Comparison

NPO Start vs The(Any)Thing

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

Head to head
About

NPO Start

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
Read full description

Streaming Start hier Wij zijn het gratis streamingplatform van de NPO. Van, voor en door Nederland. Van documentaires tot series, van real life tot films. Nergens stream je verhalen die zo dichtbij voelen, echt en herkenbaar. Waar en wanneer je maar wilt. Waarom NPO Start? • Stream alle programma's van de NPO: gemist, live en on demand • Stream gratis, waar en wanneer je maar wilt via tv, mobiel, tablet of laptop • Ontvang persoonlijke tips, bewaar favorieten en stream verder waar je gebleven was • Met een plus-abonnement stream je extra series en buitenlandse titels • Van je favoriete series tot het gesprek van de dag

About

The(Any)Thing

Features
Read full description

With The(Any)Thing app you can play anything you want. Pick a movie with a single tap on your phone. Browse through new releases, watch trailers and, when you are ready, book a luxury private cinema. Not only are you in control of what you watch and when, but you are also in control of the room. With the app you can set the light, temperature and sound. Book your private cinema now with the The(Any)Thing app. Book your private cinema with the The(Any)Thing app. You will receive a message once your booking is complete.

Screenshots

NPO Start4 screens
The(Any)Thing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: NPO Start at fortnightly against The(Any)Thing's every 6 weeks. The(Any)Thing's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NPO Start ships an update fortnightly, The(Any)Thing every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
NPO Start versus The(Any)Thing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNPO StartThe(Any)Thing
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews4.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB54 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperStichting Nederlandse Publieke OmroepTheAnyThing

Bugs and requests

NPO Start

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

The(Any)Thing

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NPO Start

No in-app purchases

None

The(Any)Thing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NPO Start free?
NPO Start is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The(Any)Thing free?
The(Any)Thing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NPO Start or The(Any)Thing have ads?
Neither NPO Start nor The(Any)Thing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NPO Start or The(Any)Thing?
NPO Start ships an update fortnightly, and The(Any)Thing every 6 weeks. Most recently, NPO Start was updated on October 17, 2026 and The(Any)Thing on October 7, 2026.

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