IPTV Players Compared: Which Player Is Best and Why?

To get started with IPTV, you need a subscription and an app player to play the channels. In fact, the IPTV players play a key role as they handle everything from stream stability to channel navigation. So, you can’t think of IPTV without the player apps!

Today, the market is filled with so many IPTV player apps and each one offers different features. Amidst all of this, it can get challenging to choose the right player. So in this guide, we will compare some of the most popular IPTV players to help choose the best option.

Popular IPTV Player Apps Compared

Anyone can get confused when there are so many IPTV apps available and each one promises the best streaming experience.

Also, it’s worth noting that these apps just let you play the IPTV playlists and you still need an IPTV account. So, you should choose a safe option like U7BUY to buy IPTV accounts for sale & reliable streams.

With that in mind, let’s explore the popular IPTV players:

VLC Media Player

The first option is VLC with six billion downloads which makes it the most popular option. Many think that it is only a media player but it works equally well for streaming IPTV.

VLC Media Player supports playlist formats like the M3U, M3U8, and XSPF. So it doesn’t matter which IPTV account you have as you can still stream its content on this media player.

It is free and you can run it on almost every platform. The best part is that VLC doesn’t consume too many resources.

The only downside is that there are no dedicated IPTV features like the EGP, catch-up TV, or multi-playlist management.

Best For: VLC is best for users who want a simple and lightweight IPTV player with no extra costs.

IPTV Smarters Pro

We have ranked IPTV Smarters Pro at the 2nd spot because of its popularity. It is a dedicated IPTV player and is available for both TV and mobile devices.

It is different from general media players in the sense that it is designed specifically for IPTV. So, you get advanced features like EPG, parental controls and management of multiple playlists.

The app offers a clean + modern interface. Also, it is very easy to set up the IPTV Smarters Pro, which makes it ideal for beginners. It also supports multiple devices which means you get to use the same app across devices.

The downside is that some advanced features, like recording and multi-screen options require a paid subscription. Other than that, IPTV Smarters Pro is a very solid choice.

Best For: The IPTV smarters pro is best for those who want a more streamlined IPTV experience with advanced playlist management.

TiviMate

Do you want an IPTV player that’s designed for Android TV and Fire TV devices? Then TiviMate is ideal as its interface is very TV optimized and you can use a remote for easy navigation. It also comes with advanced features like custom channel categories, favorites, and support for multiple playlists.

A key advantage of TiviMate is that it offers great performance on large screens and smartphones. It also comes with EPG and catch-up TV which help provide an enjoyable viewing experience.

The downside is that the advanced features, like recording and multiple playlist management, require the premium version. Also, TiviMate only works on Android based devices.

Best For: The TiviMate player is best for users who want a polished and big screen IPTV experience. It offers features like channel management which can be a game-changer for many users.

Kodi

Kodi is a media center but it can be used to play IPTV via add-ons. It does have a learning curve but it is a full-fledged media hub that allows users to stream live TV, movies, and more.

Kodi is very flexible and works on pretty much everything (Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and even Linux). In fact, you can even use it to get functionality far beyond the IPTV with the right add-ons.

One downside of Kodi is that it has a steeper learning curve as compared to VLC & other options. So, if you need to set up IPTV playlists on Kodi, you need the right add-ons.

Best For: Kodi is ideal for advanced users who are willing to take extra steps but want full customization.

Conclusion

When it comes to picking an IPTV player, there’s no single option that works best for everyone… It all depends on where you plan to watch IPTV, pricing, features, and so on.

For users who want a free & lightweight option, the answer is VLC Media Player. And for those who want a clean interface and built-in IPTV features, then IPTV Smarters Pro is the right option.

For users with Android TV + large screens, TiviMate offers a TV friendly experience with strong channel organization. Kodi is best for advanced users who want maximum control over their IPTV setup.