Comparison

CuriosityStream vs Rainforest Connection

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

Rainforest Connection

Experience the sounds of the rainforest directly on your device. Listen to live streams from diverse locations, offering a unique connection to nature. Discover the calls of wildlife and the ambient sounds of these vital ecosystems.

Highlights
  • Live rainforest sound streams
  • Global locations (Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica)
  • Wildlife sound identification
  • Connects to nature
  • Nonprofit conservation focus
Features
Read full description

Bring the rainforest to you! Listen to live streams from natural places around the world from Peru, Ecuador, and beyond! Want to hear the rain pour on the jungle leaves of Costa Rica? Curious what the call of a Gibbon monkey sounds like at dawn? Download the app and instantly connect to nature through your mobile device, anytime and anywhere. Coming soon - more rainforest livestreams and wildlife sounds! ... Rainforest Connection (RFCx) is a nonprofit organization leveraging acoustic technology to protect forests and wildlife from illegal logging, poaching, and to monitor biodiversity to better inform conservation action. Acoustics are a powerful way to understand the creatures that inhabit our living planet and the activities that threaten it. Our work takes us all over the world, and we want to share it with you! Peek inside the places we're helping partners to learn about and protect, the sounds within, and be part of the impact! Bring nature home, with Rainforest Connection.

Screenshots

CuriosityStream4 screens
Rainforest Connection4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Rainforest Connection at 92% against CuriosityStream's 31%. Rainforest Connection also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). CuriosityStream's advantage is ratings volume (6.3K vs 277) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. Rainforest Connection asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rainforest Connection holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CuriosityStream has 6.3K ratings behind it against 277, 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 92% of Rainforest Connection's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, Rainforest Connection fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and July 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
CuriosityStream versus Rainforest Connection: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCuriosityStreamRainforest Connection
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (6.3K ratings)4.8 (277 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.7% of reviews91.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.3K — better277
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB57 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperCuriosityStream, LLCRainforest Connection

Customer experience

CuriosityStream

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

Rainforest Connection

All ratings277 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral3.2%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%

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

Rainforest Connection

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

Rainforest Connection

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CuriosityStream free?
CuriosityStream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rainforest Connection free?
Rainforest Connection is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or Rainforest Connection?
Rainforest Connection is rated higher. CuriosityStream averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6.3K ratings, while Rainforest Connection averages 4.8 from 277 ratings.
Do CuriosityStream or Rainforest Connection have ads?
Neither CuriosityStream nor Rainforest Connection shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or Rainforest Connection?
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, and Rainforest Connection fortnightly. Most recently, CuriosityStream was updated on September 22, 2026 and Rainforest Connection on July 4, 2026.

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