The best free IPTV player for Android TV
RunTV vs IPTV Smarters vs TiviMate
Three popular IPTV players, three different jobs. This is an honest 2026 comparison, including where RunTV is not the right pick, so you can choose the one that matches how you actually watch. All three play your own M3U playlist or Xtream Codes login.
The short answer
None of these is "the best" for everyone, because they are built for different things:
RunTV, for free multi-view
The free pick if you want several streams on one TV, arranged with a drag and a tap from your phone. No ads, no subscription, no premium tier. Lighter EPG, no recordings.
TiviMate, for power users
The deepest TV guide and recordings, and it does multi-view too, but the best features sit behind a paid Premium, and it is Android only.
IPTV Smarters, for reach
Runs on the widest range of devices, including iOS, Windows and Mac. Free, but ad-supported.
Side by side
A feature-by-feature look. We marked where RunTV loses, too, because a comparison that pretends one app wins everything is not worth reading.
| Feature | RunTV | IPTV Smarters | TiviMate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no ads | Free, ad-supported | Free + paid Premium |
| Multi-view (several streams on one screen) | Yes, free, 8 layouts | Yes, but with ads | Yes, paid Premium only |
| Controlled from your phone | Yes, web app | On-screen / remote | TV remote |
| Live game auto-match to your playlist | Yes | No | No |
| DVR / recordings | No | Limited / varies | Yes (Premium) |
| Deep EPG / TV guide | Lighter | Full, basic | Strongest |
| M3U and Xtream Codes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | Android TV, Fire TV, Shield | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Fire TV | Android only (TV, Fire, mobile) |
| Best for | Free multi-view & phone control | Cross-platform reach | EPG & recordings |
None of these apps provide channels. You supply your own M3U or Xtream Codes source. Feature details for other apps can change between versions.
Where RunTV wins
TiviMate and IPTV Smarters can show more than one channel too, so RunTV's edge is not multi-view itself, it is how you get it. On TiviMate multi-view is part of the paid Premium; on Smarters it is buried in an ad-supported app. On RunTV it is free, and it is the easy part. You drag channels into zones, switch between 8 layouts, and tap to move the audio, all from your phone instead of steering a TV remote through menus. Multi-view stops feeling like a power-user setting and starts feeling obvious. A live game even auto-matches to the channel in your own playlist, which neither of the others does.
Where RunTV is not the right pick
We would rather be straight with you. If you want recordings or the deepest TV guide, TiviMate is the better choice, that is its home turf. If you need the player on iOS or an unusual device, IPTV Smarters runs in more places. RunTV has no DVR and a lighter EPG. Plenty of people keep their current player and add RunTV for the multi-screen moments, since all three just play your own M3U or Xtream source.
Which should you choose?
Pick RunTV if
You want multi-view and phone control for free, with no ads and no premium tier.
Pick TiviMate if
You want the deepest EPG and recordings, you are on Android, and you do not mind paying for Premium.
Pick IPTV Smarters if
You need it on the most devices, including iOS, Windows or Mac, and can live with ads.
Try RunTV in two minutes
1. Install on your TV
Get RunTV on your Android TV, Fire TV Stick, or Nvidia Shield.
2. Pair your phone
Open the RunTV app and enter the code shown on the TV.
3. Add your source and watch
Paste your M3U or Xtream login, drop streams into zones, pick a layout.