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Entertainment · head to head

Criterion Channel vs Starz

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Starz logo

Starz

Entertainment

Premium originals and hit series

From
$6.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; Starz standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Starz covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Criterion Channel and Starz differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelStarz
Starting price$10.99/month$6.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded19841994

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
  • Content access

Only in Starz

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Exclusive content
  • Downloads
  • Parental controls
  • Fire-tv support

Both cover

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

Starz

  • Drama streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Original series watchingnot 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

Starz

  • Standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

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

Starz

$6.99/month
  • Standard$6.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • 4K
    • Ad-free
    • 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.
Criterion Channel review

Choose Starz if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original series.
Starz review

Questions people ask

Is Criterion Channel or Starz better?
Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Starz at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or Starz?
Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Starz at $6.99/month.
Does Criterion Channel or Starz run on more platforms?
Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. Starz runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-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 Starz is typically brought in for.
What can Criterion Channel do that Starz cannot?
Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Starz covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Exclusive content. Both handle Smart TVs, Streaming devices, Account security, Web 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
Starz: What is the current STARZ subscription cost?

STARZ offers a limited-time promotional rate of $4 per month for the first three months. The standard monthly rate after this period is not displayed on the website and appears during signup.

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
Starz: How many devices can stream simultaneously on STARZ?

STARZ subscriptions allow streaming on up to 4 devices at the same time, with unlimited HD streaming and downloads included.

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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