TVBuddy: Is the streaming device good and legal?

There are numerous options in the world of TV streaming devices, including the TVBuddy. This small box looks a lot like the Google Chromecast and is advertised with big promises: it is supposed to be better than the Chromecast and at the same time manage without collecting user data. A typical advertising promise that can be found on various advertisements disguised as blog articles: “It actually looked just like the Chromecast, but when I held it in my hand, I found that it somehow felt a bit better.”

Is TVBuddy recommendable?

At first glance, the offer looks attractive: the TVBuddy is supposedly being offered at a special price of €49.95, reduced from €99. By comparison, an Amazon Fire TV Stick costs around €39. It is important to bear in mind that large companies such as Amazon produce much larger quantities and generate additional revenue by collecting and utilizing user data in addition to selling their hardware.

The question therefore arises as to how TVBuddy can keep up with established products in terms of quality. Experience shows that such supposed bargains are often of inferior quality or are not delivered at all. Reports from customers who wait a long time for their order or never receive a product are warning signals that should be taken seriously.

Is TVBuddy legal?

Some advertising pages for TVBuddy suggest that it provides free access to pay TV and streaming services such as Netflix. Terms such as paid TV and free should always be questioned critically. If the TVBuddy actually uses illegal streaming sources, not only the provider but also the user is liable to prosecution.

This scenario is strongly reminiscent of questionable TV boxes such as Vavoo, which have attracted attention in the past due to illegal streaming offers. If you want to stream safely and legally, you should opt for official streaming devices instead.

Customer reports: Is TVBuddy a scam?

Only 5-star ratings are displayed on the TVBuddy sales pages – another red flag. In addition, it is a typical sales page with supposedly limited-time offers that are, however, permanently available. Many customers report that no product was delivered after ordering.

One user reported: “The money was debited on 02.04.2020, but no delivery had arrived by 29.04.2020.” Such experiences show that caution is advised when buying the TVBuddy.

Alternatives to TVBuddy

If the aim is to make a TV smarter and use streaming services conveniently, there are established alternatives that work reliably and are legal:

Amazon Fire TV Stick

The Amazon Fire TV Stick offers access to a variety of streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and the media libraries of public broadcasters. The integrated app store allows you to download additional apps.

There are two variants:

• Fire TV Stick (Full HD) for normal televisions
• Fire TV Stick 4K for televisions with 4K resolution

Both models support Alexa voice control, making it easy to search for content using voice commands.

Apple TV

The Apple TV is a powerful alternative for anyone who is integrated into the Apple ecosystem. It offers a user-friendly interface, access to streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and many other apps. It also supports AirPlay so that content can be streamed directly from an iPhone, iPad or Mac to the TV. The Apple TV 4K also delivers high picture quality with HDR support.

Conclusion: Hands off TVBuddy

TVBuddy promises a lot, but delivers little. The sales strategy with dubious advertising promises and a lack of customer reviews suggests a questionable product. There are also serious indications of unfulfilled deliveries and possibly illegal use of streaming services.

If you want to be on the safe side, it is better to rely on established streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV. These offer a legal, reliable and high-quality way to improve your viewing experience.