# VLC Streamer vs Fast Player

The clearest difference is monetization model: Fast Player at free with in-app purchases against VLC Streamer's subscription. Fast Player also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (68% vs 46%). VLC Streamer's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VLC Streamer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Fast Player sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for VLC Streamer against 4.5 for Fast Player. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fast Player has 5K ratings behind it against 415, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 46% of VLC Streamer's written reviews are positive against 68% of Fast Player's.

VLC Streamer ships an update every 3 months, Fast Player fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VLC Streamer | Fast Player |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (415 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vlc-streamer/id410036516/reviews) | [4.5 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fast-player-video-player/id1320554555/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 415 | **5K** |
| Positive reviews | 45.7% of reviews | **67.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 64 MB | 161 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Hobbyist Software Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/291218199) | [章健 杨](https://appshunter.io/developer/1566849627) |

## What reviewers say

### VLC Streamer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vlc-streamer/id410036516)

Stream your entire movie collection from your PC to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad without conversion. Enjoy your favorite films anywhere in your house with easy setup and customizable controls.

**Highlights:** Stream movies from PC, No conversion needed, Browse local drives and network shares, Customizable gesture controls, Support for multiple resolutions, Live video streaming

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VLC Streamer Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| VLC Streamer Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| VLC Streamer Annual | $2.99 | per year |
| VLC Streamer Annual | $5.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Smooth streaming
- 💡 Useful for accessing media library
- 👍 Great customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔋 High CPU usage on host computer
- 🔒 Security concerns with open access to computer
- 💸 Aggressive monetization with ads and subscription model

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to detect/connect to host computer
- Inconsistent video quality and buffering issues
- Conversion process causing overheating on host computer

**Requested features**

- Remote access from outside home network
- Improved codec support, especially for MKV files
- Resume playback from last position
- Ability to manage/delete files from mobile device


### Fast Player

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fast-player-video-player/id1320554555)

This app plays nearly all audio and video formats, including M3U8 playlists and streaming videos. It offers advanced playback controls, custom subtitle support, and multiple file transfer methods. Secure your media with password protection and enjoy casting to your TV.

**Highlights:** Plays all audio/video formats, M3U8 playlist and IPTV support, Custom subtitle downloads, Multiple file transfer options, Cloud drive integration, Casting to TV (Chromecast, AirPlay), Archive file support, Password protection for privacy

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual professional version | $3.99 | per year |
| Compress / unzip the file | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |
| Passcode Lock | $0.99 | one-time |
| Professional Version | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and user-friendly
- 👍 Versatile and plays various file formats
- 💡 Useful for transferring and managing media files
- 👍 Simple and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional freezing and crashing issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 📢 Intrusive ads in free version
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and sharing

**Reported bugs**

- Videos not playing correctly or only showing audio
- App failing to remember playback position
- Issues with file format compatibility
- Unexpected app crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- Add shuffle and repeat options
- Implement picture-in-picture mode
- Improve playlist management and file ordering
- Provide better Bluetooth/AirPlay support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VLC Streamer free?

VLC Streamer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Fast Player free?

Fast Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VLC Streamer or Fast Player?

VLC Streamer and Fast Player are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 415 and 5K ratings respectively.

### Do VLC Streamer or Fast Player have ads?

Fast Player shows ads; VLC Streamer does not.

### Which is updated more often, VLC Streamer or Fast Player?

VLC Streamer ships an update every 3 months, and Fast Player fortnightly. Most recently, VLC Streamer was updated on September 12, 2026 and Fast Player on September 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.*