Software · head to head
Criterion Channel vs MUBI
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; MUBI curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
- They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, MUBI covers Curated films.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and MUBI actually diverge.
| Attribute | Criterion Channel | MUBI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99/month | $7.99/month |
| Platforms | Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1984 | 2007 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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
Only in MUBI
- Curated films
- World cinema
- Documentaries
- Classics
- New releases
Both cover
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- Account security
- Content access
- 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 MUBI
- Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot MUBI
- Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot MUBI
- Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot MUBI
MUBI
- Watching curated arthouse, independent, and classic international cinemanot Criterion Channel
- Discovering festival and awards-circuit films not on mainstream platformsnot Criterion Channel
- Getting a free weekly theatrical ticket via MUBI GO in eligible citiesnot Criterion Channel
- Reading editorial film notes and curation alongside streamingnot 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
MUBI
- Curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
- No live TV or broad back-catalogue - deliberately small, curated library rather than a comprehensive on-demand one
- MUBI GO (free theater ticket plus streaming) is limited to select cities
Pricing, plan by plan
Criterion Channel
$10.99/month- Monthly$10.99/month
- Annual$99.99/year
MUBI
$7.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the MUBI review.
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 MUBI if
- You need curated films.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want world cinema.
Questions people ask
- Is Criterion Channel or MUBI better?
- Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and MUBI at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or MUBI?
- Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and MUBI at $7.99/month.
- Does Criterion Channel or MUBI run on more platforms?
- Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. MUBI runs on Web, 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 MUBI is typically brought in for.
- What can Criterion Channel do that MUBI cannot?
- Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. MUBI covers Curated films, World cinema, Documentaries, Classics. Both handle Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Account security, Content access.
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.
Source