The Best Free Streaming Services of 2023
Tom Power Jun 7, 2023 10:02 PM
Are you looking to reduce or even eliminate your entertainment bills monthly by 2022? Free streaming services are emerging as a popular alternative to cable TV and - in some cases - subscription streaming services. So how does it work?
Instead of paying monthly subscription fees to stream giants like Netflix, you can stream free content from dozens of companies that won't charge you a dime. Of course, there is a trade-off involved. Instead of a monthly bill, you'll have to endure ads embedded in the content. That's how these free services make money.
Here is a list of 4 Best Free Streaming Services of 2023 that can help you replace cable TV.
Top picks
If you're looking to dip your toes into the pool of free live streaming TV, my recommendation is to start with Pluto TV. The service is owned by ViacomCBS, so you have some really mainstream TV options.
Pluto TV also does a good job of aggregating some of the popular free streaming services across the web, so you can easily recreate the familiar “channel surfing” feeling you get from the cable or satellite of the television. Live channel selection includes popular brands including Comedy Central, MTV, BET, VH1, Spike TV, and Nickelodeon.
It is important to note that this is not a live stream of traditional channels. Instead, they are unique streams that focus more narrowly on content types. Sports options include offerings from Fox Sports, MLB, PGA, and NFL. However, this is not a live sporting event.
This one has several streaming services that offer a bunch of formerly popular TV shows for free. The Roku Channel is arguably the best of them all. That's because it boasts a great mix of popular dramas from both network channels and premium cable channels. It also recently acquired an entire library of content from the defunct streaming service Quibi and renamed those shows to Roku Originals.
One catch with the Roku Channel is that you'll need a Roku.com account and most likely a Roku device to stream on your TV. That might not be a barrier, as there's a free Roku Channel app for your phone or tablet, and you can also watch it from your laptop's web browser without needing to log in.
Ready to grab some popcorn and sit down on the couch for a few hours? Many of the free streaming services we've reviewed rely heavily on the on-demand movie market to bundle their content. And Crackle is one of the best. Crackle is owned by Sony and its Chicken Soup for the Soul products, so it has access to movies affiliated with those companies.
It offers recognized titles across all genres and features Hollywood stars like Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman, and more. Like most free streaming services, Crackle typically shuffles movies on and off its menu within weeks. So if you see something you want to see, you should take advantage of it when you can.
If you're one with kids, finding a free collection of kid-friendly content might be a priority. Tubi TV could be the perfect fit for your family. In addition to a robust library of on-demand movies and TV shows capable of satisfying adults in the family, the FOX-owned service also offers a youth-specific “Tubi Kids” section of the home. In this section, you will be able to find movies and TV shows suitable for children. The program is "carefully designed" so that children can navigate without easily encountering inappropriate content.
Some of the identifiable characters available on Tubi Kids at the time of this review include The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, My Little Pony, Sonic the Hedgehog, Barbie, and Barney the Dinosaur. Family movies include Free Willy, Annie, Little Big League, Elmo's Adventures in Grouchland, and Kung Fu Panda.
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- BrandAT&T Services, Inc.
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Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ready to get started with the Best Free Streaming Services in your home? The best part about these services being free is that you can jump in and out of any service with practically no barriers. But it's important to remember that there's no formula for achieving the perfect content mix. My recommendations may not be completely suitable for your entertainment needs.
The good news is that there are enough options available to achieve a satisfactory set up - with a little tweaking and a little patience.
