OTT Navigator vs TiviMate: which wins for VOD browsing?

[STBsupport]

I use TiviMate for live channels and love it but the VOD section is frankly terrible. A friend recommended OTT Navigator specifically for VOD. Is it actually better? And can I use both apps on the same device with the same subscription?

 

[TerryFix]

OTT Navigator's VOD is genuinely superior to TiviMate's. The key differences:\n\n**OTT Navigator VOD**: Poster-based grid layout with proper artwork, genre categories, search functionality, TMDB integration for metadata (descriptions, ratings, cast), and a recently-added section. Browsing a large VOD library actually feels like using Netflix or a proper streaming service.\n\n**TiviMate VOD**: Simple list view, no artwork by default, basic category filtering. Functional but designed for channel management, not VOD browsing. VOD is clearly an afterthought in TiviMate.

 

[HaroldBuffer]

Yes, you can absolutely run both on the same device with the same subscription credentials. Each app maintains its own settings and both connect to the same service independently. This is the setup many experienced users have — TiviMate open for live TV and EPG, OTT Navigator launched when you want to browse VOD.

 

[CharlotteApps]

UK user — this is exactly my setup. TiviMate handles everything live and catch-up. OTT Navigator handles VOD movies and series. The poster artwork in OTT Navigator makes browsing a library of hundreds of titles actually enjoyable. TiviMate's VOD list view of the same library is unusable beyond 50–60 entries.

 

[IPTVtutor]

One thing to be aware of with OTT Navigator: the initial EPG and VOD metadata load takes longer than TiviMate. First launch after clearing cache can take 3–5 minutes to build the full library database. After that initial load, browsing is fast. Do not be put off by the slow first load.

 

[ArthurNet]

OTT Navigator also has a feature called Smart Search that searches across both live TV and VOD simultaneously. Useful when you do not know if something you want to watch is in the live schedule or VOD library. TiviMate has no equivalent.

 

[GraceStream]

Australia — OTT Navigator on a Chromecast with Google TV. The larger screen makes the poster grid layout excellent. Browsing feels completely natural. I use it on a 65-inch screen and the UI scales well. TiviMate on the same screen for VOD feels very cramped.

 

[AnnaTV]

Ireland — OTT Navigator has been stable for me on a Xiaomi Mi Box S for about 8 months. Occasional slow channel load on the first channel after a cold start, but live channels and VOD browsing are solid. The update frequency is good — they have fixed issues within a week or two of them being reported.

 

[CarlDigital]

For Android TV box users specifically: OTT Navigator is available from its official website as an APK or through some alternative stores. On Firestick it requires sideloading. On Chromecast with Google TV it also requires sideloading via Downloader. Worth the extra steps for the VOD experience.