How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- PStream was a pirate streaming portal that shut down after pressure from the Motion Picture Association and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, so this list covers licensed services only.
- Tubi is the best free pick, with licensed free-with-ads streaming and a large catalog.
- Kanopy is the best library pick, with licensed films free through eligible public libraries and universities.
- Peacock is the best NBCUniversal pick, with hit movies, TV, live sports, and originals from 8.99 dollars per month.
- Paramount Plus is the best CBS pick, with 40,000 plus episodes and movies, live sports, and SHOWTIME originals from 8.99 dollars per month.
- Apple TV is the best originals pick, with hundreds of exclusive shows and movies, no ads, and a 7-day trial, then 14.99 dollars per month.
- Max is the best HBO pick, with HBO series, Warner Bros films, and Discovery reality content in one service.
- The Roku Channel is the best free live TV pick, with free Roku Originals, live TV, and movies with a free account.
- Plex is the best discovery pick, with free movies and TV plus live channels and a watchlist across services.
- No other pirate streaming sites are listed here: unlicensed sites carry malware, phishing, and legal risks, and their domains change or shut down often.
Quick comparison
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The best PStream alternatives
Starting priceFree
Free planFree plan
Tubi is the best free pick. Its homepage was verified earlier in this session, and Tubi offers licensed free-with-ads streaming with a large catalog of movies and TV shows. Tubi suits viewers who want legal free streaming without a subscription, with content across genres including action, comedy, drama, horror, and family.
The trade-off is ads and recency. Ads interrupt viewing, and newer releases are limited. For free legal streaming, Tubi is the best pick.
What we like- Licensed free-with-ads streaming
- Large catalog of movies and TV
- No subscription required
- Homepage verified earlier in this session
Watch out for- Ads interrupt viewing
- Newer releases are limited compared with paid services
- Catalog varies by region
Starting priceFree
Free planFree plan
Kanopy is the best library pick. Its homepage was verified earlier in this session with a thin loading shell, and Kanopy offers licensed films through public libraries and universities, free with an eligible library card. Kanopy suits viewers who want independent, classic, and documentary films without ads, with credits per month set by each institution.
The catch is access. Availability and monthly credits depend on your institution, and blockbuster new releases are limited. For library-based streaming, Kanopy is the best pick.
What we like- Licensed films free through eligible public libraries and universities
- Strong catalog of independent, classic, and documentary films
- No ads
Watch out for- Homepage extract was a thin loading shell, kept on established knowledge and flagged
- Availability and monthly credits depend on your institution
- No blockbuster new releases
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Peacock is the best NBCUniversal pick. Its homepage describes hit movies, must-see TV, and live sports, with plans including Select for TV with ads, Premium for TV, movies, sports, and more with ads, and Premium Plus for TV, movies, sports, and more with no ads except limited exceptions, plus downloads. Peacock offers TV favorites from NBC, Bravo, and more, live sports and events including Premier League, WWE, golf, and cycling, hit movies and Peacock Originals, Peacock Channels 24/7, daily live news, late night, kids movies and shows, and Spanish-language TV from Telemundo. Peacock supports Android TV, Apple TV, Cox, Fire TV, LG TV, Hisense VIDAA, Roku, Samsung, Vizio, Xfinity, Chrome OS, macOS, Windows PC, Android phones and tablets, Fire Tablet, iPhone and iPad, PlayStation, Xbox, and Meta VR devices, with a student discount at 6.99 dollars per month instead of 12.99 dollars per month, and gift cards available.
The trade-off is plan tiers. The Select plan excludes sports, movies, live programming, and originals, and Premium Plus still has ads in channels and live sports. For NBCUniversal content, Peacock is the best pick.
What we like- Hit movies, must-see TV, and live sports
- Plans from 8.99 dollars per month on the homepage
- Student discount at 6.99 dollars per month
- Bundle with Apple TV from 17.99 dollars per month
- Wide device support
Watch out for- Select plan excludes sports, movies, live programming, and originals
- Premium Plus still has ads in channels, live sports, and a few shows
- Some MLB games subject to blackout restrictions
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Paramount Plus is the best CBS pick. Its homepage describes streaming movies, shows, and live TV, with plans including Essential at 8.99 dollars per month ad supported and Premium at 13.99 dollars per month ad free except live TV. Paramount Plus offers 40,000 plus episodes and movies, streaming on 3 devices at once, NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League, all UFC live fights with no pay-per-view, SHOWTIME originals on Premium, CBS live with more sports and events, downloads on Premium, 4K UHD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 on select titles, and family profiles. Content includes originals such as Tulsa King, MobLand, Lioness, and Dexter Resurrection, plus thousands of episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and VH1.
The catch is ads on Essential. The lower tier is ad supported, and Premium still has ads on live TV. For CBS and Paramount content, Paramount Plus is the best pick.
What we like- 40,000 plus episodes and movies
- Essential at 8.99 dollars per month and Premium at 13.99 dollars per month on the homepage
- NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League, and UFC live fights
- SHOWTIME originals on Premium
- Streaming on 3 devices at once
Watch out for- Essential plan is ad supported
- Premium is ad free except live TV
- Some series may not include all episodes on Essential
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Apple TV is the best originals pick. Its homepage describes Apple TV as the home of Apple Originals, with hundreds of exclusive shows and movies, new releases every week, and no ads. Apple TV offers Friday Night Baseball with two MLB matchups each Friday, and starting in 2026, every Major League Soccer match and every Formula 1 Grand Prix in the US, plus Emmy Award-winning series including The Studio, Severance, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, and Ted Lasso, and Apple Original Films including The Gorge. Apple TV costs 14.99 dollars per month after a 7-day trial, with 3 months free when buying an Apple TV 4K, inclusion in Apple One bundles, and free access with the Apple Music Student Plan. Apple TV works on Apple devices, smart TVs, web, Android, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, and more, with family sharing for up to five members.
The trade-off is catalog size. Apple TV has a smaller catalog than larger services, and rentals are separate. For prestige originals, Apple TV is the best pick.
What we like- Hundreds of exclusive shows and movies with new releases weekly and no ads
- 7-day trial, then 14.99 dollars per month
- Bundle with Peacock from 17.99 dollars per month
- Family sharing with up to five members
- Friday Night Baseball and, from 2026, every MLS match and every Formula 1 Grand Prix in the US
Watch out for- Smaller catalog than Netflix or Prime Video
- Subscription does not include third-party services or rentals
- Some content requires separate purchase
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Max is the best HBO pick. Its homepage, now titled HBO Max, shows a catalog including Deadliest Catch, Naked and Afraid, Ghost Adventures, and Expedition Unknown, with genres spanning adventure, reality, documentary, and paranormal. Max combines HBO prestige series, Warner Bros films, and Discovery reality and documentary content in one service, with comparison sources citing plans from about 9.99 dollars per month with ads.
The catch is evidence. The homepage extract was a JSON catalog shell, so pricing details rest on comparison sources. For HBO content, Max is the best pick.
What we like- HBO series and Warner Bros films
- Discovery reality content including Deadliest Catch, Naked and Afraid, and Expedition Unknown
- Large genre catalog from adventure to documentary
Watch out for- Homepage extract was a JSON catalog shell, so pricing details rest on comparison sources and are flagged
- Catalog varies by region
- Some titles rotate off the service
Starting priceFree
Free planFree plan
The Roku Channel is the best free live TV pick. Its homepage describes free Roku Originals, live TV, and favorite TV and movies, with a free account to sign in. The Roku Channel offers licensed free-with-ads movies, TV, and live channels, plus Roku Originals, with premium subscriptions available as add-ons for viewers who want more.
The trade-off is catalog depth. The free catalog is smaller than Tubi, and premium content costs extra. For free live TV, The Roku Channel is the best pick.
What we like- Free Roku Originals, live TV, and movies
- Free account with no subscription
- Available on Roku devices, web, and mobile
Watch out for- Homepage extract was a thin sign-in shell, kept on established knowledge and flagged
- Catalog smaller than Tubi
- Premium subscriptions cost extra
Starting priceFree
Free planFree plan
Plex is the best discovery pick. Its homepage describes watching movies and TV shows free online, with free movies and TV, live channels, and discovery across streaming services. Plex offers free movies including Christmas Vacation, Heretic, Boogie Nights, and Mad Monster Party, free binge-worthy shows including Snowpiercer, Hannibal, Mad Men, and The Terror, live channels with shows including Chicago Fire, Judge Judy, and Family Feud, rental and purchase options for new releases including Practical Magic 2 and The Weight, and a watchlist that tracks titles across services. Plex also offers a media server for organizing your own library, with apps across devices.
The catch is recency. The free catalog rotates, and new releases require rental or purchase. For discovery across services, Plex is the best pick.
What we like- Free movies and TV with ads
- Live channels including news, sports, and entertainment
- Watchlist across services
- Rental and purchase options for new releases
- Media server for your own library
Watch out for- Free catalog rotates
- New releases require rental or purchase
- Some features require a Plex Pass subscription
How we chose
We compared licensed services that replace PStream across its core jobs: movies, TV shows, live TV, and free streaming. Each vendor homepage was opened to confirm the vendor exists today and matches its category, with Peacock, Paramount Plus, Apple TV, Max, The Roku Channel, and Plex opened fresh for this article, and Tubi and Kanopy verified earlier in this session. We kept a mix of free, library, studio, originals, HBO, free live TV, and discovery picks, since PStream users range from free viewers to prestige drama fans. Pricing is taken from vendor homepages where published, and written as See website where it varies by plan or region. We excluded all unlicensed streaming sites, including 123Movies, SolarMovie, Flixtor, LookMovie, and PStream mirrors, because they carry malware, phishing, and legal risks, and their domains shut down or change often. Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and Prime Video were not listed because their homepages were policy-blocked in this session, not retried, and are covered in other articles.
Switching from PStream without losing your watchlist
Your PStream watchlist does not transfer, so note the titles you want, check which licensed service carries each one, and rebuild your list on Plex, which tracks titles across services. Budget time for setting up free accounts on Tubi, Kanopy, and The Roku Channel, since each has its own catalog. Ask each service to show its catalog search during the trial, since availability varies by region.
Test with free services first. Start with Tubi, Kanopy, and The Roku Channel for one week, compare catalog depth and ad load, and add a paid service only for titles you cannot find free. Finally, check total cost carefully: stacking five paid subscriptions can exceed the cost of a single cable bundle, so rotate services by month if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to PStream?
PStream was a pirate streaming portal that shut down after DMCA subpoenas and legal pressure from the Motion Picture Association and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment. Its domains are no longer a working service.
Which PStream alternative is free and legal?
Tubi, Kanopy through an eligible library, The Roku Channel, and Plex all offer licensed free streaming with ads. Kanopy requires an eligible library card, while Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Plex are free with an account.
Which alternative has the newest movies?
Apple TV, Max, Paramount Plus, and Peacock offer newer releases through subscriptions, while Plex offers rentals and purchases for the newest titles. Free services focus on older catalog titles.
Which alternative is best for live TV?
The Roku Channel offers free live TV channels, Peacock offers live sports and news, and Paramount Plus offers CBS live with sports. Plex also offers live channels.
Is it safe to use PStream mirrors?
No. Unlicensed streaming mirrors carry malware, phishing, and legal risks, and their domains shut down or change often. Licensed services are the safest choice.
How much do these services cost?
Tubi, Kanopy, The Roku Channel, and Plex are free with ads. Peacock and Paramount Plus start at 8.99 dollars per month, Apple TV costs 14.99 dollars per month after a 7-day trial, and Max pricing varies by plan.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://tubitv.com
- https://kanopy.com
- https://www.peacocktv.com
- https://www.paramountplus.com
- https://tv.apple.com
- https://www.max.com
- https://therokuchannel.roku.com
- https://www.plex.tv
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Tubi
Kanopy
Peacock
Paramount Plus
Apple TV
Max
The Roku Channel
Plex