Streaming services catering to faith-based audiences have surged in popularity as families and individuals seek alternatives to mainstream platforms like Netflix or Disney+.
Two prominent players in this space, Pure Flix and Angel Studios, have carved out distinct niches within the Christian entertainment market.
Pure Flix offers a broad library of family-friendly and faith-inspired content, while Angel Studios emphasizes community-driven, high-impact storytelling with a unique crowdfunding model. But which one is the best fit for you?
What is Pure Flix?
Founded in 2005 as a film production company, Pure Flix transitioned into a streaming service in 2015. It aims to provide “God-honoring media that strengthens your faith and values.”
Now owned by Sony’s AFFIRM Entertainment and merged with Great American Media in 2023, Pure Flix boasts a vast library of movies, TV shows, and kids’ content.
Pure Flix is often likened to a “Christian Netflix,” offering a mix of original productions, licensed faith-based titles, and family-friendly secular content.
It is available on multiple devices, such as iOS, Android, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV, and is designed for seamless streaming across households.
What is Angel Studios?
Angel Studios, launched in 2013 as VidAngel, took a different path. Initially a filtering service for mainstream content, it pivoted to producing and distributing original faith-inspired projects, most notably The Chosen, the global hit series about the life of Jesus.
Angel Studios operates on a unique “Angel Guild” model, where subscribers crowdfund projects and vote on what gets made.
While it is not a traditional streaming platform with a vast on-demand library, its app and website offer access to its growing catalogue of originals and select titles.
Angel Studios is available on devices similar to Pure Flix, focusing on high-quality, community-backed storytelling.
Nevertheless, Pure Flix and Angel Studios platforms cater to Christian audiences, but their approaches differ significantly—Pure Flix is a comprehensive streaming service, and Angel Studios is a production-driven, selective content hub.
1. Content comparison between Pure Flix and Angel Studios
Content is king in the streaming world, and Pure Flix and Angel Studios take divergent approaches to what they deliver.
Pure Flix’s content library
Pure Flix prides itself on a large, diverse catalogue tailored to families and faith-focused viewers. As of March 2025, it offers over 2,000 titles, including:
- Movies: Faith-based dramas like God’s Not Dead, The Case for Christ, and I Can Only Imagine, alongside family-friendly secular films such as The Lion King (pre-merger classics) and romantic comedies.
- TV shows: Series like The Encounter, a faith-driven drama, and kids’ shows, including Veggie Tales (though not the latest episodes).
- Kids’ content: A dedicated section with animated series like Frankin and Babar, Rey de los Elefantes (Spanish-language options), and Bible-based shows.
- Originals: Pure Flix produces films like Sun Moon and Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, often emphasizing traditional values.
Pure Flix’s strength lies in its breadth. It is a one-stop shop for Christian entertainment vetted by pastors and parents to ensure alignment with family values.
However, some users note a shift post-merger toward broader follow-your-heart messaging, which may dilute its strictly faith-based focus for some.
Angel Studios’ content library
Angel Studios takes a quality-over-quantity approach, focusing on fewer but highly impactful titles. Its catalogue includes:
Flagship series: The Chosen, a multi-season epic with over 500 million worldwide views, is free on its app with optional pay-it-forward contributions.
- Movies: Titles like His Only Son (a retelling of Abraham and Isaac) and Sound of Freedom, a thriller about human trafficking with a faith undercurrent.
- Kids’ content: Tuttle Twins, an animated series teaching free-market principles with a subtle Christian lens, and Dry Bar Comedy specials for family-friendly laughs.
- Upcoming projects: Guild-funded works like David and The Wingfeather Saga (an animated fantasy series) are still in development as of March 2025.
Angel Studios’ library is smaller—closer to 20–30 titles—but its productions are cinematic, often theatrical releases first. The focus is on storytelling that resonates deeply, often with a mission-driven edge, rather than a broad streaming buffet.
Content verdict
If you want variety and a large library, Pure Flix wins with its extensive offerings. Angel Studios shines for those prioritizing high-quality, impactful stories with a modern edge.
Families with young kids may lean toward Pure Flix for its robust kids’ section, while fans of serialized drama will gravitate to Angel Studios’ The Chosen.
2. Pricing: How much will it cost you?
Cost is a major factor when choosing a streaming service. Here is how Pure Flix and Angel Studios stack up.
Pure Flix pricing
- Pure Flix operates on a traditional subscription model:
- Monthly plan: $9.99/month.
- Annual plan: $89.99/year (averaging $7.49/month).
- Free Trial: 7 days for new subscribers.
Post-merger with Great American Media, pricing remains competitive with other faith-based platforms like Minno ($8.99/month) but higher than Yippee ($7.99/month). There are no current church discounts, though occasional promotions may apply.
Angel Studios pricing
Angel Studios’ pricing model is unconventional:
- Free Tier: Core content like The Chosen is free to stream on its app or website, supported by a “pay-it-forward” donation system where viewers can contribute to fund wider distribution.
- Angel Guild Membership: The basic plan, which costs $12/month or $119/year, grants voting rights on projects, early access to releases, and exclusive perks like behind-the-scenes content. It also has a premium plan, which costs $15.99/month or has an annual discount of $159.00.
- Pay-Per-View: Some titles, like Sound of Freedom, require a one-time purchase unless included in Guild benefits.
The free access to The Chosen makes Angel Studios highly accessible, but full engagement with its ecosystem requires Guild’s investment.
Pricing verdict
Pure Flix offers predictable, all-inclusive pricing for its full library, ideal for budget-conscious households wanting consistent access. Angel Studios is cheaper (or free) for casual viewers but costs more for committed supporters.
Your choice depends on whether you prefer a flat subscription or a flexible, contribution-based model.
3. Pure Flix and Angel Studios features
Beyond content and cost, features enhance the user experience. Here is a comparison.
Pure Flix features
Some of the features of Pure Flix include:
- User Interface: A clean, Netflix-like layout with categories like “Faith Movies,” “Kids,” and “Most Popular.” Easy to navigate for all ages.
- Multi-device streaming: Supports simultaneous streaming on multiple devices, perfect for families.
- Parental controls: Robust settings to restrict content by age or rating, ensuring kid-safe viewing.
- Language options: English and Spanish support, with a growing bilingual catalogue.
- Offline viewing: Download select titles for offline playback.
Pure Flix’s interface and features mirror mainstream platforms, making it intuitive and family-friendly.
Angel Studios features
The features available on Angel Studios include:
- User Interface: A simpler app focused on its core titles, with a modern, visually appealing design but fewer browsing categories.
- Community engagement: The Guild lets members vote on projects and join live-streamed pitch events, fostering a participatory feel.
- Free access: No subscription is needed for key content, broadening its reach.
- Limited offline viewing: Available for Guild members on select titles but not as widespread as Pure Flix.
- Extras: Behind-the-scenes content and creator Q&As for Guild members.
Angel Studios prioritizes community and exclusivity over traditional streaming bells and whistles.
Features verdict
Pure Flix excels in practicality and family-oriented functionality. Angel Studios appeals to those who value creative involvement and do not mind a leaner feature set.
Pure Flix and Angel Studios pros and cons
Pure Flix pros:
- Large, diverse library for all ages.
- Affordable subscription with no hidden costs.
- Strong parental controls and offline viewing.
- Wide device compatibility.
Cons:
- Post-merger content may feel less strictly faith-based.
- Fewer high-profile originals compared to Angel Studios.
- Angel Studios pros:
- Free access to The Chosen and select titles.
- High-quality, cinematic productions.
- A unique crowdfunding model empowers viewers.
- Appeals to fans of serialized storytelling.
Angel Studios pros:
- Free access to The Chosen and select titles.
- High-quality, cinematic productions.
- A unique crowdfunding model empowers viewers.
- Appeals to fans of serialized storytelling.
Cons:
- Smaller library with limited variety.
- Full benefits require a higher-cost Guild membership.
- Less focus on kids’ content.
Which one should you choose?
Your choice between Pure Flix and Angel Studios hinges on your priorities:
Choose Pure Flix if you want a comprehensive streaming service with a wide range of faith-based and family-friendly content, especially for kids. It is ideal for households seeking a reliable, all-in-one platform at a predictable cost.
Choose Angel Studios if you are drawn to high-impact, modern faith stories like The Chosen and enjoy supporting innovative projects. It is perfect for viewers who value quality over quantity and do not need a vast library.
For families with diverse viewing needs, Pure Flix is the safer bet. Angel Studios is the visionary choice for those passionate about groundbreaking Christian media.
If budget’s a concern, Angel Studios’ free tier offers unmatched value—though Pure Flix’s subscription still delivers more bang for your buck.