Cut costs, not entertainment! Explore the best free streamers
Cut costs, not entertainment! Explore the best free streamers
Find the top platforms to watch movies, shows, and more without spending a dime.
Streaming costs only ever seem to go one direction these days: up. Services like Apple TV, Disney+, and Peacock have made price hikes a more or less annual tradition, and it’s hard to find an ad-free streaming plan for less than $15 per month these days. Viewers usually have the option of buying into a lower-cost, ad-supported streaming plan, but paying for subscriptions just to watch ads is still a hard pill to swallow for a huge number of viewers.
That’s why audiences are so willing to turn to free streaming services like Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Plex, Xumo, and others. But it can be hard to know which free streamers you should spend the most time with, especially since so many of them have a significant content overlap.
Use our beginner’s guide to finding the best free streaming services below! Remember, there’s no wrong answer when watching a free streamer, since you’re not risking your hard-earned money by watching. But if you’re looking for a specific experience, or just want to make the most out of every viewing hour, check out our recommendations below.
Best free streaming services
Tubi
Best for: Movie lovers who want a massive variety
Tubi is one of the heavyweights in the free streaming world, and it shows. With more than 50,000 titles, it is a service built for people who love digging into a seemingly endless library of films and shows. The catalog encompasses everything from Hollywood blockbusters to indie darlings, foreign films, and cult classics that are often difficult to find elsewhere.
Tubi is also investing in original content, which means it is not just recycling older titles. You will find fresh series and movies exclusive to the platform, giving it an edge over other free competitors. Its layout is easy to navigate, with categories tailored for niche audiences, whether you are into anime, true crime, horror, or family-friendly picks. If your idea of streaming fun is exploring something new every night, Tubi is the closest you will get to a free version of Netflix.
As far as ad experiences go, Tubi is our favorite among free streamers. You’ll see fewer commercials when watching Tubi than you will while streaming some subscription streaming services, to say nothing of competing free streamers.
Tubi
Tubi is a free video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 200,000+ movies and TV episodes - more than any other streaming service. Its ad breaks are shorter and less frequent than most free services. Fox executives have called their service “TV on steroids.”
Pluto TV
Best for: Channel surfers who want the live TV experience
If you miss the feeling of flipping through channels, Pluto TV delivers it in spades. Instead of focusing only on on-demand content, Pluto offers more than 250 live channels that mimic traditional cable. You will find dedicated channels for crime shows, sitcom marathons, kids programming, and even 24/7 streams of old favorites like Cheers or Unsolved Mysteries.
Pluto also has an extensive on-demand section, but its real charm is in the live experience. It is perfect for background viewing or for those moments when you want TV to feel spontaneous again. The interface is simple, and because Paramount owns it, you will also see popular titles from their library. Think of Pluto as the closest free replacement for cable television.
Xumo
Best for: Viewers who want quick access to live programming
Xumo operates on a similar principle to Pluto TV but with its own spin. It offers more than 350 live channels, from news and sports to lifestyle and entertainment. The platform is straightforward, launching you directly into live TV when you open it, which makes it feel like turning on a traditional television set.
While its on-demand library is smaller than Tubi, Xumo shines for those who want easy access to live content. If you like catching up on news, watching sports highlights, or having something running in the background, Xumo is a strong choice. It is also integrated into many smart TVs, which makes it even more convenient since you may already have access without downloading anything new.
Xumo Play
Xumo Play is a free video streaming service that includes on-demand access to several movies and TV shows. Xumo Play offers 290 free virtual channels, including those focused on reality TV, vintage TV, and game shows.
Kanopy
Best for: Students, educators, and cinephiles with a library card
Kanopy is unlike any other free streaming service. Instead of being ad-supported, it partners with public libraries and universities to provide free access to films. All you need is a library card or university login, and you can stream a curated collection of critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, and indie gems without ads.
The catalog prioritizes quality over quantity. You won’t find hundreds of sitcoms or random reality shows here. Instead, you will see award-winning documentaries, classic cinema, and independent films that are often celebrated at festivals. For film lovers who want to watch something thought-provoking rather than binge familiar reruns, Kanopy feels like a gift. It also makes education more accessible, providing students and communities with influential films for free.
Kanopy
Kanopy is a streaming platform for independent films and documentaries. It has a collection of more than 30,000 films such as a wide array of dramas, comedies, biopics, and television series. The library includes award-winning films and shows from major television networks like HISTORY, A&E, and PBS.
Plex
Best for: Cord-cutters who want to combine their own media library with free streaming and live TV
Plex is a unique streaming service that goes beyond just offering free movies and TV shows. It allows you to organize your own media library while also providing a solid selection of free, ad-supported content. From classic films to hidden gems, Plex’s on-demand catalog keeps viewers entertained without a subscription fee.
It also streams live TV channels in certain areas, making it a versatile hub for cord-cutters. Whether you want to relive old favorites, discover indie titles, or combine your personal library with free streaming content, Plex brings it all together in one sleek platform.
Plex
Plex is a free streaming service that includes on-demand access to 50,000+ movies and TV shows. The service also offers 1,100+ free-to-stream live TV channels in 193 countries. Users can also connect Plex to their computers to stream and share any media they have on their hard drives.
Roku Channel
Best for: Roku device owners looking for an easy, all-in-one hub for free movies, TV shows, and live channels.
The Roku Channel is a treasure trove of free entertainment, offering a diverse range of content, including classic movies, current TV shows, and live channels. Popular titles like Hell’s Kitchen and classic favorites such as The Karate Kid are available to stream without a subscription. The platform also features live news, sports, and lifestyle channels, making it a one-stop hub for various types of content.
Roku device integration makes browsing seamless, and users can access optional premium add-ons for an expanded selection of shows and movies. Whether you want a binge session or live programming, the Roku Channel makes it simple and easy to access, all for free.
Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a broad mix of movies, TV shows, live linear channels, and original programming. Available to all viewers — not just Roku device owners — the service features licensed content from major studios alongside Roku Originals, which include exclusive series, movies, and specials previously produced for Quibi, as well as new original projects developed specifically for the platform.
Watch without paying
Free streaming services have carved out a valuable niche in the entertainment world, offering a wide variety of shows and movies at no cost. Whether you are catching up on classics, discovering new favorites, or simply looking for a budget-friendly alternative to subscription platforms, these services deliver. The best part is that you can mix and match them to fit your mood or interests. From Tubi’s vast library to Kanopy’s thoughtful film collection, free streaming proves that quality entertainment does not have to come with a price tag.