# Classix vs The Criterion Channel

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Criterion Channel at 91% against Classix's 28%. The Criterion Channel also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and chart position (#78 vs unranked). Classix's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Classix sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and The Criterion Channel sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

The Criterion Channel holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4K and 13K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of Classix's written reviews are positive against 91% of The Criterion Channel's.

Classix ships an update every 3 weeks, The Criterion Channel every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Classix | The Criterion Channel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classix/id1071737169/reviews) | **[4.8 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-criterion-channel/id1454275199/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4K | **13K** |
| Positive reviews | 27.5% of reviews | **91.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#78** |
| Size | 82 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.6** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Classix Media Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/427453267) | [The Criterion Collection, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454275198) |

## What reviewers say

### Classix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classix/id1071737169)

Access a vast library of classic movies and TV shows across numerous genres. Enjoy curated content, live channels, and personalized recommendations on all your Apple devices. Stream anytime, anywhere, and save your favorites for later.

**Highlights:** Curated library of classic movies and TV shows, 25 exclusive live TV channels, Personalized recommendations, Save to your list and resume watching, Universal search with Siri and Spotlight, Picture-in-Picture support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, SharePlay

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Classix+ – Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Classix+ – Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Classix+ | $49.99 | one-time |
| Classix+ – Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great selection of classic movies and TV shows
- 👍 Lifetime subscription is good value
- 🚀 Lots of content available
- 👍 Brings back nostalgic memories

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and app not working
- 🔍 Poor video and audio quality
- 🔍 Incomplete movies/shows, missing content
- 🔍 Buggy app with many issues
- 💰 Paid subscription not worth it

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Videos won't load or play
- Account and subscription issues
- Playback controls not working
- Syncing issues across devices

**Requested features**

- Add closed captions/subtitles
- Improve video and audio quality
- Fix bugs and crashes
- Expand content library
- Allow resume playback from where left off


### The Criterion Channel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-criterion-channel/id1454275199)

**Currently charting:** #78 Top Grossing · Entertainment (US App Store)

Stream a curated collection of classic and contemporary films from around the world. Discover Hollywood, international, art-house, and independent movies with special features and exclusive series. Enjoy daily refreshed selections and in-depth film analysis.

**Highlights:** Criterion Collection streaming library, Thematic film programming, Director and star retrospectives, Guest-curated film series, Supplemental film features, Original Criterion Channel series

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Criterion Channel Subscription | $10.99 | per month |
| Criterion Channel Subscription | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎥 Excellent collection of films
- 🎨 Great curation and themed collections
- 🔍 Ability to discover new and classic films
- 🎬 High-quality film viewing experience
- 🤓 Educational and informative supplementary content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Difficult to browse full catalog
- 🔍 Limited search and filtering options
- 🐛 Playback issues and interruptions
- 🔌 Problems with offline viewing and downloads
- 🤖 Lack of personalized recommendations

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent playback interruptions and freezing
- Unreliable offline viewing and download issues
- Inconsistent app performance across devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to view full catalog of available titles
- More advanced search and filtering tools
- Improved playback stability and offline functionality
- Personalized recommendations based on viewing history
- Ratings and user reviews system


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Classix free?

Classix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is The Criterion Channel free?

The Criterion Channel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Classix or The Criterion Channel?

The Criterion Channel is rated higher. Classix averages 4.5 out of 5 from 4K ratings, while The Criterion Channel averages 4.8 from 13K ratings.

### Do Classix or The Criterion Channel have ads?

Neither Classix nor The Criterion Channel shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Classix or The Criterion Channel?

Classix ships an update every 3 weeks, and The Criterion Channel every 6 weeks. Most recently, Classix was updated on September 21, 2026 and The Criterion Channel on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*