Soda Player vs HLS Stream Player

Soda Player is a sleek, powerful stream player built for iOS. Whether you have a direct video URL, an HLS stream, or an AceStream content link, Soda Player handles it all with a clean, intuitive interface. STREAM ANYTHING Paste any HTTP, HTTPS, or HLS video URL and start watching instantly. Enter AceStream content IDs or acestream:// links to connect through your own self-hosted AceStream engine. Soda Player gives you full control over your streaming setup. IMPORT PLAYLISTS Load M3U and M3U8 playlists from a URL or paste them directly. Soda Player parses channel names, groups, and metadata automatically, organising hundreds of channels into searchable, grouped lists. Refresh playlists from their source URL at any time to stay up to date. SAVE YOUR CHANNELS Found a stream you love? Save it to your Channels library with one tap. Organise channels into groups, mark favourites for quick access, and search across your entire collection. Swipe to favourite or delete — managing your library is fast and fluid. FULL-FEATURED PLAYBACK Soda Player uses the native iOS video player, giving you full playback controls, AirPlay support, and Picture-in-Picture. Watch in portrait or landscape — the player adapts to your content automatically. RETRO-INSPIRED DESIGN Enjoy a distinctive dark interface with a retro VHS-tape themed launch screen and animated spinning reels. The app features a striking pink-to-purple colour palette that looks great on any device. PRIVACY FIRST Soda Player does not collect any personal data. Your channels, playlists, and preferences are stored locally on your device. No accounts, no tracking, no ads. KEY FEATURES Play HTTP, HTTPS, and HLS video streams AceStream support via self-hosted backend Import M3U/M3U8 playlists from URL or clipboard Save and organise channels with groups and favourites Search across channels and playlists Native iOS video player with full controls Picture-in-Picture support AirPlay compatible Dark mode interface ACESTREAM SUPPORT Soda Player includes built-in AceStream support. Simply paste an AceStream content ID or acestream:// link and start watching. The app connects securely to deliver your stream as standard video playback — no extra setup required. Soda Player is designed for users who want a simple, elegant way to watch their streams without clutter or complexity. Download now and start streaming.No ads, no tracking, no accounts required

This app plays HLS (.m3u8) streams that are protected with HTTP Basic authentication -- the kind of stream a private or office server provides. You register the URL of your own server. The app ships with no stations and no stream list of its own. FEATURES - Register several streams and switch between them with one tap. - Works with streams that require a user name and password, over http or https. - Background playback. Audio keeps playing while you use other apps or with the screen off, and you can control it from the Lock Screen and Control Center. - The track forward and back controls on headphones and car audio switch to the next and previous stream. - Connection Test verifies the URL and the credentials before you try playback. - Import and export a settings file, so one person can configure the streams and everyone else imports them instead of typing URLs. - Automatic reconnection when the network drops, with a backoff of 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 seconds. - Send the audio to an AirPlay speaker or a Bluetooth device from the output button on the main screen. - Give each stream its own artwork for the Lock Screen with an image URL, in the stream editor or the settings file. The app icon is used when none is set. - Streams with video show the picture on the main screen, and fill the screen when you turn the iPhone sideways. With a display connected by an HDMI cable, the picture appears on that display only. Streams without authentication can also show the picture on an Apple TV chosen from the output button; streams with authentication send only the audio. - Start and stop a stream from the Shortcuts app, from an automation such as connecting to your car over Bluetooth, or by asking Siri. Include the app name, for example "Play Office Radio with StreamPlayer". WHAT IT DOES NOT DO - In the background or with the screen locked, only the audio plays. - No offline playback and no recording. - One stream at a time. On http streams the user name and password are sent in near-plain text, so use them only on a private network. The app shows a warning when you do.