On this page
- Free vs Premium at a glance
- Who should pay for it
- Who can skip it
- How to buy it (the safe way)
- Google TV and Android TV
- Fire TV and other devices without Google Play
- Avoid "cheap" Premium codes
- Is there a free trial?
- Summary
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Alternatives if you don't want to pay
- Frequently asked questions
TiviMate Premium is worth it if you watch live TV through TiviMate most days. For roughly $10 a year (or a one-off lifetime fee) it adds recording, catch-up, multiview and multiple playlists, which turn it from a good player into something close to a proper cable box. If you only dip in now and then, the free version is genuinely enough, and you can upgrade later without losing anything.
Free vs Premium at a glance
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| TV guide grid (EPG) | Yes | Yes |
| M3U, Xtream Codes, Stalker portal | Yes | Yes |
| Favourites and channel groups | Yes | Yes, with more management options |
| Number of playlists | One | Several, merged into one guide |
| Recording | No | Yes |
| Catch-up (if your service supports it) | No | Yes |
| Multiview | No | Yes |
TiviMate's Google Play listing describes all of these features and notes that any premium upgrade "unlocks application features only". Premium never includes channels.
Who should pay for it
- You record programmes. Recording is the single biggest reason people upgrade. See can TiviMate record?
- Your service offers catch-up and you'd like to scroll back in the guide to watch last night's programmes.
- You have more than one playlist, for example a live TV service plus your own home media server.
- You watch sport and want multiview to keep several matches on screen at once. See TiviMate multiview.
Who can skip it
- You watch a handful of channels live and never record.
- You only use one playlist.
- You're still deciding whether your service is worth keeping. Try the free version first.
How to buy it (the safe way)
How you pay depends on your device, because some have Google Play and some don't.
Google TV and Android TV
Open TiviMate and choose the Premium option in its settings or menu. The purchase goes through your Google Play account like any other in-app purchase.
Fire TV and other devices without Google Play
Install the free TiviMate Companion app on an Android phone. Its own store description says it exists "to unlock Premium functionality of TiviMate IPTV player on devices without Google Play" and to manage your activated devices (TiviMate Companion on Google Play). Buy Premium in the Companion app, then sign in on the TV with the same account.
Keep your Companion login details somewhere safe. You'll need them when you move to a new device.
Avoid "cheap" Premium codes
Search for TiviMate Premium and you'll find sites selling lifetime codes for a few dollars, or bundling "free Premium" with an IPTV subscription. At best these are shared licences that get revoked when the developer notices. At worst they're a front for an unlicensed service, and some sites offering "Premium unlocked" versions of the app are pushing modified APKs, which is how malware ends up on TV sticks (see Is IPTV safe?). At about $10 a year, the real thing isn't worth risking.
Is there a free trial?
The purchase screen shows current offers, and TiviMate has offered a short trial period in the past. Rather than rely on a trial, just use the free version for a week or two. It shows you exactly how the guide and playback feel, which is most of what you're paying for.
Summary
Daily viewer who records or uses catch-up: buy Premium. Occasional viewer: stay on the free version. Either way, buy only in the app or through the official Companion app.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying Premium before trying the free version.
- Buying cheap codes from third-party sites.
- Losing the Companion login needed on new devices.
Alternatives if you don't want to pay
- XCIPTV is free on Google Play and includes recording and catch-up, with a plainer guide. See TiviMate vs XCIPTV.
- Sparkle TV has a free version with a paid Plus tier, and supports antenna tuners too. See our Sparkle TV guide.
- Kodi with the IPTV Simple Client add-on is completely free, with more setup.
If you decide to go Premium, our tour of how to use TiviMate covers the settings worth changing first.
Frequently asked questions
- Is TiviMate Premium worth it?
- For anyone who watches live TV through TiviMate most days, yes. Recording, catch-up, multiview and multiple playlists make a real difference, and it costs about $10 a year. If you only watch occasionally, the free version is enough.
- How much does TiviMate Premium cost?
- Roughly $10 a year, with a one-off lifetime option. Prices vary by region and currency, so check tivimate.com or the purchase screen before you buy.
- How do I buy TiviMate Premium on a Fire TV?
- Fire TV has no Google Play, so you buy through the TiviMate Companion app on an Android phone, which unlocks Premium on devices without Google Play and lets you manage activated devices.
- Is a cheap TiviMate Premium code from a website safe?
- No. Discount codes and "lifetime premium" deals from third-party sites are usually shared or stolen licences that get revoked, or a way to sell you an unlicensed IPTV subscription. Buy only through the app or the official Companion app.
- Can I use TiviMate Premium on more than one device?
- Premium is tied to your account and can be activated on more than one device; check the Companion app for your activated devices.
- Is there a TiviMate Premium lifetime option?
- Yes, a one-off lifetime purchase is offered alongside yearly Premium.
- Can I get a refund for TiviMate Premium?
- Refunds follow the store's or developer's policy; check before buying.
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