The App Store is a crowded shelf, and streaming apps that look similar in a list behave very differently once installed. Some are built for offline viewing on the commute, some assume you own a television, and a few only make sense if the household already pays for something else.
These are the ones worth trying on an iPhone, chosen for how well they use the platform rather than for how loud their marketing is. Each entry covers the cost model, offline support and the one job the app does better than its rivals.
What each app is good at
| App | Best for | Cost model | Offline viewing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple TV | Apple Originals and rentals | Paid subscription plus rentals | Yes |
| Netflix | Broad film and series library | Paid subscription | Yes |
| Disney+ | Family and franchise titles | Paid subscription | Yes |
| Prime Video | Indian and regional cinema | Paid subscription | Yes |
| Crunchyroll | Anime, simulcast seasons | Free tier with ads, paid | Paid tier |
| Viu | Asian drama and film | Free tier with ads, paid | Paid tier |
| iQIYI | Chinese film and variety | Free tier with ads, paid | Paid tier |
| Plex | Personal library plus free films | Free with ads, paid upgrade | Paid tier |
Standouts on iOS
Apple TV
The most natural fit on an iPhone, because purchases and rentals already sit in your Apple account and the app ties them together with Apple Originals. Picture quality is excellent and the interface is quiet rather than busy. It is less useful if your library lives elsewhere, since it aggregates rather than replaces other subscriptions.
Crunchyroll
The default for anime, with current-season shows arriving close to their Japanese broadcast and a deep back catalogue behind them. Subtitles are handled well and dubs exist for the more popular series. The free tier is ad-supported with a limited selection, so most regular viewers end up on the paid plan for simulcasts and downloads.
Plex
Worth installing even if you never pay, because the free ad-supported film section rotates and the app plays almost any video file you own. On iPhone it handles casting and downloading neatly. The catch is that the personal-library half needs a computer running the server, so it suits people with a folder of files already.
Viu
A regional service first and a general one second, which is exactly why it works in Malaysia. Korean, Thai and Chinese drama arrives with English and Malay subtitles, and the free tier is usable if you tolerate ads. Downloads sit behind the paid plan, and the catalogue leans towards series rather than feature films.
How to install on Android
- Open the Google Play Store on an Android phone or tablet.
- Search the app name and open the official listing.
- Check the developer name against the company that runs the service.
- Tap Install and let the download finish on Wi-Fi.
- Sign in with the same account you use on the iPhone.
- Disable autoplay over mobile data if your plan is limited.
How to install on iPhone
- Open the App Store and type the app name in search.
- Confirm the developer name on the listing.
- Tap Get, then approve the download with Face ID or Touch ID.
- Open the app and sign in, or create an account with email.
- Allow notifications only for releases you actually follow.
Safety notes
- Sideloading an APK on Android is the usual route for malware. There is no equivalent need on iPhone, so ignore any site offering an “iPhone APK”.
- Apps described as “mod” or “premium unlocked” are unauthorised builds. They frequently stop working and can capture account credentials.
- Never type card details into a page that opened from a link inside an app or a message.
- Check the developer name before installing anything with a familiar logo and a slightly wrong title.
FAQ
Can I watch these apps on an iPhone without paying?
Crunchyroll, Viu, iQIYI and Plex all have ad-supported free tiers with limited catalogues. The rest require a subscription.
Do downloads expire?
Yes, downloaded titles usually need the app to check in periodically. Open the app once before a flight rather than at the airport.
Why do streaming apps ask to track me?
For advertising measurement. Declining does not affect playback, and the app keeps working normally.
Related guides
- 10 Best Movie Streaming Apps to Explore in Malaysia
- Best Free Movie Apps for Android Worth Checking Out
- Best Apps to Discover Movies and TV Shows in One Place
- Best Asian Movie Streaming Apps for Drama and Film Lovers
- 10 Best TV Series Streaming Apps to Try in Malaysia
- Best Entertainment Apps Every Android User Should Discover
- Must-Have Entertainment Apps for iPhone Users in 2026
- 10 Best Anime Streaming Apps Every Anime Fan Should Know
- Best Apps to Watch International Movies with English Subtitles
Last updated: November 2026. App availability and pricing can change by region and store.