Comparison

OpenIPTV vs Cathode Player

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

Head to head
About

OpenIPTV

Features
Read full description

OpenIPTV is the best free and open source IPTV player. There are no ads, watermarks, or paid upgrades. Add your M3U playlist, local file, or Xtream Codes source and EPG sources to start watching live TV. Program Guide (EPG) * Live TV timeline with a 12-hour window of current and upcoming programs * Pinch-to-zoom to adjust timeline density * Channels grouped by category with collapsible sections Channel Browsing * Browse all channels across your sources, organized by group * Real-time search across channel names, groups, and program titles * EPG info displayed alongside search results * Hide channels and groups you don't watch * Share channels via link Player * Supports HLS, MPEG-TS, MP4, and more streaming formats * On-device MPEG-TS repackaging for maximum format compatibility * Auto-reconnect on stream errors * Background audio playback * Picture-in-Picture * AirPlay to Apple TV and other AirPlay devices * Chromecast casting * Previous/Next channel navigation * Fullscreen mode with landscape orientation Library * Star your favorite channels for quick access * Recently watched channels history * Search and sort within your favorites Customization * Dark and light themes * Add, edit, refresh, and delete unlimited M3U, Xtream Codes, and EPG sources * Import local M3U files from your device * Auto-refresh keeps your program guide up to date OpenIPTV does not include any content or subscriptions. You must provide your own M3U playlist and EPG sources from your IPTV service provider.

About

Cathode Player

A native video viewer for following channels and watching content across your Apple devices. Enjoy a fast, lightweight experience with features like picture-in-picture, background audio, and cross-device sync via iCloud. Discover new content with curated channel suggestions.

Highlights
  • Follow channels and view latest videos
  • Search for videos and channels
  • Native player with picture-in-picture and background audio
  • Save videos to Watch Later
  • Cross-device playback progress sync
  • Curated channel suggestions
Features
Read full description

Cathode is a clean, native video viewer for following channels and watching content on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Built with SwiftUI for a fast, lightweight experience. FEATURES • Follow channels and see all their latest videos in one feed • Search for videos and channels • Watch shorts and regular videos with a native player • Picture-in-picture, background audio, and AirPlay support • Save videos to Watch Later • Pick up where you left off — playback progress syncs across your devices via your private iCloud account • Read comments • Compact mini-player while you keep browsing • Curated channel suggestions across Tech, Science, Programming, Cooking, and Lifestyle to help you get started CROSS-DEVICE SYNC Watch Later, history, and saved channels are stored in your private iCloud account so they are always with you. Nothing is sent to our servers. PRIVACY Cathode does not collect personal information, has no analytics, and does not require an account. Your data stays on your device or in your private iCloud.

Screenshots

OpenIPTV3 screens
Cathode Player3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OpenIPTV at 5.0 against Cathode Player's 4.2. OpenIPTV also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.1). Cathode Player's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OpenIPTV holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cathode Player has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of OpenIPTV's written reviews are positive against 67% of Cathode Player's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OpenIPTV ships an update every 11 days, Cathode Player weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 26, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
OpenIPTV versus Cathode Player: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenIPTVCathode Player
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS16.4 — better26.1
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperParry HuangZabir Raihan

Customer experience

OpenIPTV

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Cathode Player

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

OpenIPTV

No in-app purchases

None

Cathode Player

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OpenIPTV free?
OpenIPTV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cathode Player free?
Cathode Player is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, OpenIPTV or Cathode Player?
OpenIPTV is rated higher. OpenIPTV averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Cathode Player averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do OpenIPTV or Cathode Player have ads?
Neither OpenIPTV nor Cathode Player shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenIPTV or Cathode Player?
OpenIPTV ships an update every 11 days, and Cathode Player weekly. Most recently, OpenIPTV was updated on June 26, 2026 and Cathode Player on September 23, 2026.

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