Comparison

CuriosityStream vs Space Channel

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

Space Channel

This platform delivers global news and entertainment focused on space exploration and industry. It covers commerce, policy, and community developments in low Earth orbit and beyond, offering news, movies, and live coverage.

Highlights
  • Global space news
  • Space industry coverage
  • Movies and entertainment
  • Live programming
  • Exclusive events
Features
Read full description

Space Channel is the world's premier global news and entertainment media platform dedicated to space. Connecting the stories that will inform the future of commerce, policy, entertainment and community in low Earth Orbit and beyond, Space Channel is available in more than 30 million households worldwide and explores every aspect of the genre with news, movies, exclusive events and live coverage from every sector of the global space industry. You can watch Space Channel’s live programming via Connected (Smart) TV applications as well as online at www.spacechannel.com

Screenshots

CuriosityStream4 screens
Space Channel3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Space Channel at free against CuriosityStream's subscription. Space Channel also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 31%) and iOS requirement (10.2 vs 15.1). CuriosityStream's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 22 months) and ratings volume (6.3K vs 579). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support 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 Space Channel sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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 4.7 for Space Channel. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CuriosityStream has 6.3K ratings behind it against 579, 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 57% of Space Channel's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, Space Channel every 22 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CuriosityStream versus Space Channel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCuriosityStreamSpace Channel
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (6.3K ratings)4.7 (579 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.9% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.3K — better579
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 22 months
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.110.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB52 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperCuriosityStream, LLCSpace Channel Inc.

Customer experience

CuriosityStream

All ratings6,269 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral3.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews362 reviews
Positive30.9%
Neutral16.9%
Negative52.2%

Space Channel

All ratings550 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral7.1%
Negative35.7%

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

Space Channel

From 579 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📚 Excellent educational content on space topics
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly programming suitable for children
  • 🎬 Great selection of classic sci-fi movies
  • 💰 Free ad-supported streaming model
  • 📺 24/7 continuous space content available

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App frequently fails to load or open
  • 📵 Persistent offline status issues
  • ⚠️ Long-standing technical problems (months)
  • 🔔 Intrusive pop-up comments during content
  • 😤 Reliability concerns over extended period

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

Space Channel

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App won't load or open
  • Shows offline status when launched
  • Persistent crashes affecting multiple users over months
  • Pop-up comments appearing during video playback

Requested features

3 requests
  • Improved app stability and loading performance
  • Option to disable or control pop-up comments
  • Better offline functionality

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
6 purchases

Space Channel

Subscriptions2
  • Space Channel Premium Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Space Channel Premium Annual$19.991 Year
One-time4
  • Movie Purchase Tier 1$0.99
  • Movie Purchase Tier 2$1.99
  • Movie Purchase Tier 5$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Movie Purchase Tier 10$9.99

Questions

Is CuriosityStream free?
CuriosityStream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Space Channel free?
Space Channel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CuriosityStream or Space Channel?
Space Channel is rated higher. CuriosityStream averages 4.6 out of 5 from 6.3K ratings, while Space Channel averages 4.7 from 579 ratings.
Which is updated more often, CuriosityStream or Space Channel?
CuriosityStream ships an update monthly, and Space Channel every 22 months. Most recently, CuriosityStream was updated on October 14, 2026 and Space Channel on October 13, 2026.

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