8 Educational Streaming Services Worth Checking Out

Can't decide what to watch tonight? Here's a thought - what if your next streaming binge actually made you smarter? While searching for something different from the usual Netflix lineup, I stumbled across some incredibly clever educational streaming services. After testing them for the past month, I've found 8 apps that are seriously worth your time (and yes, one of them lets you learn Japanese while watching anime - how cool is that?).

Whether you're trying to pick up a new skill or just tired of mindless entertainment, these platforms are the perfect excuse to keep streaming. Let me show you exactly what makes each one special, and which ones I ended up subscribing to myself.

Best Educational Streaming Services

Curiosity Stream

Tired of scrolling through endless reality shows? Curiosity Stream is basically the ultimate educational Netflix. With a massive library of over 3,000 documentaries covering science, history, technology, and nature, it's become the go-to platform for anyone who wants to learn while they watch.

The best part? Their catalog is full of high-quality shows from BBC, NHK, and other top creators, with Hollywood-level production values that make complex topics actually fun to watch. At just $4.99/month, it's pretty much a steal for what you're getting.

NASA+

Did you know NASA has its own free streaming service? Launched in late 2023, NASA+ is packed with everything from live space mission coverage to stunning documentaries about our universe. What sets it apart from other educational platforms is that you're getting real-time science happening right before your eyes - think live rocket launches, ISS feeds, and first-look footage from Mars rovers.

NASA+ is also completely free, has zero ads, and doesn't even require you to create an account. For space geeks or anyone fascinated by exploration, this is absolutely worth downloading.

Lingopie TV

Want to learn a new language by binge-watching actual TV shows? Lingopie has cracked the code with its clever approach to language learning. Unlike traditional learning apps, you're watching real movies and TV series in your target language, with smart dual subtitles that let you click any word for instant translations. The platform also covers Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean content, with tons of addictive shows to choose from.

At $12/month, it's cheaper than most language courses and way more fun - you're basically getting a streaming service and language tutor in one.

Kanopy

Here's a streaming secret many people don't know about: your library card might give you free access to Kanopy, one of the best educational streaming services out there. With it, you can access thousands of documentaries, indie films, and educational content from The Great Courses, PBS, and A24. The platform is especially popular with college students and film buffs because it includes tons of critically acclaimed movies you won't find elsewhere.

While it's free through participating libraries and universities, each library sets its own monthly viewing limits - but trust me, the quality makes those limits worth it.

MagellanTV

If you're tired of algorithm-recommended content and want to dive deep into quality documentaries, MagellanTV is your spot. Created by documentary filmmakers (and you can tell), this platform specializes in science, history, space, and nature content with over 3,000 documentaries that actually teach you something. What makes it stand out? Unlike other services, they add new documentaries daily and include a lot of 4K content.

Available at $6.99/month, it's slightly cheaper than Curiosity Stream but offers similar quality - though I've found their space and technology content to be particularly strong.

History Vault

History buffs, this one's for you. History Vault is basically every history teacher's dream streaming service, packed with over 2,000 documentaries and series from the History Channel's massive archive. For $5.99/month, you get access to their full collection of military history, ancient civilizations, and surprisingly addictive shows about engineering marvels and historical mysteries.

And if you're in a mood for a specific genre, you'll be happy to know that they've organized everything into easy-to-navigate topics, so you can binge-watch everything from World War II documentaries to ancient Egyptian discoveries in one place.

Discovery+

While Discovery+ is not exclusively educational, it's got an impressive lineup of content from Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and Food Network all in one place. At $4.99/month (with ads) or $8.99/month (ad-free), you're getting a mix of entertainment and education - perfect if you want to learn about everything from deep-sea creatures to space exploration, with some cooking shows thrown in for good measure.

True Story

Looking for bite-sized knowledge bombs? True Story grabbed my attention because it's basically TikTok for fascinating historical stories, except everything's actually true and well-researched. This new educational streaming service takes historical events and turns them into 2 to 10-minute mini-documentaries that are perfect for quick learning breaks.

At $3.49/month, it's one of the most affordable options out there, and its growing library of over 500 stories covers everything from wild heists and unsolved mysteries to forgotten heroes and scientific breakthroughs.

Which Streaming Service Are You Trying Next?

And there we have our complete list of streaming services actually worth subscribing to this year. As you can see, there's definitely something for everyone on this list, whether you're a space enthusiast (NASA+), a history buff (True Story), or a documentary lover (Curiosity Stream).

But if I had to pick just one to start with, I'd go with Lingopie - especially if you're trying to learn a new language. It's like getting advanced language-learning features and a streaming service rolled into one! And honestly, watching TV shows in different languages is way more fun than traditional learning methods.

Whichever service you choose, you're in for some seriously entertaining education. Happy learning (and streaming)!

Frequently Asked Questions About Educational Streaming Services

Are educational streaming services worth the money?

Most educational streaming services cost between $4-12 per month, making them cheaper than traditional courses or cable TV. If you regularly watch documentaries or want to learn specific skills (like languages with Lingopie), they're definitely worth it. Many services like NASA+ and Kanopy are even free with certain memberships.

Which educational streaming service is best for kids?

Discovery+ stands out for families with its kid-friendly content and parental controls. It offers a mix of entertaining and educational shows from multiple channels. However, Curiosity Stream and Lingopie TV also have a dedicated kids' section with age-appropriate documentaries and educational series.

Which streaming service is best for learning languages?

Lingopie is specifically designed for language learning through entertainment, offering real TV shows and movies in 8 different languages with interactive subtitles. It's more engaging than traditional language apps since you're learning through actual entertainment content rather than structured lessons.

Do educational streaming services have ads?

Most paid services like Curiosity Stream, MagellanTV, and Lingopie are completely ad-free. Discovery+ offers both ad-supported ($4.99) and ad-free ($8.99) tiers. Free services like NASA+ and Kanopy are also ad-free.