PlayOn is a streaming-video DVR with cloud and PC recording options. PlayOn Cloud records streams online and provides MP4 files for downloading and offline viewing. PlayOn Home is a Windows PC app that records streaming video locally, supports offline playback, and can cast recordings to a TV. Listed sources include Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Apple TV, Starz, Peacock, Discovery+, Pluto TV, Paramount+, Tubi, Roku Channel, The CW, CBS, ABC, and PBS. Recording quality can be SD, HD, or Full HD up to 1080p. The service can automatically skip commercials, while Home can record whole seasons or new episodes as released. Recordings can be cast to Roku, Chromecast, Fire TV, and compatible devices. Cloud recordings remain for seven days by default unless a storage plan keeps them longer. PlayOn Home costs $4.99 per month for unlimited recordings; its free plan offers SD recordings for ad-supported shows only. Cloud plans begin at $4.99 per month for 100 GB and 30 monthly recording credits.
Who it is for
It suits viewers who want to record supported streaming services as MP4 files for offline playback or cast recordings to a television. Home is for Windows PC users, while Cloud is listed for iOS, Android, and macOS.
What is good
- Records from a broad list of streaming services
- MP4 downloads support offline viewing
- Recording quality reaches 1080p
- Home can record entire seasons
- Recordings can cast to Roku and Fire TV
What to know first
- Cloud recordings default to seven-day retention
- Home requires a supported Windows PC
- Free Home plan is limited to SD ad-supported shows
- Monthly Cloud credits expire with the subscription month
Verdict
PlayOn offers cloud recording and a PC-based DVR, with MP4 downloads, casting, ad skipping, and series recording. Choose between Home’s unlimited recordings and Cloud’s storage-and-credit model.
PlayOn plans and pricing
All plansCompared on video downloaders
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- $4.99/mo
- Maximum video quality
- 1080p
- Supported sources
- Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Apple TV, Starz, Peacock, Discovery+, Pluto TV, Paramount+, Tubi, Roku Channel, The CW, CBS, ABC, PBS
- Output formats
- MP4
- Device platforms
- Windows, iOS, Android, macOS
