Pick the right tool, fast
← All comparisons
Streaming Subscriptions · Tool Face-Off

PBS Passport vs Apple TV+

Quick answer

Apple TV+ wins on original content volume and production quality, but PBS Passport is the smarter pick for documentary lovers, history buffs, and anyone who thinks 'Masterpiece Theatre' is a personality trait.

PBS Passport
Public TV's treasure chest for members
3.6★
VS
Our pick
Apple TV+
Prestige originals, minimal bloat
4.3★
Monthly Price
$5/month (or via PBS member donation ~$60/yr)
$9.99/month
Free Trial
No standard free trial
7 days (devices often bundle 3 months free)
Simultaneous Streams
Varies by station (typically 2-3)
Up to 6 screens
Offline Downloads
No
Yes, unlimited
4K HDR Content
No
Yes, most originals
Content Library Size
~1,500+ episodes across PBS catalog
200+ original titles (growing)
Ads
Ad-free on Passport content
Completely ad-free
Kids Content
Strong (Daniel Tiger, Curious George, etc.)
Decent (Wolfwalkers, Fraggle Rock)
Sports Content
None
MLS Season Pass (add-on, ~$13/mo)
Device Support
Roku, Fire TV, Apple, web — no Samsung smart TVs natively
Nearly every major platform and TV brand
Non-English Content
Minimal
Some international originals
Documentaries & Classics
Excellent — Ken Burns, Frontline, Nature
Limited

PBS Passport

Ease of Use★★★☆☆
Device Support★★½☆☆
Content Library★★★½☆
Value for Money★★★★½
Ad-Free Experience★★★★☆
Family Friendliness★★★★½
Original & Exclusive Content★★★½☆

Apple TV+

Ease of Use★★★★★
Device Support★★★★½
Content Library★★★☆☆
Value for Money★★★★☆
Ad-Free Experience★★★★★
Family Friendliness★★★★☆
Original & Exclusive Content★★★★½

Worth knowing

Apple spent an estimated $500 million on 'The Morning Show' season 1 alone — roughly 100 years' worth of PBS Passport subscriptions per viewer.

If you want

You love documentaries, British dramas, or classic PBS programming

PBS Passport is basically a museum membership for TV — deep, educational, and absurdly cheap.

→ Pick PBS Passport
If you want

You want award-winning prestige originals in stunning 4K

Apple TV+ punches well above its price with shows like Severance, Slow Horses, and Ted Lasso.

→ Pick Apple TV+
If you want

You have kids under 10 at home

PBS Kids content is unmatched in educational quality and parents trust it instinctively.

→ Pick PBS Passport
If you want

You're already deep in the Apple ecosystem

Seamless integration across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV makes it a no-brainer add-on.

→ Pick Apple TV+
Apple TV+VSHulu
Streaming Services
Apple TV+VSParamount+
Streaming Services
Kennedy Center Honors Live StreamVSPBS Passport
Arts & Entertainment Streaming
Paramount+VSApple TV+
Streaming (Family & Horror Movies)
Apple TV+VSF1 TV Pro
Streaming / Sports Subscriptions
Apple TV+VSDisney+
Streaming Services
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.