Softwr

Software · head to head

Tubi vs Criterion Channel

Tubi logo

Tubi

Software

Watch movies and TV shows for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Software

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tubi has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Tubi covers Streaming, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Tubi and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeTubiCriterion Channel
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tvWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
Founded20141984

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 Tubi

  • Streaming
  • Full catalog
  • Search
  • Recommendations
  • Watchlist
  • Content filtering
  • Account management
  • Fire-tv support

Only in Criterion Channel

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

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.

Tubi

  • Free streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Content discoverynot Criterion Channel

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Tubi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full catalog
    • Ad-supported

Criterion Channel

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

Which should you pick?

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

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 Tubi or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Tubi 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, Tubi or Criterion Channel?
Tubi has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Tubi and $10.99/month for Criterion Channel.
Does Tubi or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Tubi 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.
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 Tubi best used for?
Tubi is most often used for free streaming, content discovery. Of those, free streaming and content discovery are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Tubi do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Tubi covers Streaming, Full catalog, Search, Recommendations. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. 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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Tubi

More on Criterion Channel

Keep looking

Other head to heads