Comparison

Node Player vs Athena Player IPTV

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

Head to head
About

Node Player

Features
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Node Player is a media player application designed to stream video content from user-provided sources. The app provides a simple, reliable interface for accessing and managing streaming content using supported media formats and network protocols. Node Player does not host, provide, or distribute content. Users are responsible for supplying their own media sources and ensuring they have the rights to access that content. FEATURES โ€ข Plays video streams from user-provided sources โ€ข Fast and responsive playback โ€ข Simple channel and content navigation โ€ข Stable streaming performance โ€ข Full-screen viewing support โ€ข Secure subscription-based access SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION โ€ข Subscription required to access playback features โ€ข Payment is charged to your Apple ID account upon confirmation of purchase โ€ข Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period โ€ข Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period โ€ข You can manage and cancel subscriptions in your Apple Account Settings Node Player is a playback tool. It does not provide media content or channels. COMPATIBILITY Node Player supports common playlist and streaming formats used by personal media and streaming services, including: โ€ข Standard M3U and M3U8 playlists โ€ข Xtream-compatible servers โ€ข HTTP and HTTPS streaming sources โ€ข Live and on-demand video streams Users provide their own streaming sources. Node Player does not host, provide, or distribute media content. Privacy Policy: https://nodeplayer.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://nodeplayer.app/terms Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Athena Player IPTV

Features
Read full description

Athena Player includes NO channels, NO movies, NO series and NO other media. Nothing is bundled with the app, and we neither host nor offer any content of our own. It is a player. You bring the M3U URL or Xtream Codes login from the provider you already pay, and Athena Player plays it on your iPhone, iPad and other devices with a fast, beautiful, distraction-free interface. BUILT FOR GREAT PLAYBACK Athena Player is engineered for smooth, high-quality streaming. It uses hardware-accelerated video for crisp, fluid playback (up to 4K where your device and source allow), fast channel switching, and an interface that stays out of your way. A rich EPG, instant search and Continue Watching make it effortless to find and resume what you were watching. A buffering indicator keeps you informed while a stream loads, and subtitle and audio-track selection are built in. ONE PLAYER, EVERY SCREEN Your account, favorites and playback progress sync across all your devices, so you can start on iPhone and pick up on iPad or Mac exactly where you left off. Cast to your TV with Chromecast, or hand a stream off to an external player when you prefer. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED Athena Player requires a paid subscription to use. New users get a 7-day free trial; after the trial, continued access to the app and all of its features requires an auto-renewable subscription โ€” Standard, Premium or Premium+, billed monthly or yearly โ€” or a one-time Lifetime purchase. Titles, subscription length and prices are shown in the app before you buy. Auto-renewable subscriptions renew automatically at the same price unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID Account Settings after purchase. FEATURES (all require an active trial or paid subscription) - Your provider's live streams, with a full EPG (electronic program guide) and now/next info - Your provider's movies and series, with posters, descriptions and resume playback - Favorites and Continue Watching, synced across your devices - Multiple profiles, each with its own favorites and history - Powerful search across channels, movies and series - Chromecast and optional external player support - Clean, fast interface designed for phone, tablet and TV - Available in English, Italian, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese HOW IT WORKS 1. Create a free account and start your 7-day trial. 2. Add your own M3U or Xtream playlist on playerathena.com (a QR handoff opens the website already signed in). 3. Sign in on Athena Player and start watching. Subscribe to keep access after the trial ends. Athena Player is a player only. It includes no channels or media. You are responsible for the content you add and must have the legal right to access it. We do not host, provide or sell any media content. Terms of Use (EULA): https://playerathena.com/eula Privacy Policy: https://playerathena.com/privacy Questions? Visit playerathena.com

Screenshots

Node Player4 screens
Athena Player IPTV4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Athena Player IPTV at every 2 days against Node Player's monthly. Node Player's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Node Player sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Athena Player IPTV sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Node Player ships an update monthly, Athena Player IPTV every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
Node Player versus Athena Player IPTV: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNode PlayerAthena Player IPTV
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 โ€” better15.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size44 MB71 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperLouis HallAlex Nicolo' Galasso

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Node Player

Subscriptions2
  • Node Player Premium3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Node Player Premium$39.991 Year
7 purchases

Athena Player IPTV

Subscriptions6
  • Standard Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium+ Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Standard Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year
  • Premium+ Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$39.99

Questions

Is Node Player free?
Node Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Athena Player IPTV free?
Athena Player IPTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Node Player or Athena Player IPTV have ads?
Neither Node Player nor Athena Player IPTV shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Node Player or Athena Player IPTV?
Node Player ships an update monthly, and Athena Player IPTV every 2 days. Most recently, Node Player was updated on November 9, 2026 and Athena Player IPTV on November 10, 2026.

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