Paid streaming prices jumped nearly 20% in just two months, per CBS News — making free, ad-supported alternatives more valuable than ever. The US market for video streaming continues expanding rapidly, with IBISWorld tracking the industry as one of the fastest-growing entertainment sectors in the country. Whether you're cutting the cord, trimming your budget, or just exploring options beyond your current subscriptions, these 13 free services deliver real content without a monthly bill. Pair them with smart streaming service bundles or explore free YouTube Premium options to maximize what you watch without spending more. Let's dive in!
Quick Answer
The US has 13+ free, ad-supported streaming services available with no monthly fee. Top options include Tubi, Pluto TV, Peacock (free tier), The Roku Channel, Crackle, and Plex. These FAST (free ad-supported TV) platforms offer movies, TV shows, and live channels — a smart alternative as paid streaming prices have risen nearly 20%.
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Summary Table
| Item Name | Price Range | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | Free (ad-supported) | Live TV channel experience without a subscription | Visit Site |
| Tubi TV | Free (ad-supported) | Largest free on-demand library of movies and TV | Visit Site |
| Amazon Freevee | Free (ad-supported) | Amazon Prime-adjacent content without a membership | Visit Site |
| Peacock Free | Free (ad-supported) | NBC shows, news, and sports highlights | Visit Site |
| The Roku Channel | Free (ad-supported) | Roku device users wanting live and on-demand content | Visit Site |
| Philo Watch Free | Free (ad-supported) | Sampling live cable channels before subscribing | Visit Site |
| Sling Freestream | Free (ad-supported) | Live news and sports without a Sling subscription | Visit Site |
| Plex | Free (ad-supported) | Users who also want to organize a personal media library | Visit Site |
| Xumo Play | Free (ad-supported) | Live channels and on-demand via Comcast/Cox devices | Visit Site |
| Popcornflix | Free (ad-supported) | Casual movie watchers seeking indie and classic films | See details |
| Kanopy | Free (library card required) | Documentaries, art-house films, and educational content | Visit Site |
| Hoopla | Free (library card required) | Movies, TV, comics, and audiobooks via public library | Visit Site |
| Prime Video Free | Free (ad-supported) | Non-Prime users accessing Amazon's free content tier | Visit Site |
13 Best Free Streaming Video Services in the US (2026)
Below you'll find detailed information about each option, including what makes them unique and their key benefits.
1. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is one of the most popular free streaming video services in the US, offering over 250 live TV channels and thousands of on-demand movies and shows — all at no cost. It's ad-supported, meaning you watch short commercial breaks instead of paying a subscription fee. The platform works on smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, iOS, Android, and browsers.
What you get:
- 250+ live channels including news, sports, and entertainment
- No sign-up required to start watching
- Owned by Paramount — reliable, well-funded platform
2. Tubi TV
Tubi is a completely free, ad-supported video service available in the US with one of the largest on-demand libraries among no-cost platforms — over 50,000 movies and TV episodes. It's a strong alternative for cord-cutters who want variety without a monthly bill. Fox Corporation owns Tubi, giving it stable content licensing deals.
Notable perks:
- 50,000+ titles spanning movies, TV, and originals
- Free account optional — browse without signing in
- Available on virtually every streaming device
Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) gives US viewers access to ad-supported movies and TV series without an Amazon Prime subscription. It's built directly into the Amazon ecosystem, making it easy to access alongside Prime Video content. Freevee includes some original programming and recent studio releases, making it a legitimate no-cost option for budget-conscious streamers.
Key features:
- No Prime membership needed — truly free with ads
- Exclusive Freevee Originals not available elsewhere
- Integrated within the Amazon Prime Video app
4. Peacock Free
Peacock Free is NBC Universal's ad-supported tier that gives US viewers no-cost access to thousands of hours of on-demand content, making it a strong option among free streaming video services. You can watch classic NBC shows, select Bravo and E! content, current-season episodes, and live news without entering a credit card. The free tier does include ads, but the library is genuinely broad.
What you get:
- Movies, news, and select sports at no charge
- Paid tiers (Peacock Premium) start at $7.99/month if you want more
- Available on web, smart TVs, iOS, and Android
The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming hub built directly into Roku devices and accessible via web browser, making it one of the most accessible no-cost video options for US households. It aggregates content from dozens of partner networks including news, movies, and live TV channels — all without a subscription. Non-Roku users can still stream it at therokuchannel.roku.com.
Notable perks:
- Over 350 free live TV channels
- On-demand library spans genres from drama to documentaries
- No account required to browse on Roku hardware
Philo is primarily a paid live TV service, but its "Watch Free" feature lets US users stream a rotating selection of on-demand content without a subscription or credit card. This makes it a limited but legitimate entry among ad-supported viewing options, particularly for reality TV fans. The free access is intentionally narrow — Philo uses it as a trial funnel toward its $28/month paid plan.
Key details:
- Free content rotates and is not the full Philo library
- Paid plan starts at $28/month for 70+ live channels
- Best for: Sampling before committing to a subscription
Sling Freestream is one of the stronger no-cost TV options for US viewers, offering 400+ live channels and 80,000+ on-demand titles without a subscription or credit card. It's a legitimate free alternative for cord-cutters who want live news, sports, and entertainment without paying for traditional cable or a premium streaming tier.
What you get:
- 400+ live channels including news, sports, and entertainment
- 80,000+ on-demand movies and shows
- No account required to start watching
8. Plex
Plex doubles as both a personal media server and a free ad-supported streaming service, making it unique among no-cost US video platforms. Beyond organizing your own library, Plex's free tier includes 50,000+ on-demand movies and shows plus live TV channels — all supported by ads rather than a monthly fee.
Notable perks:
- Stream personal media collections alongside free AVOD content
- 250+ free live TV channels available
- Optional Plex Pass upgrade for offline sync and advanced features
9. Xumo Play
Xumo Play is a free ad-supported streaming service backed by Comcast and Charter, giving US viewers access to 300+ live channels and thousands of on-demand titles at no cost. It comes pre-installed on many smart TVs and Comcast devices, lowering the barrier to entry for households already in that ecosystem.
Key features:
- 300+ live and on-demand channels across news, movies, and sports
- Pre-installed on Comcast X1, Flex, and select smart TVs
- No subscription or login required to browse content
10. Popcornflix
Popcornflix is a completely free, ad-supported streaming platform available in the US that offers thousands of full-length movies and TV shows with no subscription required. It's a strong option for cord-cutters looking for no-cost entertainment, covering genres from horror and comedy to drama and documentaries. Simply create a free account or watch directly without signing up.
What you get:
- 3,000+ movies and TV episodes at no cost
- Available on Roku, iOS, Android, and web browsers
- Ad-supported with no credit card needed
11. Kanopy
Kanopy is a free video streaming service available to US residents through participating public libraries and universities, making it one of the more unique no-cost options on this list. It's especially valuable for viewers who want ad-free access to indie films, foreign cinema, documentaries, and The Criterion Collection. All you need is a valid library card to activate your account.
Notable perks:
- Completely ad-free streaming experience
- Access via public library card — no paid subscription
- Strong selection of award-winning and art-house films
12. Hoopla
Hoopla is another library-card-based free streaming service for US viewers, offering movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, comics, and ebooks with no waitlists — unlike some competing library platforms. It complements other ad-supported services because streams are completely free and ad-free through your local public library. Availability depends on whether your library system subscribes to Hoopla's digital lending program.
Key features:
- No ads and no waitlists on any title
- Borrow up to 10 titles per month free
- Available on mobile, smart TV, and web
13. Prime Video Free
Amazon Prime Video offers a small selection of truly free content—no Prime membership required—making it one of the lesser-known free streaming video services available to US viewers. These titles are ad-supported and accessible through the Prime Video app or website without entering payment information.
What you get:
- Limited free titles with ads (no subscription needed)
- Available on web, Fire TV, mobile, and smart TVs
- Full Prime library unlocks at $14.99/month or $139/year
Final Words
These 13 free streaming services prove you don't need a subscription to enjoy great content — explore our picks for top free movie apps and start watching tonight.