Try these free TV apps out and see which works best for you.
Owned by Amazon, IMDb TV (formerly Freedive) features a host of full episodes of your favorite current and classic TV shows as well as an array of movies.
While there are ways to download YouTube content for offline viewing, proceed with caution: Many of these sites and apps are full of malware.
The kids (or kids at heart) can check out Nickelodeon classics like âThe Fairly Odd Parentsâ and âDora the Explorer.â
Since the service is ad-supported, you can expect to watch a couple minutes of ads every 10 minutes or so. The experience is pretty similar to watching normal television.
12 Free TV Apps That Will Help You Cut Cable
NBCUniversal launched this streaming service, which includes over 7,500 hours of free content, in July 2020.
Chris Brantner is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Senior writer Nicole Dow contributed to this article.
1. Crackle
And you arenât confined to squinting at your phoneâs screen or gathering the family around the old iPad to watch your favorite TV series and movies â you can download apps to your Smart TV or even your Xbox or PlayStation consoles.
If youâre a fan of shows like âThe Office,â âLaw and Order: SVU,â or âSaturday Night Live,â you can watch them on this streaming service.
2. Tubi TV
The library is solid and has started offering popular Fox TV series like âThe Masked Singerâ and âGordon Ramsayâs 24 Hours to Hell and Back.â
Whether you want it now or later, Xumo offers live TV and on-demand options.
The catalogue includes some binge-worthy sci-fi hits like âLostâ and âFringe.â
Youâre there anyway â why not get paid to play video games? Here are four simple ways to start earning real cash for virtual play.
3. Pluto TV
Almost all of the networks and cable TV channels have their own free apps for you to download â although many charge you to actually watch current content.
Users can then select which news segments they want to watch from categories like sports, weather or entertainment. NewsON is compatible with iOS and Android phones and tablets, as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
Luckily, there are more options than ever for replacing your traditional cable setup. Many free streaming services have stepped up to offer access to content overlooked by subscription-based services.
The Crunchyroll app is supported by Apple, Android and Windows mobile devices, as well as by gaming consoles, Chromecast, Apple TV and Roku.
Pro Tip
You can even tap the âLive TVâ button to watch whatâs currently airing on your local PBS station.
Customers can stream Peacock on a variety of platforms, including LG Smart TVs, Vizio SmartCast TVs, Roku, Google and Apple devices and Playstation and Xbox consoles.
Both live TV and on-demand news broadcasts can be streamed from over 275 local news affiliates in 160 markets. The broadcasts are available for up to 48 hours after they air, so even if you donât catch the news as it happens, you can catch up later.
Xumo is available on most smart TVs and Roku and for download on iOS and Android devices.
4. NewsON
Crunchyroll is a great app for anyone with an interest in anime. Of course, when it comes to anime content, you have to be watchful with your younger children, as a lot of it is geared toward teens (and sometimes even adults).
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.
Got a library card? You have access to even more entertainment options (besides the obvious, books). Check out these library apps for free access to movies, TV shows and more.
5. Funny Or Die
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Pro Tip
Content on the app must be streamed and cannot be downloaded.
Tubi TVâs library is updated regularly, and the service claims to add new content every week. The Tubi TV app works on more than 25 devices, including Android and iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, Samsung Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV.
6. PBS Kids
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.
Streaming video isnât always just about entertainment. The NewsON app provides hundreds of local and national news streams.
Pro Tip
There is a paid premium feature, but the free Crunchyroll service has thousands of hours of popular series like the âDragon Ballâ franchise, âAttack on Titan,â âNarutoâ and âOne Piece.â
For a free streaming service, Crackleâs library is truly impressive. Crackle even has a handful of original series to its name. Best of all, Crackle works on nearly all mobile devices, streaming boxes and smart TVs.
7. Xumo
In 2018, the Funny Or Die began publishing on Vox Mediaâs Chorus and now uses the YouTube Player.
While there are thousands of free streams, Twitch also features premium features for a monthly subscription. Twitch apps are compatible with PCs, iOS and Android devices, game consoles, Chromecast and Fire TV.
Or if you just want to veg out, switch over to their Binge menu for a seemingly endless stream of TV series, like âThe Hillsâ and âMystery Science Theater 3000.â
But it also includes more than 160 free channels, including themed ones in case youâre in the mood for action movies or comedies â you can watch the Funny Or Die channel here, too.
Pro Tip
Sure, there are the usual big names in streaming services available for a monthly fee, but itâs possible to kick subscription fees entirely.
8. Crunchyroll
Like Pluto, you can choose from an assortment of major network news channels that are live streaming.
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A division of FOX Entertainment, Tubi TV has deals with major studios like Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Lionsgate. It also features lots of foreign and independent productions.
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.
9. Twitch
One of the go-to names not just in free streaming but in streaming video in general is Crackle. The cost-free service has a variety of content, ranging from classic TV shows like âBewitchedâ and âBarney Miller,â as well as the newer âSnatchâ series. It also has hundreds of films from major studios.
Many of the free TV apps offer âpremiumâ channels â if you see that word, expect to pay for those services.
Pro Tip
While Twitch is popular with children, parents should beware: Twitch streams are somewhat unregulated and can sometimes contain adult language or content.
The free version of IMDbTV is ad-supported, so youâll have to sit through a few commercial breaks.
Videos from many of PBSâs most popular series are available for streaming including âCurious George,â âWild Krattsâ and âSesame Street.â The PBS Kids app is supported for Android, Windows and iOS phones and tablets.
10. IMDb TV
Pluto TV offers TV channels of linear content much like a cable package
Like Tubi TV, Pluto TV has advertisements similar to the ad load of normal TV.
As cable subscription prices rise higher and higher and customer satisfaction ratings dive lower and lower, cutting the cable has never been more popular.
With so many free streaming options out there, itâs easier than ever to cut the cord and save big. Whether youâre looking to keep up with the news, find a good movie for date night or entertain your kids with educational content, a streaming service exists to ensure you can do so without paying a dime.
11. YouTube
For anyone with even a passing interest in gaming and esports, Twitch is the go-to free streaming service.
The go-to streaming app for comedy programming is Funny or Die. Founded in 2007 by contemporary comedy giants Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, it has since grown to be a full-blown production house featuring original content from big names in show business.
Although Peacock offers paid premium options, the free version includes current and classic TV shows, movies, news, sports, kidsâ shows, Spanish-language programs and even select episodes of Peacock originals.
12. Peacock
Kids need free streaming content, too. PBS has a PBS Kids Video 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.
Pluto TV boasts a large list of supported devices including iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TVand Chromecast devices and Android TV.
It is available in the United States on the IMDb app, the IMDb website, the Amazon Prime Video app and Amazon Fire TV devices.
Of course, there are some rather shady options out there that stream pirated content. But weâve rounded up free, legal streaming apps that provide no-strings-attached cable-cutting solutions.
There are dozens of classic TV, movie and sports channels â and even some highly curated streams of niche content.
If youâre looking for breaking news, you can choose from an assortment of major network news channels that are live streaming.
Anime and manga fans are likely already familiar with Crunchyroll. It specializes in mostly Japanese content, but it also features films and series from all over the world. Crunchyroll boasts a library of thousands of anime films and series, many of which are hard to find on other streaming services.