If you’re tired of paying $15 a month for streaming services that still don’t have the shows you want, you’re not alone. Millions of people are ditching paid subscriptions and turning to free, ad-supported platforms instead. The truth? You don’t need to pay for great content anymore. Platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV, and others offer thousands of movies and TV shows - all for free, with just a few commercial breaks.
Why Free-with-Ads Streaming Is Winning
Ad-supported streaming isn’t a compromise anymore - it’s the new standard. In 2025, over 60 million U.S. households use at least one free, ad-supported streaming service, according to data from the Digital Content Next trade group. That’s more than the number of people who subscribe to Hulu or Apple TV+.
These services aren’t filled with low-quality junk. They’ve spent years building libraries with real studio content: Warner Bros., MGM, Lionsgate, and even Sony have licensed their back catalogs. You can find Oscar-winning films, cult classics, and full seasons of canceled TV shows - all legally and for free.
The ads? They’re not endless. Most platforms limit breaks to 4-6 minutes per hour, and many let you skip ads after 5 seconds. Some even let you pause them. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fair trade for unlimited access.
Tubi: The Library That Never Sleeps
Tubi stands out because it feels like a digital video store you forgot you had. With over 50,000 titles, it’s the largest free library in the U.S. You’ll find everything from John Wick and The Sixth Sense to full seasons of Law & Order and NCIS.
What makes Tubi special is its organization. It doesn’t just dump titles on you. It groups them by mood, decade, genre, and even actor. Looking for 90s thrillers? Done. Want every movie with Bruce Willis? Tubi has 87 of them. It’s curated like a film buff’s personal collection.
Ads on Tubi average 4 minutes per hour, and you can skip most after 5 seconds. The interface is clean, works on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and smartphones, and doesn’t require a credit card to sign up. It’s the closest thing to Netflix - without the bill.
Pluto TV: Live TV Without the Cable Bill
If you miss watching TV the old way - flipping through channels - Pluto TV is your answer. It’s not just a library. It’s a lineup of over 250 live channels, like a free version of cable TV.
Pluto TV has dedicated channels for genres: Pluto TV Movies, Pluto TV Comedy, Pluto TV Crime, even Pluto TV 80s. There’s a channel for Star Trek episodes, one for Classic Horror, and another for Reality TV Throwbacks. You can tune in at any time and find something playing.
Unlike on-demand services, you can’t pause live channels - but you can record shows with Pluto’s cloud DVR (free, no credit card needed). Ads appear every 8-12 minutes, and they’re often for other streaming services or snacks. It’s the TV experience you grew up with, minus the $100 monthly bill.
Freevee: Amazon’s Secret Weapon
Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) is Amazon’s free streaming service, and it’s quietly become one of the best. It doesn’t get the hype of Prime Video, but it’s packed with exclusive originals and licensed hits.
Freevee has shows like Modern Love, Paradise PD, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (yes, the same one from Amazon Prime - but free here). It also carries full seasons of Friends, Seinfeld, and Two and a Half Men.
Ads are slightly longer - around 5-7 minutes per hour - but you can skip them after 5 seconds. Freevee integrates with your Amazon account, so if you already have one, you’re in. No extra sign-up. No payment info needed. It’s like Amazon gave you a bonus streaming tier.
The Roku Channel: Built Into Your TV
If you own a Roku device, you already have access to The Roku Channel - and most people don’t even realize it. It’s pre-installed on every Roku TV and streaming stick.
The Roku Channel offers over 20,000 titles, including recent hits like Top Gun: Maverick and Black Adam, plus classics like Die Hard and Ghostbusters. It also has live news channels (CNN, Fox News, NBC News), weather, and even local broadcast feeds in some areas.
What sets it apart is its personalized recommendations. It learns what you watch and suggests similar content. Ads are 4-6 minutes per hour, and you can skip most after 5 seconds. Since it’s built into the Roku interface, you don’t need to download an app. Just turn on your TV and go.
Crunchyroll Free: Anime Without a Subscription
Anime fans, listen up. Crunchyroll offers a free tier with thousands of episodes - yes, even new simulcasts. You can watch popular shows like My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, and Jujutsu Kaisen for free, with ads.
The free tier has a 7-day delay on new episodes, but you get access to the full back catalog. Ads appear every 15-20 minutes, which is less frequent than most platforms. You can’t download episodes or watch in 4K, but for a free service, it’s incredibly generous.
It’s the only major platform where you can watch anime legally without paying. If you’re into anime and don’t want to shell out $8/month, Crunchyroll Free is your best bet.
Peacock Free: NBC’s Hidden Gem
Peacock has three tiers: free, premium, and premium plus. The free tier? It’s surprisingly strong. You get access to full seasons of The Office, Parks and Recreation, Friday Night Lights, and Law & Order: SVU.
Peacock Free also has live sports - yes, live NFL games, Premier League matches, and WWE programming. It’s the only free service that regularly streams live sports events.
Ads are longer - up to 8 minutes per hour - but you can skip them after 5 seconds. Peacock’s interface is slick, and it works on smart TVs, phones, and game consoles. If you’re into NBC shows or live sports, this is a must-have.
How to Choose the Right One
Not all free platforms are made equal. Here’s how to pick the one that fits your habits:
- Want to binge old movies and TV shows? Go with Tubi.
- Prefer watching live channels like TV? Try Pluto TV.
- Love Amazon shows? Use Freevee.
- Own a Roku? Stick with The Roku Channel - it’s already there.
- Anime fan? Crunchyroll Free is your only option.
- Want live sports or classic NBC shows? Peacock Free delivers.
You can use all of them. No restrictions. No login limits. No paywalls. Just install the apps, open them, and start watching.
What You Won’t Find (And Why It’s OK)
Free platforms don’t have the newest blockbusters the day they hit theaters. You won’t find Oppenheimer or The Marvels right away. That’s because studios want to make money from theaters and paid streaming first.
But here’s the catch: you don’t need to watch them right away. Most free services get major films 6-12 months after release. By then, the hype is gone, and you can watch them without the pressure. It’s not about being first - it’s about watching what you want, when you want, without spending a dime.
Also, no platform has every single episode of every show. Some have only Season 1. Others have the full run. That’s why using multiple services makes sense. You don’t need one app to do it all - you need a few that do their part well.
Is It Worth It?
Yes. If you watch 10-15 hours of TV a week, paying $15-$20 per service adds up fast. Switching to free platforms can save you $100-$200 a year. And you’re not missing out on quality. You’re just changing how you pay.
Ad-supported streaming isn’t the future. It’s the present. And it’s better than most people think. The ads are short. The content is real. The selection is huge. And you don’t need to give up anything - not your time, not your money, not your favorite shows.
Try one. Try two. Try all of them. You’ll be surprised how much you can watch - for free.
Are free streaming services legal?
Yes, all major free streaming platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV, Freevee, and The Roku Channel are fully legal. They license content directly from studios and networks, then show ads to cover costs. Unlike piracy sites, they pay for every movie and show they offer.
Do I need to create an account to use these services?
No, you can watch most content without signing up. But creating a free account lets you save your watchlist, get personalized recommendations, and use cloud DVR on some platforms like Pluto TV. No credit card is required.
How many ads will I see per hour?
Most platforms show 4-7 minutes of ads per hour. Tubi and The Roku Channel are on the lower end (4-5 minutes), while Peacock and Freevee can go up to 7-8 minutes. You can skip most ads after 5 seconds.
Can I watch these services on my TV?
Yes. All major platforms have apps for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Sony. You can also cast from your phone or tablet using Chromecast or AirPlay.
Do these services have 4K or Dolby sound?
A few titles on Tubi, Freevee, and The Roku Channel are available in 4K and Dolby Audio, but it’s rare. Most content is in HD. If you want 4K, you’ll still need a paid service - but for most people, HD is more than enough.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. All these services are completely free. You won’t be charged unless you upgrade to a paid tier (like Peacock Premium or Crunchyroll Premium). The free tiers have no trial periods, no credit card required, and no auto-renewal.
What’s the best free streaming service overall?
Tubi has the largest library and best organization for movies and TV shows. Pluto TV is best for live TV fans. Freevee is best for Amazon fans. The Roku Channel is best if you already own a Roku device. There’s no single "best" - use a mix based on what you like to watch.