All the Amlogic devices are almost the same but not exactly the same. They may be differences in Wifi chipset, Wifi antenna (embedded, internal, external), ROM version, Netflix Certification, root/non-root, HD audio passthru, etc.

Some seller added a few apps which able to stream some illegal/non-official content from some places and sell a few hundred ringgit more.

So it's a big soup there. Hardware is not the only thing you need to consider.

Seller? You don't need a seller. Buy a box like from Lazada, I am using Minix U1 and it can use Astro Go, which the box once a while it has sales, so just wait for good deals.

For Astro Go account, just hook to your family/friend's account and enjoy it. I'm using my parents' Astro account and I enjoy it in my own place.

Free app that has been working for years? Yes, cloudtv, just to mention one.. VOD? Showbox and Popcorntime.. TLDR, what do I know.. Only been messing with Android boxes for over 7 years.. 

Again.. You don't see what's in front of you.. I even tossed in a rough calculation to show that ultimately it's still better to buy your own box and DIY exactly as one sees fit and still cheaper than buying shitty boxes. Excuse my language, that's the safest word I can use to describe such. I know a pal who owns an evpad and latest Kodi works horribly on it.. Don't even get me started on HD surround sound passthrough capabilities and pq.. Good illegal IPTV services go for under RM20 per month..means in a year it's RM240. And can get yearly packages from same providers for almost 50% off that.. Yes, that cheap and they are much better maintained than the free ones.. Mine offers hundreds of channels, some 1080p with full accurate EPG and they have dedicated servers and bandwidth to offer up to 4K VOD streams..Just have to know where to look... I'm just a user, not invested or anything and will not (for obvious reasons) reveal it directly. In fact said free ones steal streams from such and provide to others (bless such devs).. But obviously they are unable to sustain it cuz weak servers and bandwidth plus legal complications. For all we know, evpad or ubox also grab streams from these guys and resell. As I mentioned earlier, one off payments devices aren't sustainable, just like MLM schemes.. Sure some can last over a year. But there'll come that time when they inevitably go bust having collected enough or can't handle the heat. So those last in one time payers... Your guess what happens to their money and if they are stuck with a crappy box or not. Eventually, end up here asking for which good box to buy. Why not skip that entire step and get a good box, then pair it with a reliable service.

My 2 sen.