# Smithsonian Magazine vs CuriosityStream

The clearest difference is monetization model: Smithsonian Magazine at free with in-app purchases against CuriosityStream's subscription. Smithsonian Magazine also leads on chart position (#204 vs unranked). CuriosityStream's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (6.3K vs 423). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smithsonian Magazine sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and CuriosityStream sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Smithsonian Magazine against 4.6 for CuriosityStream. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CuriosityStream has 6.3K ratings behind it against 423, 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 31% of CuriosityStream's.

Smithsonian Magazine ships an update every 5 months, CuriosityStream monthly. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smithsonian Magazine | CuriosityStream |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (423 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-magazine/id484193368/reviews)** | [4.6 (6.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/curiositystream/id971830624/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 423 | **6.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 22.1% of reviews | **30.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#204** | — |
| Size | 62 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Smithsonian Institution](https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865) | [CuriosityStream, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/971830623) |

## What reviewers say

### Smithsonian Magazine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-magazine/id484193368)

**Currently charting:** #204 Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Smithsonian Annual Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Smithsonian Magazine Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Smithsonian Annual Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| 12-Month Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Smithsonian Magazine | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine - February 2014 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine - September 2014 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine 07/2024 | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### CuriosityStream

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/curiositystream/id971830624)

Access a vast library of award-winning documentaries and non-fiction content covering science, nature, history, and biographies. Enjoy ad-free streaming and offline viewing for all ages, including a dedicated kids' section.

**Highlights:** Unlimited documentary streaming, Offline viewing with downloads, 4K and HD content, New content added weekly, CuriosityKIDS section, Ad-free experience

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basic | $5.99 | per month |
| Standard | $5.99 | per month |
| Smart Bundle | $11.99 | per month |
| Basic | $49.99 | per year |
| Standard | $49.99 | per year |
| Smart Bundle | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great content
- 💡 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Diverse range of documentaries
- 👍 Informative and educational

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
- 🐛 Streaming issues and buffering problems
- 🐛 Poor user interface and navigation
- 🐛 Chromecast/casting support issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent playback controls

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Videos not resuming from last position
- Casting issues and video playback problems
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps

**Requested features**

- Offline downloads
- Profiles/multiple user support
- Improved search and recommendation features
- Better integration with TV platforms
- Customizable playback controls


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smithsonian Magazine free?

Smithsonian Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CuriosityStream free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Smithsonian Magazine or CuriosityStream?

Smithsonian Magazine is rated higher. Smithsonian Magazine averages 4.7 out of 5 from 423 ratings, while CuriosityStream averages 4.6 from 6.3K ratings.

### Do Smithsonian Magazine or CuriosityStream have ads?

Neither Smithsonian Magazine nor CuriosityStream shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Smithsonian Magazine or CuriosityStream?

Smithsonian Magazine ships an update every 5 months, and CuriosityStream monthly. Most recently, Smithsonian Magazine was updated on October 19, 2026 and CuriosityStream on October 19, 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.*