CuriosityStream vs The Explorers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Unlimited documentary streaming
- Offline viewing with downloads
- 4K and HD content
- New content added weekly
- CuriosityKIDS section
- Ad-free experience
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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).
The Explorers
Explore and share Earth's wonders through photos and videos. Join a global community of creators and scientists to document biodiversity and natural heritage. Discover location-based content and contribute your own media to a growing planet inventory.
- Explore location-based content on a world map
- Follow other Explorers' discoveries
- Post photos and videos in original size
- Private messaging with friends and Explorers
- Zoom feature for detailed photo viewing
- Access content up to 8K HDR with premium
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The Explorers is the best app to explore and share our Earth wonders’ to the Earth inventory of photos and videos. Photographers or videographers, amateurs or professionals, scientists, associations, artists and citizens of the world: join The Explorers community! Share your best photos and videos for free and free of advertising, and join a human adventure at the service of Nature! *App TV of the year 2019* COMMUNITY The Explorers is the best app to explore and share Earth’s diversity and wonders. Photographers or videographers, amateurs or professionals, scientists, associations, artists and citizens of the world, join our community. DISCOVER - Explore location-based content on a world map - Follow the Explorers sharing their discoveries, stories and animal & plant species identification - Find new content and search suggestions on the ‘Explorer’ screen - Chat with your friends or with your favorite Explorers through private messaging - Enjoy all the tiny details in photos using the zoom feature - Enjoy an experience free of advertising CONTRIBUTE - Post your photos and videos to show the world your region and all its species! - Take advantage of uploading your photos in their original size - Create a great profile to share with your friends. PREMIUM All The Explorers+ offer movies are available in up to 8K HDR. TEAM The Explorers is a team of explorers, media professionals, scientists and artists serving a great cause and a common goal: creating the first planet inventory to showcase the wealth our Earth in 8K HDR. Our many expeditions will take you to unique places that reflect the richness of life on Earth, its diversity, its wonders and its fragilities. FOUNDATION Within the framework of our global project, The Explorers Foundation aims to concretely contribute to the preservation of natural, cultural and human heritage by supporting local actors and their projects... All the actions supported are nominated after a careful analysis of the projects submitted by field operators to the Scientific Committee. This Committee ensures the monitoring of the funds' assignment and the proper completion of the project. Questions? Suggestions? Feel free to contact us through private messaging or by emailing us at: contact@theexplorers.com *All ‘The Explorers’ videos are available in HD and 4K SDR / 4K HDR / 8K HDR Know better to protect better Terms of use: https://theexplorers.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://theexplorers.com/privacy Subscription General Terms: https://theexplorers.com/cgau
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: The Explorers at free with in-app purchases against CuriosityStream's subscription. The Explorers also leads on review sentiment (55% vs 31%). CuriosityStream's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (6.3K vs 86). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. CuriosityStream sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and The Explorers sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
CuriosityStream holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CuriosityStream has 6.3K ratings behind it against 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 31% of CuriosityStream's written reviews are positive against 55% of The Explorers's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, The Explorers every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CuriosityStream | The Explorers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (6.3K ratings) — better | 4.4 (86 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 30.9% of reviews | 55.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6.3K — better | 86 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 110 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | CuriosityStream, LLC | The Explorers Network |
Customer experience
CuriosityStream
The Explorers
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
The Explorers
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
CuriosityStream
- Basic$5.991 Month
- Standard$5.991 Month
- Smart Bundle$11.991 Month
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- Basic$49.991 Year
- Standard$49.991 Year
- Smart Bundle$79.991 Year
The Explorers
- The Explorers+14 Days trial$2.991 Month
Questions
Is CuriosityStream free?
Is The Explorers free?
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or The Explorers?
Do CuriosityStream or The Explorers have ads?
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or The Explorers?
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