Softwr

AR VR · head to head

Bigscreen vs Criterion Channel

Bigscreen logo

Bigscreen

AR VR

Watch movies and hang out in VR

From
$1019/one-time
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: Bigscreen accessory pricing not published separately; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Bigscreen and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeBigscreenCriterion Channel
Starting price$1019/one-time$10.99/month
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
PlatformsVr, Pc, Quest, PsvrWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
CategoryAR VREntertainment
Founded20141984

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Bigscreen

  • Virtual theaters
  • Social viewing
  • Desktop streaming
  • 3D movies
  • Pluto TV
  • Paramount+
  • Desktop apps
  • Vr support

Only in Criterion Channel

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

What people use each for

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

Bigscreen

  • VR Gamingnot Criterion Channel
  • AR Marketingnot Criterion Channel
  • Virtual Trainingnot Criterion Channel
  • 3D Visualizationnot Criterion Channel
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

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

Where each one falls short

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

Bigscreen

  • Accessory pricing not published separately
  • Custom-fit cushion via face scan cost not specified
  • Shipping costs vary by international destination

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

Bigscreen

$1019/one-time
  • Beyond 2$1019/one-time
    • 5m Fiber Optic Cable
    • Soft Strap
    • Link Box
  • Beyond 2e$1219/one-time
    • Beyond 2 features plus
    • Eye tracking capability
    • 1-year warranty (2 years in EU)

Criterion Channel

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Bigscreen if

  • You need virtual theaters.
  • You work on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr.
  • You also want social viewing.
Bigscreen 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 Bigscreen or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Bigscreen starts at $1019/one-time 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, Bigscreen or Criterion Channel?
Bigscreen starts at $1019/one-time and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month.
Does Bigscreen or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Bigscreen runs on Vr, Pc, Quest, Psvr. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
What is Bigscreen best used for?
Bigscreen is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Bigscreen do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Bigscreen covers Virtual theaters, Social viewing, Desktop streaming, 3D movies. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bigscreen: How much does Bigscreen Beyond 2 cost?

Bigscreen Beyond 2 starts at $1019 one-time purchase. Beyond 2e with eyetracking capability starts at $1219. Both ship in 1-3 days and include a 5m fiber optic cable, soft strap, and link box with a 1-year warranty (2 years in EU).

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
Bigscreen: What's Bigscreen's return policy?

Bigscreen offers a 14-day return policy for both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e models. International customers cover return shipping costs for items sent back outside the home country.

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
Bigscreen: What warranty does Bigscreen provide?

Both Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e include a 1-year limited warranty. European customers receive a 2-year warranty to comply with EU consumer protection requirements.

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
Share

Related pages

More on Bigscreen

More on Criterion Channel

Keep looking

Other head to heads