Streaming services were meant to be the end of expensive cable subscriptions packed with channels you don’t need. But we’ve come full circle, and the promise of cheaper platforms filled with all the shows you want to watch has become the very thing it set out to replace.
Given you could easily end up spending more than 100 bucks a month to subscribe to all of the top streaming services, it’s no wonder that folks are looking for cheaper alternatives.
But those cheaper services aren’t always what they seem, and in some cases, they’re an outright scam.
MoxiPlayer isn’t what it seems
It can’t realistically offer everything it claims
Streaming sticks are everywhere now, and there are many great options like the Roku Streaming Stick or Amazon Fire TV Stick. You still have to subscribe to the streaming services you want to watch, but you know what to expect.
MoxiPlayer claims to be an all-in-one streaming stick that can provide access to thousands of channels in 4K, offering “unlimited streaming” and the ability to unlock almost any channel, all for a single, one-off payment.
On the surface, that sounds great. Who wouldn’t want thousands of channels and access to streaming services for a one-time fee?
However, on closer inspection, MoxiPlayer’s big claims start to fall apart.
First of all, MoxiPlayer can’t give anyone free access to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and so on. You still have to subscribe to those services on top of buying the MoxiPlayer streaming stick. In fairness to MoxiPlayer, it doesn’t specifically state that you will get access to those services, but some images on its site allude to that.
What you’re actually getting is an Android streaming stick loaded with free streaming apps and free-to-air channels that anyone can access, streaming stick or not.
That promise of heaps of free channels leads directly into MoxiPlayer’s claims that it has “no monthly fees” and will save you money. It’s technically true—it doesn’t have any monthly fees, but it won’t save you money on your other streaming subscriptions unless you actively cancel them.
Then there’s the MoxiPlayer streaming stick hardware itself. It has 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, which is really on the low end of what you’d expect from a streaming stick; with just a few downloads, it’s going to feel sluggish, and navigating menus won’t be fun. It has an Allwinner H618 chipset, which features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor paired with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, which, in theory, can stream 4K, but the hardware is limited and may struggle to sustain the required bitrate for 4K.
I replaced my streaming stick and instantly noticed better performance
Could upgrading your streaming device lead to a smarter home? This unexpected choice might be the key.
Don’t forget the fake “experts”
If this is fake, what about the reviews?
I was also intrigued by MoxiPlayer’s “Home Entertainment Technologist” Alex Dane, who offers his expert insight at the bottom of the site homepage. He proudly recommends “MoxiPlayer as a better option” and explains that the streaming stick gives you “instant access to thousands of channels and apps.”
This is all very well and good, bar the fact that Alex Dane doesn’t appear to exist, with his supposed profile picture appearing on numerous stock image sites.
Given Alex Dane doesn’t appear to exist, it does make it somewhat harder to believe MoxiPlayer’s more than 8,000 reviews with a 4.9 rating from its “verified customers.”
MoxiPlayer or Flixy?
Don’t fall for the enormous “discount”
Interestingly, when you click through to actually buy the MoxiPlayer streaming stick, it takes you to another website selling the same streaming stick under a different name: Flixy. All of the specs appear to be the same, so it could be MoxiPlayer using a different name to put distance between itself and some of the poor reviews and general reputation.
I also found some reviews for the Flixy streaming stick posted on Reddit, but in odd subreddits such as those for trading Pokémon cards, where the content didn’t make sense.
Whatever its final name is, you’ll be shocked when you see the price: $74, down from its supposed RRP of $148. It’s an extortionate price for a streaming stick, period, let alone with such poor hardware. For comparison, an actual Fire TV Stick 4K Plus costs $50, and you get guaranteed 4K, Dolby Vision-Atmos, and access to most of the free apps offered by MoxiPlayer anyway.
Furthermore, you can find streaming sticks with similar specs on Alibaba for around $10-20, and for just a little more, you can pick up Android streaming sticks and boxes with much better specs.
Why I Never Bother With Cheap Streaming Sticks (and Neither Should You)
Don’t bother with an ultra-cheap streaming device; it’ll only end up costing you more.
Just buy a proper streaming stick and save yourself the hassle
Given how frequently Amazon Fire TV Sticks and similar branded hardware come up for sale, you’re better off picking one up instead of the MoxiPlayer streaming stick.
The MoxiPlayer (or Flixy) streaming stick might not be an outright scam, but it exhibits enough scammy behavior that tells me you should steer well clear.
- Dimensions
-
99 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm
- Connective Technology
-
HDMI 2.1
- Brand
-
Amazon
- Bluetooth codecs
-
Bluetooth 5.2 + BLE
- Wi-Fi
-
Wi-Fi 6
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a compact streaming device that plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port, delivering fast, responsive 4K Ultra HD streaming with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos. Powered by Wi-Fi 6 and Alexa Voice Remote, it offers smooth performance and hands-free control.
