Free Streaming Services
9 free, legal apps with thousands of hours of TV and movies.
All of these are FREE
No subscription. No credit card. Most don't even need a signup. They make money from ads (a few minutes per hour), not from you.
Pluto TV
Live channels (news, classic shows, movies). Owned by Paramount.
Why it's good: 250+ live channels, no signup needed.
Find it at: pluto.tv
Tubi
Movies and shows on demand. Owned by Fox.
Why it's good: Huge classic-movie library.
Find it at: tubitv.com
The Roku Channel
Free with any Roku device. (Also free on the web.)
Why it's good: Free Live TV plus on-demand movies.
Find it at: roku.com
Freevee
Free movies and shows from Amazon (with ads).
Why it's good: Some recent hit shows like Bosch: Legacy.
Find it at: amazon.com/freevee
YouTube
Beyond cat videos — full-length classic movies, news, talk shows.
Why it's good: Search "free full movies" — thousands legally posted.
Find it at: youtube.com
Crackle
Sony Pictures movies and shows. Free with ads.
Why it's good: Solid action and comedy library.
Find it at: crackle.com
PBS
Public Broadcasting — Antiques Roadshow, NOVA, news.
Why it's good: Free, no ads, kid-friendly. PBS Kids has its own free app.
Find it at: pbs.org
Hoopla / Libby
Free movies, audiobooks, e-books with your LIBRARY CARD.
Why it's good: Borrow new releases that cost $20 elsewhere.
Find it at: See our Library App Helper
Local TV apps
NBC News NOW, ABC News Live, CBS News — free 24/7 streaming news.
Why it's good: No cable needed for news.
Find it at: on Roku/Apple TV/Fire TV
How to install them
All these work on:
- Smart TVs — search the App Store on your TV remote (Samsung, LG, Vizio).
- Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast — search and install.
- Phones and tablets — App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android).
- Computer browser — just type the website (pluto.tv, tubitv.com, etc.).
Quick Tip — start with The Roku Channel
If you have a Roku, The Roku Channel is already on your home screen. Click it — there are 500+ free live channels and thousands of free movies. Many people don't realize it's there.