Software · head to head
Plex vs Criterion Channel
The short version
- Only Plex has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Plex plex restricts free remote streaming on certain platforms including Roku, with expansion to Android TV and Apple TV planned; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
- They diverge on capability: Plex covers Financial management, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Plex and Criterion Channel actually diverge.
| Attribute | Plex | Criterion Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $10.99/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox |
| Founded | 2009 | 1984 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Plex
- Financial management
- Manufacturing execution
- Supply chain
- Quality management
- Analytics
- IoT platforms
- REST APIs
- Webhooks
Only in Criterion Channel
- Criterion films
- 4K restoration
- Essays
- Special features
- Curated selections
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- Account security
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Plex
- Industry 4.0not Criterion Channel
- Real-time monitoringnot Criterion Channel
- IoT integrationnot Criterion Channel
- Smart manufacturingnot Criterion Channel
Criterion Channel
- Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot Plex
- Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Plex
- Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Plex
- Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Plex
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Plex
- Plex restricts free remote streaming on certain platforms including Roku, with expansion to Android TV and Apple TV planned
- Remote streaming quality degrades significantly if Plex cannot establish direct connection and falls back to relay mode
- Upcoming sunsetting of plugins, Cloud Sync, and Watch Later features
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
Plex
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Plex review.
Criterion Channel
$10.99/month- Monthly$10.99/month
- Annual$99.99/year
Which should you pick?
Choose Plex if
- You need financial management.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want manufacturing execution.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Plex or Criterion Channel better?
- Neither clearly leads. Plex starts at Free 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, Plex or Criterion Channel?
- Plex has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Plex and $10.99/month for Criterion Channel.
- Does Plex or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
- Plex runs on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
- Can I use Plex for free?
- Yes. Plex has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
- What is Plex best used for?
- Plex is most often used for industry 4.0, real-time monitoring, iot integration, smart manufacturing. Of those, industry 4.0 and real-time monitoring are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
- What can Plex do that Criterion Channel cannot?
- Plex covers Financial management, Manufacturing execution, Supply chain, Quality management. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Plex: Is Plex Media Server free?
Yes. Plex Media Server and the ad-supported streaming catalog are free. Plex Pass is an optional subscription at 6.99 USD per month or 69.99 USD per year that adds features like hardware transcoding and offline sync.
SourceCriterion 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.
SourcePlex: Can I access Plex content offline?
Yes, but downloads have limitations. Downloaded content may have an expiration period and is specific to the device where downloaded. Downloads are not available on shared libraries in some cases.
SourceCriterion 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.
SourcePlex: What devices does Plex support?
Plex apps are available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, iOS, Android, and web browsers. Server software runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, NAS devices, and Docker.
SourceCriterion 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.
SourcePlex: What is included in the free Plex catalog?
Plex's free ad-supported streaming catalog includes 14,000+ movies and shows from Lionsgate, MGM, Warner Bros, and Crackle Originals.
SourceCriterion 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