps supported settings and server credentials together through encrypted private iCloud storage. Back up and restore settings, with encryption for included API keys and tokens. REQUIREMENTS Server features require your own compatible services, their addresses and API keys, and network access to them. Access away from home depends on your network setup. Apple Watch requires the companion iPhone app. For iPhone and Apple TV settings sync, use version 2.12 or later on both devices and the same iCloud account. Dragon Media Manager is a management companion. It does not include movies, TV episodes, media servers, or a streaming subscription. FREE BROWSING AND LIFETIME FULL CONTROL Connect and configure your servers, browse movies and shows, and view calendars, download queues, history and server status for free. A one-time Lifetime Full Control in-app purchase unlocks adding, editing, monitoring and deleting media, starting downloads, managing queues, controlling Unraid containers and virtual machines, and restoring server backups. No subscription. Family Sharing is supported. Existing customers who acquired the app before the free-download transition keep full access without buying again.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Dragon Media Manager at Free against iSTB's $14.99. iSTB's advantage is chart position (#6 vs unranked) and device support (5 vs 3). On 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
Dragon Media Manager is free to download; iSTB costs $14.99 up front. iSTB sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Dragon Media Manager sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
iSTB ships an update every 10 days, Dragon Media Manager every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iSTB | Dragon Media Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (1.8K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 59.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #6 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 116 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nihal Ahmed | James Maine |
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
Dragon Media Manager
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
iSTB
- Starter Pack$0.99
- Supporter$0.99
- Regular Pack$1.99
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- Silver Booster$2.99
- Binge Pack$4.99
- Gold Patron$4.99
- Top Donor$9.99
Dragon Media Manager
- Lifetime Full Control$3.99









