# USA Network vs Optimum

The clearest difference is ads: Optimum at none against USA Network's shown. Optimum also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). USA Network's advantage is review sentiment (37% vs 15%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for USA Network against 4.5 for Optimum. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26K and 28K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 37% of USA Network's written reviews are positive against 15% of Optimum's.

USA Network ships an update every 5 weeks, Optimum every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | USA Network | Optimum |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (26K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/usa-network/id661695783/reviews)** | [4.5 (28K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimum/id1529218115/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 26K | **28K** |
| Positive reviews | **36.8% of reviews** | 14.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#208** | — |
| Size | 240 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Versant Media LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1840809836) | [CSC Holdings, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/387231043) |

## What reviewers say

### USA Network

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/usa-network/id661695783)

**Currently charting:** #208 Top Free · Entertainment (US App Store)

Stream live TV, catch up on recent episodes of popular shows, and watch movies on demand. Access content from a family of networks, including sports and past season favorites. Requires a TV provider login for full access.

**Highlights:** Watch latest episodes the day after airing, Live stream TV 24/7, Access on-demand content from multiple networks, Stream live sports like PGA TOUR and Premier League, Filter shows by network and genre, Sign in with TV provider for full access

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good app for watching shows
- 💡 Provides free credits to watch content
- 🤩 Enjoyable shows like Chrisley Knows Best and Queen of the South

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constant crashes and bugs
- 🤯 Requires re-linking TV provider frequently
- 😡 Unreliable live streaming and playback
- 🤬 Too many commercials and ads
- 🤕 Poor app performance on various devices

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes during playback
- Video playback issues like freezing, skipping, and audio-video desync
- Inability to resume watching from where user left off
- TV provider login issues and constant re-authentication required

**Requested features**

- Add fast forward/rewind functionality
- Improve Chromecast/casting support
- Allow watching without TV provider login
- Optimize app for newer devices and screen sizes


### Optimum

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimum/id1529218115)

Stream live TV, manage DVR recordings, and explore an extensive On Demand library on any screen. This app offers a sleek interface for easy content discovery and allows for picture-in-picture viewing while browsing. It's designed for Optimum Video subscribers to enjoy their favorite programs anywhere, anytime.

**Highlights:** Watch Live TV and browse guide, Access On Demand library, TV to GO feature for remote viewing, Picture-in-picture video player, Schedule and manage Cloud DVR recordings, View scheduled and recorded lists

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast app startup
- 👍 Sleek and modern interface
- 🔒 Robust security features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent freezing and crashes
- 👎 Difficult to navigate and use
- 🔍 Lack of customization options
- 🔌 Unreliable live TV streaming
- 📺 Reduced functionality compared to old app

**Reported bugs**

- Live TV not working on multiple devices
- Guide not showing full program information
- Inability to record shows from the app

**Requested features**

- Bring back old app's functionality
- Improve channel guide and search
- Add remote control capabilities
- Allow casting to non-smart TVs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is USA Network free?

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

### Is Optimum free?

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

### Which has better reviews, USA Network or Optimum?

USA Network is rated higher. USA Network averages 4.5 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Optimum averages 4.5 from 28K ratings.

### Do USA Network or Optimum have ads?

USA Network shows ads; Optimum does not.

### Which is updated more often, USA Network or Optimum?

USA Network ships an update every 5 weeks, and Optimum every 4 months. Most recently, USA Network was updated on October 1, 2026 and Optimum on September 30, 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.*