# WATCH TCM vs The Criterion Channel

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Criterion Channel at 91% against WATCH TCM's 14%. The Criterion Channel also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.7) and chart position (#78 vs unranked). WATCH TCM's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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. WATCH TCM asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Criterion Channel holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4.4K and 13K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of WATCH TCM's written reviews are positive against 91% of The Criterion Channel's.

WATCH TCM ships an update every 2 months, The Criterion Channel every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WATCH TCM | The Criterion Channel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (4.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tcm/id341161319/reviews) | **[4.8 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-criterion-channel/id1454275199/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4.4K | **13K** |
| Positive reviews | 13.8% of reviews | **91.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#78** |
| Size | 60 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [TCM](https://appshunter.io/developer/1182472265) | [The Criterion Collection, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454275198) |

## What reviewers say

### WATCH TCM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watch-tcm/id341161319)

Access a vast library of classic movies on demand, presented uncut and commercial-free. Enjoy live streams of two TCM feeds, in-depth movie information, and curated bonus content. Requires a TV subscription to Turner Classic Movies.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of movies on demand, Uncut and commercial-free viewing, In-depth movie information, Customizable watchlists, Two live TCM streams, Classic short films, Bonus content and clips

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 WATCH TCM free?

WATCH TCM 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, WATCH TCM or The Criterion Channel?

The Criterion Channel is rated higher. WATCH TCM averages 3.7 out of 5 from 4.4K ratings, while The Criterion Channel averages 4.8 from 13K ratings.

### Do WATCH TCM or The Criterion Channel have ads?

Neither WATCH TCM nor The Criterion Channel shows ads.

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

WATCH TCM ships an update every 2 months, and The Criterion Channel every 6 weeks. Most recently, WATCH TCM was updated on September 22, 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.*