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Amazon Music vs Criterion Channel

Amazon Music logo

Amazon Music

Music

Unlimited music for every moment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Amazon Music has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Music amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Music covers Music streaming, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Music and Criterion Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Music and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeAmazon MusicCriterion Channel
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, EchoWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
CategoryMusicEntertainment
Founded20071984

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Music

  • Music streaming
  • HD audio
  • Podcasts
  • Alexa integration
  • Echo devices
  • Fire TV
  • Alexa
  • Amazon account security

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Music

  • On-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakersnot Criterion Channel
  • Listening to podcasts and Audible audiobooks in one appnot Criterion Channel
  • Offline playback for subscribersnot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot Amazon Music
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Amazon Music
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Amazon Music
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Amazon Music

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Music

  • Amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks
  • Unlimited skips require the Amazon Music Unlimited subscription
  • Subscriptions bought through iTunes renew automatically each month unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • The account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of each membership period
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.0 or later

Criterion Channel

  • Maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • No PlayStation 4 app available
  • HDCP compatibility issues reported on some devices like Chromebooks and Xbox One
  • No live chat or phone support for customer service
  • Limited library compared to mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Music

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited selection
    • Ads
  • Unlimited$9.99/month
    • Full catalog
    • HD audio

Criterion Channel

$10.99/month
  • Monthly$10.99/month
  • Annual$99.99/year

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo.
  • You also want hd audio.
Amazon Music review

Choose Criterion Channel if

  • You need criterion films.
  • You work on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
  • You also want 4k restoration.
Criterion Channel review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Music or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Music starts at Free and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Music or Criterion Channel?
Amazon Music has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Amazon Music and $10.99/month for Criterion Channel.
Does Amazon Music or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Amazon Music runs on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
Can I use Amazon Music for free?
Yes. Amazon Music has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
What is Amazon Music best used for?
Amazon Music is most often used for on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers, listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app, offline playback for subscribers. Of those, on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers and listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Music do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Amazon Music covers Music streaming, HD audio, Podcasts, Alexa integration. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Amazon Music: What are the pricing options for Amazon Music?

The main Amazon Music page does not display pricing information. Users must visit additional pages on Amazon's website or the app store to see subscription costs.

Source
Criterion Channel: Can I watch Criterion Channel offline?

No, Criterion Channel requires an active internet connection for streaming. The service does not offer offline viewing or download capabilities.

Source
Amazon Music: Is there a free tier or trial period?

The page does not disclose whether a free trial, free tier, or evaluation period is available for Amazon Music. Pricing and trial details would need to be found on related pages.

Source
Criterion Channel: What devices does Criterion Channel work on?

Criterion Channel works on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, and Xbox. There is no PlayStation app or dedicated mobile app for iOS/Android.

Source
Amazon Music: Can I cancel my Amazon Music subscription anytime?

The page does not specify cancellation policies or contract terms for Amazon Music subscriptions.

Source
Criterion Channel: How much does Criterion Channel cost?

Criterion Channel costs $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

Source
Criterion Channel: What is the maximum video quality on Criterion Channel?

Criterion Channel streams in HD quality only. The service does not offer 4K or Ultra HD resolution.

Source
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