Software · head to head
Criterion Channel vs BritBox
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; BritBox britBox offered a free 7-day trial, then billed at $6.99/month or $69.99/year (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2022)
- They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, BritBox covers British content.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and BritBox actually diverge.
| Attribute | Criterion Channel | BritBox |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99/month | $6.99/month |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox | Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku |
| Founded | 1984 | 2017 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Criterion Channel
- Criterion films
- 4K restoration
- Essays
- Special features
- Curated selections
- Content access
Only in BritBox
- British content
- Dramas
- Comedies
- Documentaries
- Exclusive content
- Profile management
Both cover
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- Account security
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
- Smart-tv support
- Roku support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Criterion Channel
- Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot BritBox
- Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot BritBox
- Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot BritBox
- Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot BritBox
BritBox
- British content streamingnot Criterion Channel
- Drama watchingnot Criterion Channel
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
BritBox
- BritBox offered a free 7-day trial, then billed at $6.99/month or $69.99/year (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2022)
Pricing, plan by plan
Criterion Channel
$10.99/month- Monthly$10.99/month
- Annual$99.99/year
BritBox
$6.99/month- Standard$6.99/month
- HD
- 1 device
- Premium$9.99/month
- Full HD
- 4 devices
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose BritBox if
- You need british content.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku.
- You also want dramas.
Questions people ask
- Is Criterion Channel or BritBox better?
- Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and BritBox at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or BritBox?
- Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and BritBox at $6.99/month.
- Does Criterion Channel or BritBox run on more platforms?
- Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. BritBox runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku.
- What is Criterion Channel best used for?
- Criterion Channel is most often used for streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives, watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content, following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlights, educational and film-study use due to curated context and extras. Of those, streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives and watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content are not what BritBox is typically brought in for.
- What can Criterion Channel do that BritBox cannot?
- Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. BritBox covers British content, Dramas, Comedies, Documentaries. Both handle Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Account security, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceCriterion 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.
SourceCriterion 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.
SourceCriterion 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Criterion Channel
Keep looking
Other head to heads
- Criterion Channel vs Overcast
- Criterion Channel vs Castbox
- Criterion Channel vs Castro
- Criterion Channel vs Apple TV+
- Criterion Channel vs Emby
- Criterion Channel vs Hulu
- Criterion Channel vs Jellyfin
- Criterion Channel vs Kodi
- Criterion Channel vs MUBI
- Criterion Channel vs Audible
- Criterion Channel vs Crunchyroll
- Criterion Channel vs Dailymotion
- Criterion Channel vs Discovery+
- Criterion Channel vs Disney+
- Criterion Channel vs ESPN+
- Criterion Channel vs HBO Max
- Criterion Channel vs IMDb TV (Freevee)
- BritBox vs Overcast
- BritBox vs Castbox
- BritBox vs Castro
- BritBox vs Apple TV+
- BritBox vs Emby
- BritBox vs Hulu
- BritBox vs Jellyfin
- BritBox vs Kodi
- BritBox vs MUBI
- BritBox vs Audible
- BritBox vs Crunchyroll
- BritBox vs Dailymotion
- BritBox vs Discovery+
- BritBox vs Disney+
- BritBox vs ESPN+
- BritBox vs HBO Max
- BritBox vs IMDb TV (Freevee)


