Where to Watch the Best Free Streaming Services?

In today’s digital era, streaming has become the go-to way to watch movies, TV shows, sports, and live events. While premium services like Netflix and Disney+ dominate the market, many people seek free alternatives. Fortunately, several free streaming platforms offer quality content, though often supported by ads.

Below, we review 10 of the most popular free streaming sites based on visitor traffic. Each offers unique features, so you can choose the best one for your needs.

1. YouTube

Monthly Visitors: Over 2.5 billion

YouTube is the largest video-sharing platform in the world, offering an extensive library of user-generated and professionally produced content. While it primarily features vlogs, tutorials, and music videos, YouTube also has a growing number of free movies and TV shows through partnerships with studios. Many independent filmmakers also upload their work directly to YouTube.

The platform’s YouTube Movies & Shows section provides free, ad-supported movies, including classic films, documentaries, and even newer releases. Additionally, YouTube has numerous live-streaming channels covering news, sports, and gaming.

One of the biggest advantages of YouTube is its accessibility—it’s available on nearly every device, from smart TVs to mobile phones. While ads can be annoying, YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience, but even without it, the vast content selection makes it a top choice for free streaming.

2. Pluto TV

Monthly Visitors: Over 70 million

Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming service owned by Paramount Global. It offers live TV channels and on-demand content, making it one of the best cable TV alternatives. The platform has over 250 live channels, covering movies, news, sports, and entertainment.

What sets Pluto TV apart is its TV-like experience. You can browse channels just like on traditional cable, without needing a subscription. Popular channels include CNN, CBS News, MTV, and Comedy Central. There’s also a vast collection of on-demand movies and TV series, featuring classics and recent hits.

The only downside? Pluto TV is region-locked, meaning some content may not be available outside the U.S. However, with a VPN, international users can still enjoy its vast library. If you’re looking for a free, legal streaming service with a cable-like feel, Pluto TV is a fantastic option.

3. Tubi

Monthly Visitors: Over 60 million

Tubi is another ad-supported streaming service with a massive library of over 50,000 movies and TV shows. It’s completely free and doesn’t require a subscription, making it a great alternative to paid services.

Tubi has partnerships with major studios like Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate, allowing it to offer Hollywood blockbusters, indie films, and classic TV shows. The content is regularly updated, so there’s always something new to watch.

One standout feature of Tubi is its genre-based organization, making it easy to find content that suits your taste. Whether you’re into action, horror, anime, or documentaries, Tubi has something for you.

The only drawback? Ads. Like most free services, Tubi relies on commercials, but they’re generally shorter than those on cable TV. Overall, Tubi is one of the best free streaming platforms available.

4. The Roku Channel

Monthly Visitors: Over 80 million

Originally exclusive to Roku devices, The Roku Channel is now available on web browsers, iOS, and Android. It offers a large selection of free movies, TV shows, and even live TV channels.

The service features content from studios like Lionsgate, Warner Bros., and Paramount, covering multiple genres. It also includes exclusive original shows, making it stand out from other free platforms. Additionally, the Roku Channel has a live TV section with news, sports, and entertainment channels.

One key benefit of The Roku Channel is its minimal ads compared to other free services. However, its availability is limited in some regions, and some premium content requires payment. Despite that, it remains one of the best free streaming options today.

5. Crackle

Monthly Visitors: Over 40 million

Owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Crackle is a well-known free streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and original content.

Crackle’s library is smaller than Tubi or Pluto TV, but it still features Hollywood films, classic TV series, and exclusive Crackle Originals. Popular titles have included Sherlock Holmes, The Tick, and Joe Dirt 2.

The service doesn’t require a subscription, though signing up allows you to create a watchlist. While Crackle is ad-supported, its commercial breaks are generally short, making it one of the best options for free, legal streaming.

6. Peacock Free

Monthly Visitors: Over 30 million

Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, offers a free tier with thousands of hours of TV shows and movies. It includes classics like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and a selection of Universal Pictures films.

The free version also provides live news and some sports content, but premium features like WWE Network and recent movies require a subscription. Even so, Peacock Free is a great way to watch high-quality content without paying.

7. Vudu (Free Section)

Monthly Visitors: Over 25 million

Vudu is best known as a digital rental service, but it also has a “Free with Ads” section, featuring thousands of movies and TV shows. While the free selection changes frequently, it often includes big-budget Hollywood films.

Since Vudu is owned by Fandango, it frequently partners with major studios, ensuring high-quality streaming. If you don’t mind ads, Vudu’s free section is a great way to watch popular movies legally.

8. Xumo Play

Monthly Visitors: Over 20 million

Xumo Play is similar to Pluto TV, offering live TV channels and on-demand movies. It provides access to news, sports, entertainment, and kids’ programming, all for free.

Xumo’s content library isn’t as vast as Tubi or Pluto TV, but it still has a solid mix of live and on-demand content. If you enjoy the cable TV experience without the cost, Xumo Play is worth checking out.

9. Freevee

Monthly Visitors: Over 15 million

Amazon’s Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) offers ad-supported movies and TV shows, including popular series like Bosch: Legacy and Judy Justice. Since it’s backed by Amazon, Freevee features high-quality content and a polished user experience.

While its selection isn’t as large as Tubi, Freevee focuses on premium content, making it one of the best free streaming options.

10. Kanopy

Monthly Visitors: Over 10 million

Kanopy is unique because it’s completely ad-free. However, it requires a library card from a participating institution. It offers independent films, documentaries, and educational content, making it perfect for cinephiles and students.

If your local library supports Kanopy, it’s an excellent way to access high-quality films for free.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for free and legal streaming services, these 10 platforms offer a great mix of movies, TV shows, and live channels. While ad-supported models dominate, they provide a budget-friendly alternative to paid services.

Which of these streaming platforms is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!