Comparison

IPTV Smart M3U Player vs Phlix

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

Head to head
About

IPTV Smart M3U Player

This application allows users to play IPTV streams from their own .m3u playlists. It offers smooth playback, quick access to favorites and recent channels, and supports AirPlay and Picture-in-Picture. Users are responsible for providing their own streaming URLs.

Highlights
  • Multiple .m3u playlist support
  • Smooth playback
  • Favorites and recent channels
  • AirPlay/Picture-in-Picture support
  • Simple TV guide
  • Complete privacy
Features
Read full description

A simple but clean and lightning fast IPTV player for iOS and iPadOS! Flip between multiple .m3u playlists, enjoy smooth playback and a quick history/favorites toggle to browse between your recent and favorite channels! AirPlay/PiP is supported as opt-in in the settings PLEASE NOTE: A one-time 1 hour free trial is included for your consideration. After that, a single one-time payment will be required to unlock lifetime access to the app. This app does not provide any links to m3u streams, it is solely the responsibility of the user to provider their own streaming URLs from legally provided services. Features: - Add multiple .m3u playlists and change between them instantly - AirPlay/PiP supported once turned on in the settings - Add favorites for quick access to your favorite channels - Quick access to your recently viewed channels - A simple TV guide that can be browsed in horizontal and vertical orientations - Support for both iOS and iPadOS - Complete privacy. Your data never leaves the app https://www.vainly.com/other/iptv/privacy https://www.vainly.com/other/iptv/terms

About

Phlix

Features
Read full description

Phlix turns your phone into part of a synchronized live light show. Enter your sector, row, and seat, connect to the active Phlix server, and your phone screen will display the colors sent in real time during the show. The app automatically increases screen brightness, keeps your phone awake, and shows colors in full screen for the best visual effect. Key features: - Select your sector, row, and seat - Sync with a live light show - Full-screen color display - Automatic maximum brightness during the show - Bulgarian and English language support Phlix is designed for concerts, events, and live experiences where the audience becomes part of the visual show. Release Updates: - Version 1.1.0 adds a small back button to the live color screen and improves the waiting state before a show starts. When the app is connected but no live colors are being broadcast yet, a subtle message now appears on the black screen. The message stays visible during standby black frames and disappears once the first non-black live color arrives, while black frames still work normally during an active show. - Version 1.3.7 Added automatic event detection using geolocation and Bluetooth beacon positioning. The app can now identify the attendee’s area and automatically connect to the correct part of the live light show. Improved iBeacon reliability on iPhone and automatic zone switching during events.

Screenshots

IPTV Smart M3U Player3 screens
Phlix4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Phlix at none against IPTV Smart M3U Player's 2. Phlix also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.2). IPTV Smart M3U Player's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads 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. IPTV Smart M3U Player sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Phlix asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IPTV Smart M3U Player ships an update every 2 days, Phlix every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
IPTV Smart M3U Player versus Phlix: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIPTV Smart M3U PlayerPhlix
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.215.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB18 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperVainlyDuard Ltd.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

IPTV Smart M3U Player

One-time1
  • Lifetime Access2 variants$3.99
None

Phlix

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IPTV Smart M3U Player free?
IPTV Smart M3U Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Phlix free?
Phlix is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do IPTV Smart M3U Player or Phlix have ads?
Neither IPTV Smart M3U Player nor Phlix shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IPTV Smart M3U Player or Phlix?
IPTV Smart M3U Player ships an update every 2 days, and Phlix every 3 weeks. Most recently, IPTV Smart M3U Player was updated on October 24, 2026 and Phlix on September 22, 2026.

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