Comparison

Discovery GO vs Optimum

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Discovery GO

Stream your favorite Discovery shows and access content from up to 14 additional networks, including TLC and HGTV. Watch new episodes the same day they premiere on TV and enjoy thousands of episodes on demand. Requires a pay TV subscription to access.

Highlights
  • Stream live TV from multiple networks
  • Access thousands of on-demand episodes
  • Watch new episodes same day as TV premiere
  • Browse by genre
  • Continue watching across devices
  • Save shows with My List
Features
Read full description

Catch up with your favorite Discovery shows anytime, anywhere with the all-new Discovery GO app - and now get access to up to 14 additional networks including TLC, HGTV, Food Network and more - all in one app. It’s FREE with your pay TV subscription. Link your pay TV provider (cable, satellite, telco, live TV streaming service) to access Discovery favorites like Gold Rush, Moonshiners, Bering Sea Gold, Deadliest Catch, Battle Bots, Street Outlaws, Naked and Afraid, Naked and Afraid XL, Expedition Unknown, Alaska: The Last Frontier and many more - plus top shows from other networks including Home Town (HGTV), Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network), Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC), Evil Lives Here (ID), Ghost Adventures (Travel Channel) and more. New episodes are available the same day as they premiere on TV. With Discovery GO You Can: • Stream Discovery and more networks LIVE anytime, anywhere on all your favorite devices • Find shows to watch with the live schedule guide • Access thousands of episodes on demand - from current hits to classic favorites • See new episodes of shows on the app the same day and time they premiere on TV • Binge your favorite Discovery series and specials including Gold Rush, Moonshiners, Bering Sea Gold, Deadliest Catch, Battle Bots, Street Outlaws, Naked and Afraid, Naked and Afraid XL, Expedition Unknown, Alaska: The Last Frontier - and many more! • Get unlimited access to everything the Discovery family of networks has to offer - free with your pay TV subscription. Features: • Stream live TV when you log in with your pay TV provider • Watch select episodes and entire seasons of your favorite shows from up to 15 networks! • Browse by genre - from Natural History, Science and Tech to Food, Home and more - to find your favorite shows and discover new ones • Continue watching episodes where you left off across all of your devices • Save shows and episodes to watch later with My List • Compatible with tvOS and Chromecast • Closed-captioning support Requirements: • Available in the U.S. only • Wi-Fi connection recommended • iOS 12 or higher Need help? Visit gohelp.discovery.com. Visitor Agreement: https://corporate.discovery.com/visitor-agreement/ Privacy Notice: https://corporate.discovery.com/privacy-policy California Privacy Notice: https://corporate.discovery.com/privacy-policy/#cappi California Do Not Sell My Personal Info: https://corporate.discovery.com/california_dns We may work with third-party advertising companies and other partners that help us deliver tailored advertisements to you. To opt out of behavioral tracking on mobile devices, you may use the DAA AppChoices Tool, available at http://www.aboutads.info/appchoices.

About

Optimum

Stream live TV, manage DVR recordings, and explore an extensive On Demand library on any screen. This app offers a sleek interface for easy content discovery and allows for picture-in-picture viewing while browsing. It's designed for Optimum Video subscribers to enjoy their favorite programs anywhere, anytime.

Highlights
  • Watch Live TV and browse guide
  • Access On Demand library
  • TV to GO feature for remote viewing
  • Picture-in-picture video player
  • Schedule and manage Cloud DVR recordings
  • View scheduled and recorded lists
Read full description

Turn every screen into a TV with the Optimum app, designed for Optimum Video subscribers. Enjoy your favorite live TV while on the go plus, manage your DVR recordings and browse our extensive On Demand library from any room in your home, all on the app. Features: Sleek new interface and easier content discovery. Watch: • Watch Live TV and browse your your entire TV guide and channel lineup • Browse and access our On Demand library directly from the app • With the TV to GO feature, watch programs from top networks anytime, anywhere • Use the picture in picture video player to watch content while browsing other sections of the Optimum app or multitasking on your device Record: • Schedule and manage your Cloud DVR recordings • View your scheduled and recorded lists • Manage scheduled and recorded programs Requirements: • Available content and features are based on your current programming package and premium service. Not all content is available to stream at this time. • An Optimum ID and Password • A WiFi or internet connection. Some features only available while connected to Optimum Internet at home • Visit optimum.net/app for more information *Some features not available in all areas. Privacy Policy : https://www.optimum.com/terms-of-service/privacy/Customer-Privacy/optimum-customer-privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://www.optimum.com/terms-of-service/residential/television/app

Screenshots

Discovery GO4 screens
Optimum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Optimum at none against Discovery GO's shown. Optimum also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Discovery GO's advantage is review sentiment (37% vs 15%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Discovery GO holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35K and 29K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Discovery GO's written reviews are positive against 15% of Optimum's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Discovery GO ships an update every 6 weeks, Optimum every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Discovery GO versus Optimum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDiscovery GOOptimum
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (35K ratings) — better4.5 (29K ratings)
Positive reviews36.6% of reviews — better14.5% of reviews
Number of ratings35K — better29K
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.014.0
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB36 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperDiscovery CommunicationsCSC Holdings, LLC.

Customer experience

Discovery GO

All ratings34,842 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive36.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative56.3%

Optimum

All ratings27,252 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral4.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews241 reviews
Positive14.5%
Neutral7.1%
Negative78.4%

User reviews

Discovery GO

From 35K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great content library
  • 👍 Convenient on-the-go viewing
  • 💡 Ability to catch up on missed shows

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
  • 📺 Excessive and repetitive commercials
  • 🔍 Difficulty resuming shows from where left off
  • 🔌 Inconsistent performance and streaming quality

Optimum

From 29K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast app startup
  • 👍 Sleek and modern interface
  • 🔒 Robust security features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent freezing and crashes
  • 👎 Difficult to navigate and use
  • 🔍 Lack of customization options
  • 🔌 Unreliable live TV streaming
  • 📺 Reduced functionality compared to old app

Bugs and requests

Discovery GO

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App frequently logs users out and requires re-authentication
  • Certain shows/episodes are inexplicably locked or unavailable
  • Playback issues when switching between devices or screens

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add skip/rewind functionality to bypass commercials
  • Improve progress tracking and resume playback
  • Provide an ad-free premium subscription option

Optimum

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Live TV not working on multiple devices
  • Guide not showing full program information
  • Inability to record shows from the app

Requested features

4 requests
  • Bring back old app's functionality
  • Improve channel guide and search
  • Add remote control capabilities
  • Allow casting to non-smart TVs

In-app purchases

None

Discovery GO

No in-app purchases

None

Optimum

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Discovery GO free?
Discovery GO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Optimum free?
Optimum is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Discovery GO or Optimum?
Discovery GO is rated higher. Discovery GO averages 4.7 out of 5 from 35K ratings, while Optimum averages 4.5 from 29K ratings.
Do Discovery GO or Optimum have ads?
Discovery GO shows ads; Optimum does not.
Which is updated more often, Discovery GO or Optimum?
Discovery GO ships an update every 6 weeks, and Optimum every 4 months. Most recently, Discovery GO was updated on October 27, 2026 and Optimum on October 28, 2026.

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