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Criterion Channel vs Roku

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Software

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Roku logo

Roku

Software

Streaming made simple

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Roku 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; Roku roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Roku covers Streaming aggregation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and Roku actually diverge.

Attributes where Criterion Channel and Roku differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelRoku
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxRoku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android
Founded19842002

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
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Only in Roku

  • Streaming aggregation
  • Free content
  • Voice search
  • Private listening
  • All major streaming apps
  • Smart home
  • PIN protection
  • Parental controls

Both cover

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

Roku

  • TV streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Content discoverynot Criterion Channel
  • Free entertainmentnot 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

Roku

  • Roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

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

Roku

Free
  • FreeFree
    • The Roku Channel
    • Free content
    • 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.
Criterion Channel review

Choose Roku if

  • You need streaming aggregation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
  • You also want free content.
Roku review

Questions people ask

Is Criterion Channel or Roku better?
Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Roku at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or Roku?
Roku has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Criterion Channel and Free for Roku.
Does Criterion Channel or Roku run on more platforms?
Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. Roku runs on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
Can I use Roku for free?
Yes. Roku 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 Roku is typically brought in for.
What can Criterion Channel do that Roku cannot?
Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Roku covers Streaming aggregation, Free content, Voice search, Private listening. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Smart-tv 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
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
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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