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First Look at Philo Free, the New FAST Service That Allows Viewers to DVR Shows and Movies at No Cost

First Look at Philo Free, the New FAST Service That Allows Viewers to DVR Shows and Movies at No Cost

There’s no credit card required to access Philo Free, but unlike many free streaming platforms users have to create an account.

Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Philo's new free streaming platform is available to viewers as of Wednesday, June 12.

There are big things happening at Philo this week. On Wednesday, the live TV streaming service rolled out a new Core subscription plan, which new customers can grab for $28 per month and includes access to the AMC+ on-demand streaming service. Also new at Philo is a free streaming platform dubbed “Philo Free,” which carries dozens of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels that viewers can watch without having to subscribe to a Core plan or even enter their credit card information. I’ll run you through all of the important aspects of Philo Free, so you can decide if it’s worth your time to give the streamer a look!

Important Questions About Philo Free:

What Is Philo Free?

As its name indicates, Philo Free is in fact free! The new streaming platform allows viewers to watch 80+ FAST channels at no cost. It was first announced in late May when Philo informed customers that the base price of a subscription was rising for new subscribers.

Do You Need an Account to Sign Up for Philo Free?

Yes, unlike other free streaming platforms like Tubi or Pluto TV, Philo Free viewers have to register with an email and password before they can watch Philo Free. However, there is no requirement for viewers to enter any payment information to secure their account.

What Channels Are Available on Philo Free?

At launch, Philo Free has 80+ channels from providers including AMC, Cinevault, ALLBLK, Game Show Network, and more. It offers single-show channels like Drag Race Universe and Walking Dead Universe, music networks from Vevo, and many others.

Can You Record Shows on Philo Free?

Yes! Unlike many other free streaming platforms, Philo Free allows viewers to DVR select titles and keep the recordings for up to 30 days.

What is the Philo Free User Interface Like?

Those accustomed to free streaming platforms will see the Philo Free interface as reasonably familiar. The home screen features a carousel of trending titles at the top, and as one scrolls down they’ll see the usual tile rows of Recommended channels, Top Movies, categories like Reality Roundup, etc.

The home screen on Philo's free streaming service will look quite familiar to most.

The Top Playable section will show viewers titles they can stream on-demand from various FAST channels, and will allow them to see when those specific titles will air live on the channels in question. The Saved section is where users will see the titles they’ve DVR’d.

The Guide section pulls up a simple channel guide that shows viewers each selection in alphabetical order. Viewers can select which channels are their favorites by selecting the channel’s title card on the left side of the screen, and favorited channels move to the top of the channel list automatically.

Philo Free's channel guide moves favorited networks right to the top of the list.

Can You Create User Profiles on Philo Free?

Yes, subscribers can create as many as 10 user profiles on Philo Free to enhance the customization of the service.

Can Paid Philo Subscribers Switch to Philo Free?

Yes, paid Philo customers can switch to Philo Free only at any time by canceling their subscription. Conversely, any Philo Free viewers can easily move to Philo Core subscribers by following prompts on the Philo website.

How Do You Sign Up for Philo Free?

To start watching free channels from Philo with no credit card required, follow this link. Click the “Watch free channels” and register your email address. If you are prompted to enter a credit card after putting in your email, go back to the first screen and click “Watch free channels” again. This worked for me when I was trying to sign up; remember, do not enter your credit card info if you only want to watch Philo Free.

Philo

Philo is a live TV streaming service designed for entertainment lovers, offering flexible ways to watch without the high price of traditional TV bundles. The service now features two paid plans — Essential and Bundle+ — alongside its existing free streaming offering, giving customers a range of options depending on how much live and premium content they want.

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The Essential plan costs $25 per month and includes 70+ live TV channels focused on entertainment and lifestyle programming, such as AMC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, Nickelodeon, and Food Network. Subscribers also get access to 120+ free streaming channels, more than 80,000 movies and shows on demand, and unlimited DVR with one-year storage. Essential also includes a 7-day free trial for new customers.

For viewers who want more premium content, Philo offers the Bundle+ plan for $33 per month (formerly the Philo Core plan). Bundle+ includes everything in Essential, plus ad-supported AMC+ and access to the HBO Max (Basic with Ads) app. Users can also access discovery+ content directly within the Philo app. While Bundle+ adds a full premium streaming bundle for just $8 more per month, it does not include a free trial.

The service is available on most major devices, including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, mobile devices, and web browsers. In addition to its paid plans, Philo also offers a free ad-supported streaming experience, allowing users to explore content before deciding whether to upgrade to a live TV subscription.

While it doesn’t include local broadcast stations or sports networks like ESPN, FS1 or NBC Sports Network, Philo remains one of the most affordable live TV streaming options for entertainment-focused viewers. With a simple lineup, generous DVR storage, and a clear path from free streaming to live TV and premium bundles, Philo is an appealing choice for cord-cutters who want to keep costs down while still enjoying a wide range of popular programming.


David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.

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