The streaming mediums and platforms have been constantly changing and updating themselves. To watch the latest popular episodes, you may have subscribed to different streaming services. Similarly, many third-party apps have emerged to help us watch and download as per our terms.
PlayOn provides multiple access to streaming platforms by recording videos and saving them offline. But is PlayOn really as good as it claims? Is this tool worth your time, and should you consider using it instead of or alongside your current services?
In this PlayOn review, we’ll explore its key features and performance in detail based on my own experience. Check what I've dug out from this app!
PlayOn Overview
PlayOn is an innovative third-party application that offers access to multiple streaming platforms and unique recording facilities. But exactly how does PlayOn stand out? At present, PlayOn has launched 2 software for its users: PlayOn Home and PlayOn Cloud.
From the official simple description, we can see that one of the programs is made for mobile devices, and the other applies for PC. Let's check more differences between them.
PlayOn Cloud Vs PlayOn Home
As mentioned above, each PlayOn version caters to different types of devices. PlayOn Cloud is designed for Android phones, while PlayOn Home is more suited for Windows desktops.
Despite these differences, the type of content that you get is mostly the same, except for Cloud’s unique cloud facilities that aren't available in PlayOn Home.
| PlayOn Home | PlayOn Cloud | |
| Recording Quality | 720p | 1080p |
| Supported Device | PC only | PC & MAC |
| Supported Streaming Media | 20+ | 20+ |
| Closed Captioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Batch Recording | ✓ | ✓ |
| Off-peak Downloads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatical recording | ✓ | × |
| Free trial | × | ✓ |
I also did some comparison between PlayOn desktop and its alternatives from the perspective of pricing, features, pros and cons. Read PlayOn Desktop and Best Alternative to get more info.
PlayOn Cons
Despite some clever features, PlayOn does have its shortcomings. It often promises more than it delivers, focusing more on talking up its features than providing substantial access. It mostly caters to freely available content from the likes of CW and CBS websites, which are generally accessible anyway.
PlayOn certainly has some impressive features, but PlayOn Home does not provide a free trial to new users, which may affect user experience.
The most obvious drawback is that PlayOn Home does not support recording 1080p videos while many other competitors like Audials support that. You can check Audials VS PlayOn to know more.
What's more, although PlayOn supports various streaming platforms, it may fail to record videos sometimes, especially when the streaming service updates its policy or tech. When this happens, you can do nothing but find an appropriate fix. Read how to fix PlayOn not recording problem to check more info.
In conclusion, PlayOn has some promising features but its limitations may affect its value for some users. The key is to evaluate your specific needs before deciding on the right streaming service for you.
Exploring the Cost of PlayOn: Is PlayOn Free?
If you're wondering whether PlayOn is free or not, it's critical to note that both desktop and mobile versions of PlayOn are not free and come with different subscription models.
PlayOn Home Pricing Details
PlayOn Home, designed for desktop usage, used to provide you with 2 convenient subscription options. The yearly plan, priced at $39.99, can be a sound option for frequent users, offering full service for a lower average monthly cost.
In contrast, the monthly plan of $14.97 for 3 months might be more appealing to those who want flexibility and aren't prepared to make a full-year commitment.
But when there is a sale campaign, you're only presented with a 5-year plan at $99.98. It's not a cheap choice in total. But on an annual basis, you only need to pay $19.99. While the pricing of PlayOn Home appears quite cost-effective, keep in mind that it only offers video recording at 720p resolution. Consequently, its real value might not match up to its initial appeal.
Detailed PlayOn Cloud Cost Analysis
When it comes to PlayOn Cloud, applicable to mobile devices, the pricing structure is slightly more complex. Monthly plans vary, ranging from $4.99 per month at the entry-level, up to a maximum of $49.99 per month. Each plan offers you 30 recordings, however, the differentiating factor here is in the amount of Cloud Storage provided with each plan.
For new PlayOn Cloud users, there's an enticing offer right off the bat - receive 7 free recording options upon sign-up. But note that these must be consumed within a week, after which a charge of $4.99 will apply for 30 recording credits each month.
PlayOn Cloud can be a bit more pricey and potentially complex due to the need for cloud space purchases. Another factor to consider is that recorded videos stored in the cloud are temporary; you'll need to download them onto your device for permanent storage.
Whether you choose PlayOn Home or PlayOn Cloud, make sure to weigh the offerings against your personal media streaming needs. Keep in mind these details about the cost of the services, their limitations, and the structure of their plans.
Best Alternative to PlayOn - KeepStreams Downloader
Although PlayOn is great, there is a good alternative to it which is KeepStreams Downloader. Why do I call it a "good alternative"? Obviously, KeepStreams supports 3,000+ streaming services, which performs better than PlayOn.
KeepStreams is able to download movies and shows from streaming websites such as Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, video-sharing platforms like X, Facebook, Tiktok, OnlyFans, and even other minor streaming services such as Joyn, RTL+, etc.
What's more, KeepStreams DOWNLOAD, instead of recording, the videos you want from the Internet directly. It means that you can save as many shows as you like and worry not about the "cloud storage" or something. Because all the downloaded videos are saved in your own library.
This alternative also performs better than PlayOn in download quality. Depending on different streaming sites, KeepStreams can save high-quality videos up to Full HD 1080p, 2K and even 4K.
How to Download Movies Using KeepStreams Downloader? As I mentioned above, it's pretty easy because of the built-in browser. Basically, you only need to follow 5 steps:
Launch the downloader, and from the Streaming Services option, choose the streaming service. For example, Netflix.
Now, you will be able to see movies and shows on Netflix there. Click the movie or series you want to download. KeepStreams will analyze it for you.
FAQs
PlayOn is a digital media server that enables streaming and recording of videos from numerous popular online platforms. Below are some frequently asked questions about PlayOn.
Q1. Is PlayOn Safe?
A1. PlayOn was generally considered safe to use. It's a legitimate service designed for recording and streaming videos from various online sources. Yet, like any online software, users should always ensure they are downloading from the official website or a trusted source to avoid malware.
Q2. How Does PlayOn Work with Streaming Platforms?
A2. PlayOn is essentially an intelligent video browser. When you select a show or movie to record, PlayOn starts to play the video in an off-screen browser and captures the stream much like a DVR captures cable TV shows.
Q3. Is Using PlayOn Legal?
A3. PlayOn falls under the same laws as a DVR like TiVo. The legality may differ based on jurisdictions and the specific usage, although generally, it is legal for personal use in many areas. Users should refer to their local laws for specifics.
Q4. Can PlayOn bypass Geographical Restrictions on Streaming Services?
A4. PlayOn itself does not have the capabilities to bypass geographical restrictions. It would abide by the same rules you would have if you were watching the service from your browser.
Final Words
PlayOn is an excellent common streaming platform and it helps you record and stream content. This piece explicitly answers all of your questions, such as whether is Playon legal. But on the whole, it gives you close encounters of PlayOn's pros and cons as well as PlayOn alternatives.
If you'd like to seek other options than recording TV shows using Cloud storage, it's recommended to try KeepStreams, the best alternative to PlayOn. The free trial can help you save up to 150+ videos from dozens of VIP services such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, etc.