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Criterion Channel vs Discord Nitro

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Discord Nitro logo

Discord Nitro

Entertainment

Upgrade your Discord experience

From
$2.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; Discord Nitro pricing varies by country - not a single global price
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Discord Nitro covers Enhanced file sharing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and Discord Nitro actually diverge.

Attributes where Criterion Channel and Discord Nitro differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelDiscord Nitro
Starting price$10.99/month$2.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded19842015

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 Criterion Channel

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

Only in Discord Nitro

  • Enhanced file sharing
  • HD video streaming
  • Custom emojis
  • Server boosts
  • Animated avatars
  • Custom video backgrounds
  • Higher quality streaming
  • Priority support

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios 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 Discord Nitro
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Discord Nitro
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Discord Nitro
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Discord Nitro

Discord Nitro

  • Removing upload-size limits for sharing large files in serversnot Criterion Channel
  • Custom and animated emoji, profile banners and avatar decorationsnot Criterion Channel
  • Boosting servers to unlock server-wide perksnot Criterion Channel
  • HD video streaming and higher-quality screen sharenot Criterion Channel
  • Bundled perks such as Xbox Game Pass access on the full Nitro tiernot 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

Discord Nitro

  • Pricing varies by country - not a single global price
  • Nitro Basic is feature-limited versus full Nitro (e.g. 50MB vs 500MB upload cap)
  • Bundled perks (e.g. Xbox Game Pass) are partner-dependent and subject to change or discontinuation
  • Server-boost perks only benefit servers the user actively boosts

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

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

Discord Nitro

$2.99/month
  • Nitro Basic$2.99/month
    • Custom emoji anywhere
    • 50MB uploads
    • Custom app icons
  • Nitro (Standard)$9.99/month
    • All Basic features
    • Xbox Game Pass Starter (50+ games)
    • Custom profiles per server

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.
Criterion Channel review

Choose Discord Nitro if

  • You need enhanced file sharing.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want hd video streaming.
Discord Nitro review

Questions people ask

Is Criterion Channel or Discord Nitro better?
Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Discord Nitro at $2.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or Discord Nitro?
Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Discord Nitro at $2.99/month.
Does Criterion Channel or Discord Nitro run on more platforms?
Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. Discord Nitro runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
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 Discord Nitro is typically brought in for.
What can Criterion Channel do that Discord Nitro cannot?
Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Discord Nitro covers Enhanced file sharing, HD video streaming, Custom emojis, Server boosts. Both handle Web support, Ios 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.

Source
Discord Nitro: How much does Discord Nitro cost?

Discord offers Nitro Basic at $2.99/month with custom emoji and 50MB uploads, and Nitro Standard at $9.99/month with Xbox Game Pass and 500MB uploads.

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
Discord Nitro: What is the difference between Nitro Basic and Nitro Standard?

Nitro Basic costs $2.99/month with 50MB uploads and custom emoji. Nitro Standard at $9.99/month adds Xbox Game Pass, 500MB uploads, HD video streaming, and 2 Server Boosts.

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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