When streaming services first began to offer free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, many viewers didn’t see the point. Traditional TV listings were already packed with channels that never attracted much in the way of viewers, so why clutter up the digital spaces with little-watched channels as well? But streaming providers have stacked free ad-supported services with a wide range of desirable content, and now these platforms draw tens of millions of viewers per month to watch live and on-demand content. As demand has grown for this type of free streaming option, so has the supply; a new report from the FASTMaster shows that there are nearly 2,000 individual FAST channels available in the United States alone, and The Streamable’s experts will steer you to the right platform for your viewing preferences.

Key Details:

• There are 1,943 unique FAST channels available in the United States, a 47 increase in two years.
• Warner Bros. Discovery distributes more FAST channels than any other outlet, despite only entering the space in 2023.
• Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, and other free streamers each offer their own unique benefits.

The data compiled by FASTMaster shows that American audiences have 1,943 unique FAST channels to choose from, spread across dozens of different platforms. That’s a jump of 47.3% since May 2022, and Sling Freestream leads all services with 566 channels measured.

The data also shows that Warner Bros. Discovery is the leading distributor of FAST content in the United States, which could explain why the company has not launched a free streamer of its own yet, despite multiple statements of intention to do so. WBD entered the FAST space with 14 channels in May 2023 but now owns 46 such networks, vaulting itself from the fifth-largest FAST distributor to No. 1 in just a year. Frankly, there’s no need for WBD to assume the costs of creating a new platform when its channels are already available so widely.

Related: Best Free Video Streaming Services

The increasing costs of on-demand streaming are convincing more and more viewers to give free platforms a try. Research unveiled by Omdia in January showed that in 2020, just 19% of audiences watched a FAST channel at least once per week. By November 2023, that number had climbed to 46%, and the steady upward curve of FAST viewership is likely to continue.

Which Free Streaming Services Are the Best?

It’s hard to quantify free streaming platforms on a best-to-worst scale, particularly because so many of them carry the same channels as their peers. But there are big differences between the various free streamers available, and The Streamable’s knowledgeable analysts will break down those differences and help you seek out the best free platform for your needs.

Best Free Streamer for Live TV Fans: Pluto TV

Pluto TV is ideal for viewers who like to replicate the traditional TV-watching experience as much as possible. This service really emphasizes its live channels; when a user first navigates to Pluto, its home screen pulls up a live channel guide that will look very familiar to cable subscribers of old. Customers can still browse between categories to find exactly what they’re looking for, but if you’re interested in just tuning into Pluto and then tuning out with whatever pops onto the live channel you picked, Pluto is the streamer for you. It’s got nearly 400 live channels to pick from, with plenty of single-show networks and even live news options.

Best Free Streamer for On-Demand Viewers: Tubi

If you’d rather take full control over what you’re watching at all times on free streaming platforms, you might want to consider checking out Tubi. This service has plenty of live channels for viewers to waste a little time with, but the CEO of its parent company Fox recently revealed that 90% of viewing on Tubi is on-demand. Its user interface puts on-demand content front-and-center, and its sequestered kids section ensures that families won’t have to worry about their children stumbling across something they shouldn’t see.

Best Choices if You Love Original TV: Roku Channel and Freevee

Both The Roku Channel and Freevee do an excellent job of offering content that won’t be found on other free streaming platforms. Roku has invested in some big-name titles over the years, including “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” and “The Great American Baking Show.” It even carries some live sports, recently agreeing to a deal with MLB to show one live baseball game every Sunday morning.

Freevee gained wide notoriety for its original series “Jury Duty,” which is part reality show, part comedy, and part “The Truman Show.” But that’s far from the only original on the streamer, which is the only place to stream new episodes of “Bosch: Legacy” and the upcoming comedy series “Dinner With the Parents.” Amazon invests heavily in ensuring its free streaming platform has a big selection of originals and exclusives, and it shows!

Best Streamer for Watching News: Haystack News

Haystack News is a streaming service that pulls together news coverage from 400 local, national, and international providers. Users will see reports from ABC Owned Television Stations, CBS Television Stations, Cox Media Group, Fox Television Stations, Hearst Television, Hubbard Broadcasting, Nexstar Media Group, Scripps, and more. Its wide variety of available stations and the big footprint it offers ensures viewers from coast to coast can keep up with the biggest stories happening in their region.