Over the last decade, we have noticed a gradual increase in the number of Linux and IPTV users. So many people were searching for the best IPTV player to stream the IPTV provider’s content on their Linux devices. To make it easier, we have come up with a list of the IPTV players that are best suited for Linux devices. In this guide, we have listed the top IPTV players according to the most efficient factors.
Things To Be Considered Before Choosing an IPTV Player
It is crucial to consider many factors before choosing a suitable IPTV player for your Linux/Ubuntu device. It includes Device compatibility, subscription cost, supported IPTV playlist formats, user ratings, EPG support, and streaming quality. The following players are selected with these factors in consideration.
Is IPTV Player Legal?
IPTV Players are completely legal and safe to use as they don’t provide any IPTV content to stream. It works as a medium to play the source media, such as the content from IPTV providers. However, when IPTV players are used for IPTV streaming, there are higher possibilities for the user to watch unverified IPTV services and their offerings, resulting in copyright infringement and other legal issues. However, relying on a VPN keeps you away from such legal issues. Therefore, we recommend using NordVPN, the best VPN for streaming IPTV in the market with rich features and stable connectivity, while using IPTV Player.
Best Free IPTV Player for Linux/Ubuntu
Getting IPTV players on your Linux device is a free pass to watching IPTV content from any compatible provider. You can use the following IPTV players to access IPTV on Linux.
| Apps | Supported Formats | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| IPTV Smarters | M3U File and URL | Visit Website |
| VLC | M3U Playlists and local files | Visit Website |
| Web IPTV Player | M3U URL | Visit Website |
| IPTVnator | M3U and M3U8 | Visit Website |
| FreeTUXTV | M3U link | Visit Website |
| OttPlayer | M3U and M3U8 Playlists | Visit Website |
| IPTVX | M3U, M3U8, and Xtream API | Visit Website |
| Hypnotix IPTV | M3U and Xtream Codes | Visit Website |
| Lazy IPTV | M3U URL and XSPF formats | Visit Website |
| Drama Live IPTV | FG codecs, M3U files, and Xtream codes | Visit Website |
IPTV Smarters
IPTV Smarters is one of the most widely used IPTV players. You can access it on your Linux devices as well. It is a simple app with a user-friendly interface. It supports multi-screens and multi-users. You can access more than one IPTV playlist on the player app. It also supports additional features like Master Search, Episode Resuming Bar, and Chromecast Support.
Notable Features
- Access the electronic program guide.
- Supports picture-in-picture feature.
- Better controls for media players.
- Automatically clears the cache.
Pros
- Flexible with external players
- Master search with the latest algorithm
- Supports Catch-up TV
- Picture-in-Picture mode
Cons
- Can’t handle the XSPF playlist
Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5
Learn More: IPTV Smarters
VLC
VLC Media Player requires no special introduction as it is one of the most widely used video players across the globe. The simple interface of this application allows users to select and play videos easily. VLC has plenty of features included in it. One such feature is the ability to stream IPTV. You can add the M3U playlist link of your IPTV on the VLC player to stream the content. Compared to other IPTV players, it is easy to use on Linux and Ubuntu.
Notable Features
- Simple media player to access IPTV content.
- Supports PIP mode.
- Supports keyboard shortcuts to save time.
- The app works without streaming issues.
Pros
- Control play speed & audio tracks
- Support subtitle synchronization
- Play local files smoothly
- Built-in cast support
Cons
- No external player support
- Struggles to handle Xtream Codes API
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5
Learn More: VLC Media Player
Web IPTV Player
As the name suggests, it is a web-based IPTV player to stream the media content offered by any provider. If you are not interested in installing the IPTV application on your device, you can choose Web IPTV Player to access the M3U playlists online. Although it offers numerous features to get an immense streaming experience, this IPTV player doesn’t ask for any registration or subscription process.
Notable Features
- Streaming the media content in 4K quality.
- Enable and disable the Closed Captions option.
- Built-in catch-up and Back to Live features.
- Dynamic Language Switching for subtitles.
Pros
- Supports Dynamic Language Switching
- No need to install
- Featured Closed captions
- Lets you swap playlists easily
Cons
- Doesn’t handle Xtream Codes API
- It isn’t possible to sync your account
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5
Learn More: IPTV WebPlayer
IPTVnator
IPTVnator is yet another best IPTV players for Linux and Ubuntu. It supports different IPTV playlist links like M3U, Xtream Codes, and M3U8. You can add and open remote playlists, search for channels, and more. It comes with an EPG TV guide, and you will stay tuned to the current and upcoming programs. You can instantly load the IPTV content by dragging and dropping the playlist.
Notable Features
- It supports the Electronic Framework
- Allows you to access multiple media formats
- It has a support for a detailed TV Guide
- This player can create and update playlists
Pros
- It supports a catch-up feature
- No Installation process needed
- Supports M3U URL and Xtream Codes
Cons
- It isn’t possible to sync your account
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5
Learn More: IPTVnator
FreeTUXTV
FreeTUXTV is an IPTV player specially designed for Linux OS. It allows you to watch various TV channels and radio stations for free. With a stable internet connection and an IPTV M3U link, you can stream content on FreeTUXTV without any hassle. The application is equipped with many features. One of the features to highlight in FreeTUXTV is the recording feature. Users can record and watch any video content in real-time. In addition, there is also an option to add local playlists.
Notable Features
- This player has a free GTK WebTV player.
- It allows you to access web radio streams.
- Users can use the VLC engine to stream channels.
- This player supports 20 languages.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Parental Contol support
- Free to use
Cons
- No EPG support
- Does not handle Xtream Codes
Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5
Learn More: FreeTUXTV
OttPlayer
OttPlayer is an IPTV player which is supported on various streaming devices. It supports important features like an electronic program guide. You can also create your content playlist and add media to it. It is also easy to manage these playlists. Visit the official website of OttPlayer to find a dedicated section of answers to your doubts.
Notable Features
- Includes support for the TV guide.
- There are no interrupting ads.
- Has support for protocols like HLS, RTSP, RTMP, and more.
Pros
- Ability to manage (add or edit) playlists
- Free of cost with numerous features
- A dedicated support page for users
Cons
- Can’t be integrated with external players
- Customer service via phone isn’t available
Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5
Learn More: OttPlayer
IPTVX
IPTVX is another excellent IPTV player developed for Linux. But it is also supported and works well on the Ubuntu platform. The libVLC library of the IPTVX app comprises several videos and audio files. There is a playback option available as well. By using the playback option, you can stream the content at your desired time. It has built-in EPG support, where you can find the schedule of your favorite TV channels and other video content.
Notable Features
- This player supports EPG Guide and catch-up TV.
- It comes with the Hide channels option for privacy.
- Excellent options for Parental Control.
- It supports various video formats.
Pros
- This player includes a Catch-up TV facility
- Supports iCloud service
- Featuring family sharing
Cons
- Needs subscription to upgrade
- Inability to access M3U8 and XSPF playlists
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
Learn More: IPTVX
Hypnotix IPTV
Hypnotix IPTV is known as both the provider and the player for Linux and other devices. It offers 1500+ TV channels at no cost. Users can also stream from other IPTV service providers with different playlist formats, including M3U URL and Xtream Codes API. Moreover, this IPTV player is completely free to use on multiple streaming platforms.
Notable Features
- Lets the user add favorite content to a group.
- This player has a built-in IPTV provider.
- It is compatible with all playlist formats.
- This player supports PVR and EPG.
Pros
- It supports parental control
- Available for free of cost
- Attractive and simple interface
Cons
- Less compatibility
- Complex installation process
Editor’s Rating: 3.8/5
Learn More: Hypnotix IPTV
Lazy IPTV Player
Yet another best IPTV player on the Linux platform is Lazy IPTV. This player has multiple-channel playlist support. So, you can efficiently access various TV and radio channels using the IPTV provider. Apart from its technical aspects, this player includes a few customizable options, including views, color themes, playlists, and main screen style.
Notable Features
- it has multiple versions of the user interface.
- This player offers Picture-in-picture mode.
- Parental control for all playlists and channels.
- Customized bookmarks and notification support for upcoming programs.
Pros
- It has a reminder feature & gives notification alerts
- Support for backup & restore player settings
- Allows data synchronization
Cons
- Doesn’t decode Xtream Codes API
Editor’s Rating: 3.8/5
Learn More: Lazy IPTV Player
Drama Live IPTV
Drama Live IPTV is a simple IPTV player that supports various streaming platforms. The app makes streaming TV channels and on-demand titles easier. The app also supports picture-in-picture mode and customizable options like a grid or list view for channels. Also, it is a straightforward and user-friendly IPTV player app.
Notable Features
- Let us adjust the video quality based on the internet speed.
- This player offers Picture-in-picture mode.
- Support various audio tracks and subtitles.
Pros
- Comes with a lot of customizable options
- Support to switch audio tracks
- Background playback
Cons
- Unavailability of EPG support
- Poor customer service
Editor’s Rating: 3.6/5
Learn More: Drama Live IPTV
Are There Any Premium IPTV Players Available for Linux?
As per our report, we couldn’t find any premium IPTV Players for the Linux/Ubuntu platform. However, you can use the in-app purchases of some of the above-listed applications to get advanced features.
What Are The Best IPTV Players For Linux
The IPTV players listed in the above compilation are the best IPTV players for Linux and Ubuntu. Though Linux and Ubuntu OS have a limited number of IPTV players, these IPTV players access the media content from all popular IPTV services. If you need the best among all the listed players, then we would suggest you use the VLC Media Player and IPTV Smarters Player. Because, it is easy to install on Linux and it allows you to access more features without any subscription cost.