The 14 Best Free TV Apps
Disillusioned by Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown? Luckily, there are more options than ever for replacing your traditional cable setup without shelling out cash. Try these free TV apps out and see which works best for you. We’ll have resources on device compatibility and how to access each TV app at the end.
1. Freevee
Owned by Amazon, Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) features thousands of full episodes of your favorite current and classic TV shows and an array of movies. Unlike some of the other channels you may stream with your paid Prime account, Freevee is ad-supported, so you’ll have to sit through a few commercial breaks.
2. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll boasts a library of anime films and series, many of which are hard to find on other streaming services. There is a paid premium feature, but the free Crunchyroll service has thousands of hours of popular series like the “Dragon Ball” franchise, “Attack on Titan,” “Naruto” and “One Piece.” Want more money-saving tricks like this? Here are eight more you should try.
3. The Roku Channel
Even if you don’t have a Roku, you can download the free Roku Channel app. This channel hosts a rotating selection of free movies and TV series, and those in the U.S. in Canada also can stream live news 24/7. The Roku Channel does have ads, but it doesn’t require a subscription.
4. Crackle
Crackle is a cost-free service with a variety of content, ranging from classic TV shows like “Dennis the Menace,” to newer shows and originals like “This is Paradise.” It also has hundreds of films from major studios. For a free streaming service, Crackle’s library is truly impressive.
5. Tubi TV
A division of FOX Entertainment, Tubi has deals with major studios like Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate. It also features lots of foreign and independent productions. Tubi’s library is updated regularly, and the service claims to add new content every week.
6. Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers TV channels of linear content much like a cable package, though there are plenty of on-demand options, too. There are dozens of classic TV, movie and sports channels — and even some highly curated streams of niche content. If you’re looking for breaking news, you can choose from an assortment of major network news channels that are live streaming.
7. NewsON
Streaming video isn’t always just about entertainment. The NewsON app provides hundreds of local and national news streams. Both live TV and on-demand news broadcasts can be streamed from more than 275 local news affiliates in 165 markets. The broadcasts are available for up to 48 hours after they air, so even if you don’t catch the news as it happens, you can catch up later. Another money hack? Stop spending too much money on these 5 dumb things.
8. PBS Kids
Kids need free streaming content, too. PBS has a free PBS Kids Video TV app that provides hundreds of hours of educational and enriching content for the youngest members of the family. The app has a colorful, child-friendly interface, which makes it easy for kids to take control themselves. You can even tap the “Live TV” button to watch what’s currently airing on your local PBS station.
9. PBS
You don’t have to miss out on “PBS NewsHour” if you ditch cable. You can watch that along with 4,000+ other shows with the free-to-download PBS app.
10. Xumo Play
Like Pluto, Xumo Play lets you choose from an assortment of major network news channels like CBS News that are live streaming. But it also includes more than 300 free channels, including themed ones in case you’re in the mood for action movies or comedies.
11. Twitch
For anyone with even a passing interest in gaming and esports, Twitch is the go-to free streaming service. Twitch hosts user-created channels and streams focused on video games and other esports. It features a built-in chat feature, so users can chat with other streamers in real-time. While there are thousands of free streams, Twitch also features premium features for a monthly subscription called Turbo.
12. YouTube
Yes, YouTube. YouTube apps are compatible with just about every device that has a screen, and the service features videos to choose from on nearly any topic imaginable. Most of those videos are not exactly premium content, but there are still plenty of full-length films, documentary series and curated channels that provide cost-free entertainment for the whole family. Looking for another money-saving life hack? These companies give you food and other products for free.
13. The CW
The CW has a free streaming app. Although you can’t watch every episode of every CW show ever, you can catch quite a lot of content, including new episodes of shows that are currently airing on TV.
14. Popcornflix
If you’re into action flicks, sci-fi or horror, you might want to check out Popcornflix. Some of the categories of free movies and free tv shows on this platform include: “All Out Action,” “Disaster Movie Madness” and “Edgy Comedy.”
Access Free TV Apps Now
You can download apps to your Smart TV or even your Xbox or PlayStation consoles. Head over to The Penny Hoarder to access free tv apps and figure out which one is right for you.
