Apple’s naming scheme for its TV-related products can be a bit puzzling due to the repeated use of “Apple TV” across devices, services, and apps. Let’s clear things up:
Basically, you subscribe to Apple TV+, watch it through the Apple TV app, and might use an Apple TV 4K device to watch it on your TV. Let’s look at the key differences in more detail.
Launched in November 2019, Apple TV+ is a relatively new streaming service that follows a subscription-based, on-demand model, where you pay a monthly price and gain unlimited access to the content library. Once subscribed, you can access Apple TV+ directly through the Apple TV app, or online at tv.apple.com.
The service is similar to other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu, except that Apple TV+ only offers one plan currently at $9.99 a month after a 7-day free trial.
Apple TV+ focuses on Apple Original shows and movies made exclusively for Apple. With new releases added each month, the library continues to expand. Some critically acclaimed content can be found on Apple TV+ such as The Morning Show, the Emmy-winning show Ted Lasso, dark comedies like Bad Sisters, Academy Award-winner for Best Picture CODA, and more.
To make it even more appealing, Apple TV+ offers the following benefits:
The Apple TV app is an all-in-one application for users to watch Apple Original series and films from Apple TV+, live sports, as well as rent or buy thousands of movies and series. Additionally, users can subscribe to add-on channels like Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, and AMC+.
The Apple TV app is available for use beyond Apple products. Enjoy Apple TV+ on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, along with popular streaming platforms, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and a variety of other devices. This includes Roku, Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation, and more.
An Apple TV is a streaming box that plugs into your TV and turns it into a smart TV, allowing you to use apps like Apple TV app, Netflix, Disney+, and more. If you already have a smart TV, it enables you to run Apple TV’s operating system tvOS on your existing TV.
As of 2024, Apple sells the Apple TV 4K. The Apple TV HD model is discontinued by Apple but may be available through other retailers. Several earlier generations of Apple TV have also been released. You can find a comprehensive list of all Apple TV models here:
Despite their similar names, these three Apple TV-related products hold distinct features and functions. An Apple TV device can convert your TV into a smart TV, enabling you to access the Apple TV app, choose Apple TV+ content within the app, and enjoy shows like Ted Lasso. However, the Apple TV app offers much more than that. It allows you to explore additional options, such as renting or purchasing movies and series from its store, and access add-on channels such as Disney+, Max, Prime Video, and more.
Don’t let the similar names confuse you! Here is a side-by-side comparison of Apple TV+, Apple TV App, and Apple TV to show the differences in a straightforward way.
| Apple TV+ | Apple TV app | Apple TV | |
| What it is | Subscription service | Application | Device including a TV box and a remote |
| How it works | Subscription service to watch Apple Original shows and films | All-in-one app to watch, rent, and buy movies, series, live sports, and channels | Turn any TV into a smart TV |
| Availability | Watch on the Apple TV app or at tv.apple.com. | On Apple devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and AirPlay‑enabled devices | Apple TV 4K Apple TV HD Apple TV |
| Price | $9.99/month after free 7-day trial | Free (with in-app purchases/subscriptions) | One-time purchase from $129 |
You can download Apple TV+ movies and TV shows to watch offline on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, but the downloads will become unavailable once you cancel your Apple TV+ subscription. If you like this series and want to keep it forever, consider downloading it to MP4.
Pazu Apple TV+ Video Downloader helps you download any TV shows and films from Apple TV+ to MP4/MKV so you can transfer and play them anywhere you want offline without the Apple TV+ app or browser.
Step 1: Download and install the software on your Mac or Windows computer. Launch the software and it will redirect to the screen where you can log in to your Apple TV+ account.
Download Apple TV+ movies & TV shows to MP4/MKV.
Step 2: After logging into your account, type the show or movie you want to download in the search field and click the search icon.
Step 3: Click the gear icon on the top right corner to select the video format, codec, audio and subtitle languages, output folder, etc.
Step 4: After making all the changes, simply click on the download button. For movies, the downloading starts immediately. For TV shows, you will be presented with all episodes. Select the seasons and episodes you want to download.
Further, if required you can change the subtitle and audio track by clicking on the gear-like icon.
Click the OK button on the top right corner to close this window, then click the Download button in step 4 to start downloading episodes.
To see all the downloaded items, go to the History tab.
Download Apple TV Plus Video movies and TV shows to MP4/MKV on your PC/Mac