# ZDF vs Save.TV

The clearest difference is rating: ZDF at 4.7 against Save.TV's 3.9. ZDF also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (9.8K vs 7). Save.TV's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Save.TV sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. ZDF asks for nothing beyond the download.

ZDF holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ZDF has 9.8K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of ZDF's written reviews are positive against 58% of Save.TV's.

ZDF ships an update monthly, Save.TV every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ZDF | Save.TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zdf/id437025413/reviews)** | [3.9 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/savetv-videorekorder/id472963488/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **67.2% of reviews** | 58.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 101 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [ZDF](https://appshunter.io/developer/437025416) | [Save.TV GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/472963571) |

## 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


### Save.TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/savetv-videorekorder/id472963488)

Record and store TV shows from over 40 German channels in the cloud. Access your personal TV archive anytime, anywhere, online or offline, without extra devices. Enjoy your favorite content in HD without ads.

**Highlights:** Cloud video recording, Access over 40 German TV channels, Stream and download recordings, Ad-free viewing, HD quality playback, Offline access to recordings

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| XL 1 Monat, dein TV-Backup | $9.99 | per month |
| XL 1 Monat, dein TV-Backup | $12.99 | per month |
| XL 12 Monate, dein TV-Backup | $118.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ZDF free?

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

### Is Save.TV free?

Save.TV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ZDF or Save.TV?

ZDF is rated higher. ZDF averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while Save.TV averages 3.9 from 7 ratings.

### Do ZDF or Save.TV have ads?

Neither ZDF nor Save.TV shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ZDF or Save.TV?

ZDF ships an update monthly, and Save.TV every 2 months. Most recently, ZDF was updated on October 22, 2026 and Save.TV on October 19, 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.*