Comparison

What Hi vs Channelbox

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

Head to head
About

What Hi

This app provides expert reviews, buying advice, and independent comparisons for audio and home cinema equipment. Discover top tech, learn how to build the perfect system, and elevate your sound and picture quality with trusted insights.

Highlights
  • Expert reviews of audio and home cinema gear
  • In-depth buying advice
  • Independent product comparisons
  • Guides to improve TV and projector performance
  • Tips for building audio systems
  • Coverage of headphones, amps, receivers, and more
Features
Read full description

What Hi-Fi? is the world’s leading guide to the best in hi-fi, home cinema and streaming tech – now available in a premium digital version for iPhone and iPad. Whether you’re into pure audiophile sound, immersive home cinema setups or next-gen streaming, our expert reviews, in-depth buying advice and independent comparisons help you choose the best gear. Inside each issue: - Discover the top headphones, integrated amps and vinyl essentials - Hands-on tests of the latest amplifiers, AV receivers, and hi-fi systems - Step-by-step guides to elevate your TV and projector performance - Learn how to build the perfect system, from budget to high-end setups Every issue is packed with trusted advice and expert insight for anyone who wants better sound, better picture and better value. Download now and enjoy your free trial of the world’s best-selling hi-fi and AV magazine. ------------------- Once you’ve downloaded our app, you will need to take a free trial or purchase a single issue or subscription to access our in-depth content. We also publish specials and guides - browse our publications, read what interests you most, and get inspired. Back issues, specials, and future issues are available for purchase within the app. Subscriptions are available on various monthly and annual terms, and auto-renew until you decide to cancel it. Check inside the app for current pricing. *** Please Note: Our digital edition is not printable and does not include the covermount items or supplements you would find with the print edition *** • The free trial offer is only available to new subscribers. If you have previously subscribed then payment will be taken immediately. • You can cancel at any time during the free trial period and you will not be charged. Simply turn off auto-renew in your Apple account subscriptions page at least 24 hours before the auto-renew is due. • Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. • You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for that product. • You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase . • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. This does not affect your statutory rights. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. • We will be collecting information about your use of the app both when you are online and offline. To find out more please see our privacy policy. The subscription will include the current issue if you don't already own it and subsequently published future issues for the duration of your subscription period. ------------------- By purchasing a subscription or downloading an app you agree that you have read and accept Future Publishing Ltd's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy/ www.futureplc.com/terms-conditions/

About

Channelbox

Stream dozens of live TV channels across sports, movies, music, entertainment, and news directly to your device. Access a wide variety of content over your internet or data connection.

Highlights
  • Dozens of live TV channels
  • Sports, Movies, Music, Entertainment, News
  • Stream via internet or data
  • Direct to your device
Read full description

Channelbox provides dozens of Sports, Movies, Music, Entertainment and News TV channels, streaming direct to your device via your internet or data connection.

Screenshots

What Hi4 screens
Channelbox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Channelbox at 78% against What Hi's 11%. Channelbox also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 21) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). What Hi's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (98 vs 3). On price 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. What Hi sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Channelbox asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Channelbox holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: What Hi has 98 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 11% of What Hi's written reviews are positive against 78% of Channelbox's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

What Hi ships an update every 8 months, Channelbox every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
What Hi versus Channelbox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhat HiChannelbox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (98 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews10.5% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings98 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB26 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperFuture plcSynapse TV Ltd

Customer experience

What Hi

All ratings98 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive10.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative84.2%

Channelbox

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral22.2%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

What Hi

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • Unable to download editions
  • Cannot log in to account
  • Paid for issues disappear
  • Subscription not recognized
  • App crashes frequently
Show 15 more
  • Poor rendering of news articles
  • Blank areas in news articles
  • Previous editions not visible
  • Cannot restore purchases
  • Login issues after updates
  • Restore subscription button overlapped by privacy policy
  • App keeps removing library
  • App defaults to subscribe
  • New issues not appearing on app
  • App won't scroll past page 99
  • Double tapping zoom window too small
  • Search function not working for headphones
  • App is a PDF of the magazine
  • App screws up page orientation
  • App is not retina-ready

Requested features

8 requests
  • Make older issues free
  • Offer free trial section
  • Add video content or app-only exclusives
  • Improve text readability and zoom functionality
  • Make app interactive, not just PDF
Show 3 more
  • Allow access to previous issues after cancellation
  • Improve search functionality
  • Fix app orientation issues

Channelbox

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

21 purchases

What Hi

Subscriptions4
  • 1 Month Subscription1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • 3 Month Subscription1 Month trial$14.993 Months
  • 6 Month Subscription1 Month trial$23.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • 1 Year Subscription1 Month trial$39.991 Year
One-time17
  • Issue 500$4.99
  • Issue 495$4.99
  • Issue 494$4.99
Show 14 more
  • Issue 493$4.99
  • Issue 492$4.99
  • Issue 491$4.99
  • Issue 488$4.99
  • What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision: Awards 2012$5.99
  • What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision: August 2012$5.99
  • What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision: Awards 2013$5.99
  • Awards 2014 of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision$5.99
  • March 2016 of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision$5.99
  • Awards 2016 of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision$5.99
  • Issue 481$5.99
  • Issue 516$5.99
  • Issue 515$5.99
  • All What Hi-Fi Back Issues$29.99
None

Channelbox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is What Hi free?
What Hi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Channelbox free?
Channelbox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, What Hi or Channelbox?
Channelbox is rated higher. What Hi averages 4.6 out of 5 from 98 ratings, while Channelbox averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do What Hi or Channelbox have ads?
Channelbox shows ads; What Hi does not.
Which is updated more often, What Hi or Channelbox?
What Hi ships an update every 8 months, and Channelbox every 2 months. Most recently, What Hi was updated on September 20, 2026 and Channelbox on September 10, 2026.

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