Documentaries offer deep dives into fascinating real-life subjects, and they can be addictive in their own right. For viewers who can’t get enough of them, there’s CuriosityStream, a platform with a wealth of high-quality fact-based content. At a low $2.99/mo. starting price, anybody who loves documentaries can easily begin learning a lot more about the world.
What is CuriosityStream?
Since the platform is a paid service, there are no ads shown in its material. According to John Hendricks, the founder of CuriosityStream, fact-based content is less expensive to produce than dramatic content; this means the platform can pass on the savings to customers.
What devices can I watch CuriosityStream on?
You can watch CuriosityStream on devices like the Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. You can also use the service on Android and iOS devices.
What is the pricing for CuriosityStream?
There are three tiers of monthly plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium.
- Basic: $2.99/mo. Streaming in Standard Definition.
- Standard: $5.99/mo. Streaming in High Definition.
- Premium: $11.99/mo. Streaming in 4K/Ultra High Definition.
There are also yearly plans for all pricing tiers, offering discounts from the 12-month prices.
- Basic: $29.99/yr. (save 16%)
- Standard: $59.99/yr. (save 16%)
- Premium: $119.99/yr. (save 16%)
For all plans, you will receive your first month free. Keep in mind that not all content on CuriosityStream offers high-definition streaming, and the availability of high-definition video will depend on your internet speed.
What kinds of documentaries can I watch on CuriosityStream?
You can watch thousands of titles on CuriosityStream in different categories. Here are a few types of documentaries you can watch through CuriosityStream (in total, there are almost three dozen categories of documentaries to choose from):
| Categories | Topics |
|---|---|
| Science |
|
| Technology |
|
| Civilization |
|
| Human Spirit |
|
CuriosityStream documentaries are created by filmmakers around the world, and some are produced in-house by Curiosity Studios.
CuriosityStream pros and cons
To help you make the right choice about whether to subscribe to CuriosityStream, take a look at the pros and cons of the service.
Pros
- Almost three dozen documentary categories
- Thousands of titles to choose from
- Reasonable subscription prices (starting at $2.99/mo.)
- Open to subscribers worldwide
- Month-to-month subscription; cancel anytime
- 7-day, no-obligation free trial
Cons
- May not have access to some titles outside of the United States
Verdict
Much like Netflix’s documentary section, CuriosityStream tackles the fascinating world of fact-based content — and offers a lot of it, too. There are thousands of titles in the CuriosityStream library, spanning almost three dozen categories. It’s enough to keep even the most hardcore documentary enthusiast occupied for quite a while.
Price-wise, CuriosityStream is highly accessible; you can get started for as low as $2.99 a month. At that price point, it’s cheaper than most books and it delivers an incredible amount of content for the price of entry.
Frequently asked questions
Am I locked into a contract with CuriosityStream?
No; unlike, say, a cable TV subscription, CuriosityStream is a month-to-month service that you can cancel anytime.
Can I control what my kids watch on CuriosityStream?
Yes, CuriosityStream includes a feature called Kids Mode that lets you filter out content that includes violent or sexual material.
How fast should my internet speed be to stream through CuriosityStream?
The minimum speed to stream on CuriosityStream is 0.5 Mbps, but the recommended speed is 1.5 Mbps. Keep in mind that you may not receive the best quality video with these speeds.
For Standard Definition videos, it is recommended your internet speed be at least 3 Mbps. For High Definition, aim for 5 Mbps. And for Ultra HD or 4K quality, you’ll want at least 25 Mbps.
Is CuriosityStream content closed-captioned?
Not all documentaries on the platform offer closed captions. Some do, however, and CuriosityStream is currently updating all of its content to offer captions.
