Are you tired of the rising subscription prices of top streaming platforms? Then you should check out free ad-supported streaming apps. These platforms bring together cable TV and online streaming such that you don’t have to pay a penny to watch your favorite movies.
You can stream both 24/7 live channels and on-demand content on these free streaming services. Many platforms like Tubi and Pluto offer an excellent selection that you can stream at zero cost.
Check out our list of the best free ad-supported streaming apps to learn more about this.
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Free Ad-Supported Television(FAST) Meaning
Free, ad-supported television(FAST) is a form of streaming that mimics the traditional cable model but combines it with new technology to make it attractive for viewers and advertisers alike.
FAST delivers content in a manner similar to traditional cable or satellite TV as it broadcasts curated content on a linear schedule. You can stream a variety of content- TV shows, movies, news, sports, and reality shows on any device at zero cost. In return, you just have to watch the embedded commercials.
You can watch both free on-demand titles and prescheduled broadcasts, depending on the platform.
9 Best Free Streaming Services
Tubi TV
Registration Required: No
Original Programming: Yes
Platform and Device Compatibility: Android devices, iOS devices, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Nvidia Shield, PlayStation 3 & 4
Tubi TV is, hands down, the best free ad-supported streaming service. Its on-demand library has over 20,000 free movies and TV shows available for streaming. The catalog is consistently updated and the live channel lineup has also grown in the past few years.
Tubi TV has partnerships with more than 250 providers, including heavyweights like Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM. This enables it to offer impressive titles for a free streaming service. Additionally, you can stream local news, live sports, weather, and entertainment channels here.
Tubi TV has a clean and straightforward interface that makes navigation easy. You don’t need to sign up to access the content, but having an account enables you to save favorites and watch history while switching between devices.
Also Read: Top Best Tubi TV Alternatives
Pluto TV
Registration Required: No
Original Programming: No
Platform and Device Compatibility: iOS devices, Android devices, Amazon Kindle, Fire TV, Fire tablets, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast
Viacom-owned Pluto TV has a fine selection of on-demand movies and TV shows. However, this free ad-supported streaming service truly shines in the live TV segment. Over 250 channels, including BBC Food, CBS News, and CSI, are available here for streaming.
Its interface mimics the traditional cable TV guide experience as you explore the channels in a grid setup. Pluto TV divides content into categories like news, sports, reality shows, movies, etc. for easy navigation. You can easily stream Viacom properties like Jersey Shore and I Love Reality here.
Registration is not mandatory on Pluto TV though having an account gives you additional features, such as the ability to bookmark favorite channels and save watch history.
Also Read: Top Best Pluto TV Alternatives
Roku Channel
Registration Required: No
Original Programming: Yes
Platform and Device Compatibility: Roku devices, Roku TV, Android devices, iOS devices, Samsung TV
Roku Channel is a free streaming app that comes automatically with Roku TV and other devices. However, you can also access it on the web or download it on smartphones and tablets. The streaming platform has 350+ live channels and a decent selection of on-demand content.
The live channels mainly include news and lifestyle content, while the on-demand selection ranges from Roku originals like the Weird Al biopic to reality shows like Kitchen Nightmares and popular titles like 2 Broke Girls. You can also stream the first episodes of premium cable shows like Game of Thrones, Outlander, and Billions.
Further, Roku Channel offers a dedicated kids section and a solid range of classic movies making for a surprisingly well-rounded streaming experience.
Also Read: Top Best Roku Channel Alternatives
Freevee
Registration Required: Yes
Original Programming: Yes
Platform and Device Compatibility: Fire TV, Android devices, iOS devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation 3 & 4, web browsers
A rebranded version of IMDb TV, Freevee is Amazon’s free ad-supported streaming service. The platform’s initial focus was movie streaming but it now also has an impressive library of TV shows. You can watch typical available-for-free shows like Hell’s Kitchen on it as well as hits like Desperate Housewives, Lost, and Mad Men.
Freevee originals such as Jury Duty and Bosch: Legacy and a bunch of 24/7 live channels are also available here. You can even watch full seasons of Amazon Prime Video originals like Homecoming for free with ads on Freevee.
Also Read: Top Best Freevee Alternatives
Plex
Registration Required: Yes
Original Programming: No
Platform and Device Compatibility: Web browsers, Fire TV, Android devices, iOS devices, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox One/Series X/Series S
Plex was originally a media server but has pivoted into the content discovery and streaming sphere in the past few years. You don’t even need to install the Plex server; you can directly access its library via the basic Plex app.
Plex operates similarly to Pluto as both have a robust cable TV-like layout and experience. Stories by AMC and Hallmark are examples of live TV channels available here. It also supports 24/7 streams for certain series like The Walking Dead.
With Plex’s discovery functionality, you can add all the services you subscribe to on your profile and manage your watchlists for them from one place.
Also Read: Top Best Plex Alternatives
Crackle
Registration Required: No
Original Programming: Yes
Platform and Device Compatibility: Android devices, Apple TV, iOS devices, Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Crackle is a free ad-supported streaming service that houses movies, TV shows, and some original programming. It offers over 300 shows such as The Carol Burnett Show, Highway to Heaven, and Alf for streaming. Crackle’s movie collection, however, is more impressive, with titles ranging from the 1940s to the present times.
You don’t even need to sign up to watch content on Crackle. Just open the page, click on any movie or TV show, and start watching. Creating an account, however, does enable you to bookmark favorites and save your watch history.
Also Read: Top Best Crackle Alternatives
Sling Freestream
Registration Required: No
Original Programming: No
Platform and Device Compatibility: Comcast devices, Roku, LG, Samsung, Xbox, Vizio
Sling Freestream is the no-cost service of Sling- one of the best subscription-based streaming platforms. The ad-supported Freestream has more than 40,000 titles on-demand titles and over 400 live channels in its library. It supports various genres such as news, sports, cooking, crime dramas, nature, and game shows.
ABC News Live, ESPN on Demand, Hell’s Kitchen, The Walking Dead Universe, and Family Feud are some examples of channels available on Sling Freestream. Here, You can stream popular titles like Kim’s Convenience, The Goonies, and Ryan’s World. Additionally, you can add premium services like AMC Plus and Showtime on Sling Freestream.
Also Read: Top Best Sling TV Alternatives
Vudu/Fandango at Home
Registration Required: Yes
Original Programming: No
Platform and Device Compatibility: Android devices, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS devices, Chromecast, Roku, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Fandango at Home, formerly Vudu, is a streaming platform where you can access over 10,000 movies and TV shows. While it has no blockbusters, the movie selection is decent, including All is Lost, Troy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Prestige, and Hoosiers.
It also functions as a digital marketplace where you can rent or purchase the latest movies. Fandango at Home has an easy-to-use interface with clear marks for free and paid content.
Also Read: Top Best Vudu Alternatives
Xumo
Registration Required: No
Original Programming: No
Platform and Device Compatibility: Fire TV, Android devices, iOS devices, PlayStation 4, Roku, Comcast Xfinity X1
Xumo is a platform that offers live and on-demand content at no cost. This free streaming service can be accessed on several major smart TV brands, including Roku, iOS, and Android. 190+ channels are available here, including some top names such as Fox Sports, NBC News, TMZ, and Funny or Die.
Xumo has a cable TV-like layout where you can watch live content while channel surfing. It has an on-demand section where you can see all the channels categorized by genre.
