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Watching on-demand TV shows and movies on your Android smartphone is now easier than ever. What about live television, though? Yes, services such as Sling TV and YouTube TV are available. You don’t need to apply to their pricey plans if you know where to look. Instead, you can use free IPTV; all you need is an IPTV app and an IPTV subscription.
But which IPTV app for Android and Android TV is the best? Continue reading to learn more.
What Is an IPTV App, Exactly?
IPTV apps are similar to Kodi in that they are nothing more than hollow shells that can’t stream anything without user feedback. You’re in charge of adding platforms, playlists, and other resources. In most cases, you won’t be able to stream Netflix, Hulu, or direct content from other third-party services via the apps. You’ll need to download an M3U file, which you’ll then import into the IPTV app.
1. IPTV Smarters Pro
If you’ve ever paid for IPTV, there’s a fair chance your IPTV reseller provided you with a branded version of the IPTV Smarters Pro app. Most distributors use it as their preferred applications. You don’t have to use a branded edition, though. You can add an M3U URL to the app and enjoy all of the same functionality as long as you have an M3U URL from your provider. Better still, unlike the advertised models, this “white mark” version of Smarters Pro will accept several logins.
If your provider provides them, the app supports on-demand movies and TV shows, as well as catch-up channels. If you choose to use the interfaces of external video players (such as Perfect Player and VLC), it also interacts with them. IPTV Smarters Pro works well on handheld devices, but it shines brightest on a television. It’s without a doubt one of the best IPTV applications for Android TV.
2. Lazy IPTV
M3U playlists in open-view, ZIP, and GZ formats are supported by Lazy IPTV. The app can also read XSPF playlists (XML Shareable Playlist Format). It’s easy to add new content to Lazy IPTV. You can browse your local file system and paste URLs directly from the web or your device’s clipboard. The app can play videos directly from YouTube and VK and works with HTTP and UDP streams. A built-in audio player for internet radio channels is also included. Lazy IPTV supports electronic program guides, which is essential for an IPTV app (EPGs). It can read open-view, ZIP, and GZ XMLTV EPGs.
From a usability standpoint, Lazy IPTV allows you to add favorites, build playlist groups, and support nested files. If you ever want to move to another app, you can export your playlists. The app’s home screen is also completely customizable, including shortcuts to your most-watched channels and the ability to adjust how the content is shown. For handheld devices, Lazy IPTV is ideal. However, it is less well-suited to Android TV’s larger displays.
3. TiviMate
TiviMate is without a doubt the best IPTV software for Android TV in our view. It does not have a smartphone edition. Multiple playlists, channel and category renaming, and secret categories are all supported by the software. You can use the search function and import your own channel logos. You can also customize the order in which channels appear in the TV guide (which works for both channel names and currently playing shows). TiviMate’s free edition can do for those that just have one playlist and don’t watch it very much. It’s worth upgrading to the pro version if you’re a heavy IPTV user. The software can be installed on up to five devices for $4.99 a year.
4. GSE Smart IPTV
For good purpose, GSE Smart IPTV is one of the most common IPTV apps in the Google Play Store. For starters, it’s one of the most well-designed IPTV applications available for Android. Its clean design and EPG interface resembles that of cable television, making it easy to forget you’re using an app. Second, unlike most of its rivals, GSE Smart IPTV is available on a much wider range of platforms. Versions are available for Android, Android TV, iOS, and Apple TV. The software also works with Chromecast. Note that if you know how to sideload APK files, you can install Android apps on Amazon Fire TV devices as well.
GSE Smart IPTV supports EPG content in the XML, ZIP, and GZ formats, among other features. It also supports subtitles (SRT files) and has native parental controls. It can handle HTTP, HSL, M3U8, MMS, RTSP, and RTMP live streams. The software is ad-supported and works on both Android TV and Android phones and tablets.
5. Perfect Player IPTV
Another famous app is Perfect Player IPTV. It’s particularly common among Android TV users looking for a replacement for the native Live Channels app. Playlists in M3U and XSPF formats are supported by the software. You may also use XMLTV (ZIP, GZ, XZ) and JTV to include an electronic program guide. There are many decoder options available, including Native, Software, Hardware, and Hardware Accelerated. Other features include the ability to watch locally stored video, support for UDP-to-HTTP proxy servers, and automatic syncing with the app’s desktop version for a seamless experience. Perfect Player, like GSE Smart . IPTV, has an easy-to-read style that takes design inspiration from cable and satellite TV EPGs.
6. IPTV
With over 10 million downloads, the simply named IPTV app is one of the most popular IPTV applications for Android. Both M3U and XSPF playlists can be added to the app, as anticipated. EPG support is provided by XMLTV and JTV. You can use the IPTV software to play multicast streams if you have a UDP proxy (installed from your local area network). There are also several customization options in the app. Depending on your preference, it can show the channels you’ve added in a chart, grid, or tile view.
Finally, upgrading to the pro edition is worthwhile if you have a dedicated Android set-top box for watching IPTV. It has a feature that allows the app to start automatically when the host device does. The pro edition also eliminates commercials and has a “resume viewing” feature that allows you to replay your most recently viewed channel automatically.
7. OTT Navigator
On the Android TV network, OTT Navigator is TiviMate’s most serious IPTV competitor. It’s common among power users, just like TiviMate. There isn’t much of a difference between the two apps; they have a lot of the same features. Filters (by channels, categories, genres, seasons, years, favorite channels, ranking, and country), channel and category customization, and a search tool are all available in OTT Navigator. TiviMate’s interface is slightly more modern and the UI is slightly more user-friendly in our opinion, but you may disagree. Before deciding on the best IPTV app for your needs, make sure you look at both choices.
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