# U vs SYFY

The clearest difference is ads: U at none against SYFY's shown. U also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (390K vs 17K). SYFY's advantage is review sentiment (34% vs 14%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support 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 4.6 for SYFY. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: U has 390K ratings behind it against 17K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 14% of U's written reviews are positive against 34% of SYFY's.

U ships an update every 3 months, SYFY every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | U | SYFY |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (390K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/u-verse/id312886438/reviews)** | [4.6 (17K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/syfy/id378092432/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **390K** | 17K |
| Positive reviews | 14.1% of reviews | **34.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 132 MB | 240 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [AT&T Services, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/290854684) | [Versant Media LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1840809836) |

## 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


### SYFY

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/syfy/id378092432)

Stream your favorite TV shows and movies from a variety of networks. Watch the latest episodes the day after they air, catch live TV, and access on-demand content. Requires a TV provider subscription for full access.

**Highlights:** Watch latest episodes day after air, Live stream TV 24/7, Stream on-demand content from multiple networks, Access Premier League, WNBA, PGA, and NASCAR, Filter shows by network and genre, Sign in with TV provider subscription

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app for watching shows
- 🔥 Awesome content selection
- 👍 User-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Frequent technical issues
- 💸 Excessive commercials
- 🔌 Casting problems
- 🐛 Buggy video player

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes
- Video playback errors
- Inconsistent episode listings
- Linking cable provider issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to skip commercials
- Resume playback from where you left off
- Improved Chromecast/AirPlay support
- Offline viewing option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is U free?

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

### Is SYFY free?

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

### Which has better reviews, U or SYFY?

U is rated higher. U averages 4.7 out of 5 from 390K ratings, while SYFY averages 4.6 from 17K ratings.

### Do U or SYFY have ads?

SYFY shows ads; U does not.

### Which is updated more often, U or SYFY?

U ships an update every 3 months, and SYFY every 5 weeks. Most recently, U was updated on October 25, 2026 and SYFY on October 25, 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.*