Article Summary
Our list of the best free streaming services includes:
- Tubi
- Pluto TV
- Vudu
- YouTube
- The Roku Channel
These streaming services have big libraries of movies and TV shows and are generally easy to use. You will have to sit through ads when watching content on these platforms.
The popularity of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu makes it clear that we’re willing to pay for our entertainment. However, if you are looking to save some money or you just want to add more options to your streaming arsenal, you might want to look into one of the several free video streaming services on the market right now.
What to Expect from Free Streaming Service
Ads! With most of these free streaming services, you’re going to have to wait through long periods of ad breaks to get through the free content. In most cases, this isn’t any worse than the ad breaks you’re probably used to with old-fashioned cable TV, but it might be jarring if your primary source of video content is from Netflix or Prime Video.
You can also expect limitations on video quality. Most of the free streaming services limit resolution to 720p, which isn’t horrible, but might be a little jarring to those used to watching video in 1080p or higher.
On top of the lower quality of video, you might expect slightly diminished quality content-wise. There are plenty of good movies and shows on these free services, they just tend to be a little older. You’re not going to find a lot of the more recent hits you’d find on paid services. Free live TV streaming services are especially lacking in when it comes to sports, which is one of the biggest reasons why people still want live TV.
Tubi
With over 20,000 selections of movies and shows, there is plenty to watch on Tubi. You’re sure to find something to watch, though you might have a difficult time combing through so much content. Tubi doesn’t seem to be as ad heavy as some of the other free streaming services, though you should expect to see ads at the beginning, middle, and end of anything you watch. Unlike some other streaming services, Tubi doesn’t mark video timeline to let you know when the commercials are coming.
The Tubi interface is pretty simple. You can browse through pretty standard genres and categories to help make it easier to find something to watch. Tubi doesn’t require you to register to watch its content, but if want to track your viewing history and create a viewing queue, registration is a must.
Supported devices:
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Fire TV
- Chromecast
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- iOS
- Android
- Web browsers
- Smart TVs
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is a free streaming TV service owned by Viacom, offering both live TV and on demand shows and movies. Many of the channels available on Pluto TV are alternate versions of Viacom cable channels designed specifically for the streaming service, such as Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and BET. Pluto TV also broadcasts binge-friendly channels that just continuously show episodes of certain shows like Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen.
Pluto TV’s selection of on-demand titles is fairly big, though there’s definitely a lack of grade-A content. Still, their quantity is large enough that you’re certain to find something to watch. The interface is fairly simple, but on a web browser there’s always something playing in the background, which could get tiresome when all you’re trying to do is browse through the titles. Ad breaks for the on-demand content are frequent and long.
Supported devices:
- Roku
- Channel master
- Android
- iOS
- Fire TV
- Web browsers
Crackle
Crackle—owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and Sony—is another popular free streaming service. Like other free streaming services, you don’t have to register with Crackle to start watching the shows and movies on the service, but it’s helpful if you want to be able to save titles to a watchlist. Crackle’s movie selection isn’t quite as robust Tubi’s or Pluto TV’s, but they do have a pretty strong collection of older TV shows. Ads are frequent and long, but you’ll at least know when they are coming by seeing marks on the video timeline.
Supported devices:
- Android
- Android TV
- iOS
- Apple TV
- Chromecast
- Fire TV/Fire Stick
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Roku
- SmartTV: Samsung, Vizio, LG
YouTube
No need for a list of supported devices here. It’s YouTube! Basically, anything that has a screen on it is compatible with it. You’re probably well aware of the what YouTube brings to the table (user generated clips, music videos, cats, dogs, conspiracy theories), but you might not know that YouTube has a pretty big library of feature films. Of course, like the other streaming services on this list, these free movies do come with ads.
The selection of movies is big, but most of the movies aren’t quite the best. However, if you dig through the titles you should be able to find something you want to watch. As for the interface, again, it’s YouTube. You know how to use it.
Vudu
Vudu is a streaming service that primarily sells and rents out movies, but Vudu also has ad-supported free content. Unlike most of the free streaming services, you have to create an account in order to watch, but that just requires your name and an email address. The content selection is pretty similar to the other free streaming services on the list. A convenient aspect of Vudu is that if there is something you feel like watching that isn’t part of the revolving free collections, you can just buy or purchase the movie right there.
Supported devices:
- Android
- iOS
- Roku
- Chromcast
- Tivo
- SmartTV: Vizio, Samsung, LG
- Web browsers
- PlayStation
- Xbox
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is the free streaming service designed for the Roku device, but it’s also compatible with a handful of other devices. It’s a shame that the Roku Channel isn’t more widely available as it has one of the better selections of content, a very slick design, and simple interface. The Roku Channel even has limited free content from premium TV services like HBO and Showtime, though this is probably meant to lure you into subscribing to those services.
The Roku Channel would probably be our favorite of the free streaming services, but the limited availability does hold it back.
Supported devices:
- Roku (naturally)
- iOS
- Android
- Web browsers
- Samsung Smart TV
Best Internet for Your Free Streaming
You’re going to need an internet connection to enjoy these free streaming services. Since most limit video quality anyway, you probably don’t need the fastest internet. However, if you’re just using the free services to supplement your paid content, you probably do want faster internet.
Here are some of the most popular internet service providers:
|
#1
|
WOW!
Internet 300
$20/mo
with AutoPay
+ $10 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Breezeline
Internet 100
$20/mo
for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount.
|
|
#3
|
Kinetic
100 Mbps
$24.99/mo
for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment.
|
|
#4
|
Optimum
300 Mbps Internet
$25/mo
with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
|
|
#5
|
Mercury Broadband
Mercury Foundation
$25/mo
with AutoPay
+ $45 Upfront
|
|
#6
|
Frontier
Fiber 500 Internet
$29.99/mo
with AutoPay
|
|
#7
|
Brightspeed
200 Mbps
$29.99/mo
Limited availability/areas. Taxes and fees extra. Autopay required. Pricing Subject to change.
|
|
#8
|
Astound
300 Mbps Internet
$30/mo
Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only
+ $14.99 Upfront
|
|
#9
|
Fidium
300M
$30/mo
With AutoPay. Available in select locations.
+ $199 Upfront
|
|
#10
|
Armstrong
Zoom Express
$34.95/mo
Available in select locations
|
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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