Updated: August 27, 2025
14 Best IPTV Providers in Germany (2026): Complete Comparison
Discover the top 14 licensed IPTV & TV streaming services in Germany for 2026. Compare features, pricing, device support, and who each is best for—then jump to the official sites.
What is IPTV in Germany?
IPTV delivers television via the internet rather than cable or satellite. In Germany, options include broadcaster apps, ISP bundles, and multi-channel aggregators with live channels, sports, and on-demand libraries across Smart TVs, streaming sticks, mobile, and web.
Key Features
- German public/private channels with optional premium packs
- Catch-up TV & cloud DVR (plan-dependent)
- Apps for Smart TVs, Fire TV, Android/Google TV, iOS/Android, and web
- Multiple simultaneous streams and user profiles on select services
- EU portability while traveling (some content geo-restricted)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provider | Main Type | Trial | Streams | Max resolution | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zattoo | Aggregator | Free plan / trials | Up to 4 | Full HD | zattoo.com/de |
| waipu.tv | Aggregator | Trial offers | Plan-dependent | HD | waipu.tv |
| MagentaTV | ISP OTT/STB | Trial offers | Plan-dependent | HD / UHD on select | magenta.tv |
| Vodafone GigaTV | ISP OTT/cable | Promos vary | Plan-dependent | HD / UHD on select | vodafone.de/giga-tv |
| Joyn | Broadcaster | Free plan; PLUS+ | Plan-dependent | HD | joyn.de |
| RTL+ | Broadcaster | Promos vary | Plan-dependent | HD | plus.rtl.de |
| WOW (Sky) | Premium films/sport | Trials/promos | Plan-dependent | HD / device-dependent UHD | wowtv.de |
| 1&1 TV | ISP OTT | Bundles/promos | Plan-dependent | HD | 1und1.de/fernsehen |
| O₂ TV | ISP OTT | Trials/promos | Up to 4 | HD | o2online.de/extras/o2-tv |
| PÝUR TV | ISP cable/OTT | Promos vary | Plan-dependent | HD / UHD on select | pyur.com/fernsehen |
| ARD Mediathek | Public broadcaster | Free | N/A | HD | ardmediathek.de |
| ZDFmediathek | Public broadcaster | Free | N/A | HD | zdf.de |
| Amazon Prime Video Channels | Premium add-ons | Free trials (select) | ~2 | HD / UHD | amazon.de/primevideo |
| Apple TV Channels | Premium add-ons | Free trials (select) | Up to 6 | HD / UHD | tv.apple.com/de |
Notes: Trials, streams, channel packs, and resolutions change frequently. Always verify the latest offers on the official sites.
Top 14 Providers (2026)
1) Zattoo
Large live-TV aggregator with German & international channels, time-shift functions, recordings, and multi-device apps.
- Free plan + paid tiers
- Cloud DVR & restart (plan-dependent)
- Up to 4 streams
- UHD availability limited
- Lineup varies by region
2) waipu.tv
Broad channel bouquets, on-demand content, and polished apps for Smart TVs and streaming sticks.
- Hundreds of channels with HD options
- Strong device coverage
- Trials/promos
- Features depend on plan
- Premium packs cost extra
3) MagentaTV (Telekom)
Operator-grade experience via app/web or set-top box, with partner integrations and add-ons.
- Optional STB for living room
- Bundled offers
- Partner app integrations
- Best inside Telekom ecosystem
- Resolution depends on device/plan
4) Vodafone GigaTV
Live & on-demand TV via app or STB; UHD on select setups—especially convenient for Vodafone internet customers.
- Reliable operator network
- App + STB options
- UHD on select hardware
- Promos/packs vary by region
- Some features require specific hardware
5) Joyn
Free live TV and VOD with an upgraded PLUS+ tier for more channels and shows.
- Free entry point
- Simple apps & onboarding
- German mainstream content
- Premium content behind PLUS+
- Rights change periodically
6) RTL+
Live RTL channels plus a large entertainment library (series, reality, music, podcasts) with frequent promos.
- Strong RTL originals
- Multi-format bundle
- Regular discounts
- Catalogue centered on RTL ecosystem
- Some events in higher tiers
7) WOW (Sky)
Premium series/films and big-event sports without long contracts—great for prestige TV and major leagues.
- Top-tier film/series catalog
- Sports passes
- Frequent promos
- Less live-channel feel vs aggregators
- Licensing windows rotate
8) 1&1 TV
TV over internet packaged with 1&1 broadband. Simple HD channel lineup, apps, and optional STB.
- Good value in bundles
- Apps + STB option
- HD channels
- Best pricing tied to 1&1 internet
- Lineup varies
9) O₂ TV
HD channels with up to four concurrent streams on eligible plans—fits well if you already use O₂ services.
- Multiple streams for families
- Broad app support
- Trials/promos
- Features differ by plan
- Platform changes occasionally
10) PÝUR TV
Cable/OTT packages with HD and selective UHD; apps and STB options—especially relevant where PÝUR operates.
- Competitive bundles
- HD/UHD on select plans
- App + STB support
- Availability depends on address
- Hardware affects quality
11) ARD Mediathek
Public broadcaster platform with live streams and on-demand shows—free and ad-supported.
- Free access to public content
- Strong news/culture programming
- Native apps on major platforms
- Limited premium/sports rights
- Geo restrictions outside EU
12) ZDFmediathek
VOD & live content from ZDF—free with strong documentaries, news, and series.
- Free and well-maintained apps
- Good accessibility features
- Reliable live streams
- Blockbusters limited
- Some titles rotate quickly
13) Amazon Prime Video Channels
Add premium channels (sports, film, documentary) inside Prime Video with unified billing and trials on select channels.
- Centralized billing
- Easy add/remove
- UHD on select channels
- Requires Prime subscription
- Limited live-TV feel
14) Apple TV Channels
Premium channels inside the Apple TV app with family sharing, high-quality streams, and simple cancellations.
- Family sharing (up to 6)
- Excellent video quality
- Smooth Apple ecosystem
- Best on Apple devices
- Catalog varies by region
Pricing Snapshot
Expect everything from free broadcaster apps to full live-TV bundles around €5–€25/month. UHD, extra streams, cloud DVR, and premium sports often add cost. Tip: Start monthly to test stability and channel fit before committing.
Real-World Tips
- Test at prime time to check buffering and picture quality
- Prefer 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet, especially for sports
- Keep apps and TV firmware updated for codec/EPG fixes
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flexible month-to-month plans
- Apps for most TVs and devices
- Catch-up and recordings on many services
- Easy to add/remove premium packs
Cons
- Channel rights and lineups change
- Stream limits/UHD vary by plan
- Home network quality impacts stability
- Feature sets differ across providers
Getting Started
- List must-have channels (sports, regional, kids, international)
- Check native app support for your TV/stick
- Use a free plan/trial to test at your normal viewing time
- Confirm simultaneous streams for your household
- Subscribe only via official websites or app stores
Safety & Legality
Stick to licensed, official providers. Unlicensed “restream” services can violate copyright and pose security risks. Review EU portability rules if you travel, and download apps only from official sources.
Synonyms & Search Intent
- “14 best IPTV Germany 2026”
- “German IPTV services comparison”
- “Legal IPTV providers in Germany”
- “Watch German TV online without cable”
Final Verdict
For broad live-TV coverage, start with Zattoo or waipu.tv, then add WOW or RTL+ for premium films/series. If you already use an ISP, MagentaTV, GigaTV, 1&1 TV, O₂ TV, or PÝUR bundles make sense. Public broadcaster apps (ARD, ZDF) are excellent free complements.
Bottom line: Trial first, verify your channels and streams, then pick the plan that fits your household and devices.
