IPTV has become quite popular over the years.
It is estimated that over 100 million people use this service and its growing popularity is due to its ability to give users the content they want, when they want it, and where they want it, on their desktop or mobile device.
IPTV services are cost-effective compared to cable TV. All you need are a streaming device and an internet connection.
IPTV allows you to play live and recorded videos and audio. Its video-on-demand format allows you to choose from various shows from the host network.
However, IPTV presents specific issues with legality. You have to pay for most IPTV every month, which makes it only an excellent choice for some. Additionally, there is no guarantee that you will watch all IPTV channels without experiencing issues.
So, if you are among users looking for alternative on-demand streaming services with all digital functionality and ease of use, you have come to the right place.
This article will look at the top IPTV alternatives, their functionality, and their unique attributes.
I’m confident that you’ll find an option that best suits your streaming needs at the end of this review.
Also Read: Best IPTV For Firestick
Best IPTV Alternatives
1. Netflix
First on our list is Netflix. It gives you access to unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. The platform is known to be a trendsetter in the world of TV streaming and has many more shows than any IPTV.
There are high chances that you got to know about some series or TV shows because they streamed on Netflix.
Netflix started by shipping DVDs to its customers via mail in the late 1990s in Scotts Valley, California. It has since become a front-runner in the streaming category, offering a reliable catalog and original programming.
Netflix consumes 15% of the world’s bandwidth and has subscribers in over 190 countries worldwide. It also integrates a collection of excellent features across interfaces and also supports offline viewing on mobile platforms.
This platform features 4K content, and all its TV shows are season-complete. It shows a season at a time and is compatible with all devices, including gaming consoles and smartphones. You can find Netflix on all app stores.
Netflix is ahead of IPTV since it features an ever-growing library, is ad-free, and offers seamless streamlining. The only downside to Netflix is its limited regional selection, and its quality streaming is based on your internet connectivity.
It offers three plans for your entertainment needs. The Basic plan is available for $6.99 per month, the Standard plan at $15.49 per month, and the Premium plan at $19.99 per month.
2. Hulu
If you are tired of paying monthly cable bills, consider cutting the cord and subscribing to Hulu.
Hulu is another excellent alternative to IPTV that gives you access to over 75 top TV channels, live TV featuring sports, news, and events, plus a whole streaming library of entertainment content.
The American streaming service is majorly owned by the Walt Disney Company and enables you to create up to six profiles. It also gives you 50 hours of cloud DVR storage and only supports two screens simultaneously unless you upgrade.
Hulu is ahead of IPTV, offering a solid on-demand streaming library and a robust live TV option.
While it plays movies and web series only after their original episodes have been aired, it is an excellent platform for watching popular TV shows.
Hulu is compatible with all devices, including smartphones and streaming boxes.
This platform offers subscription options with no hidden charges, cancelation fees, or long-term commitments. Hulu’s ad-supported plan goes for $7.99 per month, while the ad-free plan will cost you $14.99 per month.
3. Prime Video
Prime Video, also called Amazon Prime, is an excellent original content source. Like IPTV, It allows you to keep up with the latest movies and TV series even if you ditch your cable company.
What will make you choose Prime Video over IPTV is its vast and growing library of quality content including a decent collection of movies and TV shows.
Prime Video lets you download your favorite shows for offline viewing in addition to 4K titles.
Prime Video is also home to various classic and new anime, including Psycho-pass, Blade of the Immortal, Grand Blue, and Evangelion, among others.
You can enjoy popular movies and TV shows on Prime Video for $8.99 per month.
4. Disney+
Another excellent alternative to IPTV dedicated to video streaming is Disney+. It is home to streaming giants like Pixar, Marvel, Disney, Star Wars, and National Geographic, among others. The platform features about 7,500 TV episodes and over 500 movies.
This platform stands out against IPTV with its ability to deliver different content through an attractive interface with outstanding features like offline downloads, personalized recommendations, and 4K streaming.
Disney+ offers unlimited entertainment for $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
5. HBO Max
HBO Max is an independent streaming platform that combines your TV favorites, new Max Originals, and blockbuster movies. Its greatest strength lies in the impressive catalog of movies and TV shows that stretch from HBO classics to the most current and hottest shows.
HBO has shown tremendous improvements since its debut in 2020. At its launch, it only featured 10 hours of content for streaming, including high-profile shows like The Big Bang Theory, South Park, and Rick and Morty.
It has since grown to offer over 13,000 hours of stream content, including reality shows, documentaries, animation, and movie franchises. While it’s relatively new to the market, it’s already proving to be an excellent substitute for IPTV.
IPTV can hardly compete with HBO Max’s collection, and the platform allows you to stream content using three different devices, meaning you can share it with friends and family.
HBO is a great resource to keep your kids entertained on a trip, as you can download content for offline viewing.
HBO Max offers monthly subscriptions with ads at $9.99 or without ads for $14.99.
6. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is one of the best premium TV streaming services that can be an excellent replacement for IPTV. Like IPTV, this subscription streaming service lets you watch live TV from popular cable networks and significant broadcasts in English and Spanish.
YouTube TV offers a better streaming experience than IPTV and features an awesome cloud DVR and a healthy selection of channels, including the “Big Three” Broadcast networks, The CW, FOX Network, and PBS.
Beyond a selection of top channels, YouTube TV is easy and speedy on various mobile devices and TVs. Its cloud DVR offers unlimited storage and has all the capabilities a DVR player/recorder has. YouTube TV allows you to upgrade to 4K streaming for an additional cost of $20.
YouTube’s Base plan for $64.99 per month gives you access to over 100 channels across live news, sports, and entertainment in English and Spanish. The Spanish Plan costs $34.99 monthly and features TV from over 28 channels.
The two packages come with free unlimited DVR and six accounts per household.
7. Sling TV Blue
Sling TV Blue is a great IPTV alternative that allows you to watch what you love for less. Sling offers more than IPTV, thanks to the great customization options and add-ons. It enables you to manage your favorite shows from anywhere on almost any device.
The platform features lifestyle, sports, entertainment, and kids’ shows. It has an easy-to-navigate interface, and some of the films and TV series you can enjoy include Aquaman, Shrek, and Happy Gilmore.
The most outstanding feature of Sling TV Blue is the rentals section to rent movies. Sling TV also gives you 50 hours of DVR storage space. Its only downside is geo-restriction. Overall, Sling TV Blue is worth it, given that it allows you to stream on three devices simultaneously.
Subscribing to Sling TV Blue will cost you $35 per month.
Also Read: Roku vs Chromecast
8. Fubo TV
If you are looking for an IPTV alternative that gives you access to live sports without an existing cable subscription, you need to consider Fubo TV.
Apart from streaming top leagues and teams, Fubo TV also features popular movies, TV shows, and news for the entire household.
Fubo TV has 4K streaming for specific content on demand and selected live events. Fubo TV’s one downside is its limited DVR storage. But that doesn’t make it a wrong choice.
In fact, Fubo TV is ahead of IPTV, thanks to its multi-screen view feature that allows watching football and races simultaneously.
It also features one of the most extensive channel lineups. Fubo TV recently earned the top streaming service title among NFL fans when it added ESPN and ABC to its channel collection.
This platform is geo-restricted and only serves customers from the United States, Spain, and Canada.
Fubo TV features robust plans to suit your sports streaming needs. The Pro plan features 138 channels and over 100 sporting events for $69.99 per month. The Elite plan at $79.99 per month offers over 130 events in 4K on 202 channels.
9. AppleTV+
AppleTV+ is an excellent IPTV replacement that features compelling dramas, award-winning series, kids’ entertainment, and groundbreaking documentaries.
AppleTV+ is available on your favorite Apple devices, but you can also watch it on Smart TVs, streaming platforms, or on the site.
What makes AppleTV+ a better choice over IPTV is that you can share it with up to five family members.
In addition, Apple originals are commercial-free, and some of its shows release all episodes simultaneously. Other shows release episodes every Friday and you can watch them anytime, anywhere.
AppleTV+ is free on Apple devices for three months upon purchase. Its monthly subscription is $6.99 and comes after a seven-day free trial.
Also Read: Best IPTV For TiviMate
10. Peacock TV
Peacock TV is an excellent streaming service from NBCUniversal. For a while, Peacock TV was best known for its collection of NBC libraries.
It has consistently added exclusive and exciting content to its collection, earning it a spot on my list of top IPTV alternatives.
Unlike IPTV, Peacock TV has an exclusive version that is completely free to watch, though ads fully support it. Its strength also lies in live sports offerings. Peacock TV features WWE Wrestling, NFL Sunday Night Football, Premier League, and more.
Peacock TV’s premium subscription goes for $4.99 per month.
11. Philo
Philo is another exciting alternative to IPTV that features an on-demand library of 67 channels, including The Food Network, Discovery Channel, Comedy Central, and TLC. Philo TV has a streamlined interface and works well on most devices, except for selected game consoles.
Philo might not work for you if you are looking for sports channels as no sports are included in its packages.
However, it still offers value for the money as it allows for up to three simultaneous streams. Unlike IPTV, Philo TV works smoothly on a technical level and offers unlimited DVR.
This platform offers a monthly package featuring over 60 channels for $25. It also has add-on options like movies and more for $3 per month, STARZ for $9 per month, and EPIX for $6 per month.
12. DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is one of the most extensive and comprehensive live TV streaming services available. It offers you the sports you love, the news you need, and everything in between. DirecTV feels more like cable TV than IPTV, and the service features unlimited DVR.
DirecTV Stream is an excellent bet if you are a serious fan of live TV. While DirecTV Stream’s core features are similar to standard live streaming services, you’ll find all your favorite channels there.
Its packages include on-demand movies, shows, and live TV channels on your favorite devices, from $69.99 per month.
13. Paramount+
Paramount+ is a unique streaming service that tells extraordinary stories of iconic stars and a mountain of entertainment.
Formerly known as CBS All Access, Paramount+ offers over 30,000 TV episodes with their original titles alongside movies and shows from its global family of brands.
What excites me about Paramount+ over IPTV is its Live Channel Hub. This feature is new and available to all Paramount+ users regardless of their subscription plan. Unlike IPTV channels, Paramount’s live programming is grouped by genre.
It has specific kids and family fun channels, animation favorites, preschool corners, TV classics, crime and justice, and nostalgic hits.
This platform promises top-quality audio and video streaming, made possible by its 4K programming, HDR 10 video formats, and Dolby Vision.
With limited interruptions, you can enjoy streaming on Paramount+ with its Essential plan for $4.99. But if you are looking for a commercial-free streaming experience, purchase Paramount+ Premium for $9.99 per month.
14. ESPN+
ESPN+ is another great IPTV alternative with thousands of original studio shows, exclusive live events, and on-demand movie series and documentaries.
Recently ESPN+ added news articles on sports on its features basket and is compatible with multiple devices, including smartphones, Smart TVs, and tablets.
The ESPN+ interface is filled with multiple tabs to get you to the sports content you are looking for, and you don’t have to worry about not having a DVR as you can replay the matches you missed at any time.
The platform does a better job of giving you a seamless experience, especially with its convenient guide under the Schedule and Replays feature.
ESPN+ allows you to stream live sports, including baseball, UFC, soccer, college basketball, and golf. It comes at the cost of $9.99 per month.
15. Funimation
Last on our list of IPTV alternatives is Funimation. This streaming service is slightly different from IPTV as it is geared toward anime fans.
What started as a production and distribution company in the 90s has risen to the top ladder of streaming services. Funimation is available in the US, with over 600 titles in its library.
The platform lets you enjoy over 10,000 episodes and movies from a deep catalog of all-time classics, fan favorites, and big hits.
Most of the titles found on Funimation are dubbed from Japanese to English and are compatible with most devices, including the Nintendo Switch, which is not typical for streaming.
Funimation has a user-friendly interface with a good collection of discoverable features. On the downside, Funimation does not offer 4K quality videos, and sometimes anime features adult themes like sex and violence, making it inappropriate for all ages.
You can purchase the Funimation Premium plan at $7.99 per month or Premium Plus at $9.99 per month including taxes. All these plans apply to users in the United States and Canada.
You can save more on Premium and Premium Plus plans by opting for yearly subscriptions at $59.99 and $79.99, respectively.
Final Words
Now you know the options to consider when looking for alternatives to IPTV.
The best news is that you don’t have to restrict yourself to just one streaming service. The key here is to pick services based on your budget and the content you wish to consume.
Suppose you are looking for a service that most people have with a diverse array of content, original shows, movies, and a service that constantly adds authentic and licensed movies and shows. In this case, I recommend Netflix.