CuriosityStream vs MagellanTV Documentaries
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).
MagellanTV Documentaries
Access an expansive library of documentaries across various genres like history, nature, and science. Enjoy unlimited streaming with new content added weekly, free from advertisements. Cast content to your TV and explore exclusive playlists.
- Unlimited streaming
- Extensive genre collections
- Exclusive playlists
- New content added weekly
- No advertising
- Cast to TV
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Documentaries Worth Watching MagellanTV is more than just a streaming service—it's a journey of discovery. Designed for the inquisitive, our expansive library offers documentaries that enlighten, inspire, and feed your lifelong love of learning. For those craving substantial content and awe-inspiring insights, MagellanTV is your refuge. Rekindle your sense of wonder and dive into a world where every film is a chance to learn, explore, and grow. MagellanTV membership includes: -Unlimited streaming anytime, anywhere, on multiple devices. -Extensive genre collections in History, Nature, Science, Space, Crime, and more. -Exclusive playlists that explore personalities and events that shaped our world. -New content added weekly. -No advertising or other interruptions ever. -Cast MagellanTV programs from your iOS device to a Roku, FireTV, Chromecast, or Smart TV. Please Note: -All subscriptions automatically renew at the end of your selected plan period, unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of your plan period. -Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of your current plan period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. -If you paid for your subscription through In-App Purchases, go to your App Store Account to cancel the service, change the plan period, or turn off auto-renew. -If you cancel your subscription, you can continue to enjoy all MagellanTV programs and features right up to the end of your plan period. -By downloading the MagellanTV app, you agree to its Terms & Conditions (https://www.magellantv.com/terms_conditions) and its Privacy Policy (https://www.magellantv.com/privacy_policy).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: CuriosityStream at 13.0 against MagellanTV Documentaries's 18.6. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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 MagellanTV Documentaries sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for CuriosityStream against 4.6 for MagellanTV Documentaries. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.3K and 3.9K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 31% of CuriosityStream's written reviews are positive against 37% of MagellanTV Documentaries's.
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, MagellanTV Documentaries every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.
| Parameter | CuriosityStream | MagellanTV Documentaries |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (6.3K ratings) | 4.6 (3.9K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 30.7% of reviews | 36.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6.3K — better | 3.9K |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 66 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | CuriosityStream, LLC | MagellanTV LLC |
Customer experience
CuriosityStream
MagellanTV Documentaries
User reviews
CuriosityStream
From 6.3K App Store ratingsWhat 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
MagellanTV Documentaries
From 3.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great content and selection
- 💡 Diverse range of documentaries
- 🚀 Excellent customer service
- 🤩 Impressive content quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and search
- 🔌 Inconsistent streaming performance
- 🤯 Frustrating login and account issues
- 🤔 Lack of basic features (e.g. continue watching, auto-play)
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
MagellanTV Documentaries
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes frequently
- Videos freeze or have audio-only playback
- Login issues and inability to access account
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Download failures and unreliable offline viewing
Requested features
5 requests- Add skip forward/backward buttons
- Implement picture-in-picture mode
- Improve offline viewing and downloads
- Provide better content organization and search
- Add user profile and watch history features
In-app purchases
CuriosityStream
- Basic$5.991 Month
- Standard$5.991 Month
- Smart Bundle$11.991 Month
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Basic$49.991 Year
- Standard$49.991 Year
- Smart Bundle$79.991 Year
MagellanTV Documentaries
- Monthly Membership1 Month trial$5.991 Month
- Monthly Membership7 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Quarterly Membership14 Days trial$17.993 Months
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Annual Membership1 Year trial$59.991 Year
Questions
Is CuriosityStream free?
Is MagellanTV Documentaries free?
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or MagellanTV Documentaries?
Do CuriosityStream or MagellanTV Documentaries have ads?
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or MagellanTV Documentaries?
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