# NPO Start vs BVN Live

The clearest difference is rating: NPO Start at 4.2 against BVN Live's 2.7. NPO Start also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months). BVN Live's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and ratings volume (17 vs 5). On price, review sentiment, ads 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.

NPO Start holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 17 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 4% of NPO Start's written reviews are positive against 7% of BVN Live's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

NPO Start ships an update fortnightly, BVN Live every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NPO Start | BVN Live |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npo-start/id323998316/reviews)** | [2.7 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bvn-live/id1124843460/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **17** |
| Positive reviews | 4.2% of reviews | **7.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 77 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stichting Nederlandse Publieke Omroep](https://appshunter.io/developer/323998319) | [BVN](https://appshunter.io/developer/1124843459) |

## What reviewers say

### NPO Start

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npo-start/id323998316)

This is a free streaming platform offering a wide range of Dutch content, including documentaries, series, and films. Enjoy relatable and authentic stories anytime, anywhere, on any device. Personalize your experience with recommendations and saved favorites.

**Highlights:** Stream all NPO programs, Live and on-demand content, Free streaming on any device, Personalized recommendations, Save favorite programs, Continue watching where you left off

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good app
- 🚀 Lots of content available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App often crashes or freezes
- 🔌 Streaming issues, app not working properly
- 🤖 Poorly designed, lacking features
- 🚫 Many programs not available outside of Netherlands

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Frequent app crashes or freezes
- Streaming problems, video playback not working
- Incompatibility with certain devices/platforms

**Requested features**

- Add subtitles/captions
- Improve search functionality
- Allow downloading of programs for offline viewing
- Better Chromecast/AirPlay support


### BVN Live

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bvn-live/id1124843460)

Watch live Dutch-language television from anywhere in the world. Catch up on missed programs, browse the TV guide, and enjoy a commercial-free experience. Stream to your TV via Chromecast or Airplay.

**Highlights:** Live BVN streaming worldwide, Catch up on missed programs, 12-hour rewind functionality, Integrated TV guide, Chromecast and Airplay support, Ad-free viewing experience

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NPO Start free?

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

### Is BVN Live free?

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

### Which has better reviews, NPO Start or BVN Live?

NPO Start is rated higher. NPO Start averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while BVN Live averages 2.7 from 17 ratings.

### Do NPO Start or BVN Live have ads?

Neither NPO Start nor BVN Live shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NPO Start or BVN Live?

NPO Start ships an update fortnightly, and BVN Live every 6 months. Most recently, NPO Start was updated on September 20, 2026 and BVN Live on September 18, 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.*