IPTV vs Satellite and Cable TV: Which Is Right for You?

IPTV vs satellite vs cable at a glance

How the costs work

Satellite and cable packages are usually paid monthly, with a base package plus extra packs for sport or films, and sometimes set-up or equipment charges. The total depends on the packs you add and any introductory offers.

IPTV is usually prepaid for a set period. With Elitnes, one device costs €22 for a month or €82 for 12 months – €6.83 a month – with all channels, films and series included and no add-on packs. See every option on our plans page.

Whatever you compare, look at the total over a year, including add-ons, equipment and price changes after any introductory period.

Contracts and flexibility

Satellite and cable providers commonly ask you to sign up for a minimum term, and leaving early can mean paying the rest of the contract. IPTV plans like ours are prepaid with no contract: when the time is up, the plan simply ends, and you choose whether to renew.

That flexibility suits people who move house, rent, travel, or only want a service for part of the year – for example during a football season.

Equipment and installation

Satellite needs a dish with a clear view of the sky and, usually, permission from your landlord or management company. Cable needs your address to be on the cable network. Both use the provider’s set-top box.

IPTV runs on equipment you probably already have: a smart TV, a streaming stick or a phone. Setup takes about 10 minutes with our setup guides, and you can take it with you anywhere with broadband.

Picture quality and reliability

All three can deliver HD, and 4K is available on selected channels with each type of service. The difference is what affects the picture:

• Satellite is independent of your broadband, but very heavy rain or snow can briefly interrupt the signal.
• Cable is generally stable, but is only available in areas the network covers.
• IPTV depends on your broadband and home network. With a good connection – ideally a cable to the TV – it is smooth and sharp; on weak Wi-Fi it can buffer. Our troubleshooting guide shows how to get the best from it.

Watching in several rooms

With satellite and cable, a second room usually means another box and often an extra monthly charge. With IPTV, you install the app on another TV, stick or phone and choose a plan with enough connections – 2 or 3 with Elitnes. See multi-room IPTV.

Which should you choose?

Satellite or cable may suit you better if…

• your broadband is slower than about 10 Mbps, or unreliable at busy times;
• you want one provider for TV, broadband and phone on a single bill;
• you prefer a dedicated box with built-in recording from your provider.

IPTV may suit you better if…

• you have fibre or a steady broadband connection;
• you don’t want a contract, an engineer visit or a dish;
• you want to watch on several devices, including phones and laptops;
• you want everything in one plan, without add-on packs.

The easiest way to find out is to try it: request a free trial and test it on your own TV and connection.

Thinking of switching? Do it in this order

1. Test first. Run a free trial alongside your current service, on the TV you watch most and at the times you usually watch, especially during live sport.
2. Check your contract. Find your current minimum-term end date and any early-exit charges before you cancel anything.
3. Sort out your devices. Decide which TVs will use an app and which need a streaming stick, and wire the main TV to the router if you can. Our supported devices page helps you choose.
4. Choose your screens. Count how many TVs and phones will watch at the same time, and pick a 1-, 2- or 3-device plan to match.
5. Return any rented equipment to your old provider once your contract has ended, to avoid charges.

IPTV vs satellite and cable FAQ