Amazon shut down its free streaming service, Freevee, in November and merged it with Prime Video to simplify its streaming options. The content from Freevee will still be free, with commercials, and won’t be locked behind a paywall like regular Prime Video content. However, for many of us who loved Freevee, it won’t feel the same.
The platform gave us a simple, standalone place dedicated to free, ad-supported content, and merging it with Prime Video takes away some of that charm. Now, free shows are mixed with paid content, which could make the experience feel less cluttered. If you’re planning to jump ship and find a better service, here are the top alternatives.
Tubi
Pros
- Wide range of movies & shows available for free.
- Modern & user-friendly interface.
- Requires 4Mbps for smooth streaming & no lag.
- Reasonable ad appearances.
Cons
- Highest streaming resolution is 720p.
- Doesn’t support offline downloads.
Like Freevee, Tubi is an unpaid, ad-supported streaming platform that offers movies, TV shows, and live TV channels across various genres. You don’t need a subscription or credit card to use it. You can create an account if you want to and start watching immediately.
Tubi’s library holds classics, foreign films, horror, and family-friendly options. It’s accessible on multiple devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV Stick, allowing you to watch wherever you like.
Crackle
Pros
- Wide range of movies & shows available for free.
- User-friendly interface.
- Supports many devices.
- Offers parental controls.
Cons
- Lots of ads with no ad-free subscription.
- Only available in the USA.
Crackle is a free streaming service with a good selection of movies, especially many classics. It also has some original shows and movies. You don’t need to sign up to use it, and it works on many devices like phones, gaming consoles, and smart TVs.
Admitted, the video quality is not the best for big screens. But the 720p resolution streams smoothly with little buffering. You’ll also see indicators telling you when the next ad is going to appear before it does. This way, you can skip ahead to sections that don’t have ads.
Pluto TV
Pros
- 200+ different live TV streams.
- Unlimited simultaneous streams without sign-in requirements.
- 40+ dedicated music channels.
- Supports many devices.
Cons
- Few popular cable channels & no local channels from major networks.
- No ad-free subscription.
- Interface is cluttered & hard to filter through.
Like the actual planet, it might not have all it takes to compete with major streaming services but Pluto does enough that’s worth mentioning. The interface mimics traditional TV with a channel guide, and it’s designed for people who enjoy watching older movies and shows from the ’80s and ’90s. These are content Netflix, Hulu, and other paid platforms don’t have as much of.
There are around 250 channels, including Comedy Central, MTV, and Paramount Movie Channel, plus its own movie channels. There are also selections for kids, including Nickelodeon and Dora TV.
The Roku Channel
Pro
- 10,000 free shows and movies.
- Free live TV.
- Supports many devices.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons
- No ad-free option, even with premium subscription.
- Doesn’t support offline downloads.
Even if you don’t own a Roku streaming device, you can still enjoy The Roku Channel and its combination of live TV, on-demand content, and originals. Though the integration is top-notch if you’re plugged into the Roku ecosystem, it’s not exclusive and you can watch from pretty much anywhere.
Roku Channel also allows you to connect paid services within the app, which helps to unify your viewing experience if you have a paid subscription somewhere else. Among its list of interesting original shows, you’ll find The Spiderwick Chronicles, UFO Cowboys, and The Marriage Pact.
Plex
Pro
- Maintain local media collections & keep ownership of your content.
- Always-accessible media server with playback apps on many platforms.
- Supports many devices & file formats.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons
- No longer supports Plugins.
- Plex is not fully open source.
Plex is more than just a streaming service. It also helps you to organize and stream your personal collection of music, videos, and photos. It works by setting up a server on a supported device and keeping your media files there, then accessing them from any other device that has the Plex app.
The app has a free version with basic features, but you can upgrade to the Plex Pass plan for advanced capabilities. Ideally, it’s for anyone who has a lot of media files they want to arrange and reach from anywhere.
Kanopy
Pro
- Wide range of films, including independent films, documentaries & educational content.
- Supports different device types.
- Completely free access to content.
- Offers content suitable for all ages.
Cons
- You need a library card or a university email.
- Lacks newest blockbuster movies or shows.
Kanopy content falls somewhere between geeky and fun depending on what you enjoy more. They’re more educational and thought-provoking, as well as free through libraries and universities. So you’ll see more documentaries and indie film recommendations.
Surprisingly, there are no ads. It’s only pure, mindful viewing. Simply check through their website if your public library or university supports Kanopy, and input your library card information or university login to start.
Peacock TV
Pro
- 20,000 hours worth of programming.
- Live sports selections.
- Affordable subscription plans.
- Supports multiple account profiles.
Cons
- Some content contains ads even with Premium subscription.
- Free tier no longer available.
Peacock’s got you covered if you love old originals like The Office, Everybody Hates Chris, and new shows like The Day of the Jackal. Before January 2023, the platform offered them for free, including some Peacock originals. Now, it costs $8 to get them.
A key selling point of Peacock is its live sports coverage, including NFL games, Premier League matches, and Olympic events. It also supports multiple account profiles and flexible plan pricing, with a $13.99 Premium Plus tier offering ad-free content.
What are you watching?
Before switching to any free movie streaming service, check if you can adjust the ad settings. Such services include ads because they rely on ad revenue to support their operations. Since they don’t charge a subscription fee, they use ads as a way to make money and keep the features available for free. Still, it’s possible you can customize your ad preferences.
Keep in mind that you’re not limited to choosing one platform. You can use all depending on the available content and switch between them at any time. This way, you’ll always have something to watch.
