Fantastec
Fantastec is a privately held UK-registered entity (1-10 employees) that operates Pikashow, a free Android streaming APK aggregating Indian movies, TV shows, and live sports distributed via direct sideloading with no subscription or advertising model disclosed.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersGuildford, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Fantastec does
Fantastec is a privately held entity (founded 2017, 1-10 employees, headquartered in Guildford, UK) that operates the Pikashow free streaming application. The underlying product is a standalone Android APK distributed exclusively via direct download from fantastec.io for sideloading — it is not available on the Google Play Store. Pikashow aggregates movies, TV shows, web series, live sports (notably IPL cricket and international football), and over 100 Indian live TV channels into a single free interface, with adaptive bitrate streaming, 4K support on select titles, unrestricted offline downloads, multi-language subtitle support, and compatibility across Android phones, tablets, smart TVs, Amazon Firestick, Android TV boxes, smart projectors, and PC/Mac via emulators such as Bluestacks, LDPlayer, and Nox Player.
The core technology is a lightweight (16.38 MB) Android client with adaptive streaming, multiple server links per stream, and offline download management. The go-to-market is product-led: there is no account creation, no subscription, no payment, no premium tier, and no in-app purchase — every feature is free. Distribution is direct APK sideloading plus community/word-of-mouth referrals, with no paid marketing channels disclosed. Product cadence is regular (v86, v87, and v90 released June, July, and August 2025 respectively). The company also acquired Colony on 2018-03-01 for an undisclosed amount, which is consistent with the original firmographic positioning around international sports fan engagement rather than consumer streaming aggregation.
Fantastec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fantastec
- Legal name
- Fantastec
- Website
- https://fantastec.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Fantastec is a privately held UK-registered entity (1-10 employees) that operates Pikashow, a free Android streaming APK aggregating Indian movies, TV shows, and live sports distributed via direct sideloading with no subscription or advertising model disclosed.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fantastec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Free Streaming / OTT Aggregation
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Spectator Sports (71121)
- SIC
- Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports Streaming Platforms (MPACAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Virtual MVPDs (Live TV Streaming Bundles) (MPABAHAE), RSS/Feed Readers & Subscription Aggregators (MPACAKAD), Alternative App Distribution & Sideloading Platforms (BPAMADAM)
Keywords
Where Fantastec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Guildford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Fantastec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free tier - Complete access to all content and features |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
Fantastec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fantastec develops and distributes Pikashow, a free Android streaming application that aggregates on-demand movies, TV shows, web series, 100+ live Indian TV channels, and live sports (including IPL cricket and international football leagues) into a single APK. The app is distributed via sideloading (not through the Google Play Store) and supports offline downloads, adaptive streaming up to 4K, multi-language subtitles, and installation on Android phones, tablets, smart TVs, Firestick, and PCs via emulators.
Product overview
Fantastec operates the Pikashow platform—a single free streaming APK for Android devices. Pikashow aggregates movies, TV shows, web series, and live sports (including IPL cricket) from various sources into one unified app, offering over 100 live Indian TV channels, offline downloads, and multi-device support. The product is distributed exclusively as an APK file for sideloading on Android smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs, Amazon Firestick, and PC via Android emulators. There are no tiered plans, subscriptions, or in-app purchases; the core offering is the Pikashow APK itself with all features included at no cost.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pikashow APK Free standalone Android streaming application (APK) that aggregates on-demand movies, TV shows, web series, 100+ live Indian TV channels, and live sports (IPL cricket, football, tennis, badminton) into a single app. Offers unrestricted offline downloads, adaptive streaming up to 4K, multi-language subtitles, and installs via sideloading on Android phones, tablets, smart TVs, Amazon Firestick, and PCs via emulators. Targeted at Indian entertainment consumers and global viewers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Access to over 100 live Indian TV channels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Fantastec
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Fantastec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature4 records
Fantastec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Fantastec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Showbox: Historically one of the most prominent unauthorized Android APK streaming aggregators offering movies, TV, and live sports for free via sideloaded distribution. Directly comparable to Pikashow in product scope, distribution method, and legal/policy exposure — and instructive as a cautionary precedent since the service was shut down after rights-holder enforcement.
- Cinema HD (Cinema APK): Free sideloaded APK aggregating movies, TV shows, and live content from multiple sources, with comparable adaptive streaming, offline downloads, and multi-device sideloading. Operates in the same legally grey aggregator niche as Pikashow and competes for the same Indian/emerging-market user base.
- Mobdro: Was a free live-TV and on-demand aggregator app distributed via APK that became widely used for streaming live sports and TV channels without subscription. Closely comparable to Pikashow on product surface (free, no-account, live channels plus sports) and on legal exposure (was seized by law enforcement).
- ThopTV: Free Android APK focused on live Indian and international TV channels plus sports, distributed outside the Google Play Store. Direct functional and audience overlap with Pikashow — Indian users seeking free live sports/TV without subscription — and has faced enforcement actions in India.
- TeaTV: Multi-platform (Android APK, desktop) free streaming aggregator for movies and TV series with sideloaded distribution. Comparable product and distribution model to Pikashow, targeting the same cost-sensitive cord-cutting audience in South Asia and beyond.
- BeeTV: Sideloaded Android streaming app aggregating movies, series, and live channels with no subscription. Overlaps directly with Pikashow on free, no-account, multi-content-type aggregation distributed outside Google Play.
Broad incumbents
- JioCinema (Viacom18): India's dominant legitimate free ad-supported streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and live IPL cricket — the same demand Pikashow targets. Represents the legitimate end-state that an authorized version of Pikashow's offering would compete with, and the rights-holder most likely to enforce against Pikashow.
- Disney+ Hotstar (Star India): Major Indian subscription streaming platform with premium movies, series, and live sports including IPL. Comparable because it competes for the same Indian viewers seeking an integrated sports-plus-entertainment bundle that Pikashow replicates for free.
- Pluto TV (Paramount): Legitimate FAST/AVOD platform bundling 100+ free live linear channels plus on-demand movies — the closest licit analog to Pikashow's '100+ live channels, all free' proposition. Relevant as both a potential destination for Pikashow-style bundling and a competitive threat if Pikashow were legitimized.
Emerging players
- Stremio: Multi-platform free media-center app that aggregates streams via community add-ons (some of which resolve to unauthorized sources). Comparable aggregation philosophy and cross-device (Android/TV/PC) reach, with partial overlap in audience and risk profile.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Fantastec social profiles
Digital presenceFantastec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fantastec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Fantastec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fantastec M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fantastec
What does Fantastec do?
Fantastec develops and distributes Pikashow, a free Android streaming application that aggregates on-demand movies, TV shows, web series, 100+ live Indian TV channels, and live sports (including IPL cricket and international football leagues) into a single APK. The app is distributed via sideloading (not through the Google Play Store) and supports offline downloads, adaptive streaming up to 4K, multi-language subtitles, and installation on Android phones, tablets, smart TVs, Firestick, and PCs via emulators.
Is Fantastec a public or private company?
Fantastec is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Fantastec founded?
Fantastec was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Fantastec based?
Fantastec is headquartered in Guildford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
Who are Fantastec's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Showbox, Cinema HD (Cinema APK), Mobdro, ThopTV, TeaTV and BeeTV. Broad incumbents are JioCinema (Viacom18), Disney+ Hotstar (Star India) and Pluto TV (Paramount). Stremio is listed as an emerging player.
Does Fantastec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fantastec.
What industry is Fantastec in?
Fantastec's product category is Free Streaming / OTT Aggregation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACAAAE, Sports Streaming Platforms, with a secondary code of MPABAHAE, Virtual MVPDs (Live TV Streaming Bundles). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7829.