# Santel Smart Stream vs TCT Now

The clearest difference is update cadence: Santel Smart Stream at every 4 months against TCT Now's every 30 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Santel Smart Stream ships an update every 4 months, TCT Now every 30 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Santel Smart Stream | TCT Now |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tct-now/id6451396587/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **3** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 30 months |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 90 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Santel Communications](https://appshunter.io/developer/1576478200) | [Tri County Telephone Assocation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532789179) |

## What reviewers say

### Santel Smart Stream

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/santel-smart-stream/id6444136763)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### TCT Now

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tct-now/id6451396587)

Stream live TV channels, watch on-demand content, and manage your DVR recordings from your mobile device. The app allows you to browse program guides, schedule recordings, and even transfer playback between devices.

**Highlights:** Watch live TV channels, Browse program guide, Watch on-demand content, Schedule DVR recordings, Transfer playback between devices, Catch-up and Restart TV features

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Santel Smart Stream free?

Santel Smart Stream is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TCT Now free?

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

### Do Santel Smart Stream or TCT Now have ads?

Neither Santel Smart Stream nor TCT Now shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Santel Smart Stream or TCT Now?

Santel Smart Stream ships an update every 4 months, and TCT Now every 30 months. Most recently, Santel Smart Stream was updated on October 12, 2026 and TCT Now on November 3, 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.*