Comparison

SYFY vs BBC America

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

Head to head
About

SYFY

Stream your favorite TV shows and movies on demand, including the latest episodes the day after they air. Access live TV and a vast library of content from multiple networks. Requires a TV provider subscription for full access.

Highlights
  • Watch latest episodes day after airing
  • Live stream TV 24/7
  • On-demand content from multiple networks
  • Filter shows by network and genre
  • Sign in with TV provider subscription
  • Access content in US and US territories
Features
Read full description

Overview • The SYFY app is the best place to catch up on the most recent season of your favorite shows, watch live TV, and stream movies and past season content, including Revival, Face Off, Paranormal Witness, AND MANY MORE! • Get started by signing in with your TV subscription (cable, satellite, or digital). The SYFY app supports most TV providers, including DirecTV, Spectrum, Xfinity, Dish, and AT&T. App Features Watch Your Way • Watch the latest episodes of new SYFY shows the day after they air on TV. • Live stream and schedule available 24/7 when signed in with your TV provider. Explore Versant Content • Access to on-demand content from across the Versant family of networks (including USA, SYFY, E!, Oxygen, MSNOW, CNBC, and Golf Channel). • Don't miss a second of the Premier League, the WNBA, A10 hoops, the PGA and LPGA Tours, and NASCAR! • Live stream your favorite Versant networks within the app. • Dedicated page for each network showcasing the hottest series. • Stream recent and throwback favorites, like Law & Order: SVU, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med. • Filter shows by network and genre while browsing. TV Provider Access • Sign in with your TV subscription to gain access to the entire catalog of VOD and Live content. Availability Notice • Versant's family of networks are only available to stream in the US and US territories. • Those outside the US will be unable to watch full episodes or live TV. • If you're traveling, you'll regain full access as soon as you return to the US. Comments or Questions • Please fill out our contact support form at https://help.versantmedia.com/s/contactsupport for assistance. • Please note: Use of the app is limited to the United States and its territories. Video is accessible via 3G, 4G, LTE, and Wi-Fi networks. Data charges may apply. • Privacy Policy: https://www.versantprivacy.com/privacy • Your Privacy Choices: https://www.versantprivacy.com/privacy/cookies • CA Notice: https://www.versantprivacy.com/privacy/california-consumer-privacy-act

About

BBC America

Stream full episodes of popular BBC America series like Killing Eve and Top Gear. Access video extras, sneak peeks, and live TV with your cable provider login. Resume watching where you left off.

Highlights
  • Full episode streaming
  • Video extras and sneak peeks
  • Live TV streaming
  • Cable/satellite provider login
  • Resume watching
  • Searchable library
  • Airplay/casting support
Features
Read full description

Get caught up in your favorite BBC America shows with full episodes, video extras, and sneak peeks at upcoming series. Log in with your cable or satellite provider to watch BBC America LIVE or full episodes of Killing Eve, Top Gear, The Graham Norton Show, and more of your favorite series. Plus you can search the library and track recently-viewed episodes and resume where you left off. Most full episodes require a cable or satellite login, though season premieres are sometimes made available with no login required. You can also sample trailers and behind-the-scenes clips. New episodes are available in-season, usually the day after broadcast. Use your iPhone or iPad to Airplay or cast to your television.

Screenshots

SYFY4 screens
BBC America4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SYFY at 4.6 against BBC America's 1.8. SYFY also leads on review sentiment (35% vs 5%) and ratings volume (17K vs 590). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SYFY holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SYFY has 17K ratings behind it against 590, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of SYFY's written reviews are positive against 5% of BBC America's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SYFY ships an update every 5 weeks, BBC America monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SYFY versus BBC America: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSYFYBBC America
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (17K ratings) — better1.8 (590 ratings)
Positive reviews35.3% of reviews — better5.0% of reviews
Number of ratings17K — better590
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size240 MB63 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperVersant Media LLCBBC America

Customer experience

SYFY

All ratings16,893 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral3.8%
Negative7.0%
Written reviews150 reviews
Positive35.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative51.3%

BBC America

All ratings589 ratings
Positive17.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative76.9%
Written reviews101 reviews
Positive5.0%
Neutral6.9%
Negative88.1%

User reviews

SYFY

From 17K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app for watching shows
  • 🔥 Awesome content selection
  • 👍 User-friendly interface

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Frequent technical issues
  • 💸 Excessive commercials
  • 🔌 Casting problems
  • 🐛 Buggy video player

BBC America

From 590 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Great app for watching shows
  • 🚀 Streams in high quality
  • 👍 Straightforward and easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
  • 🤯 Frustrating navigation and controls
  • 💸 Too many ads and interruptions
  • 🤔 Inconsistent content availability

Bugs and requests

SYFY

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes and freezes
  • Video playback errors
  • Inconsistent episode listings
  • Linking cable provider issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to skip commercials
  • Resume playback from where you left off
  • Improved Chromecast/AirPlay support
  • Offline viewing option

BBC America

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and sign-in problems
  • Playback freezes and restarts randomly
  • Closed captions not working as expected
  • Casting and mirroring features broken

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add search and browse functionality
  • Improve rewind/fast-forward controls
  • Provide a paid ad-free subscription option
  • Sync playback progress across devices

In-app purchases

None

SYFY

No in-app purchases

None

BBC America

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SYFY free?
SYFY is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BBC America free?
BBC America is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SYFY or BBC America?
SYFY is rated higher. SYFY averages 4.6 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while BBC America averages 1.8 from 590 ratings.
Do SYFY or BBC America have ads?
Both SYFY and BBC America show ads.
Which is updated more often, SYFY or BBC America?
SYFY ships an update every 5 weeks, and BBC America monthly. Most recently, SYFY was updated on November 12, 2026 and BBC America on November 2, 2026.

Other comparisons