The main difference between IPTV and Foxtel is focus. Foxtel is Australia's established pay TV provider, built around Australian sport, its own entertainment channels and services such as Kayo and Binge. Our IPTV service is built around breadth: 45,000+ live channels from more than 115 countries and a large on-demand library, on devices you already own, with no dish, technician or lock-in contract.
Which suits you depends on what you watch. This guide compares the two honestly so you can decide, or combine them.
What each service is
Foxtel delivers pay TV in Australia by satellite and over the internet, and the Foxtel Group also runs the Kayo sport streaming service and the Binge entertainment service. Its strengths are local sport coverage and Australian-focused packages.
IPTV is simply TV delivered over the internet to an app on your TV, stick, phone or computer. Our service gathers channels from many countries into one subscription, with a programme guide and on-demand movies and series.
Channels and content
If your priority is international channels, IPTV has the clear advantage: news, entertainment and sport from the UK, India, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America sit alongside each other in one guide. For people who moved to Australia and miss TV from home, this is usually the deciding factor.
If your priority is a particular Australian sports competition with local commentary, look closely at what each option includes, and check those channels during an IPTV trial before you change anything.
Devices and setup
Traditional satellite or cable pay TV needs equipment at your home and sometimes an installer. IPTV runs on what you already have: Samsung and LG Smart TVs, Google TV, Fire TV Stick, Android boxes, iPhone, Android phones and computers. You install an app, sign in, and you are watching within minutes.
With IPTV, your plan sets how many screens can watch at the same time (1, 2 or 3 with our service), and you can install it on as many devices as you like.
Contracts and flexibility
Pay TV packages vary, and some include minimum terms or equipment conditions, so read the terms of any package you consider. Our IPTV plans are paid for a set period (from 24 hours to 24 months) and never renew automatically: when the period ends, you choose whether to continue.
Picture quality and reliability
Satellite TV does not depend on your internet, which is an advantage in areas with poor broadband. IPTV quality depends on your connection: you need about 10 Mbps per screen for HD, 15 Mbps for Full HD and 25 Mbps for 4K, and a network cable to the TV makes the biggest difference to stability.
On a typical nbn 50 connection with the main TV wired to the router, IPTV delivers a clean HD and 4K picture in most homes.
Do not forget free-to-air
Every Australian household can watch free-to-air channels from the ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine and Ten with an antenna, and through their streaming apps. SBS also shows news programmes in many languages. Whatever paid service you choose, these remain free and are a good base to build on.
Which should you choose?
A simple way to decide:
- You mainly watch channels from overseas: IPTV is the better fit.
- You want the widest choice of channels and on-demand titles for one price: IPTV.
- You want TV on several devices without extra boxes: IPTV.
- Specific Australian sports coverage is essential and your internet is poor: a satellite pay TV package may suit you better.
- You want both: many households keep free-to-air, add IPTV for international channels and use a sport streaming service for local competitions.
Costs to consider beyond the plan
When you compare, look at the whole cost, not just the subscription. IPTV needs a reliable internet connection, so if your current plan is slow you may need a faster tier. You may also want a streaming stick for an older TV, and some player apps charge a small fee for their premium features.
Pay TV can come with its own extra costs, such as equipment, add-on packs or fees for extra rooms, depending on the package. Write both totals down for a full year, and the better option for your home usually becomes clear.
What switching looks like in practice
If you decide to move to IPTV, a smooth switch takes a week or two rather than a single evening:
- Check your internet speed in the evening on the TV you use most.
- Ask for a free trial and watch your must-have channels for a few evenings.
- Set up the app on each TV and phone, with a favourites list for each person.
- Check the end date and any conditions of your current package before cancelling it.
- Keep your antenna connected for free-to-air channels.
Try before you switch
The safest approach is to test before you change anything. Ask for our free 24-hour trial, watch your must-have channels in the evening, and only then decide whether to switch, combine or stay as you are. If you are unsure about your connection, our IPTV speed calculator tells you what your home needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is IPTV cheaper than Foxtel?
Prices change often, so compare your current bill with the IPTV plan you would need. Our 12-month plan for one screen is A$99, about A$8.25 a month, with no lock-in contract and no automatic renewal.
Can IPTV replace Foxtel?
It depends on what you watch. If you mainly want channels from overseas, a large on-demand library and many devices, IPTV can replace a pay TV package. If specific Australian sport coverage is essential to you, check those channels carefully during a free trial before cancelling anything.
Do I still get free-to-air channels with IPTV?
Free-to-air channels are always free in Australia, through an antenna or the broadcasters' own streaming apps. IPTV is an extra service on top, not a replacement for your antenna.