Comparison

CuriosityStream 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

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

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

CuriosityStream4 screens
BBC America4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CuriosityStream at 4.6 against BBC America's 1.9. CuriosityStream also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (31% vs 5%). BBC America's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, update cadence and device support 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. BBC America asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CuriosityStream holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CuriosityStream has 6.3K ratings behind it against 589, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of CuriosityStream's written reviews are positive against 5% of BBC America's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
CuriosityStream versus BBC America: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCuriosityStreamBBC America
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (6.3K ratings) — better1.9 (589 ratings)
Positive reviews30.7% of reviews — better5.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6.3K — better589
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB63 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperCuriosityStream, LLCBBC America

Customer experience

CuriosityStream

All ratings6,266 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews361 reviews
Positive30.7%
Neutral16.9%
Negative52.4%

BBC America

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

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

BBC America

From 589 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

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

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

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

BBC America

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CuriosityStream free?
CuriosityStream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BBC America free?
BBC America is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or BBC America?
CuriosityStream is rated higher. CuriosityStream averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6.3K ratings, while BBC America averages 1.9 from 589 ratings.
Do CuriosityStream or BBC America have ads?
BBC America shows ads; CuriosityStream does not.
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or BBC America?
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, and BBC America monthly. Most recently, CuriosityStream was updated on September 25, 2026 and BBC America on August 6, 2026.

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