Best TV Apps

8 Top TV Apps

1. Crunchyroll

A genre-specific app for anime fans, crunchyroll is one of the more popular apps around, earning rave reviews on sites like Appcrawlr. It is also listed as one of the 15 best apps to watch TV on Tom's Guide. There are free and paid versions of this app.

Features: One of the great features of this app is that the anime shows are broken down into genres and rated on popularity. The app also allows you to put shows into a queue for continuous watching, and it keeps track of your viewing history.

Availability: Crunchyroll is available on Android and iOS.

Pros:

• 25,000 episodes
• Over 15,000 hours of anime programming
• Premium version allows you to watch episodes immediately after they air
• Premium version runs ad-free

Cons:

• Free version has quite a few ads
• Premium version costs $59.95, billed annually
• Content varies by region

2. Netflix

Netflix offers thousands of TV shows and movies, as well as original programming, such as House of Cards and original movies. It is available for all mobile devices, as well as laptops. With the standard streaming plan, you can stream on two screens simultaneously and the premium plan allows streaming on up to four screens at the same time. Business Insider regards Netflix as one of the top streaming apps.

Features: Search by title, genre, actor and more. The app imports your viewing history and preferences from other sources you may have been using like iPad, television, internet-enabled video game system, etc. The Netflix streaming app for smartphones allows you to add shows to your personal list and even share trailers.

Pros:

• Award-winning Netflix original content
• Big selection of movies, television shows, and original programs
• Multiple plan levels available
• Program recommendations based on viewing habits
• No commercials

Cons:

• Licensing agreements impact availability
• Newest releases/current season shows often not available

3. Slingplayer

Slingplayer is the official app for Slingbox, bringing the full TV experience to your tablet, Mac, PC or Smartphone. It also allows you to set up DVR times for your SlingBox at home. The makers of Slingbox brought out the app to extend the user experience. A number of reviewers say Slingplayer works great and it is rated by Tom's Guide as one of the top 15 apps for watching TV on your smartphone.

Features: SlingPlayer features social media integration for Facebook and Twitter within the app. The app also allows you to search for additional programming and interact with social media while SlingPlayer is playing videos.

Download: The Slingplayer app is available for Android, iOS, Windows and Kindle Fire devices at no cost.

Pros:

• Mobile device availability of all content from your service provider
• Device works as the ultimate remote control (when in range)
• Ability to set up DVR times from your smartphone

Cons:

• Must own a Slingbox to use the app.
• Apple TV set-up requires patience (per a few reviews on iTunes)

4. Xfinity TV Go

Xfinity TV Go is the re-branded television app from Comcast which allows you to stream cable channels directly to your device. The app itself is free, but you need to be a Comcast cable customer to access this service. Xfinity TV Go is listed by Business Insider as one of the best apps for mobile TV streaming.

Features: This app allows you to set parental controls as well as privacy features for your peace of mind. Based on your cable subscription, Xfinity TV Go also allows you to download television shows and movies from Showtime, Streampix, Starz, Encore and Movieplex, and then watch them when you're offline.

Download: Xfinity TV Go is available for Android or iOS.

Pros:

• Over 130 channel options
• All cable channel subscriptions available
• Watch downloaded content offline

Cons:

• Volume control fixed at one level
• Must have Comcast subscription

5. HBO Go

This app allows you to watch HBO programming from your device anywhere that internet is available. HBO Go has gotten very good reviews, including a top-ten streaming app ranking by Paste Magazine.

Features: This app allows you to to pick-up watching shows when you switch between your TV and other mobile devices. It also allows you to set a Series Pass®, which automatically puts any new episode of a series you added in your viewing list. Search for shows by name or featured genre. A new feature for 2016 with HBO Go is the ability to set up your phone to keep children restricted to viewing shows within the kids' section only.

Availability: HBO Go is available for both Android and iOS.

Pros:

• Hundreds of programs available on demand
• Programs rotated regularly
• New content available an hour after it airs live

Con:

• Must have HBO subscription

6. Hulu

Hulu is one of the most popular apps for streaming shows on mobile devices. It also comes pre-loaded on many new game systems. Hulu features thousands of episodes of currently running shows from networks like ABC, NBC, and Fox. Hulu is a subscription service. This app is regarding as an essential app for cable-cutting streaming app by Paste Magazine and is an Apple Store Editors' Choice app.

Features: When you log into Hulu from your smartphone, it recognizes your viewing history and preferences from the last device you used. Hulu keeps track of the shows you've been watching and you can add other ones to your queue/favorites. It also offers a special kids' programming section.

Availability: Hulu is available for both Android and iOS. There are two options: a regular subscription for $7.99 a month and a commercial-free premium subscription for $11.99 per month. You can also do a Showtime premium add-on for $8.99 a month. If you join Hulu from an iOS device, you'll pay $13.99 a month versus $11.99 for the no-commercial plan due to Apple transaction fees.

Pros:

• Wide selection of up-to-date network shows
• Original programming
• Movies available under the subscription service
• May substitute for cable service

Cons:

• Service restricted outside the United States
• Difficult or impossible buffering with slower internet connections
• CBS shows noticeably absent

7. Vudu

Vudu is a free app which will allow you access to thousands of movie rentals. This is the online movie app from the retail giant, Walmart. The mobile version released last fall includes HD (720p) and HDX (1080p) quality streams and downloads. Vudu is listed by Digital Trends as one of the top apps for streaming.

Features: Log on and search for movies by genre or name. There are trending suggestions and search suggestions available as well. Watch on-the-go and download your collection so you can view offline. There are some TV shows available, which are available a day after the broadcast.

Availability: Vudu is available for both Android or iOS. While the app itself is free, there is a rental fee for every movie you wish to watch.

Pros:

• Very wide selection of movies and shows
• Vudu is a free app
• Pre-DVD release availability (for some titles)

Con:

• Fee-based rental

8. Amazon Prime Instant Video

Amazon Prime Instant Video features over 14,000 titles, including new movie releases and television series. This app is listed by Paste Magazine as one of the top streaming apps.

Features: You can search for videos like you would search on Amazon's website. Amazon offers a number of free and fee-based programs and movies, along with original programming. When you purchase a video, it is instantly billed to the credit card you have on file for your Prime membership. Videos can be watched offline, which is great when you are traveling or don't have Wi-Fi access. Amazon Prime Instant Video has IMDB integrated so you can search bios of actors and more.

Availability: Amazon Prime Instant Video is available for both Android and iOS. The Prime subscription service is $99 annually, which includes a lot of other benefits and perks not related to the Instant Video service.

Pros:

Cons: