Best Free Movie Apps For Free Streaming
Entertainment • March 15, 2023
Paid applications like Netflix and Amazon Prime have grown in popularity in the age of streaming. But with the best free streaming services and apps, you can watch a variety of movies and TV shows for little to no money, all while taking advantage of the ease of streaming from the comfort of your own home.
You won’t have to worry about getting into trouble because these free movie apps give legal viewing options across a range of categories. We’ve examined each app and offered an in-depth review to make it easier for you to find the ideal free movie app for your streaming needs.
Quick-Tips:
- Highly-compatible streaming apps are a must
- Concurrent streaming is extremely helpful for viewing with friends and family
- Know app-specific content before selecting a streaming platform
- Notable developers can indicate high-quality standards for apps
- Ads are going to likely be a part of your free streaming app
- Each app is unique and do not all offer the same features
Fact-Check:
Having used many streaming apps for watching my favorite shows, I want to make sure the platform that I choose is safe to use and has great content. One of the best ways to verify both of these categories is by checking which platforms other viewers picked. According to Horowitz Research, several of the names on our list, like Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Vudu, and Crackle, made up more than 53% of viewership for free video streaming in the United States in 2021. This shows that our list of comprised of the very best platforms, giving you the peace of mind to choose the best platform.
Top free movie apps in 2023
- Best Overall: Popcornflix
- Best for Original Content: Crackle
- Best for Live TV: Tubi TV
- Best for Classic Movies: Pluto TV
- Best for New Releases: Vudu
- Best for Fire TV Devices: Amazon Freevee
- Best All-in-one: Yidio
Best Overall: Popcornflix
Specs
- Developer: Developed by Screen Media Ventures, LLC; Known for providing quality entertainment content
- Compatibility: Available on the web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, and more
- Concurrent Streams: Supports multiple concurrent streams on the same account, allowing for shared viewing experiences with friends and family.
Pros
- No subscription required
- A diverse selection of content
- Easy-to-use design
- Availability in many nations
Cons
- Limited content compared to other premium streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime
- Ad-supported, users are presented with ads while watching
- Quality issues reported by some users
- Limited device compatibility
- No download option is available; cannot download movies or TV shows for offline watching
We tested Popcornflix, and because of its diverse selection of content, it earned a top spot. Popcornflix is a free streaming app that allows you to watch movies and TV shows for free. For people residing outside of the United States, Popcornflix is also accessible through a variety of service providers like JustWatch.
We also went through the application and website. Both have very user-friendly interfaces, and the registration process is fairly simple. Users don’t need to pay for a subscription to view movies and TV shows on the app because it is totally free and supported by advertisements.
Hollywood blockbusters, independent movies, and vintage TV shows are among the wide variety of content that Popcornflix offers. Additionally, Popcorn Originals has its own dedicated section with featured content.
Best For Original Content: Crackle
Specs
- Developer: Developed by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Sony Pictures, and Columbia Pictures; These are known for providing a diverse range of free entertainment content, including movies and TV shows.
- Compatibility: Available on the web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, various smart TVs, and consoles
- Concurrent Streams: Crackle TV supports multiple concurrent streams on the same account, allowing for shared viewing experiences with friends and family.
Pros
- Variety of original movies and TV shows
- Availability of classic content
- Availability on a variety of devices
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Limited selection of content compared to other paid streaming services
- Ad-supported, users will need to sit through commercials while watching content
- Video quality issues reported by some users, including buffering and low-resolution playback
- Limited availability in some countries, which may limit accessibility for certain users and regions
Crackle is a great free streaming media service that offers a variety of movies and TV shows, and also has movies that are no longer accessible on Netflix. Having explored their selection, we think by expanding its movie collection, Crackle has stepped up its game in comparison to other best free streaming and viewing services.
There are many genres available on Crackle, including some of our personal favorites, like action films, sitcoms, thrillers, horror, and more.
You can also watch TV shows for free on Crackle. Like Popcornflix, Crackle is ad-supported, which is typically the catch with free streaming advertising, but the ads are worthwhile because you get to watch movies and television shows for no charge.
Best For Live TV: Tubi TV
Specs
- Developer: Tubi TV is developed by Tubi, Inc., a leading provider of premium streaming services that is renowned for delivering top-notch entertainment content to viewers worldwide.
- Compatibility: Available on the web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, consoles, and most other platforms
- Concurrent Streams: Tubi TV supports multiple concurrent streams on the same account, enabling viewers to enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows with their loved ones simultaneously.
Pros
- Large library of movies and TV shows
- No ads subscription option is available
Cons
- Limited availability
- Content rotation
- No original content
Tubi TV is also a free streaming platform that is completely free to use. It is ad-supported, but in our testing of Tubi TV, it has far fewer advertisements than its competitors. Due to its affiliations with MGM, Paramount, and Lionsgate, Tubi TV stands out from its rivals by having the support of some of the largest names in the media industry.
With parental settings that allow parents to keep an eye on what their children watch, Tubi TV is a must-have for the family. Similar to other streaming platforms and services, it works without requiring you to create an account.
The “Not on Netflix” section of Tubi TV also has a separate segment devoted to great options that Netflix does not offer.
Best For Classic Movies: Pluto TV
Specs
- Developer: Pluto TV is owned by ViacomCBS, a well-known media company that produces high-quality entertainment content
- Compatibility: Available on the web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, smart TVs, and consoles
- Concurrent Streams: Pluto TV supports multiple concurrent streams on the same account, so you can share your viewing experience with your friends and family
Pros
- Live TV
- Large Library
- User-Friendly
Cons
- No On-Demand Viewing
- Limited Customization
- Picture Quality
- Limited International Content
Pluto TV is a free streaming service that offers on-demand content and has live broadcasting from about 250 different channels. TV shows and movies are included in the on-demand content.
We believe that Pluto TV is a great streaming app, but there are some limitations in terms of the content selection, as the majority of what is offered is at least five years old. Pluto TV is ad-supported like the other many streaming websites and applications, but there is no way to purchase content without ads. We think that because of its somewhat outdated content and no way to pay to skip ads, Pluto TV is a solid option for free streaming.
Pluto TV has a very straightforward and user-friendly interface, but the absence of search and filtering options could make it more challenging to locate the content you want. However, if you’re a fan of James Bond and other popular franchises like we are, Pluto TV is a winner for you because it offers a wide variety of content.
The live networks on Pluto TV offer a variety of content, including news, sports, kid’s programs, Spanish-language shows, game shows, and more.
Best For New Releases: Vudu
Specs
- Developer: Vudu is a digital media distribution service owned by Fandango Media, LLC, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, which is known for providing high-quality digital media content to its users
- Compatibility: Available on almost all platforms: the web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, smart TVs, and consoles
- Concurrent Streams: Vudu supports multiple concurrent streams on the same account, allowing for shared viewing experiences with friends and family
Pros
- High-Quality Video: Vudu offers 4K UHD
- Large Library: A vast collection of popular and lesser-known titles
- No Subscription: Pay only for what you want to
Cons
- Limited International Content: Not a wide selection of international content
- No Original Content: Vudu does not produce original content
Vudu is a platform for streaming movies and TV shows that is free and supported by advertisements. With a huge selection of content, including the ability to rent and buy recent hits, Vudu is incredibly simple to use. In contrast to other such streaming sites and applications, Vudu also provides offline downloads. We also found that some of the movies are available in 4K, which is a huge step up from other free streaming services.
Some of our favorite TV shows like The Office, Game of Thrones, Friends, and Rick and Morty have complete seasons available for purchase.
Vudu has a large selection of movies and TV shows, but it also lacks original series and movies. There is no top category of subscriptions for Vudu.
The process of signing up for Vudu is fairly simple. If you intend to buy or rent content, you can input your credit card information for easy payment. Otherwise, you can just stick to free viewing.
Best For Fire TV Devices: Amazon Freevee
Specs
- Developer: Developed by Amazon, known for providing a diverse range of entertainment content
- Compatibility: Available on Fire TV devices, Android, iOS, web browsers, and select smart TVs
- Concurrent Streams: Amazon Freevee supports multiple concurrent streams on the same account, allowing for shared viewing experiences with friends and family.
Pros
- Good streaming quality
- Availability on a variety of devices
- Integrates with Amazon’s ecosystem, making it easy to use with other Amazon services
Cons
- Limited selection of content compared to other paid streaming services
- Ad-supported, users will need to sit through commercials while watching content
- Some content requires a subscription to a premium service
- Not available in all countries, which may limit accessibility for certain users and regions
With Amazon Freevee, you can watch a variety of free movies and TV shows, as well as live TV channels. For anyone like us who wants to watch live events and keep up with their favorite TV shows without having to pay for cable TV, this makes it a great option. In testing, we found that this app includes an intuitive user interface that makes browsing and finding new content simple, ensuring that you always have something new to watch.
Amazon Freevee is a terrific choice for those who want to follow their favorite shows in real-time, as it offers access to over 140 live TV channels, including news, sports, and entertainment.
Best All-in-one: Yidio
Specs
- Developer: Yidio LLC developed Yidio through Brandon and Adam Eatros; both have been in the video aggregation industry since 2008
- Compatibility: varies per streaming platform; iOS, Android, Roku, web browsers, and more
- Concurrent Streams: Yidio supports several concurrent streams, varying depending on the platform you select
Pros
- Can easily access a wide variety of streaming platforms
- Quality and safety are assured with some of the biggest names in streaming
- Great compatibility with various streaming platforms
- Access to the some of most popular shows and movies
Cons
- Yidio does not produce any content of their own
- Most content is accessed through other platforms
- A-list content typically requires payment to a subscription, although some platforms offer a free trial
We think that Yidio is best described as a marketplace in which you can search for your favorite content and find a streaming platform that offers that content. Because Yidio is not a streaming service in and of itself, it does not offer any unique content of its own. Despite this, Yidio is the perfect place to find the most popular streaming services in one place, allowing you to easily find content that is offered on some platforms, but not others.
Yidio is best used for its search functionality, which is far better than other single-service platforms. By having access to the content held by different platforms, even the most niche shows and movies can be found using Yidio, which is why it is we think it is the best all-in-one platform.
FAQs
Are there full episodes of TV shows on these sites?
Yes. When it comes to choosing an online streaming site, there are several factors to consider. We exclusively suggest free streaming sites that provide complete episodes. We’ve prioritized free streaming services that present entire seasons or series to prevent any disappointment when you’re engrossed in a captivating show.
Are Popcornflix, Crackle, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, and Vudu safe to use for free streaming?
Popcornflix, Crackle, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, and Vudu are safe to use for free streaming. However, it is important to be cautious when downloading or installing any new apps or software. Always use a trusted source and ensure your device has up-to-date anti-virus and malware protection.
Can I watch these movies offline?
It depends on the app. Some of the apps, like Vudu, allow you to download movies for offline viewing. However, other apps like Popcornflix and Tubi TV do not offer this feature.
Are these apps available on all devices?
These apps are available on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku and Amazon Fire TV. However, availability may vary depending on your location and device.
Are free movie apps really free?
Yes, free movie apps like Popcornflix, Amazon Freevee, Crackle, Vudu, Tubi TV, and Pluto TV are free to use, but they generate revenue through ads or may require you to create an account or sign up for a free trial.
What are some tips for choosing the right free movie app?
There are several things you can do to help make the most informed decision about the right free movie app. Begin by checking the content library to see if it has movies and TV shows you want to watch. Make sure you can view the quality settings or ratings for the app because high-quality videos are important in the streaming experience.
To ensure minimal frustration after narrowing down your list, ensure your devices are compatible before attempting to download one of the apps. If you have a family, consider apps that offer parental controls and subtitles. Lastly, evaluate the app’s quality and user experience by reviewing user reviews and ratings.
Save money, steam free
Popcornflix, Crackle, Vudu, Tubi TV, Amazon Freevee, and Pluto TV are standout choices for free movie viewing applications. High-quality video, a sizable selection of films and TV shows, and support for a broad variety of devices are just a few of the distinct advantages that each of these platforms offers.
Individual tastes will ultimately determine which app is used, but all of these apps offer a great way to experience free movies and TV programs without having to pay a membership or renting fees. So, if you’re looking for a way to spend your evenings without spending a dime, these free streaming entertainment services are your best bet!
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