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
- Tubi carries the largest free on-demand catalog, while Pluto TV is the pick for viewers who want live channels to surf.
- Kanopy and Hoopla are ad-free with a library card, which makes them the best choice for film lovers who hate ad breaks.
- The Roku Channel works in a browser and on most devices, with no Roku hardware required.
- Unlicensed streaming sites carry malware, phishing, and legal risks that these licensed services avoid entirely.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Tubi | Largest free on-demand catalog | $0 | Yes |
 The Roku Channel | Free movies plus live channels | $0 | Yes |
 Pluto TV | Live TV channel surfing | $0 | Yes |
 Plex | Free movies plus a personal media library | $0 | Yes |
 Kanopy | Ad-free indie and arthouse films | $0 with library card | Yes |
 Hoopla | Ad-free movies, audiobooks, and comics | $0 with library card | Yes |
 Sling Freestream | Hundreds of free live channels | $0 | Yes |
 YouTube | Free licensed studio films | $0 | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?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.
The best zoro.to alternatives
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Tubi is the closest free and legal replacement for what viewers wanted from unlicensed anime and movie sites. Owned by Fox, it carries tens of thousands of titles plus hundreds of live channels, and playback starts in a browser with no account required. A free account adds watchlists and resume points, but it never asks for a card. The app sits preloaded on most smart TVs and runs on phones, consoles, and streaming sticks.
Ad breaks run roughly three to five minutes per hour, which is lighter than most rivals. The catalog leans toward older and mid-tier films rather than recent theatrical hits, so viewers chasing brand-new releases will still need a paid service. For breadth at zero cost, though, no other free service matches Tubi.
What we like- Huge catalog of movies and episodes
- No account needed to start
- Works on nearly every device
Watch out for- Ad breaks during playback
- Catalog skews toward older films
- Newest releases are rare
Starting price$0
Free planYes
The Roku Channel is widely misunderstood. It runs in any web browser and on iOS, Android, Fire TV, Google TV, and Samsung sets, with no Roku player required. The catalog holds tens of thousands of films and shows plus hundreds of live channels, and Roku Originals arrive regularly. For a viewer who wants one free app that follows them across devices, it is a strong default.
The trade-offs are small but real. Web and mobile viewing ask for a free account, and there is no app for LG or Apple TV. Ads run during playback, as with every ad-supported service here. Still, the combination of on-demand depth and live channels in one free place makes it a keeper alongside Tubi.
What we like- Works without Roku hardware
- Large on-demand catalog
- Roku Originals included
Watch out for- Free account needed on web and mobile
- No LG or Apple TV app
- Ads during playback
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Pluto TV recreates cable for free. Owned by Paramount, it offers more than 250 live channels in the US, organized into a guide you scroll through, plus an on-demand library. Entire channels run a single show around the clock, which suits background viewing and marathons. No account is required on most devices, and the service works on the same device list as Tubi.
Live TV has limits. You cannot pause a live channel or pick a specific episode, and the on-demand section is smaller than Tubi. Ad load runs about five to six minutes per hour. Viewers who want to choose exactly what to watch should pair Pluto TV with Tubi rather than relying on it alone.
What we like- Hundreds of live channels
- No account required
- Single-show channels for marathons
Watch out for- Live channels cannot be paused or picked by episode
- On-demand side is smaller than Tubi
- Ad load is higher
#4
Plex
Best for: Free movies plus a personal media library
Visit plex.tv
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Plex does two jobs at once. It streams tens of thousands of free licensed titles, and it organizes a personal media collection with posters, descriptions, and watch states. Viewers who already keep video files on a home computer get a polished library app plus free streaming in one install. Device support is broad, covering TVs, phones, consoles, and browsers.
A free account is required, and the free catalog is smaller than Tubi. The best extras, like offline downloads and advanced DVR features, sit behind the paid Plex Pass. For viewers who want free movies and a tidy personal library in one app, Plex earns its spot.
What we like- Free licensed movies and shows
- Organizes your own media files
- Wide device support
Watch out for- Free account required
- Catalog is smaller than Tubi
- Best features need a paid pass
Starting price$0 with library card
Free planYes
Kanopy is the film lover pick. Partner libraries give cardholders ad-free access to the Criterion Collection, acclaimed documentaries, world cinema, and classic films. There are no ad breaks, no subscription, and no card details involved. The viewing experience feels closer to a paid arthouse service than to any other free option here.
Access depends on a participating public library or university, and most libraries cap monthly play credits, often around ten to fifteen films. Recent blockbusters are not the focus. If your library supports Kanopy, it is the best ad-free free service available to US viewers.
What we like- No ads at all
- Criterion Collection access
- Strong documentaries and classics
Watch out for- Needs a participating library card
- Monthly play credits are limited
- No recent blockbusters
Starting price$0 with library card
Free planYes
Hoopla extends the library-card idea beyond film. Cardholders borrow movies, TV episodes, audiobooks, ebooks, music, and comics with no ads and no waiting lists. Borrowing is instant, and titles return automatically, so there are no late fees. For households that already use a public library, Hoopla adds real value at zero cost.
Monthly borrow limits vary by library, and the film catalog is smaller and more mainstream than Kanopy. It works best as a companion to Kanopy and Tubi rather than a standalone replacement. Families in particular get a lot from the mix of kids shows, audiobooks, and comics.
What we like- No ads
- Movies plus audiobooks, ebooks, and comics
- Instant borrowing
Watch out for- Needs a participating library card
- Monthly borrow limits apply
- Film catalog is smaller than Kanopy
#7
Sling Freestream
Best for: Hundreds of free live channels
Visit sling.com
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Sling Freestream gives cord-cutters a free taste of live TV. Hundreds of free channels cover news, sports talk, lifestyle, and entertainment, with no credit card required to start. The interface will feel familiar to anyone who has used paid Sling, and upgrading to a paid plan is simple if free channels stop being enough.
The lineup shifts as licensing deals change, so a favorite channel can disappear. On-demand depth is thin next to Tubi, and ads run during playback. Freestream works best as a live TV companion to an on-demand service, not as the only app on the home screen.
What we like- Hundreds of free live channels
- No card required
- Easy upgrade path to paid Sling
Watch out for- Channel lineup changes often
- On-demand depth is thin
- Ads during playback
Starting price$0
Free planYes
YouTube hides a useful free movie section. Its Movies and TV area lists licensed studio films available free with ads, alongside rentals and purchases. Since nearly every device already has YouTube, there is nothing new to install and no account hurdle beyond a standard Google sign-in for watchlists. The free selection rotates, and major studio titles appear regularly.
The free catalog is far smaller than Tubi, and finding free titles takes some browsing since paid rentals sit beside them. Ads run during playback. Still, as a zero-effort extra source of legal free films, YouTube belongs on every cord-cutter list.
What we like- Licensed free movies from major studios
- No extra app needed
- Huge device support
Watch out for- Free film selection is limited
- Ads during playback
- Finding free titles takes browsing
How we chose
We picked services that are licensed in the US, free to start, and still operating in 2026. Each one had to offer real movies or shows without a subscription, and we checked catalog claims against recent buyer guides and the services own pages. Unlicensed sites were left out on purpose, since they expose viewers to malware, phishing pages, and copyright risk. Where catalog sizes differ across sources, we used conservative figures rather than the largest claim.
Why licensed services beat unlicensed sites
Unlicensed streaming sites look free, but the cost shows up elsewhere. Pop-up ads on those sites commonly carry malware and phishing pages, and many ask for accounts or payment details that licensed services never request. Streams vanish without warning, video quality varies, and subtitles are often wrong or missing. Licensed services fund their catalogs through ads or library partnerships, which keeps the streams stable and the catalogs legal. Viewers also get proper subtitles, consistent high video quality, and customer support when playback fails, none of which unlicensed sites reliably provide.
A practical setup covers most viewing needs. Pair Tubi for on-demand breadth with Pluto TV or Sling Freestream for live channels, then add Kanopy or Hoopla through a library card for ad-free films. Keep YouTube and Plex as extras for rotating free titles and personal media. That stack costs nothing per month and removes any reason to visit an unlicensed site. Before you settle on a lineup, test each app on the TV you actually use, since device support and ad loads differ more than catalog lists suggest.
Frequently asked questions
Are these services really free?
Yes. Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Plex, and Sling Freestream are ad-supported and free. Kanopy and Hoopla are free with a participating library card. None of them require a credit card to start watching.
Do I need a library card for Kanopy and Hoopla?
Yes, both services work through participating public libraries and universities. Check your local library website for Kanopy or Hoopla access. If your library does not offer them, the ad-supported services in this list still cover most viewing.
Why do free services have ads?
Ads pay for the licensing that keeps these catalogs legal. Ad loads run roughly three to six minutes per hour depending on the service. Kanopy and Hoopla avoid ads because libraries pay for access instead.
Can I watch these services on my TV?
Yes. All eight services run on most smart TVs, streaming sticks, phones, and browsers. The Roku Channel has no LG or Apple TV app, so viewers on those platforms should use Tubi, Pluto TV, or Plex instead.
Is it safe to use unlicensed streaming sites instead?
No. Unlicensed sites commonly serve malware, phishing pages, and aggressive pop-ups, and they can expose personal data. Licensed services avoid those risks and offer stable streams with correct subtitles. The free options here cover most of what viewers want without that exposure.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.tubi.tv
- https://www.therokuchannel.roku.com
- https://www.pluto.tv
- https://www.plex.tv
- https://www.kanopy.com
- https://www.hoopladigital.com
- https://www.sling.com
- https://www.youtube.com
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.