# U vs Apple TV

The clearest difference is ads: U at none against Apple TV's shown. U also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Apple TV's advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 14%) and ratings volume (1.9M vs 390K). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for U against 4.8 for Apple TV. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 390K and 1.9M respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 14% of U's written reviews are positive against 43% of Apple TV's.

U ships an update every 3 months, Apple TV every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | U | Apple TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (390K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/u-verse/id312886438/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.9M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apple-tv/id1174078549/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 390K | **1.9M** |
| Positive reviews | 14.3% of reviews | **43.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 132 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **10.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [AT&T Services, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/290854684) | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## What reviewers say

### U

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/u-verse/id312886438)

Stream live TV and on-demand content from your home network or on the go. Manage your DVR, personalize your viewing experience, and use your device as a remote control. Discover new shows and manage your recordings with ease.

**Highlights:** Watch Live TV, On Demand library, Personalized homepage, TV programming guide, Remote control functionality, DVR management

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 🚀 Easy to schedule recordings
- 🚀 Good on-demand functionality
- 👍 Reliable service when working

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Unreliable channel access and streaming
- 🐛 Guide data not kept up-to-date
- 🐛 Inconsistent functionality across devices
- 🔒 Security and login issues

**Reported bugs**

- App frequently logs users out
- Remote control feature not working consistently
- Certain channels not available through the app
- Sync issues between app and TV experience

**Requested features**

- Ability to access and manage recordings remotely
- Improved guide with more future programming data
- Seamless integration with home receivers
- Support for casting to TV from mobile devices


### Apple TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apple-tv/id1174078549)

This app is a central hub for exclusive original series, movies, and live sports like Formula 1 and MLB. It also aggregates content from your favorite streaming services, allowing you to buy or rent titles and discover new shows.

**Highlights:** Exclusive Apple Originals, Live Formula 1 & MLB, Buy or rent movies, Aggregate streaming services, Personalized recommendations, Continue Watching feature

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Decent quality viewing experience
- 👍 Impressive 4K and audio quality
- 🤩 Fantastic original content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app
- 🤯 Confusing and unintuitive interface
- 💰 Misleading pricing and pay-to-watch content
- 🤔 Lack of user-friendly features
- 😡 Terrible customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Playback issues and random freezes
- Incorrect episode/content display
- Syncing problems across devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to save/bookmark content for later
- Improved content organization and navigation
- Sync playback progress across devices
- Chromecast/casting support
- User profiles and personalized recommendations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is U free?

U is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Apple TV free?

Apple TV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, U or Apple TV?

Apple TV is rated higher. U averages 4.7 out of 5 from 390K ratings, while Apple TV averages 4.8 from 1.9M ratings.

### Do U or Apple TV have ads?

Apple TV shows ads; U does not.

### Which is updated more often, U or Apple TV?

U ships an update every 3 months, and Apple TV every 2 months. Most recently, U was updated on September 24, 2026 and Apple TV on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*