14,000+ Live Channels & VODFire Stick · Android · iOS · Smart TV · MAG/FormulerNo Long-Term Contracts — Cancel AnytimeEvery Order Reviewed by a Real PersonIPTV Free Trial Available Before You Pay14,000+ Live Channels & VODFire Stick · Android · iOS · Smart TV · MAG/FormulerNo Long-Term Contracts — Cancel AnytimeEvery Order Reviewed by a Real PersonIPTV Free Trial Available Before You Pay
The app matters as much as the subscription — it's what actually shows you the channels, the guide, and the on-demand library. Here's what each real option does differently, and which one fits your device.
Mostly app store policy. Apple's App Store review process doesn't allow apps that let a user enter arbitrary third-party server credentials the way Android sideloading does, which is why iOS relies on IPTV Smarters (an app already approved and listed) rather than a custom app installed outside the App Store. Android has no such restriction, which is why a dedicated app can be sideloaded directly onto Fire TV and Android TV boxes. Smart TV operating systems (Samsung's Tizen, LG's webOS) sit in between — their own app stores are curated, so the same "already-approved app" logic applies there too. The result is a genuinely different app per platform family, not an arbitrary choice.
Which app should you use?
Pick your device to see the app we recommend and why.
IPTVUSA App 2
The app we ship for Android-based streaming devices — it comes preloaded with your login flow and doesn't need a separate M3U URL to be typed in on a remote.
Where to get it: Sideloaded via the Downloader app — see the device-specific setup guide for the exact steps. Fire TV models running Vega OS (the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and second-generation Fire TV Stick HD) cannot sideload; check the Fire Stick guide first.
Smarters Player Lite (IPTV Smarters)
Available directly on the Apple App Store, so there's no sideloading process on iOS or tvOS — install it like any other app. IMPlayer is a capable alternative if you prefer its layout.
Where to get it: Apple App Store — check that the developer is WHMCS SMARTERS, because many look-alike apps use the name.
IPTV Smarters Pro or VLC
Smarters Pro gives you the full live TV/VOD/EPG interface; VLC is the fallback if you just want to point a player at your M3U link with no interface beyond playback.
Where to get it: Microsoft Store (Smarters Pro) or videolan.org (VLC).
IPTV Smarters
Available in Samsung's and LG's built-in app stores directly — Smart IPTV works as a backup on models where Smarters isn't listed.
Where to get it: Your TV's built-in app store.
Built-in portal — no app needed
These boxes load channels directly through a portal URL entered in device settings, so there's no separate player app to install at all.
Where to get it: Enter the portal URL in your box's settings menu.
PVR IPTV Simple Client
A built-in Kodi add-on that folds your channels directly into Kodi's native TV/PVR interface, alongside anything else Kodi manages.
Where to get it: Kodi's Add-ons menu — no separate download required.
M3U link uploaded on Smart IPTV's website, tied to the TV's MAC address
M3U + XMLTV EPG URL
EPG (TV guide)
Yes, automatic
Yes, automatic with Xtream login
No, needs a separate EPG file
Yes, from EPG URL
Yes, from XMLTV URL
VOD / series library
Yes
Yes, dedicated sections
Plays it, no library browsing
Limited
Limited — built for live TV
Favorites & search
Yes
Yes
No
Basic
Yes, via Kodi's own interface
Parental controls
Yes
Yes (PIN lock)
No
No
Via Kodi's own settings
Each app, in more detail
IPTVUSA App 2
Our own app for Android-based devices — Fire Stick, Fire TV, Android TV boxes, NVIDIA Shield, and Android phones. It comes with your login already tied to your account, so there's no Xtream Codes URL or username to type on a remote — you just sideload it and sign in. Includes EPG, favorites, search, and parental controls.
IPTV Smarters
The most widely used third-party IPTV app, available on nearly every platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, tvOS, and many Smart TVs. It supports both Xtream Codes login and plain M3U links, includes a full EPG, live TV and VOD sections, favorites, and a PIN-based parental lock in the Pro version. If your device isn't Android-based, this is very likely the app you'll use. On the App Store the genuine free app is Smarters Player Lite from WHMCS SMARTERS; many look-alikes exist, so read the IPTV Smarters setup guide before you install.
VLC
A universal media player, not an IPTV-specific app — it plays almost any video format and accepts an M3U playlist URL directly. What it doesn't do is build you a proper live-TV interface: no EPG unless you load a separate guide file, no favorites, no series browsing. It's the fallback option, not the first choice, useful mainly on Windows PCs or when nothing else is available.
Smart IPTV
Built specifically for Samsung and LG Smart TVs, in cases where IPTV Smarters isn't available in your TV's app store. Instead of a login on the TV, you upload your M3U link to Smart IPTV's website against the TV's MAC address, and after a free trial it needs a one-time activation fee paid to Smart IPTV. Its interface is more basic than Smarters — a backup option, not the default.
TiviMate
A popular third-party player for Android-based devices, known for its cable-style channel guide. It accepts the same Xtream Codes login, has a free version, and a paid Premium upgrade for extras like multiple playlists. It is not available on Apple devices or Roku, and it is not affiliated with IPTV USA. Read the full TiviMate setup guide.
GSE Smart IPTV
A long-running third-party player for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and Android, with Chromecast and AirPlay support, recording, parental controls, and playlist management. It accepts the same Xtream Codes login. There is a free Lite edition with a watermark and a paid Pro edition, and it is not affiliated with IPTV USA. Read the full GSE Smart IPTV setup guide.
IMPlayer
A third-party player that runs on both Android-based devices and Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac), which is its main advantage over TiviMate. It accepts the same Xtream Codes login and has a free version with an optional in-app Premium upgrade. It is not affiliated with IPTV USA. Read the full IMPlayer setup guide.
PVR IPTV Simple Client
A Kodi add-on rather than a standalone app — it feeds your channel list and EPG directly into Kodi's own TV interface, so live TV sits alongside your other Kodi libraries instead of living in a separate app. The right choice specifically if you're already running Kodi for other media.
Using more than one app or device
Your login isn't tied to a single app — the same Xtream Codes credentials work in IPTV Smarters on your phone, IPTVUSA App 2 on your Fire Stick, and VLC on your laptop simultaneously, up to however many simultaneous streams your plan allows. That's genuinely different from cable, where switching rooms means switching to whatever box is wired into that room. If you're testing which app you prefer, you can try two or three of them side by side on the same account without any extra setup or cost — just watch your simultaneous-stream limit while you compare.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Xtream Codes and an M3U link?
Xtream Codes login (a server URL, username, and password) loads your channels and EPG automatically in apps that support it. An M3U link is a single playlist URL — simpler, but usually needs a separate EPG source added manually. Your My Account page gives you both.
Can I use more than one app at the same time?
Yes — the same login works across multiple apps and devices, up to your plan's simultaneous-stream limit. Using two apps on two different devices at once counts as two streams, the same as using one app on two devices.
Why doesn't VLC show a TV guide?
VLC is a general media player, not a purpose-built IPTV app — it plays the stream an M3U link points to, but it doesn't fetch or display EPG data on its own unless you load a separate guide file.
Do I need to pay for any of these apps?
IPTVUSA App 2, VLC, Smart IPTV, and PVR IPTV Simple Client are free. IPTV Smarters has a free version and a paid Pro version with extra features like multiple profiles — the free version covers everything most people need.
My Smart TV doesn't have IPTV Smarters — now what?
Use Smart IPTV as the backup option. It is built for Samsung and LG TVs and works by uploading your M3U link to Smart IPTV's website against your TV's MAC address; after a free trial it needs a one-time activation fee paid to Smart IPTV.
Can I switch apps without losing anything?
Yes — your channels, EPG, and account are tied to your login credentials, not to any one app. Switching apps just means entering the same login into a different interface; nothing about your subscription changes.
Why does IPTVUSA App 2 need to be sideloaded instead of downloaded from an app store?
Android TV app stores (including Amazon's for Fire TV) are curated and don't list every app that exists — sideloading via the Downloader app is the standard way to install anything outside that curated list, and it's a normal, routine process on these devices, not a workaround.
Related pages
Setup Guides
Step-by-step install instructions for every device.