Purple Playlist Player alternative
Yagi vs Purple Playlist Player
Purple Playlist Player runs on just about every screen and offers cloud recording. Yagi is made for iPhone, iPad and Mac, with Instant Subtitles. Here is how they compare.
Checked against the App Store listings in .
The short version
Runs on just about every screen, and offers cloud recording as a monthly add-on. Its listing doesn't say much about the guide, catch-up or downloads, and its terms say a paid period can't be cancelled midway. Its privacy label declares usage data used to track you.
- 4.6 from 2.1K ratings
- Last updated May 2026
- 20 languages
Where each one is ahead
The rows in our table where one of them does more than the other, or where the other's listing doesn't say.
- Apple TV app
- Recording
- Native Mac app
- TV guide (partly)
- Programme reminders
- Pause and rewind live TV
- Several streams at once
- Movies and series
- Continue watching
- Downloads to watch offline
- Instant Subtitles
- Subtitles translated into your language
- Continue on another device
- Handoff
- AirPlay
- No tracking
- Collects no data at all
- No ads
- Try before paying
- Family Sharing
Feature by feature
"Not stated" means the developer's listing and site don't say, not that the app can't.
| Feature | Yagi | Purple Playlist |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | ||
| Native Mac appBuilt for the Mac, not the iPad app run on one | Yes | Partly The iPad app |
| iPhone and iPad | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV app | No AirPlay from iPhone, iPad or Mac | Yes |
| Playlists | ||
| Xtream Codes login | Yes | Yes |
| M3U playlist link | Yes Live channels | Yes |
| Media serversPlex, Jellyfin, Emby, SMB | No | Not stated |
| Live TV | ||
| TV guide | Partly With Xtream, not M3U | Not stated |
| Programme reminders | Yes | Not stated |
| Pause and rewind live TVWithout the provider's catch-up | Yes Up to 2 hours back | Not stated |
| Catch-upYour provider's archive of past programmes | No | Not stated |
| Recording | No | Paid extra Cloud, from $9.99 a month |
| Several streams at once | Yes A window each on Mac | Not stated |
| Movies and series | ||
| Movies and series | Yes With Xtream | Not stated |
| Continue watching | Yes | Not stated |
| Downloads to watch offline | Yes Whole seasons | Not stated |
| Instant SubtitlesSubtitles made on the device when a movie has none | Yes | No |
| Subtitles translated into your language | Yes | No |
| Subtitle files or OpenSubtitles | No | Not stated |
| Across devices | ||
| Sync between devices | Yes iCloud | Yes Cloud favourites |
| Continue on another device | Yes | Not stated |
| Handoff | Yes | Not stated |
| Picture in Picture | Yes | Yes |
| AirPlay | Yes | Not stated |
| Privacy and price | ||
| No trackingPer the App Store privacy label | Yes | No |
| Collects no data at allPer the App Store privacy label | Yes | No |
| No ads | Yes | No Pop-ups, per reviews |
| Try before paying | Yes 7-day trial | No |
| Family Sharing | Yes | Not stated |
| In 20 languages or more | Yes 50 | Yes 20 |
Devices
| App | iPhone | iPad | Mac | Apple TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yagi | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Purple Playlist | Yes | Yes | Partly iPad app | Yes |
What it costs over the years
US prices, on the cheapest way to keep every feature. Prices in your App Store may differ by country.
| App | To try it | To pay for it | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yagiyearly | 7-day free trial | $0.99 a month or $9.99 a year, Family Sharing | $9.99 | $29.97 | $49.95 |
| Purple Playlistyearly or once | None stated | $5.99 for 6 months, $14.99 a year or $49.99 once; cloud recording from $9.99 a month | $14.99 | $44.97 | $49.99 |
Privacy labels
Yagi: Data Not Collected. The developer says the app collects no data at all.
Purple Playlist: Tracking: Usage Data. Linked: Usage Data. Not linked: User ID, Device ID, Diagnostics, Product Interaction, Email Address.
From the App Store privacy label each developer declares. Purple Playlist on the App Store
Questions
Does Purple Playlist Player record?
Yes, as a cloud recording add-on from $9.99 a month, per its listing. Yagi doesn't record; it lets you pause and rewind live TV by up to 2 hours.
Can I cancel Purple Playlist Player midway?
Its terms say a paid period can't be cancelled midway. Yagi's subscriptions are managed by Apple, and you can cancel any time in your App Store settings.
Can I use my Purple Playlist playlist in Yagi?
Yes. Your playlist belongs to your provider, not to the player. Enter the same Xtream Codes server, username and password, or paste the same M3U link. Many providers allow only one or two streams at a time, so stop playing in the other app first.
Does Yagi have an Apple TV app?
Not yet. Yagi runs on iPhone, iPad and Mac, and sends the picture to an Apple TV with AirPlay.
Where do these facts come from?
From each app's US App Store listing and its developer's own site, read in October 2026. Where a listing doesn't say, the table says "Not stated" rather than guessing.
More comparisons
Try Yagi free for 7 days.
On iPhone, iPad and Mac, with the Xtream or M3U playlist from your own provider. No account, no ads, no tracking.
Download on the App StoreFree for 7 days. Then £0.99 a month or £9.99 a year, on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Cancel any time in your App Store settings. Prices in your App Store may differ by country. Works with Family Sharing.
Yagi doesn't come with channels: it plays the playlist from your own provider.