Software · head to head
Criterion Channel vs Pluto TV
The short version
- Only Pluto TV has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; Pluto TV pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)
- They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Pluto TV covers Streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and Pluto TV actually diverge.
| Attribute | Criterion Channel | Pluto TV |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10.99/month | Free |
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox | Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv |
| Founded | 1984 | 2013 |
Identical on both: 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
- Account security
- Content access
Only in Pluto TV
- Streaming
- Live TV channels
- Movies
- TV shows
- Recommendations
- Account management
- Parental controls
- Fire-tv support
Both cover
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- 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 Pluto TV
- Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Pluto TV
- Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Pluto TV
- Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Pluto TV
Pluto TV
- Free streamingnot Criterion Channel
- Live TVnot Criterion Channel
- On-demand 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
Pluto TV
- Pluto TV is entirely ad-supported free streaming with no paid tier, available in a stated list of regions including the US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Germany/Switzerland/Austria, UK, Spain, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Denmark (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2024)
Pricing, plan by plan
Criterion Channel
$10.99/month- Monthly$10.99/month
- Annual$99.99/year
Pluto TV
Free- FreeFree
- Full content
- Live channels
- Ad-supported
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 Pluto TV if
- You need streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
- You also want live tv channels.
Questions people ask
- Is Criterion Channel or Pluto TV better?
- Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Pluto TV at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or Pluto TV?
- Pluto TV has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Criterion Channel and Free for Pluto TV.
- Does Criterion Channel or Pluto TV run on more platforms?
- Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. Pluto TV runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
- Can I use Pluto TV for free?
- Yes. Pluto TV has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
- 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 Pluto TV is typically brought in for.
- What can Criterion Channel do that Pluto TV cannot?
- Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Pluto TV covers Streaming, Live TV channels, Movies, TV shows. Both handle Smart TVs, Streaming devices, 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.
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