We’re currently in the midst of a streaming revolution. There’s a constant battle between the biggest brands in the entertainment industry to produce the highest quality content on the fastest possible release schedule. As a result, many users feel overwhelmed by choice. There is so much content that it feels nearly impossible to decide which streaming service to use, let alone which show or movie to watch.

If you’re in the mood for a documentary, where should you start? What is the best documentary streaming service? In this article we’ll break down the best streaming services for each genre of documentary and docuseries:

• The best mainstream streaming service for documentaries
• The best streaming service for true crime documentaries
• The best streaming service for science and nature documentaries
• The best streaming service for international documentaries
• The best free streaming service for documentaries
• The best overall streaming service for documentaries

Maybe you’re in an intellectual mood and want to learn about cultures from around the world. Maybe you want to dive into the untold stories of the world’s most iconic bands and athletes. Or maybe you simply want to enjoy David Attenborough’s soothing voice narrating the wonders of our beautiful planet while you drift off into sleep. Regardless, make sure you read to the end of the article to learn how to watch documentaries online for free.

The best mainstream streaming service for documentaries:

Since every streaming service seems to be raising their rates this year, it’s becoming less and less affordable to be subscribed to every niche streaming service. So if you’re like me and subscribe to a combination of the big five (Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, & Disney+), which platform is the best for documentaries?

Amazon Prime Video

The intersection of quality and quantity is where Prime Video truly stands out. From beautifully moving Prime originals documentaries like Time to all-time classics like Super Size Me, there is something for every documentary lover to enjoy on Prime Video. While there is a wide range of documentary content offered on Prime Video, the service shines in stories focused on politics, society, and modern culture.

Price:

Unlike other services on this list, Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership, making it a convenient option for those who already use Amazon Prime.

Amazon Prime Video has 3 pricing options:

• Amazon Prime (full year): $139/year
• Amazon Prime (monthly) $14.99/month
• Prime Video ONLY: $8.99/month

What’s unique about Prime Video?

Apart from Prime Video’s fantastic original content, it also offers some unique features that I love. First, the user interface of Prime Video is my personal favorite of the big five streaming services. Everything is easy to find and it's abundantly clear which titles are free if you have Prime Video, which are free with ads thanks to Amazon’s ad-supported platform Freevee, and which you have to rent or buy.

Another underappreciated aspect of Prime Video is their “X-Ray” feature. At any point during the film, if you move your mouse or remote, you can learn more about what is going on in the scene you are currently watching. Whether you’re trying to remember which movies a particular cast member is from, what the name of the song in the background is, or even just some fun trivia about the making of the film, X-Ray is an incredibly useful feature.

Top picks:

• Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room - A documentary about the Enron corporation, its faulty and corrupt business practices, and its spectacular downfall.
• Val - For over 40 years Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most mercurial and/or misunderstood actors has been documenting his own life and craft through film and video. This raw, wildly original and unflinching documentary reveals a life lived to extremes and a heart-filled, sometimes hilarious look at what it means to be an artist and a complex man.
• All In: The Fight for Democracy - Examines the often overlooked, yet insidious issue of voter suppression in the United States in anticipation of the 2020 presidential election. With the perspective and expertise of Stacey Abrams, the former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, the film offers an insider’s look into laws and barriers to voting that most people don’t even know is a threat to their basic rights as citizens of the United States.

The best streaming service for true crime documentaries:

The world’s obsession with true crime documentaries and podcasts is at an all time high. As researcher Coltan Scrivner explains, “morbid curiosity is a common psychological trait”. Fortunately for true crime fans,there is no shortage of unsettling real-life events that are worthy of docuseries. Which streaming service best scratches our true crime itch?

Netflix

For years, Netflix has been ahead of the curve when it comes to true crime. From the unbelievable history of the country’s wildest cults (Wild Wild Country) to the chilling docuseries about the most diabolical killers (Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes), there is plenty of disturbing content for you to binge on Netflix.

With the massive rise of Netflix from 2012-2018 came an equally massive budget to take risks and experiment on a plethora of documentary content. Although many users would agree that not all of the experimental content is successful (see Sexy Beasts), some undeniable gems like I AM A KILLER have been created as a result.

Price:

Netflix has 4 plans with different perks and pricing:

• Basic with ads ($6.99/month): 720p picture quality, 1 simultaneous stream
• Basic ($9.99/month): 720p picture quality, 1 simultaneous stream
• Standard ($15.49/month): Up to 1080p picture quality, 2 simultaneous streams
• Premium ($19.99/month): Up to 4K picture quality, 4 simultaneous streams

What’s unique about Netflix?

If you need a mental break from the chaos and drama of all the crime stories, Netflix also has some widely respected educational docuseries. The Netflix staple Explained is a franchise that covers an array of topics from fascinating (the origins and effects of plastic surgery) to useful (how money works). If you’re looking for some bite-sized, easily digestible educational content, Netflix has tons for you to enjoy.

With around 400 total titles, Netflix’s selection is one of the smaller on this list but there are still plenty of documentaries to keep you engaged for weeks!

Top picks:

• Sins of Our Mother - When Lori Vallow's kids vanished, the search for them unearthed a trail of suspicious deaths, a new husband who shared her doomsday views — and murder.
• Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99 - Woodstock 1969 promised peace and music, but its '99 revival delivered days of rage, riots and real harm. Why did it go so horribly wrong?
• Formula 1: Drive to Survive - Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane -- both on and off the track -- during one cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.

The best streaming service for science and nature documentaries:

Sometimes after a long day at work, all you want to do is eat pizza and watch Planet Earth. Is that too much to ask? Which streaming service has the best selection for all things science and nature?

Discovery+

A subscription to Discovery+ gives you access to thousands of hours of content from all the channels you used to love back when everybody still had cable TV, including shows from Animal Planet, Discovery, Science Channel, Travel Channel, and more.

Price:

Discovery+ offers two plans:

• Ad-supported tier: $4.99/month
• Ad-free tier: $6.99/month

What’s unique about Discovery+?

With a range of shows drawn from 14 popular networks and original content, Discovery Plus is leading the pack for non-fiction TV. Considering the low price, Discovery+ might be the best bang for your buck on this list. Additionally, you can stream on up to 4 devices simultaneously, which is more than almost any other streaming service.

Top picks:

• Planet Earth II - David Attenborough presents a documentary series exploring how animals meet the challenges of surviving in the most iconic habitats on earth.
• Last Exit: Space - Documentary about space colonization: a voyage across our planet, into the stars and beyond.
• Africa - Africa, the world's wildest continent. David Attenborough takes us on an awe-inspiring journey through one of the most diverse places in the world. We visit deserts, savannas, and jungles and meet up with some of Africa's amazing wildlife.

The best streaming service for international documentaries:

Because streaming services promote their original content first and the biggest blockbusters they have available second, untraditional movies and foreign films get overlooked. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering: what's the best streaming service for independent and foreign documentaries?

MUBI

MUBI is an interesting service. Rather than using a complicated algorithm like most of its competitors, Mubi focuses on diverse cinema from around the globe. A team of curators hand-picks all of the content on Mubi, resulting in incredibly high quality, and unique films that you won’t find elsewhere. With an emphasis on international films, you will find many documentaries exploring cultures and ideas that are less familiar to US audiences.

Price:

MUBI offers three plans:

• Full year subscription: $83.88/year ($6.99/month)
• Monthly subscription: $10.99/month
• Student subscription: $6.99/month

Note: MUBI often partners with film and TV YouTubers to offer a free month.

What’s unique about Mubi?

MUBI debuts a new, hand-selected film every day. MUBI’s films tend to be less mainstream and aren’t “popcorn movies” for watching with a big group of friends. The stories on MUBI tend to be more niche and “artsy”, which may be off-putting for some people.

However, if you’re looking to expand your worldview and experience the unique voices of filmmakers from around the world, MUBI is the place for you. From the 9.5 hour documentary (yes, you read that right) on the Holocaust, Shoah, to the Emmy Award winning nature series Planet Earth, MUBI has a wide range of nonfiction content to stream.

A subtle but much appreciated feature unique to MUBI is the “OUR TAKE” section that’s displayed when you click on any film. This is where the MUBI content team gives a thoughtful reason why that particular movie is unique and why it’s worth watching. If you want to be certain that the documentary you decide to watch is going to be a thoughtful, honest story, MUBI is a great place to start.

Top picks:

• Nest (Denmark) - A story of siblings building a tree house together over the course of a year. We experience the beauty and brutality of the seasons, as we follow them through their struggles and moments of joy.
• Feels Good Man (America) - When indie comic character Pepe the Frog becomes an unwitting icon of hate, his creator, artist Matt Furie, fights to bring Pepe back from the darkness and navigate America's cultural divide.
• Leviathan - Set aboard a hulking fishing vessel as it navigates the treacherous waves off the New England coast. The very waters that once inspired Moby Dick, the film captures the harsh, unforgiving world of the fishermen in starkly haunting, yet beautiful detail.

The best free streaming service for documentaries:

Over the last year, everything has gotten more expensive, especially entertainment. With nearly every major streaming platform raising their rates, it can be hard to afford everything you want to watch. If you’ve ever wondered how to watch documentaries online for free, let me tell you about the holy grail of free streaming.

Kanopy

Kanopy offers thoughtful entertainment with no fees and no commercials by partnering with public libraries and universities. Kanopy’s mission is to bridge cultural boundaries and bring people together through the art of film. Naturally, the content on Kanopy is top tier content that you might not be able to find anywhere else.

Price:

Kanopy is totally free! All you need is a library card or a university email address to sign up for the service.

What’s unique about Kanopy?

Since the service is 100% free, there is unfortunately a limit of 5 films or series per month. Although this isn’t ideal, there’s one feature that parents really love: unlimited kid-friendly content!

Top picks:

• The Imposter - In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappeared without a trace from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three-and-a-half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in a village in southern Spain with a horrifying story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home. But all is not quite as it seems.
• Honeyland - When nomadic beekeepers break Honeyland’s basic rule (take half of the honey, but leave half to the bees), the last female beehunter in Europe must save the bees and restore natural balance.
• The Look of Silence - A family that survives the genocide in Indonesia confronts the men who killed one of their brothers.

The best overall streaming service for documentaries:

When it comes to streaming, we’re all looking for the perfect combination of quality content and affordable price. So what’s the top documentary streaming service, all things considered?

Curiosity Stream

Curiosity Stream is our top pick for the best streaming services for documentaries. Founded in 2015 by John S. Hendricks, creator of the Discovery Channel, this service has the widest selection of documentaries for a fraction of the price of its competitors. Although this service does not have the wide appeal of Netflix or Hulu, the quality and quantity of its documentary content is unmatched.

Price:

Curiosity Stream offers four plans:

• Standard (HD) Monthly: $2.99/month
• Standard (HD) Annual: $19.99/year
• Premium (4K) Monthly: $9.99/month
• Premium (4K) Annual: $69.99/year

What’s unique about Curiosity Stream?

Curiosity Stream is the only service on this list that specializes in strictly documentary films. As a result, the sheer amount (literally thousands of films and series) of educational content is astounding. From David Attenborough nature documentaries to history series and studies into the human body, there are so many options to choose from.

Top picks:

• Red Elvis: The Cold War Cowboy - The extraordinary tale of Dean Reed, the American popstar who packed out stadiums in the 70s and inspired a generation, until he was found drowned in a lake in East Berlin.
• Out of the Cradle - How did humanity's earliest ancestors evolve into one of the most successful species on Earth? An extraordinary journey tracing the footsteps of early hominids. Using the latest paleoanthropological findings mixed with the latest CGI from Square Enix, this story is finally told.
• The Secrets of Quantum Physics - Professor of physics Jim Al-Khalili investigates the most accurate and yet perplexing scientific theory ever - quantum physics.