Manhattan Aero vs Netgem PLEIO. Which Freely TV Box Is Right for Watching UK TV Abroad?
Freely is quickly becoming the new standard for free-to-view UK television, delivering live BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 entirely over the internet, without the need for an aerial or satellite dish.
If you're watching UK TV abroad through a VPN router with a UK residential IP, the choice of Freely TV box comes down mainly to usability, connectivity, and additional features.
The Netgem PLEIO was the first established external Freely device. The Manhattan Aero Freely TV box joined it in February 2026.
Here's how the two compare in practical, real-world terms, focusing on how they perform when used abroad with a VPN router.
What Is Freely?
Freely is a fully internet-based TV platform designed as a modern replacement for Freeview and Freesat. It provides:
- Live BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5
- Integrated catch-up and on-demand services
- Programme restart and replay
- No aerial or satellite dish required
Freely is now built into a growing number of new UK televisions. For an existing TV, you'll need an external Freely TV box.
The Two Main Freely TV Box Options
For customers adding Freely to an existing TV, there are currently two main options:
- Netgem PLEIO
- Manhattan Aero
Both connect to a TV via HDMI and rely entirely on an internet connection. Neither includes built-in VPN functionality, so if you're abroad, both need a VPN router.
One thing worth checking before you order: Manhattan make satellite receivers as well as Freely boxes, and the names look similar on a shelf. The Manhattan SX is a Freesat box with no catch-up apps, so it's the Aero you want here.
Connectivity — Ethernet vs Wi-Fi
One practical difference between the two devices is network connectivity.
- Manhattan Aero includes a wired Ethernet port
- Netgem PLEIO connects via Wi-Fi only
For many people, that's a minor difference. Most Freely users connect their TV devices over Wi-Fi, particularly in holiday homes, apartments, or temporary setups abroad. However, for those who prefer a wired connection or have a TV cabinet close to their router, Ethernet support on the Manhattan Aero may be an advantage.
Both devices perform well over Wi-Fi when paired with a stable internet connection and VPN router.
Operating System and App Availability
Another key difference is the underlying platform:
Netgem PLEIO — Android-Based
The Netgem PLEIO runs on an Android-based platform. That means you're not limited to the core Freely services — a wider range of apps is available through the Google Play ecosystem.
This can include:
- Additional news apps such as Sky News
- Optional Sky Sports, Cinema and Entertainment content via the NOW app
- Optional TNT Sports content via the HBO Max app (also available on the Aero)
- Optional Discovery content via the discovery+ app
- Other Android-compatible media apps: Paramount+, Apple TV, TuneIn, etc
For users who want more than just UK TV channels, this flexibility can be appealing.
Manhattan Aero — TiVo-Based
The Manhattan Aero uses a TiVo-based platform. That's a tighter focus on live TV, catch-up, and a simplified viewing experience.
The Aero's app list is curated rather than open, but it's a good deal broader than it's often given credit for. Alongside the core Freely live and catch-up services it carries HBO Max (so TNT Sports), Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video, YouTube in 4K, Plex and BBC Sounds, plus 400+ TiVo+ channels.
For sport specifically it also has a dedicated set of apps — DAZN, Premier Sports, NBA League Pass and FITE — which the PLEIO reaches through Google Play instead. Some people simply prefer the Aero's cleaner, more TV-focused interface with fewer distractions, particularly in shared or guest environments.
The one real gap is NOW: the Aero has no NOW app, so it can't reach Sky Sports, Sky Cinema or Sky Entertainment. If you want NOW, the PLEIO is the box.
The NOW app is also how you reach Sky Sports Racing, which is worth knowing if you're following the UK racing calendar from abroad.
Extras and Family-Friendly Features
The Netgem PLEIO includes an Xbox-style game controller.
This is particularly popular:
- In holiday homes
- When children or grandchildren are visiting
- For casual gaming without needing an additional console
The Manhattan Aero doesn't include a game controller — it's focused purely on TV viewing.
Using Either Device Abroad with a VPN Router
From a location and streaming perspective, both devices behave in exactly the same way.
Freely itself is restricted to the UK. To use either the Netgem PLEIO or the Manhattan Aero abroad, you'll need a VPN router using a UK residential IP.
When connected through such a router:
- Freely loads normally
- Live channels play without location errors
- Catch-up and on-demand services work as they do in the UK
The Freely TV box doesn't need to be configured individually. All location handling is done by the router.
Which Freely TV Box Should You Choose?
There's no single “best” option. The right choice depends on how you plan to use it:
Netgem PLEIO may suit you if:
- You want NOW — Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and Sky Entertainment (the Aero has no NOW app)
- You want access to a wider range of Android apps
- You like the idea of casual games for guests or family
- Wi-Fi-only connectivity is not a concern
Manhattan Aero may suit you if:
- You prefer a wired Ethernet connection
- You want a simpler, more TV-focused interface
- You are upgrading from older Freeview or TiVo-style devices
Whichever you choose works well with Freely — and abroad on a SmartHub VPN router.
Our Approach at Stream UK TV Abroad
At Stream UK TV Abroad, our focus is on providing setups that work reliably outside the UK.
We stock and support Freely TV devices that work out of the box with our pre-configured VPN routers. As new Freely hardware becomes available — the Manhattan Aero, for instance — we test and support it alongside established options like the Netgem PLEIO.
So you can pick the box that suits you, and run it on the same proven SmartHub VPN router with its genuine UK residential IP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Freely box is better for use abroad — Manhattan Aero or Netgem PLEIO?
Neither is simply better — they behave identically for getting past the geo-block, because both need a VPN router with a UK residential IP. The choice is about features: the PLEIO runs Android with the NOW app for Sky content and a games controller; the Aero runs TiVo with a wired Ethernet port and a simpler, TV-focused interface.
What operating system do they run?
The Netgem PLEIO is Android-based, so it reaches a wider range of apps through Google Play — including NOW for Sky Sports, Cinema and Entertainment. The Manhattan Aero is TiVo-based with a curated app list (HBO Max for TNT Sports, BBC Sounds, YouTube in 4K and more), but no NOW app.
Does either Freely box work abroad, for example in Australia?
Yes, anywhere with internet. Freely is geo-locked to the UK, so both boxes need a VPN router carrying a UK residential IP — with that in place, Freely and its catch-up load normally in Australia, Europe or anywhere else, and the box itself needs no configuring.
Which one should I choose?
Choose the PLEIO if you want NOW (Sky Sports, Cinema and Entertainment), the wider Android app range, or the games controller for guests. Choose the Aero if you would rather have a wired Ethernet connection and a cleaner, more TV-focused interface. Both run on the same SmartHub VPN router.
Final Thoughts
The Manhattan Aero is a positive step for Freely, offering more choice and flexibility for users adding internet-based UK TV to an existing television.
We stock both the Netgem PLEIO and Manhattan Aero for immediate dispatch, so you can start using Freely straight away with your SmartHub VPN router.
Whether you choose the Netgem PLEIO or the Manhattan Aero, the most important factor for watching Freely abroad is the network setup behind it: a VPN router on a genuine UK residential IP. With that in place, either box gives you UK TV abroad without aerials, satellite dishes or complicated workarounds.
