The world of documentaries has never been so accessible!
If you are the type of person who loves to learn while having fun, you need to know about the apps that offer amazing documentaries, with themes ranging from true crimes and historical mysteries to science, nature and human behavior.
In this article, you will discover The best apps to watch documentaries on your cell phone, computer or TV, with options free, dubbed, no ads and even with professional curation.
We also include a comparative table to help you choose the best option for your profile.
📱 The Best Apps to Watch Documentaries in 2025
🔹 1. Documentaries+
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Price: 100% free
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Advertising: ❌ No ads
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Dubbing: ❌ English only with subtitles
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Platforms: Android, iOS, Web, Roku, Fire TV
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Emphasis: Clean interface and professional curation
O Documentaries+ offers a distraction-free experience with total focus on content. Everything is free, with no login required, and the platform features award-winning independent documentaries and high-quality content in visual and narrative quality.
🔹 2. YouTube
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Price: Free (with Premium option)
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Advertising: ✅ Yes, removable with YouTube Premium
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Dubbing: ✅ Lots of content in Portuguese
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Platforms: All — mobile, browser, smart TV
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Emphasis: Greater variety and infinite content
On YouTube, you can find thousands of documentaries on channels such as BBC Earth, DW Documental, Discovery Brasil, Canal Curta and many others. It is ideal for those looking for variety and do not mind more manual navigation.
🔹 3. Pluto TV
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Price: Free
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Advertising: ✅ Yes
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Dubbing: ✅ Yes
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Platforms: Android, iOS, Smart TVs, Web
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Emphasis: Live streaming and on-demand content
Pluto TV is a free digital TV channel with live channels, including a category dedicated to documentaries. It has everything from crime investigations to wildlife, all dubbed and easy to navigate.
🔹 4. Tubi TV
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Price: Free
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Advertising: ✅ Yes
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Dubbing: ✅ Some documentaries dubbed, others subtitled
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Platforms: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TVs
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Emphasis: Excellent thematic variety
Tubi TV is a hidden gem. Its documentary catalog is very diverse, with topics ranging from mental health to ancient civilizations, and is ideal for those who want to escape the mainstream.
🔹 5. Curiosity Stream
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Price: From R$9.90/month
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Advertising: ❌ No ads
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Dubbing: ✅ Yes
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Platforms: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TVs
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Emphasis: High quality documentaries with professional narration
Founded by one of the creators of the Discovery Channel, Curiosity Stream offers a premium experience with cinematic quality. It is ideal for those seeking depth, with hundreds of exclusive titles on science, space, history and technology.
6. History Play/History Channel App
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Price: Free with pay TV login option
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Advertising: ✅ Yes
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Dubbing: ✅ Yes (content in Portuguese)
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Platforms: Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV
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Emphasis: Access to original series and documentaries from the History channel
O History Play (or History Channel App, depending on the country) is the official app of the History channel. It offers a library of series, full episodes and exclusive documentaries, such as “Ancient Aliens”, “The Universe”, “Great Mysteries of History”, among others.
Some content is open to the public, but to access most of it, you need to log in with your pay TV operator details.
📊 App Comparison Chart
| Application | Free | No Ads | Dubbed | Variety | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Documentaries+ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Average | Android, iOS, Web |
| YouTube | ✅ | ❌ (Premium) | ✅ | High | All |
| Pluto TV | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Average | Android, iOS, TV |
| Tubi TV | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ Partial | High | Android, iOS, Web |
| Curiosity Stream | ❌ (Paid) | ✅ | ✅ | High | Android, iOS, TV |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which app has the best documentaries dubbed in Portuguese?
O Pluto TV and the Curiosity Stream offer much of their content with Portuguese dubbing. On YouTube, many videos from Brazilian channels are also available dubbed or with automatic subtitles.
2. Is it possible to watch without ads?
Yes! The Documentaries+ and the Curiosity Stream are ad-free. On YouTube, you can remove ads with the Premium plan.
3. Can I watch for free on Smart TV?
Yes, all listed apps are compatible with modern Smart TVs (Android TV, Fire TV, Roku, WebOS). Just download the app or use your TV's web browser.
4. Do I need to create an account?
YouTube, Pluto TV It is Documentaries+ do not require an account to start. Tubi TV It is Curiosity Stream ask for a login, the latter being a paid service.
5. Which app has the largest collection?
O YouTube leads in variety, followed by Tubi TV. Already the Curiosity Stream offers the most curated and professional collection.