Comparison

Lightning Player Pro vs IPTV_SHOW

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

Head to head
About

Lightning Player Pro

Features
Read full description

Lightning Player is the elegant player for your own IPTV and M3U playlists. Enter your credentials – done. No detours, no content, just a really good player. YOUR PLAYLIST, YOUR PLAYER • Xtream Codes and M3U playlists • Multiple profiles with separate progress (Plus) • Lightning-fast startup thanks to a persistent cache – even with huge playlists of 100,000+ titles LIVE TV WITH EPG • Electronic program guide (XMLTV) with now/next and full-day schedule • Fast zapping, automatic channel categories (Live Auto) • Parental controls with PIN for bouquets, channels and titles MOVIES & SERIES • Hero recommendations: large rotating suggestions with movie backdrops • Watch trailers right inside the app • Covers, plots, cast, genres and ratings (TMDB) • Discover and Popular views, "New" and "Continue Watching" rows • Smart Search with personal ranking and actor search • Country and language filters – also shows versions available in other languages • German public broadcaster library (Mediathek): browse, stream and download – free, no playlist needed ON THE GO & OFFLINE • Download movies and watch offline (Plus) • Device sync: profiles, favorites, progress and watched status on all your devices – across platforms, even beyond the Apple universe. End-to-end encrypted, paired in seconds via QR code (Plus) FULL CONTROL • Playlist editor: sort bouquets, hide items, favorites (Plus) • All common formats and codecs (MKV, HEVC, AC3 …) – no transcoding, no quality loss PRICING Try free for 7 days – all features included. Then: Basic as a one-time purchase (core player with one playlist) or Plus as a subscription (all features). Transparent and cancellable anytime via the App Store. IMPORTANT Lightning Player is a pure player and contains NO IPTV content, channels or playlists. You need your own, legally obtained IPTV or M3U source (e.g. from your TV provider). The developer does not provide content and does not promote third-party providers. No ads, no tracking. Privacy: https://www.lightning-player.de/privacy Help & guides: https://www.lightning-player.de/help

About

IPTV_SHOW

This media player allows you to watch your own playlists on Apple devices. Bring your M3U or Xtream Codes login to enjoy live TV, movies, and series with a full EPG and resume playback.

Highlights
  • Supports M3U/M3U+ URLs and Xtream Codes login
  • Organizes Live TV, Movies (VOD), and Series
  • Full EPG/TV guide with now-and-next
  • Favorites and continue watching functionality
  • Dual playback engines (native and enhanced)
  • Next-episode autoplay
  • iCloud sync across Apple devices
Features
Read full description

IPTVSHOW is a personal media player for the playlists you already own. Bring your own M3U/M3U+ URL, Xtream Codes login, or a local playlist file, and IPTVSHOW turns it into a beautiful, fast viewing experience on all your Apple devices. No channels, subscriptions, or content are included — you provide your own legal playlist. FEATURES • Live TV, Movies (VOD) and Series — organized automatically • Full EPG / TV guide with now-and-next and a live progress bar • Favorites, Continue Watching, and resume where you left off • Powerful search across channels, movies and series • Two playback engines — Apple's native player, plus an enhanced engine for tougher codecs, subtitles/CC and multiple audio tracks • Next-episode autoplay with an "Up Next" countdown • Quick-zap channel switching and a clean, focus-friendly Apple TV interface • iCloud sync of your playlists across devices WORKS EVERYWHERE iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac — with a native interface tailored to each. IPTVSHOW does not provide, host, or endorse any content. You are responsible for the playlists you add and for complying with the laws in your region.

Screenshots

Lightning Player Pro4 screens
IPTV_SHOW4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: IPTV_SHOW at none against Lightning Player Pro's 6. Lightning Player Pro's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks). On price 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. Lightning Player Pro sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. IPTV_SHOW asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightning Player Pro ships an update every 5 days, IPTV_SHOW every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Lightning Player Pro versus IPTV_SHOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightning Player ProIPTV_SHOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperToan Thanh TrieuHamza El Zefri

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Lightning Player Pro

Subscriptions5
  • Pro – Monat$2.991 Month
  • Pro – 3 Monate$5.993 Months
  • Pro – 6 Monate$9.996 Months
Show 2 more
  • Pro – Jahr$17.991 Year
  • Pro Family – Jahr$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Basis (lebenslang)$2.99
None

IPTV_SHOW

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightning Player Pro free?
Lightning Player Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is IPTV_SHOW free?
IPTV_SHOW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lightning Player Pro or IPTV_SHOW have ads?
IPTV_SHOW shows ads; Lightning Player Pro does not.
Which is updated more often, Lightning Player Pro or IPTV_SHOW?
Lightning Player Pro ships an update every 5 days, and IPTV_SHOW every 5 weeks. Most recently, Lightning Player Pro was updated on September 24, 2026 and IPTV_SHOW on October 6, 2026.

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