Comparison

CuriosityStream vs History Hit

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

History Hit

Access an extensive library of history documentaries, original films, and expert interviews. Enjoy ad-free podcasts and download content to watch offline. New programs are added weekly for history enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Extensive library of history documentaries
  • Exclusive original films
  • Interviews with top historians
  • Ad-free history podcasts
  • Downloadable content for offline viewing
  • New programs added weekly
Features
Read full description

History Hit TV is a new kind of history channel. We've built up an extensive library of history programmes: hundreds of hours of documentaries, exclusive original films, interviews and ad-free podcasts made for proper history fans. *New programmes added every week *Exclusive interviews with the world’s top historians *Original documentaries from historic sites all over the world *Listen to Dan Snow’s History Hit Podcast advert-free *Download shows to watch on the go Join the History Hit team. Download our app today to start exploring our ever-growing library of films and podcasts - available to watch and listen wherever you are. Each of our documentaries and podcasts delve into key events from history with insights from experts, survivors, and historians. These are all downloadable onto any device so you can watch them even when you are offline. Terms of Service: https://access.historyhit.com/tos Privacy Policy: https://access.historyhit.com/privacy

Screenshots

CuriosityStream4 screens
History Hit4 screens

Verdict

The call

CuriosityStream and History Hit both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 86% of History Hit's written reviews are positive against 31% of CuriosityStream's. History Hit also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). CuriosityStream's advantage is ratings volume (6.3K vs 1.2K) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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 and History Hit sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 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 — 4.6 for CuriosityStream against 4.5 for History Hit. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CuriosityStream has 6.3K ratings behind it against 1.2K, 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 86% of History Hit's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, History Hit every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CuriosityStream versus History Hit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCuriosityStreamHistory Hit
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (6.3K ratings) — better4.5 (1.2K ratings)
Positive reviews30.7% of reviews85.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.3K — better1.2K
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB86 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperCuriosityStream, LLCHit Networks Ltd

Customer experience

CuriosityStream

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

History Hit

All ratings1,153 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral2.2%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews713 reviews
Positive85.6%
Neutral2.2%
Negative12.2%

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

History Hit

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🌟 Excellent content and presenters
  • 🎓 Wide range of historical topics
  • 🔍 In-depth and well-researched documentaries
  • 🎧 Engaging and informative podcasts
  • 🔒 Ad-free listening experience

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Difficulty navigating and finding content
  • 🔑 Issues with account management and password resets
  • 📱 Inconsistent app performance and functionality
  • 🌍 Limited coverage of non-British/European history

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

History Hit

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Subscription issues and inability to access content
  • Podcast playback problems and missing episodes
  • Compatibility problems on certain devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved search and browsing functionality
  • Ability to create playlists and save favorites
  • Closed captions/subtitles for all videos
  • Cross-device syncing and offline viewing/listening
  • Expanded coverage of global historical topics

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
2 purchases

History Hit

Subscriptions2
  • History Hit Monthly$7.991 Month
  • History Hit Yearly$59.991 Year

Questions

Is CuriosityStream free?
CuriosityStream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is History Hit free?
History Hit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or History Hit?
CuriosityStream is rated higher. CuriosityStream averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6.3K ratings, while History Hit averages 4.5 from 1.2K ratings.
Do CuriosityStream or History Hit have ads?
Neither CuriosityStream nor History Hit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or History Hit?
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, and History Hit every 2 months. Most recently, CuriosityStream was updated on September 25, 2026 and History Hit on September 24, 2026.

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