Skip to content
1 month free Get started
All articles
Explainer

IPTV vs cable in Canada: what you pay for and what you get

· 6 min read
Illustration: IPTV vs cable in Canada, what you pay for and what you get

Short answer: cable brings TV through its own line and a rented box, often with a term contract. IPTV brings TV over the internet you already have, to apps on devices you already own, usually without a contract. IPTV is often simpler and cheaper, but it needs a good internet connection: about 10 Mbps per screen for HD.

More and more Canadian households are rethinking their TV bill. Before you switch, it helps to understand what you're actually paying for with cable, and what IPTV changes. This guide compares the two honestly, including the cases where cable is still the better choice.

How each one works

Cable and satellite TV arrive through a dedicated line or a dish, then go through a box you rent from your provider, usually one per TV. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) travels over your existing internet connection to an app on your Smart TV, streaming stick, phone or computer. We explain the technology in detail in our guide Is IPTV legal in Canada?, including which big Canadian providers already use it.

Comparison table: IPTVB uses devices you already own, has no contract or auto-renewal, is set up yourself in minutes, works on phone and tablet and has a 1-month free trial but needs good internet; cable uses a rented box per TV, often a 1 to 2 year term and a technician visit
IPTV and cable side by side.

What makes a cable bill grow

The advertised price of a cable package is rarely what you end up paying. A typical bill is built in layers:

A cable bill is made of a base package, theme packs, a box rental per TV, and installation and fees
Each layer adds to the monthly bill.
  • Base package: the starting price, often with a promotional rate for the first months or year.
  • Theme packs: sports, movies, kids or international channels are often sold as add-ons.
  • Box rental: usually charged per TV, every month.
  • Installation and fees: a technician visit, activation fees, and sometimes a fee if you cancel a term contract early.

Before you compare, take out your last cable bill and add up every line, including box rentals and taxes. That's the real number to beat.

What you pay with IPTVB

With IPTVB, the price of the plan is the price you pay: $19 for 1 month, $29 for 3 months, $49 for 6 months or $79 for 12 months, in Canadian dollars, for one screen. There's no box to rent, no installation fee and no contract, and plans don't renew automatically. You can watch on 1 to 4 screens at the same time, depending on your plan. See every option on our pricing page.

When IPTV is the better choice

  • You already have a Smart TV, a Fire TV Stick, an Android box, a phone or a computer.
  • Your internet gives at least 10 Mbps per screen for HD, or 25 Mbps for 4K.
  • You want to watch in several rooms, or on your phone, without renting more boxes.
  • You don't want a contract, and you want to test before paying: IPTVB gives you a free month first.

When cable may still make sense

  • Your internet is slow or unreliable, for example in some rural areas. IPTV depends on your connection; cable doesn't.
  • Your internet plan has a low data cap. Streaming TV every evening uses a lot of data.
  • Someone at home really prefers a single remote and a box that never changes.

Not sure your connection is ready? Our guide to fixing IPTV buffering explains how to test the speed that really reaches your TV.

How to switch, step by step

  1. Check your internet speed on the TV you watch most, in the evening.
  2. Start a free trial and test the channels you care about on your own devices.
  3. Set up each TV with our setup guides, or our Fire TV Stick guide.
  4. Before cancelling cable, check the end date of your contract and return the rented boxes to avoid fees.

Frequently asked questions

Is IPTV cheaper than cable in Canada?

Often, yes, because there's no box rental, no installation fee and no contract. Compare your full cable bill, including box rentals and fees, with the price of an IPTV plan.

Do I need a box for IPTV?

No. IPTV works with an app on a Smart TV, a Fire TV Stick, an Android TV box, a phone, a tablet or a computer you already own.

What internet speed do I need to replace cable with IPTV?

About 10 Mbps per screen for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. Add them up for the screens you watch at the same time.

Can I keep my internet provider?

Yes. IPTV works with any internet provider in Canada. You only cancel the TV part of your package, if you have one.

Can I try IPTV before cancelling cable?

Yes. IPTVB gives you a free 1-month trial, so you can test it on your own TV and internet before you change anything.

Want to compare on your own TV? Try IPTVB free for one month, no credit card needed.

Related articles