Comparison

Smart STB vs RIDEVU

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

Head to head
About

Smart STB

Stream your favorite content directly on your mobile device. This app supports live TV, video clubs, and M3U playlists, offering advanced features like multi-audio, subtitles, and timeshift. It requires a valid subscription from a streaming service provider.

Highlights
  • Live TV streaming
  • Video club support
  • M3U Playlist support
  • Multi-audio and subtitles
  • Timeshift & TV Archive
  • Up to 8 portal positions
Features
Read full description

With Smart STB you can watch your favorite streaming content directly on your mobile device. App Features: - Up to 8 portal positions available - Most popular portal solutions are supported - Live TV streaming - Video club support - M3U Playlist support - Categories, Favorites, Search and Sort functions - Multi-audio and subtitles (including closed captions) - Timeshift & TV Archive Disclaimer: Please note that Smart STB is an application to establish a connection between you and your IPTV Provider. You need a valid subscription from a streaming service provider. We do not deliver, broadcast or transmit TV channels, TV portals or playlists. Smart STB does not provide for any unauthorized use of third-party material protected by copyright and distances itself from it in all forms. Terms of Service: https://www.smart-stb.net/terms-of-service/ Privacy Policy: https://www.smart-stb.net/privacy-policy/

About

RIDEVU

This app allows you to access your existing RIDEVU account to stream and download movies on brought-in devices. It enables multi-screen playback for up to six devices, with central control for managing content for passengers.

Highlights
  • Access RIDEVU account
  • Download content for offline playback
  • Cast to TV
  • Multi-screen playback (up to 6 screens)
  • Screen Manager for playback control
  • Access bonus content
Read full description

RIDEVU is an in-car digital video service. The RIDEVU Companion app allows playback on brought in devices from your existing RIDEVU account. Please note, as a companion app it is inoperable without a RIDEVU account.* Download the RIDEVU Companion App for a frictionless entertainment experience on the go and at home… • Access Your RIDEVU Account: Watch on brought in devices, and take your entertainment with you, wherever you go. With the RIDEVU companion app you can redeem movie credits, watch movies in your library or streaming package, download content for offline playback, or cast to your TV. • Multi-Screen Playback: Entertain your passengers with individual or shared viewing experiences on up to 6 screens • Screen Manager: Control playback across all screens easily from the center screen with Screen Manager, including brought in devices using the companion app.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KEY FEATURES OF RIDEVU: Enjoy a best in class in-car entertainment experience. Designed for inside the car and wherever you go, RIDEVU connects Sony Pictures Entertainment’s library of premium content with its advanced streaming technology to create a first of its kind in-car entertainment experience - wherever the road takes you next. In eligible vehicles, users can: • Explore over 2,000 films for all genres, ages and preferences, available to redeem, buy or rent.* • Enjoy hours of entertainment on built-in screens or brought-in iOS devices. • Control playback across all screens easily from the center screen with Screen Manager**.  • Entertain your passengers with individual or shared viewing experiences on up to 6 screens.  • Take a look behind the scenes with on-set bonus content and interviews with your favorite actors. HAVE QUESTIONS? For all RIDEVU tips, questions, and learning how to get started, please visit: www.RIDEVU.com *Access requires an eligible vehicle and RIDEVU account and is subject to RIDEVU Terms of Service. Promotional offers may vary by manufacturer. Available films and content are subject to change without notice and may vary by market. Number of available movies subject to change by market. **Available functionality varies by manufacturer, make and model Please note: You must have a RIDEVU account with existing access to RIDEVU to use this Companion App. RIDEVU is currently only offered from select automotive manufacturers in select territories.

Screenshots

Smart STB4 screens
RIDEVU3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RIDEVU at none against Smart STB's 3. RIDEVU also leads on rating (3.0 vs 2.7). Smart STB's advantage is ratings volume (50 vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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. Smart STB sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. RIDEVU asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RIDEVU holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart STB has 50 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart STB ships an update monthly, RIDEVU every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Smart STB versus RIDEVU: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart STBRIDEVU
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (50 ratings)3.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews17.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings50 — better6
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.014.0
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB51 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSMARTIPTVSOLUTIONS LIMITEDSony Pictures Home Entertainment

Customer experience

Smart STB

All ratings49 ratings
Positive34.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative51.0%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive17.1%
Neutral10.5%
Negative72.4%

RIDEVU

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Smart STB

Reported bugs

70 issues
  • App does not work
  • Errors not fixed in months
  • Keep getting error
  • Unable to access virtual touch control
  • Portal disappeared
Show 65 more
  • Login doesn't launch
  • No support to help
  • Videos won't load on phone network
  • Pathetic customer service
  • Paid app with unresolved critical issues
  • Cannot change aspect ratio on Apple TV
  • File Not Found Error
  • Movies not playable
  • App jumps back to list screen
  • Paid version not working after update
  • Black screen
  • Worst customer service ever
  • Waste of money
  • Not worth IPTV provider activation
  • Does not work with iPad Pro
  • Useless support
  • No refund
  • Scrolling through Apple TV remote is challenging
  • Takes forever to scroll
  • Video movies not playing
  • Blank screen, no video
  • Too many buffering
  • No stream login
  • Slow loading
  • Lack of features
  • App breakdown all the time
  • Losses sound
  • Developer not responding
  • Complete rip off
  • Terrible
  • Worked for demo then stopped
  • Can't do anything
  • No search or sort function
  • Worst app
  • Paid and cannot set up
  • No help
  • Audio sync problem
  • Can't search anything up on Apple TV
  • No blue button on remote
  • Don't work properly on Fire Stick
  • Can't access colored buttons
  • Stuck on blue screen
  • No RW and FW in archives
  • Buttons do not work
  • GUI needs fixing
  • Jumps back to main page
  • Timeline is missing
  • Cannot understand how to use color buttons
  • Skipping forward by minutes, not seconds
  • Overpriced licenses
  • Misleading advertising
  • Force closes on playing movies
  • App terminated automatically
  • Needs restart
  • No fast forward and back option
  • TV shows only play 1st episode
  • Does not load IPTV channels
  • Only VOD
  • Cannot exit app
  • Not working
  • Bundle option for lifetime licenses does not work
  • App does not work in cellular data
  • Unable to bundle with Smart TV
  • Cannot apply license key to iOS device
  • Only trial version available

Requested features

27 requests
  • Improve aspect ratio adjustment
  • Improve navigation
  • Add virtual touch control
  • Add more portals
  • Add subtitle option
Show 22 more
  • Add video resume playback option
  • Add mapping for color buttons
  • Add mapping for red, green, yellow buttons
  • Add search function
  • Add sort function
  • Add instructions for Apple TV remote usage
  • Add PiP feature
  • Add manual MAC address typing
  • Add manual STB model number typing
  • Add localization menu for 12H time format
  • Add 'hold and continuous scroll' feature
  • Add option to hide/unhide categories
  • Add skip FF or RW in archive playback mode
  • Add skip playback option (15 sec, 30 sec, 1 min)
  • Add drag on timeline for fast forward
  • Add time shift for live TV
  • Add vertical view for mobile devices
  • Improve GUI
  • Make time views more transparent
  • Add switch channels option while in playback
  • Add favorite channels section
  • Add ability to exit app

RIDEVU

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Smart STB

Subscriptions2
  • Smart STB App License (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Smart STB App License (Yearly)$22.991 Year
One-time1
  • Smart STB App License (Lifetime)$59.99
None

RIDEVU

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smart STB free?
Smart STB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RIDEVU free?
RIDEVU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Smart STB or RIDEVU?
RIDEVU is rated higher. Smart STB averages 2.7 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while RIDEVU averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Smart STB or RIDEVU have ads?
Neither Smart STB nor RIDEVU shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smart STB or RIDEVU?
Smart STB ships an update monthly, and RIDEVU every 6 weeks. Most recently, Smart STB was updated on October 30, 2026 and RIDEVU on October 27, 2026.

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