# Essential Sci vs PixelDam

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PixelDam at none against Essential Sci's 2. PixelDam also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (daily vs every 6 weeks). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Essential Sci sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. PixelDam asks for nothing beyond the download.

Essential Sci ships an update every 6 weeks, PixelDam daily. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Essential Sci | PixelDam |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-sci-fi-channel/id1635437392/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **33** | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 84 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [MacMillan Interactive Communications, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/820481297) | [Barry Rijkse](https://appshunter.io/developer/1716512372) |

## What reviewers say

### Essential Sci

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-sci-fi-channel/id1635437392)

Stream a vast library of science fiction movies and TV shows for free. Subscribe monthly to enjoy an ad-free viewing experience and access premium content.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of hours of sci-fi content, Free streaming, Monthly ad-free subscription, Watch on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Essential Sci-Fi Subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Essential Sci-Fi Yearly Sub | $69.99 | per year |


### PixelDam

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixeldam/id6472038371)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Essential Sci free?

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

### Is PixelDam free?

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

### Do Essential Sci or PixelDam have ads?

Essential Sci shows ads; PixelDam does not.

### Which is updated more often, Essential Sci or PixelDam?

Essential Sci ships an update every 6 weeks, and PixelDam daily. Most recently, Essential Sci was updated on October 21, 2026 and PixelDam on October 27, 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.*