# ZDF vs Sat.1 AD

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ZDF at 66% against Sat.1 AD's 0%. ZDF also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Sat.1 AD's advantage is iOS requirement (10.3 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

ZDF ships an update monthly, Sat.1 AD every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ZDF | Sat.1 AD |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zdf/id437025413/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **66.2% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 101 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **10.3** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [ZDF](https://appshunter.io/developer/437025416) | [DATAMATIX Datensysteme GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1461463530) |

## What reviewers say

### ZDF

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zdf/id437025413)

Access a vast library of on-demand series, documentaries, and films. Stream live TV, download content for offline viewing, and discover exclusive pre-broadcast programs. Personalize your experience with a watchlist and notifications.

**Highlights:** On-demand streaming of series and documentaries, Offline viewing by downloading content, Access to content before TV broadcast, Live TV and livestreams of events, Curated content from public broadcasters, Personalized watchlist and notifications

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🌍 Access to German TV content abroad
- 🎥 Wide variety of programs (movies, series, news, documentaries)
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🇩🇪 Allows keeping up with German language and culture

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Many programs geo-blocked and not available outside Germany/Austria/Switzerland
- 🐛 Occasional crashes, bugs, and playback issues
- 🔇 Lack of subtitles/closed captions
- 🔄 Difficulty resuming previously watched content

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes or failure to open videos
- Playback issues like audio-video desync, videos freezing or going black
- Sync issues between devices, inability to resume watching

**Requested features**

- Offline viewing/download options
- Personalized recommendations and watchlists
- Improved Chromecast/AirPlay support
- Compatibility with older devices/iOS versions


### Sat.1 AD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sat1-ad/id1531514150)

This app provides audio descriptions for audiovisual media, making films and shows more accessible for blind and visually impaired individuals. It describes key visual elements like actions, characters, and expressions during speech pauses, enhancing comprehension without disrupting the viewing experience.

**Highlights:** Audio descriptions for films and shows, Enhances accessibility for visually impaired users, Describes actions, characters, and expressions, Integrates seamlessly with audiovisual content, Improves understanding of visual elements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ZDF free?

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

### Is Sat.1 AD free?

Sat.1 AD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do ZDF or Sat.1 AD have ads?

Neither ZDF nor Sat.1 AD shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ZDF or Sat.1 AD?

ZDF ships an update monthly, and Sat.1 AD every 2 months. Most recently, ZDF was updated on October 20, 2026 and Sat.1 AD on October 5, 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.*