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Audible vs Criterion Channel

Audible logo

Audible

Entertainment

Audiobooks as you've never experienced them

From
$7.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Audible auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Audible covers Audiobooks, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Audible and Criterion Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Audible and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeAudibleCriterion Channel
Starting price$7.95/month$10.99/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsIos, Android, Desktop, KindleWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
Founded19951984

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

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 Audible

  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts
  • Originals
  • Offline listening
  • Amazon Echo
  • Kindle
  • Apple Watch
  • Family library

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Content access

Both cover

  • Account security
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Audible

  • Audiobook listeningnot Criterion Channel
  • Podcast consumptionnot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

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

Where each one falls short

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

Audible

  • Auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing
  • Renewal is charged at the rate of the selected plan within 24 hours before the end of each membership period, per the App Store listing

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

Audible

$7.95/month
  • Plus$7.95/month
    • Plus catalog
    • Podcasts
  • Premium Plus$14.95/month
    • 1 credit/month
    • Plus catalog

Criterion Channel

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Audible if

  • You need audiobooks.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle.
  • You also want podcasts.
Audible 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 Audible or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Audible starts at $7.95/month 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, Audible or Criterion Channel?
Audible starts at $7.95/month and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month.
Does Audible or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Audible runs on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
What is Audible best used for?
Audible is most often used for audiobook listening, podcast consumption. Of those, audiobook listening and podcast consumption are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Audible do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Audible covers Audiobooks, Podcasts, Originals, Offline listening. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Both handle Account security, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Audible: What are the pricing plans for Audible?

Audible offers two subscription plans: Audible Standard at $8.99 per month and Audible Premium Plus at $14.95 per month. Both plans include a 30-day free trial for new members.

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
Audible: How does the Audible free trial work?

Eligible new members can sign up for a 30-day free trial and enjoy the same benefits as paying members. When your trial ends, you are automatically charged the monthly subscription fee, but you can cancel anytime.

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
Audible: What is included with Audible Standard vs. Premium Plus?

Audible Standard gives you 1 audiobook per month. Audible Premium Plus includes 1 credit per month, access to thousands of included titles in the all-you-can-listen catalog, and access to member-only sales and exclusive discounts. Audiobooks purchased with credits are yours to keep forever.

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
Audible: Can I cancel my Audible subscription anytime?

Yes, there are no commitments. You can easily cancel your membership at anytime, and all audiobooks purchased with credits remain yours forever.

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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