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Criterion Channel vs Subsplash

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Subsplash logo

Subsplash

Religion

Church app and website builder for digital presence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Subsplash 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; Subsplash card giving is 2.3% plus 30 cents and ACH 1%, deducted from each donation
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Subsplash covers Custom App Builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Criterion Channel and Subsplash differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelSubsplash
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxWeb, IOS, Android
CategoryEntertainmentReligion
Founded19842013

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Subsplash

  • Custom App Builder
  • Website Builder
  • Live Streaming
  • Giving Platforms
  • Calendar Systems
  • Analytics
  • IOS support

Both cover

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

Subsplash

  • Church mobile apps, websites and media streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Online giving and congregation engagement in one platformnot 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

Subsplash

  • Card giving is 2.3% plus 30 cents and ACH 1%, deducted from each donation
  • The lower advertised rates of 1.9% and 0.5% require GrowCurve rather than being standard
  • No monthly price is published for the One or Enterprise packages, which are quoted on church size and usage
  • Reaching a quote requires contacting sales by phone

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

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

Subsplash

Free
  • GivingFree
    • Mobile and web giving
    • Text giving
    • Donor management
  • One$null/month
    • Websites
    • Media hosting
    • Apps
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • All Subsplash One features
    • Custom API integrations
    • Multi-campus apps

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 Subsplash if

  • You need custom app builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want website builder.
Subsplash review

Questions people ask

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

Source
Subsplash: Is there a free version of Subsplash?

Yes, Subsplash Giving is free to use. It includes mobile and web giving, text giving, donor management, check scanning, and analytics. Transaction fees are 2.3% plus $0.30 for card donations or 1% for ACH transfers.

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
Subsplash: What does Subsplash One include?

Subsplash One is an all-in-one platform including websites, media hosting, apps, live streaming, giving, events, groups, messaging, volunteering tools, check-in, service planning, podcasting, and forms. Pricing varies by organization size.

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
Subsplash: What is the pricing for Enterprise?

Enterprise pricing is custom and requires contacting Subsplash sales. It includes all One features plus custom API integrations, multi-campus apps, and Rock RMS integration.

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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