MBC Shahid vs START
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MBC Shahid
Access a vast library of Arabic Originals, exclusive series, blockbuster movies, and live TV channels. Enjoy personalized profiles, watchlists, and offline downloads for a seamless entertainment experience.
- Exclusive Arabic Originals
- Live Sports in HD
- Ad-Free Streaming (Subscription)
- Live TV Channels
- Personalized Profiles
- Download & Watch Offline
- Family-Friendly Content
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Welcome to MBC Shahid – Your Ultimate Entertainment Destination Dive into a refreshed world of endless entertainment with MBC Shahid—now with a brand-new look and enhanced experience. Discover the leading platform for Arabic Originals, exclusive series, blockbuster movies, live TV, sports, and more. Whether you’re watching for free or subscribing, enjoy unlimited access to premium content tailored just for you. Why Choose MBC Shahid? 1. Exclusive Arabic Originals Enjoy the finest Arabic Original productions available exclusively on MBC Shahid. From gripping dramas to captivating comedies, we bring you stories that resonate with your heart. 2. Live Sports in HD Catch the thrill of local and international sports and tournaments, all in stunning HD (available in MENA only). 3. Unmissable Live Events Stay entertained with iconic events like Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season, live concerts, and theatrical plays. 4. Ad-Free Streaming Enjoy uninterrupted, non-stop entertainment when you subscribe. Say goodbye to ads and hello to seamless viewing. 5. Live TV Channels Watch your favorite channels in crystal-clear Full HD and stay on top of the latest news, entertainment, and more. 6. Exclusive Movie & Series Premieres Be the first to watch the latest series and movies before they hit TV or cinemas. 7. A World of Genres From heart-pounding horror and thrilling dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies and enchanting romance, MBC Shahid’s vast library has something for everyone. Explore Egyptian classics, Turkish sensations, and captivating foreign series at your fingertips. 8. Family-Friendly Content Secure profiles and exclusive kids’ content ensure entertainment for all ages in a safe and dedicated environment. Features You’ll Love • Create Personalized Profiles: Assign unique profiles to each family member for a tailored viewing experience. • Build Your Watchlist: Save your favorite shows and movies for easy access anytime. • Download & Watch Offline: Take your entertainment on the go by downloading content to watch without an internet connection. Why MBC Shahid is Perfect for You • A constantly updated media library keeps you up-to-date with the latest blockbusters and trending series. • Instant access to a global selection of TV favorites, tailored for you. • Effortlessly browse curated categories for every mood and preference. • Personalized recommendations and updates so you never miss a thing. Download the MBC Shahid app now and explore our unlimited benefits and perks. Immerse yourself in a world of award-winning movies, trending series, and captivating live events—all in ultimate quality and comfort. Once you start, you’ll be hooked. Enjoy access to the best movies, series, and live entertainment awaits—don’t miss out! Privacy Policy: https://www.mbc.net/en/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://shahid.mbc.net/ar/terms-and-conditions
START
Access a vast library of original series, films, and over 130 live TV channels. Enjoy exclusive premieres, download content for offline viewing, and explore behind-the-scenes extras. Stream on multiple devices with a safe kids' section.
- Original series and films
- Exclusive premieres
- 130+ live TV channels
- Offline downloads
- Multi-device support
- Kids' section
- Behind-the-scenes content
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START — онлайн-кинотеатр с оригинальными сериалами и фильмами Смотрите сериалы, о которых говорят все, открывайте новые фильмы и следите за эксклюзивными премьерами. В START вас ждут более 150 собственных проектов, большая библиотека кино и мультфильмов, а также более 130 ТВ каналов онлайн. Оригинальные сериалы и премьеры Смотрите истории, которые хочется обсуждать и пересматривать. В START выходят собственные сериалы и фильмы, которых нет на других площадках. Открывайте новые сезоны любимых проектов и следите за премьерами в раннем доступе. Среди самых известных проектов START - «Слово пацана», «Холод», «Лихие», «Вампиры средней полосы», «Папины дочки» и другие. Кино и сериалы на любой вкус В каталоге приложения представлен большой выбор для любой аудитории: • российские сериалы и громкие комедии; • турецкие мелодрамы и романтические комедии; • фильмы от ведущих студий; • фестивальное и авторское кино; • семейные фильмы и мультфильмы для детей; • популярные телевизионные шоу и передачи. 130+ телеканалов онлайн Смотрите любимые передачи, новости, спортивные трансляции и развлекательные шоу в одном месте и на любом устройстве. В подписку входят ТВ каналы СТС, «Пятница!», ТНТ, «Матч ТВ» и многие другие. Смотрите где и когда удобно START предлагает возможности для комфортного просмотра: • кино и сериалы без рекламы; • качество изображения до Ultra HD 4K на ТВ; • скачивание фильмов, серий и мультфильмов для просмотра без интернета; • просмотр на смартфонах, планшетах, компьютерах и Smart TV; • подключение до 5 устройств на аккаунт; • безопасный детский раздел с контентом для юных зрителей. Скачивайте фильмы и серии заранее, чтобы смотреть их оффлайн в самолёте, в дороге или на даче, даже если нет подключения к интернету. Больше, чем онлайн-кинотеатр Заглядывайте за кулисы любимых проектов: смотрите фильмы о съёмках с комментариями режиссёров, продюсеров и актёров. Читайте интервью и репортажи в журнале START, узнавайте больше о создании сериалов и открывайте интересные детали историй. Скачивайте приложение START и выбирайте, что посмотреть сегодня: новый сериал, любимую комедию, фильм для всей семьи или телеканал в прямом эфире. Остались вопросы? Напишите нам: support@start.ru
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: START at 3.7 against MBC Shahid's 3.0. START also leads on review sentiment (34% vs 16%). MBC Shahid's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (23K vs 208). 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
Both are free to download. MBC Shahid sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and START sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
START holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MBC Shahid has 23K ratings behind it against 208, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of MBC Shahid's written reviews are positive against 34% of START's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MBC Shahid | START |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (23K ratings) | 3.7 (208 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 15.9% of reviews | 34.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 23K — better | 208 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #41 — better | #120 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 142 MB | 561 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | MBC Group | Start.Ru LLC |
Customer experience
MBC Shahid
START
User reviews
MBC Shahid
From 23K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Great content
- 👍 Variety of shows and movies
- 💡 Useful for overseas users
- 🚀 App improvements over time
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent glitches and crashes
- ⚠️ Poor customer support
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find content
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Login and account issues
START
From 208 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Good customer support
- 🚀 High-quality content
- 💡 Variety of movies and shows
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 💰 Unauthorized charges and subscription issues
- 🤖 Poor app performance and user experience
Bugs and requests
MBC Shahid
Reported bugs
4 issues- Subscription issues and unexpected charges
- Frequent log-out and login problems
- Streaming quality and video playback issues
- Compatibility problems with certain devices
Requested features
5 requests- Add option to reset watched progress
- Improve casting and TV connectivity
- Provide more English subtitles and language options
- Introduce user rating and review system
- Optimize app performance and reduce bugs
START
Reported bugs
3 issues- App freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Playback issues and video quality problems
- Incorrect billing and subscription handling
Requested features
3 requests- Add English subtitles
- Improve content availability outside of Russia
- Allow easier subscription management and cancellation
In-app purchases
MBC Shahid
- VIP$2.997 Days
- VIP2 variants$13.991 Month
- VIP Mobile$13.991 Month
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- VIP | BigTime$16.991 Month
- VIP | Sports$19.491 Month
- VIP | Sports | GOBX$23.491 Month
- Ultimate$24.491 Month
- VIP$29.993 Months
- VIP$139.991 Year
START
- All inclusive7 Days trial$7.991 Month
