Comparison

Smithsonian Magazine vs MagellanTV Documentaries

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

Head to head
About

Smithsonian Magazine

Access a digital version of a renowned magazine covering history, science, culture, and travel. Enjoy in-depth articles, photos, and departments. Purchase single issues or subscribe for ongoing access to engaging content.

Highlights
  • Digital magazine issues
  • History and archaeology articles
  • Cutting-edge science reporting
  • Virtual travel and culture features
  • In-app subscriptions and single purchases
Features
Read full description

Enjoy an iOS compatible issue of Smithsonian magazine on your iPhone or iPad. The issue includes every story, department, photo and more. Subscriptions and single copies are available for purchase within the app. Smithsonian magazine delivers trusted and incisive reporting on history, science, nature, culture and travel. * Explore history and archaeology from the earliest days of civilization to secrets of American history to the latest historical discoveries * Catch up on cutting-edge science from wildlife to evolution and the solar system * Travel the world virtually from Petra to Prague, taking in cultural treasures along the way ____________________________________________ SINGLE ISSUES: - Single issue, $3.99 (one time purchase, not ongoing) SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE: - One month for $1.99, automatically renewed until canceled - One year for $19.99, automatically renewed until canceled Smithsonian Magazine publishes 8 issues a year. Payment for any issue or subscription will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. SUBSCRIBERS AUTO-RENEWING FEATURE: Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be provided (yearly subscriptions will renew for another year and monthly subscriptions will renew for another month). Your subscription may be managed through your Account Settings after purchase. Auto-renewal may be turned off in Account Settings. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period. Visit https://www.smithsonianmag.com/app/ and https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/ for more information. ABOUT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION: The Smithsonian Institution has inspired generations through knowledge and discovery since 1846. It's the world's largest complex of museums and research facilities, and it focuses on four core areas: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe, Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, World Cultures, and the American Experience. Privacy Statement: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.si.edu/termsofuse **Please note that the minimum requirements for Smithsonian Magazine is iOS 13 or higher.**

About

MagellanTV Documentaries

Access an extensive library of documentaries across various genres, including history, science, and true crime. Enjoy unlimited streaming on multiple devices with new content added weekly. This service is ad-free and offers exclusive playlists.

Highlights
  • Extensive documentary library
  • Unlimited streaming
  • Multi-device support
  • New content added weekly
  • Ad-free viewing
  • Casting to TV devices
Features
Read full description

Documentaries Worth Watching MagellanTV is more than just a streaming service—it's a journey of discovery. Designed for the inquisitive, our expansive library offers documentaries that enlighten, inspire, and feed your lifelong love of learning. For those craving substantial content and awe-inspiring insights, MagellanTV is your refuge. Rekindle your sense of wonder and dive into a world where every film is a chance to learn, explore, and grow. MagellanTV membership includes: -Unlimited streaming anytime, anywhere, on multiple devices. -Extensive genre collections in History, Nature, Science, Space, Crime, and more. -Exclusive playlists that explore personalities and events that shaped our world. -New content added weekly. -No advertising or other interruptions ever. -Cast MagellanTV programs from your iOS device to a Roku, FireTV, Chromecast, or Smart TV. Please Note: -All subscriptions automatically renew at the end of your selected plan period, unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of your plan period. -Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of your current plan period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. -If you paid for your subscription through In-App Purchases, go to your App Store Account to cancel the service, change the plan period, or turn off auto-renew. -If you cancel your subscription, you can continue to enjoy all MagellanTV programs and features right up to the end of your plan period. -By downloading the MagellanTV app, you agree to its Terms & Conditions (https://www.magellantv.com/terms_conditions) and its Privacy Policy (https://www.magellantv.com/privacy_policy).

Screenshots

Smithsonian Magazine4 screens
MagellanTV Documentaries4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: MagellanTV Documentaries at every 3 weeks against Smithsonian Magazine's every 5 months. MagellanTV Documentaries also leads on review sentiment (37% vs 22%) and ratings volume (3.9K vs 430). Smithsonian Magazine's advantage is chart position (#174 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). On price, rating, 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. Smithsonian Magazine sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and MagellanTV Documentaries sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Smithsonian Magazine against 4.6 for MagellanTV Documentaries. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MagellanTV Documentaries has 3.9K ratings behind it against 430, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 22% of Smithsonian Magazine's written reviews are positive against 37% of MagellanTV Documentaries's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smithsonian Magazine ships an update every 5 months, MagellanTV Documentaries every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Smithsonian Magazine versus MagellanTV Documentaries: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmithsonian MagazineMagellanTV Documentaries
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (430 ratings) — better4.6 (3.9K ratings)
Positive reviews22.1% of reviews36.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4303.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#174 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB67 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSmithsonian InstitutionMagellanTV LLC

Customer experience

Smithsonian Magazine

All ratings423 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive22.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative73.1%

MagellanTV Documentaries

All ratings3,884 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral4.4%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews195 reviews
Positive36.9%
Neutral16.9%
Negative46.2%

User reviews

Smithsonian Magazine

From 430 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to navigate
  • 🔍 Great content
  • 👍 Intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🔒 Difficult to authenticate subscription
  • 💰 Requires separate digital subscription
  • 🔧 Clunky and buggy
  • 🗂️ Loses downloaded issues

MagellanTV Documentaries

From 3.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great content and selection
  • 💡 Diverse range of documentaries
  • 🚀 Excellent customer service
  • 🤩 Impressive content quality

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and search
  • 🔌 Inconsistent streaming performance
  • 🤯 Frustrating login and account issues
  • 🤔 Lack of basic features (e.g. continue watching, auto-play)

Bugs and requests

Smithsonian Magazine

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to download new issues
  • Fails to remember last read position
  • Incompatible with newer iOS versions
  • Incorrect issue labeling in library

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow login with existing subscription
  • Restore previously downloaded issues
  • Improve stability and performance
  • Provide better customer support

MagellanTV Documentaries

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Videos freeze or have audio-only playback
  • Login issues and inability to access account
  • Inconsistent performance across devices
  • Download failures and unreliable offline viewing

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add skip forward/backward buttons
  • Implement picture-in-picture mode
  • Improve offline viewing and downloads
  • Provide better content organization and search
  • Add user profile and watch history features

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Smithsonian Magazine

Subscriptions3
  • Smithsonian Annual Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Smithsonian Annual Subscription$19.991 Year
  • 12-Month Subscription$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • Smithsonian Magazine5 variants$3.99
  • Smithsonian Magazine - February 2014$3.99
  • Smithsonian Magazine - September 2014$3.99
4 purchases

MagellanTV Documentaries

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Membership1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • Monthly Membership7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Quarterly Membership14 Days trial$17.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Annual Membership1 Year trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Smithsonian Magazine free?
Smithsonian Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MagellanTV Documentaries free?
MagellanTV Documentaries is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smithsonian Magazine or MagellanTV Documentaries?
Smithsonian Magazine is rated higher. Smithsonian Magazine averages 4.7 out of 5 from 430 ratings, while MagellanTV Documentaries averages 4.6 from 3.9K ratings.
Do Smithsonian Magazine or MagellanTV Documentaries have ads?
Neither Smithsonian Magazine nor MagellanTV Documentaries shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smithsonian Magazine or MagellanTV Documentaries?
Smithsonian Magazine ships an update every 5 months, and MagellanTV Documentaries every 3 weeks. Most recently, Smithsonian Magazine was updated on November 6, 2026 and MagellanTV Documentaries on November 6, 2026.

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