# ZDF vs CineStar

The clearest difference is rating: ZDF at 4.7 against CineStar's 2.0. ZDF also leads on ratings volume (9.8K vs 7) and review sentiment (66% vs 46%). CineStar's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 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 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. 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: 66% of ZDF's written reviews are positive against 46% of CineStar's.

ZDF ships an update monthly, CineStar every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ZDF | CineStar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zdf/id437025413/reviews)** | [2.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinestar/id852408473/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **66.2% of reviews** | 46.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 101 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [ZDF](https://appshunter.io/developer/437025416) | [CineStar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1300517270) |

## 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


### CineStar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinestar/id852408473)

Easily access movie showtimes, purchase tickets with QR codes, and browse the complete cinema program. Discover trailers, explore offers, and shop for vouchers and merchandise directly within the app.

**Highlights:** Mobile ticketing with QR code, Browse cinema program, Watch trailers, Discover offers, Online shop for vouchers and merchandise, Filter by film, date, and cinema

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ZDF free?

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

### Is CineStar free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ZDF or CineStar?

ZDF is rated higher. ZDF averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while CineStar averages 2.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do ZDF or CineStar have ads?

Neither ZDF nor CineStar shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ZDF or CineStar?

ZDF ships an update monthly, and CineStar every 3 months. Most recently, ZDF was updated on October 13, 2026 and CineStar on October 13, 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.*