Comparison

CuriosityStream vs MagellanTV Documentaries

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

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.

Highlights
  • Unlimited streaming
  • Extensive genre collections
  • Exclusive playlists
  • New content added weekly
  • No advertising
  • Cast to TV
Features
Read full description

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

CuriosityStream4 screens
MagellanTV Documentaries4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, MagellanTV Documentaries every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
CuriosityStream versus MagellanTV Documentaries: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCuriosityStreamMagellanTV Documentaries
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (6.3K ratings)4.6 (3.9K ratings)
Positive reviews30.7% of reviews36.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.3K — better3.9K
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB66 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperCuriosityStream, LLCMagellanTV LLC

Customer experience

CuriosityStream

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

MagellanTV Documentaries

All ratings3,853 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral4.4%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews194 reviews
Positive36.6%
Neutral17.0%
Negative46.4%

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

MagellanTV Documentaries

From 3.9K App Store ratings

What 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

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
4 purchases

MagellanTV Documentaries

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Membership1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • Monthly Membership7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Quarterly Membership14 Days trial$17.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Annual Membership1 Year trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is CuriosityStream free?
CuriosityStream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MagellanTV Documentaries free?
MagellanTV Documentaries is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or MagellanTV Documentaries?
CuriosityStream and MagellanTV Documentaries are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6.3K and 3.9K ratings respectively.
Do CuriosityStream or MagellanTV Documentaries have ads?
Neither CuriosityStream nor MagellanTV Documentaries shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or MagellanTV Documentaries?
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, and MagellanTV Documentaries every 3 weeks. Most recently, CuriosityStream was updated on September 22, 2026 and MagellanTV Documentaries on September 22, 2026.

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