Comparison

Dropout vs The Criterion Channel

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

Head to head
About

Dropout

Access exclusive, uncensored, and ad-free original comedy series and content. Enjoy weekly releases and a vast library of shows from popular talent. Support independent comedy with a subscription.

Highlights
  • Original comedy series
  • Exclusive content
  • Ad-free viewing
  • Uncensored content
  • Weekly new episodes
  • Extensive video library
Features
Read full description

WHAT’S ON IT? -New original series like Dimension 20, Game Changer, Um Actually, Breaking News, What the F 101, Ultramechatron Team Go, Bad Internet, and more. -Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else - all uncensored and ad-free - with talent like Brennan Lee Mulligan, Sam Reich, Zac Oyama, Emily Axford, Ally Beardsley, Lou Wilson, Aabria Iyengar, Erika Ishii, and more. -Weekly releases of new episodes, including Dimension 20, Adventuring Party, Game Changer, and more. -The definitive way to browse our extensive library of the CH video content you know and love. -The knowledge that you are supporting an independent comedy channel for the cost of one sorta okay sandwich per month. But hey, big blocks of text are pretty boring. Instead, how about just trying DROPOUT for a week totally free? Download the app and sign up for a trial of 3 free-as-heck days to watch everything your eyes can handle. Cancel anytime in the 3 day trial and never be charged! Don’t like it? I mean, we’re deeply hurt, but we understand. Cancel your membership, throw your phone in a lake, however you cope with disappointment. DO like it? Just kick back and keep watching, and your first month will automatically begin at the end of the free trial. Annual plans are also available at a discount, if you’re a money whiz. So go ahead and give it a try! This text isn’t gonna get any more interesting. I mean, I think we’ve pretty much covered all the good stuff. Still here? Um, ok. How’s everything? Good? Cool, cool. What are you looking for? The app description is over. For real. We’re not gonna say any more stuff. Check out the free trial. It’s way better than hanging out in the App Store this long. Wow, you’re dedicated. Do you just love app descriptions? Weird. OK, we’re gonna go. Bye. To access all features and content you can subscribe to DROPOUT By CollegeHumor on a monthly or yearly basis with an auto-renewing subscription right inside the app.* Pricing can vary by region and will be confirmed before purchase in the app. In app subscriptions will automatically renew at the end of their cycle. * All payments will be paid through your Apple Account and may be managed under Account Settings after the initial payment. Subscription payments will automatically renew unless deactivated at least 24-hours before the end of the current cycle. Your account will be charged for renewal at least 24-hours prior to the end of the current cycle. Any unused portion of your free trial will be forfeited upon payment. Cancellations are incurred by disabling auto-renewal. Terms of Service: https://watch.dropout.tv/tos Privacy Policy: https://watch.dropout.tv/privacy

About

The Criterion Channel

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
Read full description

A movie lover’s dream, the Criterion Channel offers classics and discoveries from around the world, thematically programmed with special features, on a streaming service brought to you by the Criterion Collection. With constantly refreshed selections of Hollywood, international, art-house, and independent movies, plus access to Criterion’s entire streaming library of more than 1,000 important classic and contemporary films, there’s something new to choose from every day of the week on the Criterion Channel. Start with Sunday Spotlights on directors, stars, genres, and themes; Tuesday’s Short + Feature; or the Friday double bill. Try out our 15-minute-a-month film school, Observations on Film Art, or choose from suggestions by friends like Barry Jenkins, Guillermo del Toro, or Mira Nair. Go deep with the Criterion Collection’s archive of special features for context that no other service can match. FEATURES - The Criterion Collection’s streaming library, including many complete editions released on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as unreleased titles - Ongoing programs of Hollywood, international, art-house, independent, documentary, and short films, including thematic programming, director and star retrospectives, and guest-curated series - Original Criterion Channel series such as Observations on Film Art, Adventures in Moviegoing, and Art-House America - Supplemental features to deepen your appreciation of the art of film, including audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage, scholarly analyses, introductions, new and archival interviews, and trailers To access all features and content you can subscribe to The Criterion Channel on a monthly or yearly basis with an auto-renewing subscription right inside the app.* Pricing can vary by region and will be confirmed before purchase in the app. In app subscriptions will automatically renew at the end of their cycle. * All payments will be paid through your iTunes Account and may be managed under Account Settings after the initial payment. Subscription payments will automatically renew unless deactivated at least 24-hours before the end of the current cycle. Your account will be charged for renewal at least 24-hours prior to the end of the current cycle. Any unused portion of your free trial will be forfeited upon payment. Cancellations are incurred by disabling auto-renewal. Terms of Service: https://www.criterionchannel.com/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.criterionchannel.com/privacy

Screenshots

Dropout4 screens
The Criterion Channel3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Dropout at free with in-app purchases against The Criterion Channel's subscription. Dropout also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and ratings volume (77K vs 13K). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Dropout sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dropout holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dropout has 77K ratings behind it against 13K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 99% of Dropout's written reviews are positive against 91% of The Criterion Channel's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dropout ships an update every 2 months, The Criterion Channel every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Dropout versus The Criterion Channel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDropoutThe Criterion Channel
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (77K ratings) — better4.8 (13K ratings)
Positive reviews99.3% of reviews — better91.1% of reviews
Number of ratings77K — better13K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#55 — better#80
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TViPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS16.616.6
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB71 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperConnected Ventures, LLC.The Criterion Collection, Inc.

Customer experience

Dropout

All ratings77,492 ratings
Positive99.6%
Neutral0.2%
Negative0.3%
Written reviews9,872 reviews
Positive99.3%
Neutral0.3%
Negative0.3%

The Criterion Channel

All ratings13,348 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.4%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews1,285 reviews
Positive91.1%
Neutral2.3%
Negative6.6%

User reviews

Dropout

From 77K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent content
  • 👍 Intuitive app interface
  • 🔒 No ads
  • 💰 Great value for money
  • 👥 Supportive community

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional app glitches
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate/search for content
  • 💾 Inconsistent resume/continue watching functionality
  • 🔇 No auto-play for next episode

The Criterion Channel

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎥 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

Room to improve

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

Bugs and requests

Dropout

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent playback when switching devices
  • Closed captions not always accurate

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add user profiles/accounts for shared subscriptions
  • Improve search and content discovery
  • Enhance resume/continue watching features
  • Implement auto-play for next episode

The Criterion Channel

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Dropout

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Annual3 Days trial$69.991 Year
2 purchases

The Criterion Channel

Subscriptions2
  • Criterion Channel Subscription7 Days trial$10.991 Month
  • Criterion Channel Subscription7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Dropout free?
Dropout 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, Dropout or The Criterion Channel?
Dropout is rated higher. Dropout averages 5.0 out of 5 from 77K ratings, while The Criterion Channel averages 4.8 from 13K ratings.
Do Dropout or The Criterion Channel have ads?
Neither Dropout nor The Criterion Channel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dropout or The Criterion Channel?
Dropout ships an update every 2 months, and The Criterion Channel every 6 weeks. Most recently, Dropout was updated on September 24, 2026 and The Criterion Channel on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, Dropout or The Criterion Channel?
Dropout currently peaks at #55 in the App Store charts, and The Criterion Channel at #80. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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