Comparison

CuriosityStream vs Discovery GO

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

Head to head
About

CuriosityStream

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
Read full description

CuriosityStream is the world’s leading documentary and non-fiction streaming service covering science, nature, history, biographies of real characters of consequence and pretty much anything else you can think of. Learn about our natural world alongside luminaries like Sir David Attenborough. Look at our universe with wonder as Michio Kaku and Brian Greene broaden your perspective on space, time and the future. Step back in time and explore dinosaurs, ancient history, and the rise of homo sapiens. Curiositystream also offers CuriosityKIDS, a dedicated collection of safe, entertaining and inspiring programs for families to enjoy together or for kids to watch on their own. Let CuriosityKids spark a love of learning and a passion for exploration. Plus, all CuriosityStream shows are downloadable so you can keep kids entertained while on the go. Whether your kids are budding astronomers, paleontologists, or historians, CuriosityStream has got you covered with award-winning, ad-free content. Join more than 20 million CuriosityStream subscribers and explore thousands of brain-boosting documentaries. CuriosityStream membership benefits: - Unlimited streaming of the best in documentary programming - Download shows so you can watch anytime, anywhere without an internet connection - 4K and HD documentaries available on multiple devices - New content added weekly so you’ll never run out of things to watch - Browse titles with multiple search tools to help you quickly find your favorite subject areas - Rate your favorite shows and get recommendations for related content - Bookmark shows to watch later or resume watching previously viewed shows on other devices You may cancel your membership and stop the billing anytime by logging into your account. Please Note: - Payment will be charged to the user's iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase -Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase By downloading this application, you agree to the CuriosityStream Terms of Use (https://curiositystream.com/terms) and Privacy Policy (https://curiositystream.com/privacy).

About

Discovery GO

Stream your favorite Discovery shows and access content from up to 14 additional networks, including TLC and HGTV. Watch new episodes the same day they premiere on TV and enjoy thousands of episodes on demand. Requires a pay TV subscription to access.

Highlights
  • Stream live TV from multiple networks
  • Access thousands of on-demand episodes
  • Watch new episodes same day as TV premiere
  • Browse by genre
  • Continue watching across devices
  • Save shows with My List
Features
Read full description

Catch up with your favorite Discovery shows anytime, anywhere with the all-new Discovery GO app - and now get access to up to 14 additional networks including TLC, HGTV, Food Network and more - all in one app. It’s FREE with your pay TV subscription. Link your pay TV provider (cable, satellite, telco, live TV streaming service) to access Discovery favorites like Gold Rush, Moonshiners, Bering Sea Gold, Deadliest Catch, Battle Bots, Street Outlaws, Naked and Afraid, Naked and Afraid XL, Expedition Unknown, Alaska: The Last Frontier and many more - plus top shows from other networks including Home Town (HGTV), Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network), Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC), Evil Lives Here (ID), Ghost Adventures (Travel Channel) and more. New episodes are available the same day as they premiere on TV. With Discovery GO You Can: • Stream Discovery and more networks LIVE anytime, anywhere on all your favorite devices • Find shows to watch with the live schedule guide • Access thousands of episodes on demand - from current hits to classic favorites • See new episodes of shows on the app the same day and time they premiere on TV • Binge your favorite Discovery series and specials including Gold Rush, Moonshiners, Bering Sea Gold, Deadliest Catch, Battle Bots, Street Outlaws, Naked and Afraid, Naked and Afraid XL, Expedition Unknown, Alaska: The Last Frontier - and many more! • Get unlimited access to everything the Discovery family of networks has to offer - free with your pay TV subscription. Features: • Stream live TV when you log in with your pay TV provider • Watch select episodes and entire seasons of your favorite shows from up to 15 networks! • Browse by genre - from Natural History, Science and Tech to Food, Home and more - to find your favorite shows and discover new ones • Continue watching episodes where you left off across all of your devices • Save shows and episodes to watch later with My List • Compatible with tvOS and Chromecast • Closed-captioning support Requirements: • Available in the U.S. only • Wi-Fi connection recommended • iOS 12 or higher Need help? Visit gohelp.discovery.com. Visitor Agreement: https://corporate.discovery.com/visitor-agreement/ Privacy Notice: https://corporate.discovery.com/privacy-policy California Privacy Notice: https://corporate.discovery.com/privacy-policy/#cappi California Do Not Sell My Personal Info: https://corporate.discovery.com/california_dns We may work with third-party advertising companies and other partners that help us deliver tailored advertisements to you. To opt out of behavioral tracking on mobile devices, you may use the DAA AppChoices Tool, available at http://www.aboutads.info/appchoices.

Screenshots

CuriosityStream4 screens
Discovery GO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Discovery GO at none against CuriosityStream's 6. Discovery GO also leads on ratings volume (35K vs 6.3K). CuriosityStream's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. CuriosityStream sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Discovery GO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for CuriosityStream against 4.7 for Discovery GO. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Discovery GO has 35K ratings behind it against 6.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 31% of CuriosityStream's written reviews are positive against 37% of Discovery GO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, Discovery GO every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CuriosityStream versus Discovery GO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCuriosityStreamDiscovery GO
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (6.3K ratings)4.7 (35K ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.9% of reviews36.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.3K35K — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.114.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB96 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperCuriosityStream, LLCDiscovery Communications

Customer experience

CuriosityStream

All ratings6,269 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews362 reviews
Positive30.9%
Neutral16.9%
Negative52.2%

Discovery GO

All ratings34,842 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive36.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative56.3%

User reviews

CuriosityStream

From 6.3K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Discovery GO

From 35K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great content library
  • 👍 Convenient on-the-go viewing
  • 💡 Ability to catch up on missed shows

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
  • 📺 Excessive and repetitive commercials
  • 🔍 Difficulty resuming shows from where left off
  • 🔌 Inconsistent performance and streaming quality

Bugs and requests

CuriosityStream

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

Discovery GO

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App frequently logs users out and requires re-authentication
  • Certain shows/episodes are inexplicably locked or unavailable
  • Playback issues when switching between devices or screens

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add skip/rewind functionality to bypass commercials
  • Improve progress tracking and resume playback
  • Provide an ad-free premium subscription option

In-app purchases

6 purchases

CuriosityStream

Subscriptions6
  • Basic$5.991 Month
  • Standard$5.991 Month
  • Smart Bundle$11.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Basic$49.991 Year
  • Standard$49.991 Year
  • Smart Bundle$79.991 Year
None

Discovery GO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CuriosityStream free?
CuriosityStream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Discovery GO free?
Discovery GO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or Discovery GO?
Discovery GO is rated higher. CuriosityStream averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6.3K ratings, while Discovery GO averages 4.7 from 35K ratings.
Do CuriosityStream or Discovery GO have ads?
Discovery GO shows ads; CuriosityStream does not.
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or Discovery GO?
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, and Discovery GO every 6 weeks. Most recently, CuriosityStream was updated on October 26, 2026 and Discovery GO on October 27, 2026.

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