IPTV subscription costs: understanding plans and pricing
Two offers can look alike and still cost very different amounts over a year. Here is how to convert prices so they can be compared – using SagaIPTV's own packages as the example.
Three numbers that make prices comparable
- Total price: what you pay for the whole period.
- Period: how long the subscription runs.
- Number of accounts: how many are included.
With those three figures you can work out the price per account per year – the one measure that works for every offer.
Price per account per year = total price ÷ number of accounts ÷ number of years
Example: SagaIPTV’s packages
| Package | Total price | Period | Per account per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 account | €50 | 1 year | €50 |
| 2 accounts | €95 | 1 year each | €47.50 |
| 3 accounts | €140 | 1 year each | approx. €46.67 |
Two single packages would cost €100; the two-account package costs €95. Three singles would cost €150; the three-account package costs €140. That is plain arithmetic on the prices shown on the pricing page.
Mind the currency
Our prices are in euros. If you pay from an account in another currency – US or Canadian dollars, pounds or kroner, for instance – your bank or card issuer sets the exchange rate on the day you pay. Ask us about payment methods before you order, and check for yourself what your bank charges for currency conversion.
Costs that may sit outside the subscription
- The app. Some apps carry a fee of their own. Ask which app applies and whether it costs anything.
- The device. Do you need to buy a box or stick to be able to watch?
- The broadband. A better router or a network cable can be a one-off cost.
Warning signs in a price list
- The price only applies to a short introductory period.
- The period is vague – “up to” or “around”.
- The terms are missing or cannot be had in writing.
- You get no answer on what is included.
Yearly or monthly: what is the difference?
| Yearly plan | Monthly plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Commitment | You pay for the whole year at once | You can stop from month to month |
| Admin | One payment a year | Twelve payments |
| Risk | Higher if you have not checked your device | Lower |
A yearly plan makes sense once you have confirmed that the service works on your device and connection. That is why checking first matters more with a yearly price than with a monthly one. SagaIPTV sells yearly packages only.
What is the price per screen?
One account plays on one screen at a time, so the fairest comparison is the price per screen:
| Package | Per year | Per screen per year | Per screen per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 account | €50 | €50 | €4.17 |
| 2 accounts | €95 | €47.50 | €3.96 |
| 3 accounts | €140 | approx. €46.67 | €3.89 |
What does a full year really cost you?
Add up three things:
- The subscription – the price above.
- The device, if you need to buy one. If your TV is supported, this is zero.
- The connection. You already pay for broadband; it only counts if you would have to upgrade it.
For most households the first line is the whole cost. The second and third only apply if your current equipment is not enough – and you can find that out before paying by having your device checked and measuring your speed.
Which questions about payment are worth asking?
- Which payment methods are available?
- In which currency is the amount charged?
- Do I get a written confirmation of what I paid for?
- What happens if the service does not work on my device after I have paid?
- What happens when the year is over – do I have to do something?
Ask them before you pay and keep the answers. With us, you get them in the WhatsApp chat.
How to use the method
Write down the three numbers for each option, work out the price per account per year, and add any extra costs. Then weigh the price against the points in How to choose an IPTV subscription – the cheapest is not automatically the best. To see how we think about low prices, read Buy cheap IPTV.