# ARpoise vs The Criterion Channel

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ARpoise at none against The Criterion Channel's 2. ARpoise also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.4). The Criterion Channel's advantage is ratings volume (14K vs 2) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Criterion Channel sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. ARpoise asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Criterion Channel holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Criterion Channel has 14K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

ARpoise ships an update every 2 months, The Criterion Channel monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ARpoise | The Criterion Channel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arpoise/id1451460843/reviews) | **[4.8 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-criterion-channel/id1454275199/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 88.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#77** |
| Size | 63 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Tamiko Thiel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1416098057) | [The Criterion Collection, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454275198) |

## What reviewers say

### ARpoise

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arpoise/id1451460843)

Experience augmented reality artworks that blend digital art with your surroundings. Discover interactive installations like "Lotus Meditation" and "Evolution of Fish" through your smartphone.

**Highlights:** View AR artworks, Geo-locative art experiences, Interactive meditation art, Explore digital installations, Smartphone-based AR

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### The Criterion Channel

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

**Currently charting:** #77 Top Grossing · Entertainment (US App Store)

Access thousands of classic, foreign, art-house, and independent films, along with exclusive bonus features. Stream ad-free on multiple devices and download content for offline viewing. Discover curated collections and guest picks from renowned filmmakers.

**Highlights:** Thousands of classic and international films, Exclusive bonus features, Ad-free streaming, Offline viewing, Curated collections, Guest picks from filmmakers, High-quality video and surround sound

**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 ARpoise free?

ARpoise is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Criterion Channel free?

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

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

The Criterion Channel is rated higher. ARpoise averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while The Criterion Channel averages 4.8 from 14K ratings.

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

Neither ARpoise nor The Criterion Channel shows ads.

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

ARpoise ships an update every 2 months, and The Criterion Channel monthly. Most recently, ARpoise was updated on November 2, 2026 and The Criterion Channel on November 7, 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.*