Do you "need", no....it really depends on the service however. Some only work with MAG box or like devices. There are STB emulators that may be a workaround for some of these however. Many services will work with Android and or Kodi however. You just need to either ask the provider or look at their website to see access options.

I was using kodi but it is too complicated and slow when switching channels. Now i am using fire tv stick with the "perfect player iptv" application which i had to sideload. But it is much more comfortable in handling and the channels and provides fast switching and u can use the fire tv remote. On the negative side you dont have that many settings. But for me this is the perfect solution at the moment.