Software · head to head
Criterion Channel vs Paramount+
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; Paramount+ the App Store listing states Paramount+ gates all of SHOWTIME behind the Premium plan only, and separately caps household profiles at six, without stating either plan price in the visible description.
- They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Paramount+ covers Streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and Paramount+ actually diverge.
| Attribute | Criterion Channel | Paramount+ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99/month | $5.99/month |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox | Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv |
| Founded | 1984 | 2021 |
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
- Streaming devices
- Account security
- Content access
Only in Paramount+
- Streaming
- Live sports
- CBS shows
- Nickelodeon
- Gaming consoles
- Parental controls
- Profile management
Both cover
- Smart TVs
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
- Smart-tv 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 Paramount+
- Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Paramount+
- Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Paramount+
- Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Paramount+
Paramount+
- TV streamingnot Criterion Channel
- Sportsnot Criterion Channel
- Kids contentnot 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
Paramount+
- The App Store listing states Paramount+ gates all of SHOWTIME behind the Premium plan only, and separately caps household profiles at six, without stating either plan price in the visible description.
- The App Store listing states the base Paramount+ plan carries ads and does not include ad-free viewing, offline downloads, or a local CBS station live stream, which are reserved for the Premium plan.
Pricing, plan by plan
Criterion Channel
$10.99/month- Monthly$10.99/month
- Annual$99.99/year
Paramount+
$5.99/month- Essential$5.99/month
- Limited ads
- Full library
- With Showtime$11.99/month
- Ad-free
- Showtime
- Downloads
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 Paramount+ if
- You need streaming.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
- You also want live sports.
Questions people ask
- Is Criterion Channel or Paramount+ better?
- Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Paramount+ at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or Paramount+?
- Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Paramount+ at $5.99/month.
- Does Criterion Channel or Paramount+ run on more platforms?
- Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. Paramount+ runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
- 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 Paramount+ is typically brought in for.
- What can Criterion Channel do that Paramount+ cannot?
- Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Paramount+ covers Streaming, Live sports, CBS shows, Nickelodeon. Both handle Smart TVs, Web support, Ios support, Android 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
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