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As streaming services replace cable for most households, entertainment companies are racing to put out binge-worthy series, original shows, and famous TV and movies that’ll keep viewers glued to their screens. Subscription-based streaming outlets like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, and Hulu are stacking up to be quite a hefty bill when you add them together. If you’re looking to protect your finances by cutting back on some of your non-essential expenses, you might want to consider switching to the top free streaming services that have an equally impressive range of content.
Here are some of the most talked about free ad-supported TV and movie streaming providers available today to help you decide which one is truly worth your time.
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel has one of the widest arrays of on-demand content and TV stations for live viewing, with 80,000+ titles and growing. While Roku, Inc. supplies physical devices for streaming, you can also watch on the app or the web. Watch live sports and news channels or sign up for free to manage paid subscriptions, like SHOWTIME, Discovery+, BET+, Starz, and more.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | Yes |
| Registration | None required to watch; must sign up to create a Save List and continue watching where you left off |
| Authorized Devices | All Roku streaming devices and Roku TVs, Android App, iOS App, Samsung TVs, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for exclusive, original content and a classic cable experience |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for older seasons of hit shows |
Popcornflix
Popcornflix is a place to watch on-demand television series and movies as it doesn’t have a live TV option. It’s known for its independent films and theatrical releases across genres like drama, horror, Spanish-language films, documentaries, kids, and more.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | No |
| Exclusive Content | Yes |
| Registration | None available, browser or app saves watch history |
| Authorized Devices | Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, Android App, iOS App, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for exclusive, original content |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles |
Crackle
Crackle, now owned by the same company that holds Popcornflix (Chicken Soup for the Soul), boasts of its “free-uncut and unedited” movie list. Here, watchers can expect to see movies and shows they might not have heard of and in a way they haven’t seen before.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | No |
| Exclusive Content | Yes |
| Registration | None required to watch; must sign up to save favorites, progress, and manage parental controls |
| Authorized Devices | Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Roku, Xbox One, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, LG Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for classic titles and original content |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles |
Sling Freestream
Sling Freestream is the ad-supported free version of Dish Network’s Sling TV. Its massive entertainment library has over 270 live TV channels and more than 40,000 on-demand titles. With an onscreen TV guide, viewers get the traditional cable experience with movies just a click away.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | No |
| Registration | None required to watch; must sign up to save your favorite channels, create a watchlist, and continue where you left off |
| Authorized Devices | Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, Chromecast, Cox, xfinity, Apple TV, TiVo, LG Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for quality films and somewhat recent TV shows |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for exclusive, original content |
Xumo Play
Xumo Play is Comcast’s streaming live TV and on-demand service. Consumers enjoy the grid-like interface where they can browse entire networks or peruse the live TV guide. This platform doesn’t have a lot of trending titles, but it’s useful for easy TV watching.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | No |
| Registration | None available; you can save networks as your favorite without registration |
| Authorized Devices | Amazon Fire devices, Android TV, Apple TV, Flex, Hisense, Android App, iOS App, Panasonic, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, VIZIO Smart TVs, Xfinity X1 devices, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for a classic cable experience |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles |
Peacock
Peacock, another Comcast baby headed by NBCUniversal, is a popular choice due to the performance of its original content. The caveat here is they did away with the free version, so new users will need to pay a subscription. Older users can still stream live TV and on-demand content for free.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | Yes |
| Registration | Required to watch and manage content |
| Authorized Devices | Amazon Fire devices, Android TV, Apple TV, Flex Hisense, Android App, iOS App, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, VIZIO Smart TVs, Cox, Xfinity X1 devices, PlayStation 4 and 5, XBOX, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles and exclusive, original content |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re new to Peacock (requires subscription) or looking for older seasons of hit shows |
Freevee
Freevee, owned by Amazon, was previously known as IMDb TV. Since then, Freevee has added over 177 live channels, and thousands of on-demand movies, with 19 categories to choose from. There are so many interesting shows you won’t find anywhere else, plus you can gain early access to rent or buy premium content.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | Yes |
| Registration | Required to watch and manage content |
| Authorized Devices | Android TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Echo Show, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Google TV, Apple TV, LG Smart TVs, Prime Video, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for exclusive, original content and quality films |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re especially frustrated with confusing interfaces |
Vudu
Vudu, acquired by Fandango, brings tons of titles that may have been forgotten by moviegoers. With upwards of 10,000 entertainment pieces in their free section, you’ll surely find something worth watching. It’s not particularly family-oriented, so keep that in mind when creating an account.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | No |
| Exclusive Content | No |
| Registration | Required to watch and manage content |
| Authorized Devices | Android TV, Roku, Xbox, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Chromecast, Apple TV, LG Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for an entire film series or interesting content |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles |
Pluto TV
Pluto TV’s parent organization is Paramount Streaming, which explains the vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows, including popular titles from this major filming studio. Viewers can easily switch between live TV and on-demand while browsing various genres like crime, reality, comedy, game shows, daytime TV, food, sports, music, and more.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | No |
| Registration | None required to watch; must sign up to save your favorites and watchlist across devices |
| Authorized Devices | Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick, Fire TV Cube, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromebook, Smart TV Pluto TV app, LG Channels app, Roku, Tizen Smart TV 2017 or newer, Xbox, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for an entire film series or nostalgic entertainment |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles |
Tubi
Tubi is increasing in popularity with its simplistic and engaging interface (that Netflix users will find similar) while streaming episodes of more recent titles. Tubi, owned by FOX, partners with 455 entertainment companies, so it’s no wonder their list is so extensive.
Quick Specs
| Live TV | Yes |
| Exclusive Content | Yes |
| Registration | None required to watch; must sign up to bookmark titles |
| Authorized Devices | Amazon Fire TV/Stick and Kindle Fire tablet, Amazon Echo Show, Android App, iOS App, Android TV, Apple TV 4th Generation, Chromecast, Hisense Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs, Web browser |
| Worth your time if | You’re looking for quality films and recent TV shows |
| NOT worth your time if | You’re looking for older seasons of hit shows |
Finding the Right Free Streaming Service for You
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Out of hundreds of free streaming platforms available, we’ve compared the most notable ones so you can evaluate their content libraries, registration process, and interfaces. Start saving money without missing out on your favorite titles by trying free ad-supported streaming services! With no long-term contracts or monthly fees, free streaming providers offer a level of flexibility and transparency that traditional cable and satellite can’t beat.
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