The main players compared
All listed on Google Play when we checked in September 2026 (developer names from the listings).
| Player | Developer | Devices on Play | Logins | Stand-out features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TiviMate | Armobsoft FZE | TV | Xtream Codes, M3U, Stalker portal | Grid guide, catch-up, recording, multiview (Premium) |
| Televizo | Andrey Menscikov | Phone, TV, tablet | M3U playlists | Free with ads; companion app; phone and TV |
| Sparkle TV | HKAB | TV (most features); phone app for buying Plus | Xtream Codes, M3U, Stalker portal, TV servers such as Tvheadend | DVR and multiview with Plus |
| iMPlayer | HzApps | TV and mobile versions | M3U and other formats (per listing) | Also on iPhone and Apple TV |
| XCIPTV | OTTRUN | Phone, TV, tablet | Xtream Codes, M3U | Widely used Xtream player |
| Kodi | Kodi Foundation | Phone, TV, tablet | M3U through the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on | Free, very configurable, XMLTV guide |
| VLC | Videolabs | Phone, TV, tablet | M3U | Free; plays almost anything; no IPTV guide |
Prices and features change. Check the listing and the developer’s site before you pay for an upgrade.
How to choose
- Live TV first, with a proper guide: TiviMate. See also TiviMate vs iMPlayer.
- The same player on the TV and your phone: Televizo or iMPlayer, which publish phone versions.
- Films and series: any Xtream Codes player with separate libraries is easier than a long M3U list.
- Portal (MAC) logins: TiviMate supports Stalker portals; StbEmu emulates a MAG box.
- Free and technical: Kodi with the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on.
Installing them
Search Google Play on the TV and check the developer name matches the table above. If a player isn’t on Play, install it from the developer’s own site; see how to sideload apps safely.