Soaring Streaming Subscription Costs? 5 Free Alternatives

by Andrea Norris-McKnight

Streaming has replaced cable in many homes to cut costs. However, it has become just as pricey, or even more so, depending on the number of services you subscribe to. (The average per household is four, according to a Deloitte Digital Media Trends Study.) If your streaming bills have started to add up, it might be time to swap out a few paid services for some free alternatives.

Today’s free streaming platforms offer a wide range of movies, TV shows, and live channels, all supported by ads. You’ll find something that suits your taste.

5 Free Streaming Platforms Worth a Look

There are many free streaming services to choose from, but a few stand out for their large content libraries, user-friendly interfaces, and high-quality streaming. Here are five free streaming options to consider that I use in my household.

1. Plex

Plex offers more than 600 free ad-supported movies, shows, and live TV shows to its “17 million (and growing!) monthly active users.” You don’t need to create an account to watch Plex, but you’ll want to set one up (no credit card required) if you want, so you can save your place in movies and TV shows you can’t watch in one viewing.

You can watch Plex on almost any device, from your Roku box to your laptop. Find out more about Plex here.

2. Tubi

Tubi offers a vast library of over 20,000 movies and TV shows, all at no cost. While it may not feature the latest box-office hits or exclusive originals, its catalog stands out thanks to smart partnerships with industry giants like Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM. Tubi’s diverse selection has something to appeal to every taste and interest.

You can watch TV on almost any device or online. Find out more about the many options for watching Tubi here.

3. Pluto TV

Viacom’s Pluto TV is a standout in the live-streaming world. It offers 250+ channels of free live TV and thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows to browse. With a user-friendly interface and carefully curated content, Pluto TV provides a cable-like experience at no cost.

Try out Pluto TV here.

4. The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is a flexible platform that offers a range of options. While it comes pre-installed on Roku devices, you can also watch for free on TheRokuChannel.com. According to Roku, “Enjoy thousands of free TV shows and hit movies, Roku® Originals, 400+ live TV channels, kids’ entertainment, Premium Subscriptions, and more — all in one place.”
You can stream the first episodes of many premium cable shows, but be cautious — it might tempt you to sign up for another paid streaming subscription to watch the entire series.

Find out more about Roku streaming options here.

5. Sling Freestream

Sling Freestream is a game-changer for those seeking free live TV streaming. You can “stream 500+ channels of news, movies and shows for free.” You can also get the Sling Freestream app for just about any device or watch it online.

Learn more about Sling Freestream here.

Free Does Come With Some Trade-Offs

The appeal of free streaming services is undeniable, but it’s crucial to be realistic about what they offer. These platforms usually feature older or lesser-known titles, and you’ll see ads while you’re watching. They also regularly change their offerings, just like some paid services do. This means that a TV series you’re watching might leave the platform before you’ve seen every episode. However, this is a small trade-off for the wide range of entertainment options you get to enjoy.

If you can’t part with your streaming subscriptions, here are some ways to save on paid streaming services. Or if you’re a bookworm, check out these places to get free of cheap books and audiobooks.

Reviewed December 2025