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Bandcamp vs Criterion Channel

Bandcamp logo

Bandcamp

Music

An artist-first music platform

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 Bandcamp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bandcamp bandcamp takes 15% of digital sales initially (10% after $5,000 threshold); payment processing adds 4-6% per transaction; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Bandcamp 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 Bandcamp and Criterion Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Bandcamp and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeBandcampCriterion Channel
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modeltransactionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
CategoryMusicEntertainment
Founded20081984

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 Bandcamp

  • Music streaming
  • Downloads
  • Artist support
  • Merchandise
  • Community
  • Social media
  • Payment processing
  • Artist tools

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.

Bandcamp

  • Music distribution and salesnot Criterion Channel
  • Physical media salesnot Criterion Channel
  • Artist monetizationnot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

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

Where each one falls short

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

Bandcamp

  • Bandcamp takes 15% of digital sales initially (10% after $5,000 threshold); payment processing adds 4-6% per transaction

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

Bandcamp

Free
  • Artist PlatformFree
    • 15% revenue share on digital items initially
    • 10% revenue share after reaching $5,000 in sales
    • 10% revenue share on physical goods

Criterion Channel

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Bandcamp if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want downloads.
Bandcamp 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 Bandcamp or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Bandcamp 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, Bandcamp or Criterion Channel?
Bandcamp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bandcamp and $10.99/month for Criterion Channel.
Does Bandcamp or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Bandcamp runs on Web, Ios, Android. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
Can I use Bandcamp for free?
Yes. Bandcamp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
What is Bandcamp best used for?
Bandcamp is most often used for music distribution and sales, physical media sales, artist monetization. Of those, music distribution and sales and physical media sales are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Bandcamp do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Bandcamp covers Music streaming, Downloads, Artist support, Merchandise. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bandcamp: How much commission does Bandcamp take?

15% on digital items initially, reducing to 10% once you reach $5,000 in sales. 10% on physical goods. Plus 4-6% payment processing fees per transaction. Tips are not subject to the revenue share on amounts over $100.

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
Bandcamp: Does Bandcamp charge subscription or setup fees?

No subscription tiers or setup fees. Bandcamp uses a transaction-based revenue sharing model only.

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
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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