Top 15 Free Streaming Services in the U.S. Right Now (No Subscription Required)

15 Free Streaming Services in the U.S.

Free, ad-supported streaming has become one of the fastest-growing segments of U.S. television. What once felt like a backup option is now a primary viewing choice for millions of households. From movie libraries and classic TV to live news channels and exclusive originals, today’s FAST and AVOD platforms deliver real value — without a monthly bill.

Read more:

- Top 5 Best Free Video Streaming Services for 2026 (U.S. & Canada)

- Free vs Paid Streaming in 2026: Which Is the Better Choice? (U.S. & Canada)

- Top 30+ Best Free Sites to Legally Watch Movies/TV Series Online in 2025

1. Tubi

• Launched: 2014

• Owner: Fox Corporation

• Website: https://tubitv.com

• Best for: Free movies, genre browsing, casual bingeing

Tubi is widely considered the strongest free on-demand movie service in the U.S. Its catalog includes thousands of recognizable titles across action, thriller, comedy, romance, and horror, refreshed frequently. No account is required, making it one of the easiest platforms to start watching instantly.

Expert tip: If you want a “Netflix-style” experience without paying, start with Tubi.

2. Pluto TV

• Launched: 2014

• Owner: Paramount Global

• Website: https://pluto.tv

• Best for: Live TV-style channels, news, background viewing

Pluto TV feels closest to traditional cable. Instead of browsing titles, users select from hundreds of themed channels — sitcom marathons, crime shows, news, sports talk — all running 24/7.

Expert tip: Pluto TV is ideal if you don’t want to choose what to watch. Just pick a channel and let it run.

3. The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel

• Launched: 2017

• Owner: Roku, Inc.

• Website: https://therokuchannel.roku.com

• Best for: Balanced on-demand + live TV

The Roku Channel has become one of the most-watched FAST services in the U.S. It blends free movies, live channels, and Roku Originals into a clean, reliable interface. While built into Roku devices, it’s also available on web, mobile, and other platforms.

Expert tip: If you only want one free app that does everything reasonably well, this is it.

4. Amazon Freevee (inside Prime Video)

• Launched: 2019 (as IMDb TV)

• Owner: Amazon

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/freevee

• Best for: Free originals and movies in a premium ecosystem

Freevee’s content now lives directly inside Prime Video, even for users without a Prime subscription. Compared with other FAST services, Freevee offers higher production-value originals and familiar Hollywood films.

Expert tip: If you already open Prime Video often, Freevee is the easiest free option to overlook — and one of the best.

5. Peacock (Free Tier)

• Launched: 2020

• Owner: NBCUniversal

• Website: https://www.peacocktv.com

• Best for: NBC shows, news, limited sports

Peacock operates a hybrid model, but its free tier still provides value through classic NBC series, late-night clips, news, and rotating movies.

Expert tip: Think of Peacock Free as a “network TV companion,” not a full replacement.

6. Plex

Plex

• Launched: 2008

• Owner: Plex, Inc.

• Website: https://www.plex.tv

• Best for: Content discovery and niche programming

Plex has evolved into a powerful FAST hub with live channels, free movies, documentaries, and international titles, all presented in a guide-style interface.

7. Sling Freestream

Photo Sling TV

• Launched: 2023

• Owner: Dish Network

• Website: https://www.sling.com/freestream

• Best for: Large-scale free live TV

Sling Freestream offers hundreds of live channels and thousands of on-demand titles — completely free.

8. Xumo Play

Xumo - Free site to watch movies online

• Launched: 2011

• Owner: Comcast & Charter

• Website: https://www.xumo.com

• Best for: Simple live TV and news

Xumo focuses on ease of use, with a strong emphasis on live channels and minimal setup.

9. Samsung TV Plus

• Launched: 2015

• Owner: Samsung

• Website: https://www.samsungtvplus.com

• Best for: Instant free TV on Samsung smart TVs

Pre-installed on Samsung TVs, Samsung TV Plus offers hundreds of live channels without downloads or sign-ups.

10. LG Channels

• Launched: 2019

• Owner: LG Electronics

• Website: https://www.lgchannels.com

• Best for: Built-in FAST on LG TVs

LG Channels mirrors Samsung’s approach, delivering live channels directly through the TV interface.

11. VIZIO WatchFree+

• Launched: 2018

• Owner: VIZIO

• Website: https://www.vizio.com/watchfree

• Best for: FAST viewing on VIZIO TVs

WatchFree+ integrates live and on-demand content directly into the VIZIO home screen.

12. Redbox Free Live TV

• Launched: 2020

• Owner: Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment

• Website: https://www.redbox.com/stream-free-live-tv

• Best for: Casual movie browsing

Redbox’s free streaming service focuses on accessible movies and niche live channels.

13. Crackle

Crackle is a video entertainment platform that lets you watch TV shows for free

• Launched: 2004

• Owner: Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment

• Website: https://www.crackle.com

• Best for: Retro TV and older films

Crackle remains relevant thanks to rotating classics and vintage TV.

14. FilmRise

FilmRise

• Launched: 2012

• Owner: FilmRise

• Website: https://www.filmrise.com

• Best for: True crime and classic television

FilmRise powers many FAST channels and excels in documentaries and crime content.

15. YouTube Movies & TV (Free with Ads)

• Launched: 2015 (free-with-ads expansion rolled out mạnh từ 2021–2023)

• Owner: Google (Alphabet)

• Website: https://www.youtube.com/movies

• Best for: Free Hollywood movies on the most familiar video platform

YouTube is often overlooked as a free movie destination, but in the U.S. it has quietly become one of the largest ad-supported movie libraries thanks to studio licensing deals. Under the “Free with ads” label, viewers can legally watch hundreds of full-length movies without a subscription.

FAQs

Are these services really free?

Yes. They are ad-supported, meaning commercials replace subscription fees.

Do I need to create an account?

Most platforms don’t require one, though accounts can improve recommendations.

Is the content legal?

Yes. All listed services license their content legitimately.

Which free service has the fewest ads?

On-demand platforms like Tubi typically feel lighter than live FAST channels.

Bottom Line

The Top 15 now fully represents all major free streaming behaviors in the U.S.:

• On-demand movies → Tubi, Roku Channel, YouTube

• Live TV / cable replacement → Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels

• Hybrid & premium-adjacent → Freevee, Peacock Free

• Discovery & niche viewing → Plex, FilmRise

• Device-native FAST → VIZIO WatchFree+, Fire TV aggregators

For most users, the ideal free setup is:

• Tubi (movies)

• Pluto TV or Samsung TV Plus (live channels)

• YouTube Free Movies or Freevee (mainstream titles)

That combination delivers maximum variety, zero subscription cost, and covers nearly every casual viewing need in the U.S. right now.