Mobile Apps
iOS and Android apps available
What are Mobile Apps?
Mobile Apps Feature Summary
1. FEATURE OVERVIEW
Mobile apps provide native applications for iOS and Android devices that allow you to stream content directly on your smartphone or tablet. These apps are specifically designed for mobile viewing, offering touch-optimized interfaces, mobile-specific features, and streaming capabilities tailored to smaller screens and varying internet connections.
Most streaming services offer dedicated mobile apps that mirror their web platform functionality while adding mobile-specific features like offline downloads, background audio playback, and push notifications. The apps typically support adaptive streaming, automatically adjusting video quality based on your internet connection and device capabilities to ensure smooth playback.
2. WHAT YOU NEED
To use mobile streaming apps, you'll need:
- Compatible Device: iOS device (iPhone/iPad) running iOS 12+ or Android device running Android 6.0+
- Storage Space: Typically 100-500MB for app installation, plus additional space for offline downloads if supported
- Internet Connection: Minimum 3 Mbps for HD streaming, 25 Mbps for 4K content
- Active Subscription: Valid account with the streaming service (free tiers may have limited functionality)
- App Store Access: Ability to download from Apple App Store or Google Play Store
Some premium features like offline downloads, 4K streaming, or multiple simultaneous streams may require higher-tier subscription plans. Certain services may have geographic restrictions affecting app availability in different regions.
3. REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES
Premium Experience: Services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ offer feature-rich mobile apps with 4K streaming, offline downloads for flights or commutes, multiple user profiles, and seamless cross-device synchronization. You can start watching on your TV and continue on your phone without missing a beat.
Sports Streaming: DAZN and Discovery+ TNT Sports provide mobile apps optimized for live sports viewing, featuring multi-angle cameras, live statistics, push notifications for game starts, and reliable streaming during high-traffic events like Premier League matches.
Free Tier Limitations: YouTube's free mobile app includes ads and lacks background play or downloads, while YouTube Premium removes these restrictions. Similarly, services like Pluto TV and Tubi offer solid mobile experiences but with ad interruptions.
Specialized Content: Apps like Crunchyroll excel for anime viewing with subtitle customization and simulcast features, while BBC iPlayer provides excellent offline downloads for British programming.
4. HOW WE SCORE THIS FEATURE
Our scoring methodology evaluates mobile apps across several key criteria:
Perfect Scores (10/10) go to services offering best-in-class mobile experiences with premium features like 4K streaming, reliable offline downloads, intuitive interfaces, and consistent performance. These typically include major platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and premium YouTube tiers.
High Scores (8-9/10) are awarded to apps with excellent functionality, good streaming quality, and useful features like downloads or ad-free viewing. Examples include Apple TV+, premium Discovery+ tiers, and specialized services like Crunchyroll that excel in their content niche.
Mid-Range Scores (6-7/10) indicate functional apps with basic streaming capabilities but lacking advanced features or having some limitations like ads, interface issues, or restricted content access. Free tiers and niche services often fall into this range.
Lower Scores (Below 6/10) reflect apps with significant limitations, poor performance, outdated interfaces, or very restricted functionality. These are typically basic free services or apps with technical issues.
Key factors influencing scores include streaming reliability, interface design, feature completeness, offline capabilities, ad experience, and overall user experience quality.
5. WHY IT MATTERS
Mobile apps are crucial for modern streaming consumption, as many users primarily watch content on their phones and tablets. A quality mobile app extends your viewing flexibility, allowing you to watch during commutes, while traveling, or anywhere with internet access.
Most Valuable For:
- Commuters who want to watch during travel
- Travelers needing offline content for flights
- Users who prefer mobile viewing over TV
- Sports fans wanting live updates and mobile viewing
- Families sharing accounts across multiple devices
Key Benefits:
- Portability and convenience
- Offline viewing capabilities
- Personalized mobile-optimized interfaces
- Push notifications for new content
- Seamless integration with mobile device features
Limitations to Consider:
- Smaller screen size may not suit all content types
- Data usage concerns on cellular networks
- Battery drain during extended viewing
- Some apps may lack full feature parity with web versions
- Free tiers often have significant restrictions compared to paid plans
The quality of a service's mobile app can significantly impact your overall streaming experience, making it a critical factor when choosing between platforms.
Service Plans Offering Mobile Apps
BBC iPlayer
The BBC's free streaming service featuring live TV and on-demand content from all BBC channels.
Standard
Free access to all BBC iPlayer content including live TV, catch-up programmes, and exclusive online content. Requires valid UK TV licence (£169.50 annually) for legal use.
Channel 4
Channel 4’s free streaming service (formelry All 4/4oD) offers live TV, catch-up, box sets, and exclusive content. Channel 4+ upgrade removes ads and adds downloads.
Channel 4
Ad-supported, live and on-demand streaming. No offline downloads.
Channel 4+
Ad-free on most on-demand content, offline downloads, early access to some shows. Does not include live TV ad-free.
YouTube
The world's largest video platform with user-generated content, music videos, live streams, and premium subscription options including YouTube Premium and YouTube Music.
YouTube
Ad-supported streaming with limited features. Access to most YouTube content with advertisements.
Youtube Student
Ad-free YouTube experience with background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music Premium included. Eligible students only. Annual verification required.
Youtube Premium Lite
Ad-free YouTube experience on most videos. Does not include ad-free Youtube Music, Offline Downloads or Background Play
Youtube Premium
Ad-free YouTube experience with background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music Premium included.
YouTube Family
Up to 6 family members with individual accounts, ad-free viewing, and YouTube Music Premium for everyone.
S4C Clic
S4C Clic is the on-demand streaming service for S4C, the Welsh public service broadcaster
S4C Clic Free Account
Free access to S4C content (registration and TV license required)
Discovery+
Discovery+ is the UK streaming home for real-life entertainment, documentaries, reality, true crime, and premium live sports by TNT Sports.
Discovery+ Free
Get access to a selection of Discovery+ content for free, including content from channels like Quest, Really, Quest Red, HGTV, Food Network and DMAX.
Discovery Plus Entertainment
Entertainment only (Discovery, TLC, Quest, Really, etc.), on-demand and live, no sports.
Discovery+ TNT Sports
Includes TNT Sports only (live football, rugby, tennis, motorsport, etc.) using up to 4 devices at a time.
Discovery Plus TNT Sports Entertainment
Stream everything included with the Entertainment and TNT Sports plans.
5
5 is the brand name of video-on-demand services offered by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, operator of TV channel 5, in the United Kingdom.
Channel 5 Standard
5 is the official on-demand and catch-up streaming platform for Channel 5 and its sister channels. It allows you to watch a range of Channel 5 programming online, either live or on catch-up.
ITVX
ITV's free streaming service with premium subscription option. Features original dramas, reality TV, documentaries, and live streaming. Premium tier includes ad-free viewing and BritBox content.
ITVX Standard
ITVX is the streaming service from ITV
ITVX Premium
ITVX Premium
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is an American free ad-supported streaming television service owned and operated by the Paramount Streaming division of Paramount Global.
Pluto TV
Free access to 250+ live TV channels and thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows with ads. No subscription required.
U
Drama and entertainment streaming service featuring various content.
U Free
Ad-supported streaming, On-demand content, Multi-device access, Catch-up TV
Tubi
Free ad-supported streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and original content with no subscription required
Tubi Free
Ad-supported content, Full-length movies, TV shows, Live TV, No subscription required
STV Player
Scotland's free streaming service offering gripping drama box sets, eye-opening documentaries, true crime and absolute classics. Features everything that's on STV plus additional content.
STV Player Free
Ad-supported streaming, Live TV, Catch-up content, On-demand library
Plex
A streaming platform that allows users to organize and stream their personal media libraries, plus access to 50,000+ free movies and TV shows with ad-supported content
Plex Free
Personal media streaming, 50,000+ free titles, Ad-supported content, Basic mobile sync
Plex Pass
Ad-free experience, Premium features, Mobile sync, Hardware transcoding, Live TV & DVR, Premium music features
BFI Player
Stream award-winning cinema from the UK & around the world, hand-picked by the British Film Institute. Curated indie film collection featuring the greatest global cinema on demand.
BFI Player Free/Rental
Free access to select BFI films. Also provides a rental service
BFI Player Subscription
Unlimited streaming, Curated collections, Archive content, Ad-free viewing
Paramount+
Paramount+ offers a wide range of movies, exclusive originals, hit series, and family content. Now with three subscription tiers in the UK: Basic (with ads), Standard, and Premium.
Paramount+ Basic (with Ads)
Full HD, ad-supported, 1 device at a time, full content library.
Paramount Standard
Full HD, ad-free, 2 devices at a time, downloads.
Paramount+ Premium
4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, ad-free, 4 devices at a time, downloads.
Netflix
The world's leading streaming entertainment service with a vast library of original content and licensed movies and TV shows.
Netflix Standard with ads
Full HD (1080p) streaming on 2 devices simultaneously with limited ads. Some content may not be available due to licensing restrictions.
Netflix Standard
Full HD (1080p) streaming on 2 devices simultaneously with ad-free viewing and offline downloads
Netflix Premium
4K Ultra HD streaming on 4 devices simultaneously with HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos audio, and ad-free viewing
Disney+
The home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.
Disney+ Standard with Ads
Standard with Ads is the entry-level subscription tier for Disney+, offering ad-supported streaming of its content library at a lower price point than the ad-free options. It allows for streaming on up to two devices simultaneously and offers video quality up to 1080p Full HD with 5.1 and stereo audio. However, it does not allow for downloading content and includes ads during playback.
Disney+ Standard
Disney+ ad-free with full HD (1080p) resolution and enjoy immersive 5.1 surround sound where available.
Disney+ Premium
Disney Plus Premium adds 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio where available, as well as offline downloads, no ads and up to 4 simultaneous streams.
Hayu
Hayu is a reality TV-focused streaming service from NBCUniversal, offering 300+ shows and 10,000+ episodes, including The Real Housewives, Below Deck, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and more. Most shows are available the same day as the US, ad-free, with downloads.
Hayu Standard
Standard
Crunchyroll
The world's largest anime streaming service with simulcast and simuldub content from Japan.
Crunchyroll Fan
Ad-free anime streaming with access to simulcasts, offline viewing on mobile devices, and premium member-only content
Crunchyroll Mega Fan
Premium tier with ad-free anime streaming, offline viewing on up to 6 devices, exclusive member discounts on Crunchyroll Store, priority customer support, and access to new episodes one hour after Japan broadcast
Arrow Video
Curated streaming service specializing in genre cinema, arthouse films, and cult classics from around the world.
Arrow Standard
Full access to Arrow Player's library of cult, horror, and arthouse films with HD streaming and exclusive content
Amazon Prime Video
Included with Amazon Prime membership, featuring original series, movies, and exclusive content.
Paramount Basic Prime Video Add-on
Add-onParamount+ Basic add-on on Prime Video. Allows the consumption of content through the Prime Video UX. Note it does not allow separate consumption of the native Paramount+ app.
Requires base plan
StudioCanal Presents
Add-onStudio Canal
Requires base plan
Crime+Investigation Play
Add-onCrime+Investigation Play is the ultimate destination for true crime. Stream your favourite true crime shows like Murdertown, Crimes That Shook Britain, The First 48 and more.
Requires base plan
MGM+ Add-on
Add-onAccess to MGM+ (formerly Lionsgate+ and Starzplay) originals and movies, including Outlander, Power, BMF, and more.
Paramount Standard Prime Video Add-on
Add-onAdds Paramount+ Standard content to Prime Video
Requires base plan
Prime Video
Full Amazon Prime membership including Prime Video streaming with limited ads on movies and TV shows, plus free delivery, Prime Music, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos storage, and exclusive member deals. 4K and HDR available on supported content and devices.
Apple TV
Add-onApple TV
Requires base plan
Mubi
Add-onMubi
Requires base plan
Crime+Investigation Play
True crime streaming service featuring documentaries, series, and investigative content.
Crime+Investigation Standard
Crime+Investigation Play
Acorn TV
A premium streaming service specializing in British and international television content, featuring award-winning mysteries, period dramas, comedies, and documentaries from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Known for exclusive premieres and commercial-free viewing.
Acorn TV Standard
A standard Acorn TV subscription includes unlimited and ad-free viewing of Acorn TV's full catalogue of shows on up to 4 devices.
Shudder
Horror, thriller, and supernatural streaming service with exclusive originals and curated genre content.
Shudder Standard
Full access to Shudder's complete library of horror, thriller, and supernatural content with ad-free streaming, available on all supported devices
Mubi
Curated streaming service specializing in independent, classic, and arthouse cinema. Features a rotating selection of 30 hand-picked films with new additions daily.
Mubi Standard
Access to curated selection of 30 films with new additions daily. High-quality streaming with no advertisements.
GuideDoc
Documentary streaming platform featuring award-winning documentaries and factual content from around the world.
GuideDoc Standard
Guidedoc standard
hoichoi
Bengali streaming platform featuring original web series, films, and TV shows from Bengal and Bangladesh.
Hoichoi
Access to Hoichoi's complete library of Bengali web series, movies, original content, and films with HD streaming quality
Apple TV+
Apple's premium streaming service featuring high-quality original content and exclusive shows.
Apple TV+
4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
NOW
NOW is Sky’s contract-free streaming service in the UK, offering flexible monthly memberships for Entertainment, Cinema, Sports, and Hayu. Boosts add-ons are available for improved audio and video, ad-free, and extra streams.
NOW Entertainment
Sky Atlantic, Sky Max, Sky Comedy, and more. On-demand and live channels.
NOW Cinema
Sky Cinema channels, 1000+ movies on demand.
NOW Sports
All 11 Sky Sports channels, live and on demand.
DAZN
DAZN is a British over-the-top sports streaming and entertainment platform.
NFL Season Pro
Watch the entire season
NFL Season Pro Ultimate
Watch the entire season with access to NFL Game Pass
DAZN
Full access to DAZN's sports content including live boxing matches, MMA events, football highlights, documentaries, and exclusive original programming. Includes major boxing promotions and UFC Fight Pass content.