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IPTV is an alternative to traditional TV channels. In this guide, we’ll explore the features of IPTV apps, their types, key functions, and the development process. We will support our explanations with examples from our IPTV project.
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IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a technology for delivering content. Like regular TV, it broadcasts content but uses the Internet instead of satellite antennas. IPTV gives users access to broadcasts and on-demand videos.
IPTV apps resemble online video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. Furthermore, they are similar to streaming services like Netflix. However, IPTV software can function in an isolated ecosystem and go beyond the licensed content. Users can download links to any videos: legal, pirated, or even their own.
IPTV technology is used in four types of apps. Let’s explore them to understand the different aspects of IPTV better:
Examples: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, InSports
OTT (over-the-top) applications offer licensed content through subscription. Users pay a monthly fee and stream unlimited content.
Examples: Xfinity Stream, Virgin TV GO, AT&T TV
IPTV operators are official apps from TV providers. They offer the same services as TVs but through an Internet connection. This allows users to watch programs on smartphones, tablets, or computers.
Examples: IPTV Pro, TiviMate
Playlist players allow users to manually upload M3U playlists. They don’t come with built-in channels and offer basic playback functionality only. These players can either be standalone apps or browser-based IPTV services.
Examples: IPyes, Kodi, Stalker Portal
Custom IPTV platforms resemble playlists and also support plugins, APIs, and additional functions.
For example, they allow connecting EPG — Electronic Program Guide. When a user watches a TV channel, they can click a special button to see information about the show they are watching, its duration, and what’s coming next on the channel.
EPG is a traditional feature of TV content apps
Due to custom playlists, users merge thousands of subscriptions into one.
According to Whipmedia, the average European user is subscribed to three video services. If you want to watch “House of the Dragon” on HBO Max, “Tiger King” on Netflix, and a few sports broadcasts on Sky, it results in at least €45 in subscription costs. You either need to pay for multiple subscriptions to access the content you want or settle for the content library of just one service.
The client came to us with the idea of creating a cross-platform app that would convert IP playlists into a format resembling a streaming platform. The concept was simple: users download custom playlists from resellers and get a beautiful UI with a functional player instead of the chaos of links and texts.
For this client, we made a combo of 4 TV apps for:
– Samsung TV
– LG TV
– Android TV
– Apple TV
Also, we worked on:
– iOS and Android apps
– a website
Below, we’ll tell you about this case in detail and show more screens 👇
Regardless of the type of IPTV software, the user flow remains the same, with slight variations between apps that include built-in content and those that don’t.
In apps with built-in content, users access live TV channels or on-demand videos. They browse through channels, movies, shows, and other content to find something that suits their preferences. Once they decide on what to watch, they start streaming instantly.
In apps without built-in content, users need to upload their playlists. Before doing so, they buy IPTV links from resellers.
Resellers are services that provide access to specific content. Instead of subscribing to an entire service, users purchase access to individual series, movies, TV shows, broadcasts, or radio programs. This is much cheaper than buying a subscription when you only plan to watch a single show.
Once a customer pays for the access, they get a m3u/m3u8 file of around 8 MB. The file contains tons of incomprehensible text and links to the content. Each link redirects the user to a specific website.
This is what the content of a typical custom playlist looks like
When users upload playlists from resellers to custom IPTV software, it decodes the content and presents it in a user-friendly interface, just like a regular streaming platform.
Here’s a list of features that are essential for any type of IPTV app.
User registration
The sign-up process should be quick, as entering multiple fields with a remote control is inconvenient. If the IPTV app for smart TVs is connected to the mobile app, it’s better to redirect users to the mobile version for registration.
A search field helps users navigate the app with ease. Leading IPTV systems use smart search functionality. As users type the beginning of a word, the app suggests relevant options.
The player should include pause, rewind, subtitle features, and video quality settings.
When developing a custom IPTV system, we spent a long time looking for a video player that would meet our criteria. It needed to:
– support MKV and streaming
– work on both Android and Apple
– have strong support from the development team
– ideally, be free 🙂
It turned out that only a few cross-platform players met all the criteria, and even fewer supported the MKV format. After testing various options, we chose the React Native-based VLC media player. By default, users can’t change voice-overs and subtitles, but we found a guide for this. Plus, since VLCkit has an open-source license, it’s fully editable.
Our developers took the opportunity to rewrite a part of the React Native VLC media player. As a result, we integrated this MKV-friendly player without sacrificing subtitles or voice-overs.
It’s better to decide on the monetization strategy beforehand, design screens with paywalls, and develop in-app purchase options.
For example, in the IPTV system we created, our clients get profit from three channels:
The screen notifying users about the trial period ending
You can learn more about app monetization strategies in our article:
No matter what type of IPTV you need, the development process is roughly the same. Let’s explore every step in detail.
The first step is research — analyzing competitor services, their functions, and design approaches.
The project team also analyzes the client’s positive and negative references. This helps determine what to adopt and what to avoid in the user flow and design elements.
Even if there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, we always look for ways to improve standard user flows in the industry. Often, we do find something to change in our project.
In the IPTV app, we improved the basic feature set. For example, in the playlists downloaded by users, content is originally grouped only by topics. In our app, we added filtering by language — with just two clicks, users can choose the voice-over and subtitles.
By doing so, we distinguished the brand from the competitors, as other IPTV apps didn’t have this feature.
System analysis involves designing the database structure to manage data. Additionally, analysts create a BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) diagram to represent the process flow within the application. The system analysis helps prevent potential issues during IPTV app development.
The BPMN diagram example
UI/UX designers define the user journey and navigation based on references and research. A mind map is an ideal tool for this, as it visually organizes the product’s features and illustrates how users will interact with them.
Next, designers convert the mind map into black-and-white wireframes, demonstrating the full user flow.
How the mindmap evolves into wireframes
This step involves selecting colors and typefaces. The design team presents mood boards to the client to help choose the final look of the application.
For the IPTV app, we offered our clients two color palettes with green and purple accents. The client chose the latter. We used a dark theme as the basis to make users feel like they’re in a cinema.
When it comes to typefaces, it’s better to choose ones that are easily readable on any screen — from mobile to TV.
For example, in our project, we chose the Roboto typeface. It’s neutral and has a wide range of styles. Users can easily read the texts and focus on the posters. Additionally, the open-source license of this typeface helped the client save money.
Roboto is a universal typeface suitable for IPTV solutions
After wireframes are ready and the visual style is approved, designers create 1-3 fully-made screens. The client reviews the design concept and provides feedback.
We made an app emphasizing big posters of movies, series, and shows
Designers create a full set of screens for all user actions. Each screen goes through the client’s approval. A design team also builds a UI kit for IPTV app developers. It helps maintain visual consistency during the IPTV app development process.
Next comes the feature implementation. Backend IPTV app developers work on server-side logic, manage content delivery, and integrate the payment system. Meanwhile, front-end developers build a clickable user interface.
To reach a broader audience, IPTV businesses often develop applications for multiple platforms. The most popular include:
Thanks to cross-platform frameworks, IPTV app development can run in parallel, saving both time and budget.
Testing runs alongside development. The QA team checks the IPTV app for bugs, performance issues, and UI consistency. After development is complete, a project team conducts additional testing to finalize the app.
When testing the IPTV app, we spotted an interesting bug. After unpacking a standard playlist, we discovered it contained 18+ content.
As a result, when our QA specialists opened the app, they saw huge, catchy 18+ posters on top of the list. This could happen with any playlist, as users don’t know exactly what’s inside.
We rewrote the code a bit and removed the XXX-marked content from the top of the list. Also, we added the “Hide the 18+ content” option to the settings. In two clicks, users can completely remove 18+ content from the list. To get in back, they need to enter a PIN code.
Access settings for the 18+ content
Once testing is complete, the app is ready for release. The client can continue working with the contractor who developed the IPTV system to fix bugs and add new features.
On average, the IPTV app costs around $67,600. The price includes:
IPTV apps are versatile — some include built-in content, while others support custom uploads. It’s a fast-growing niche, and the demand for IPTV solutions is only increasing.
At Purrweb, we have extensive experience building streaming apps for mobile platforms and smart TVs. Take a look at our portfolio, where we showcase our projects and explain the process behind them.
➡️Got an idea for your IPTV app? Fill out the form and tell us about your project. We’ll dive in, provide a free project estimate, and walk you through the design and development process.
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