Are you thinking about getting an IPTV service? You looked it up on google, and there are tons of them! So how do you choose which one’s the right one for you?
Before checking what a service provider can give you, you must also consider a few things on your end as a user.
Number one is your internet connection speed. Most parts of the US have a fast internet connection, but if you’re in one of the areas that don’t, then using IPTV services is not for you.
Next, a supported streaming device. The Amazon Firestick is one popular example of a device that supports IPTV streaming, but most Android-based devices are also up for the task.
Once you have those two things set up, looking for a quality IPTV service provider, there are five things you must consider.
Customer Support, Pricing, and Payment Options
Customer support is vital in whatever service you’re trying to purchase; IPTV is not an exception. Although IPTV services are relatively new, and some of them are lacking in this regard, check the feedback provided by other customers. An example of good Customer Support is Area 51—which unfortunately shut down because of piracy issues—they had a discord server where they provide their users with info regarding which channels are down for the moment and which ones they’re working on.
Payment options for IPTV usually involve transactions done through PayPal or other online payment options. However, some service providers only accept payments in crypto. For example, IPTV4BTC only accepts bitcoins as payment for their services, and this specific company is legit. On the other hand, some out there might get you scammed, so be careful when dealing using cryptocurrency.
Most IPTV users can agree that they are using these services because they provide almost the same amount of content for a much smaller price than cable TV. However, knowing the internet—quite dangerous and slow in some regions—and the many drawbacks using a relatively new service can bring do you think the 10-30 dollars you pay would be worth the hassle?
Consider What Content Is Available On Provider’s List.
The live channels they are broadcasting can vary quite a lot, so you must choose the ones that provide the media you need or like. They do not lock IPTV services to your region, so you might get a news channel from another state which you don’t need. Furthermore, they might have excellent customer support, but if the media you actually like watching aren’t there, then what is the point? Most service providers would be happy to give you a copy of their channel lists, so check it all out first before deciding on a purchase.
Next, we have the EPGs or TV Guides. Some IPTV services have a dedicated application on android or other platforms to let you view their airing schedules. Unfortunately, some IPTV services also have inaccurate EPGs, so it might be best for you if you read feedback from other users or ask the provider for a free service trial to see how theirs work.
Do they offer you VODs or PPVs? Videos on demand are a popular part of an IPTV service. These provide you with streaming services much like Netflix or Amazon Prime. On the other hand, Pay Per Views usually give you access to premium sporting events, and some IPTV service providers have these too.
Time-Shifted viewing experience. Does the IPTV service provider allow you to rewind and fast forward their live channel streams? This is a feature that most Cable providers give; if you’re transitioning from Cable services, then this might be another thing you might want to consider checking when looking for an IPTV service.
How Many Devices You Can Use Simultaneously
Some IPTV providers allow users to open up multiple connections under a single account. Additionally, this perk comes like the one in a Netflix subscription. Each device can watch a different show simultaneously, unlike the ones in a cable connection where you can connect it to multiple TV Sets, but they’ll all show the same channel. If you find this feature interesting, you should ask the IPTV provider if they have this service.
Is The Provider Government Verified?
Unverified IPTV providers usually yield much larger content libraries with less monthly fees. However, a user often needs to sideload it because it isn’t available in app stores. Furthermore, unverified providers might be providing you with unlicensed content, which can subject you to legal repercussions depending on your region’s laws against copyright infringement. To add on top of that, doing yearly plans with these providers might cost you more money than what you’ll get since they are prone to sudden shutdowns because of the legal reasons mentioned earlier.
If you insist on using unverified IPTV service providers, you must at least check if they are compatible with VPN connections. Why? Because VPN connections will allow you to browse anonymously and prevent any data leaks that may come from using unverified IPTV sites.
External Player Support
While it is possible to use some IPTV services directly through your FireStick, other IPTV services do not have a dedicated application to run them on. So, considering all that, programmers made External players provide users with a way to watch IPTV. Additionally, the use of IPTV players makes it easier for users who have subscribed to multiple services by allowing them to use a single player to sign in to all of their accounts.
Furthermore, IPTV players are available to use on a much wider variety of devices than the native apps given to you by your service providers.
To use the External Players, the service provider must support M3U, EPG URL, or API Login because these are the usual ways External Players find your subscriptions.
Wrapping Up
Finding the best IPTV services is easy. Read this blog for a list of reviewed subscriptions, including their prices and free trial. We also advise due diligence by checking user feedback and compatibility for the best entertainment experience.