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Criterion Channel vs Tubi

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Software

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tubi logo

Tubi

Software

Watch movies and TV shows for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tubi 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; Tubi the App Store listing (Tubi, Inc) shows the app as entirely free with advertising; there is no in-app purchase, ad-free tier, or premium subscription offered anywhere in the listing, meaning users who want to remove ads have no paid option at all
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Tubi covers Streaming.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Criterion Channel and Tubi differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelTubi
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded19842014

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 Tubi

  • Streaming
  • Full catalog
  • Search
  • Recommendations
  • Watchlist
  • Content filtering
  • Account management
  • 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 Tubi
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Tubi
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Tubi
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Tubi

Tubi

  • Free streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Content discoverynot 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

Tubi

  • The App Store listing (Tubi, Inc) shows the app as entirely free with advertising; there is no in-app purchase, ad-free tier, or premium subscription offered anywhere in the listing, meaning users who want to remove ads have no paid option at all

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

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

Tubi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full catalog
    • 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 Tubi if

  • You need streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want full catalog.
Tubi review

Questions people ask

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

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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