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Criterion Channel vs YouTube Music

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
YouTube Music logo

YouTube Music

Music

A new music streaming service from YouTube

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only YouTube Music 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; YouTube Music free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, YouTube Music covers Music streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and YouTube Music actually diverge.

Attributes where Criterion Channel and YouTube Music differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelYouTube Music
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryEntertainmentMusic
Founded19842005

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 YouTube Music

  • Music streaming
  • Music videos
  • Live performances
  • Personalization
  • Google services
  • Smart speakers
  • Android Auto
  • Google account security

Both cover

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

YouTube Music

  • Music streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Video watchingnot Criterion Channel
  • 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

YouTube Music

  • Free tier includes unskippable ads which interrupts music listening
  • User-uploaded content creates inconsistent audio quality and metadata compared to official releases
  • Limited music discovery and recommendation features compared to Spotify's AI-powered algorithms

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

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

YouTube Music

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad-supported listening
    • Music videos
  • Premium$11.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline downloads
    • Background playback
  • Family$18.99/month
    • Up to 6 accounts
    • Parental controls
  • Student$5.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • YouTube Premium included

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 YouTube Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want music videos.
YouTube Music review

Questions people ask

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

YouTube Music Premium costs $11.99 per month for individual subscriptions, $18.99 per month for family plans (up to 6 accounts), and $5.99 per month for students.

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
YouTube Music: Does YouTube Music have a free tier?

Yes, YouTube Music offers a free version with access to music and music videos but includes occasional unskippable ads. Free users can create playlists and discover music but lack premium features like offline downloads.

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
YouTube Music: What makes YouTube Music different from other streaming services?

YouTube Music uniquely provides access to official songs, music videos, live performances, remixes, and user-uploaded content not available on other platforms. Users can seamlessly switch between audio and official music videos.

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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