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Discovery+ vs Criterion Channel

Discovery+ logo

Discovery+

Software

Unscripted content at your fingertips

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Software

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Discovery+ standard plan starts at 5.99 USD per month but includes ads; an ad-free tier costs 9.99 USD per month; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Discovery+ covers Streaming, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Discovery+ and Criterion Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Discovery+ and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeDiscovery+Criterion Channel
Starting price$4.99/month$10.99/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tvWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
Founded20201984

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Discovery+

  • Streaming
  • Unscripted content
  • Reality TV
  • Originals
  • Downloads
  • Parental controls
  • Fire-tv support

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Content access

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.

Discovery+

  • Unscripted streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Reality TV watchingnot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot Discovery+
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Discovery+
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Discovery+
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Discovery+

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Discovery+

  • Standard plan starts at 5.99 USD per month but includes ads; an ad-free tier costs 9.99 USD per month

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Discovery+

$4.99/month
  • Standard$4.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$8.99/month
    • 4K
    • Ad-free

Criterion Channel

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Discovery+ if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want unscripted content.
Discovery+ review

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

Questions people ask

Is Discovery+ or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Discovery+ starts at $4.99/month and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Discovery+ or Criterion Channel?
Discovery+ starts at $4.99/month and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month.
Does Discovery+ or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Discovery+ runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
What is Discovery+ best used for?
Discovery+ is most often used for unscripted streaming, reality tv watching. Of those, unscripted streaming and reality tv watching are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Discovery+ do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Discovery+ covers Streaming, Unscripted content, Reality TV, Originals. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. 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
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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