Best free streaming services in 2024

Recent subscription price increases on popular streaming platforms like Netflix make people wonder if having a paid service is even worth it anymore. Luckily, an array of free streaming services housing popular movies and TV shows don’t charge a penny. These platforms offer a delightful combination of live TV and on-demand content, beloved classics, and a sprinkling of newer hits or exclusive originals.

If only it were so easy, though. Unfortunately, most of the best free streaming services are strictly limited to or have the richest libraries in certain regions. Some are only available in the US, while others are in Australia. Besides, they cost you ad-cluttered viewing instead of cash. The restrictions and hindrances, however, don’t mean you have to stoically suffer third-rate binge sessions.

A VPN hops in to resolve the issues surrounding free streaming services. Thanks to technology’s geo-block circumvention and ad-blocking capabilities, you can enjoy a smooth experience anywhere. So, complementing your free sessions with a VPN yields the best possible experience for media enthusiasts out there.

In this article, we present the Top 10 best free streaming services after testing several dozen of them. We’ll also share what our experts liked or disliked about each. Also, we’ll share why a VPN is a good companion in the search for free content.

Best VPNs for unblocking free streaming services

1. NordVPN

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What are free streaming services?

Free streaming services are the common alternative for the budget-conscious cord-cutters. These media hubs cover vast libraries of movies and TV shows you can enjoy without subscription fees or upfront payments. But it’d be too good if anyone could access them. There are a few limitations, such as geo-blocks and bandwidth throttling, that can embitter free streams.

In most cases, free streaming websites are differentiated through the legality of their content. There are official free platforms as counterparts to their premium version, like Freevee for Amazon. Or, some distribute popular content illegally, ignoring copyright and distribution rights, like 123Movies. These domains also tend to be unsafe and redirect you to third-party platforms of dubious nature.

Top free streaming services: detailed list

What makes or breaks the best streaming services? There could be different deciding factors for each of us. For this reason, we tried to be diverse in our assessment and evaluate aspects that matter the most. We considered accessibility, stream quality, interface, redirects, ads, and, of course, content libraries found on free streaming hubs.

Here’s a quick glance at the list of free streaming services our experts deemed reliable and suitable for media connoisseurs:

1. BBC iPlayer
2. 10Play
3. Amazon Freevee
4. Pluto TV
5. Sling Freestream
6. TVNZ
7. RetroCrush
8. Channel 4
9. Tubi
10. TV Tokyo

Now, let’s dive into a detailed overview of these freebies, so you can immediately start binging after the article ends.

1. NordVPN

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

1. BBC iPlayer – rock-solid free streaming hub with a vast library

The fight was fierce, but BBC iPlayer clawed its way to the very top as the overall best free streaming. It’s a go-to platform for those who crave a dose of British television, from gripping dramas to captivating documentaries and beloved British comedies. Besides, all that juicy BBC content is wrapped into a slick design that all kinds of technically inclined can navigate with no problem.

Here’s what you can watch: news & current affairs, dramas, comedies, documentaries, reality TV, sports, and vintage programs. Among the top fan favorites, you’ll find Peaky Blinders, Sherlock, In the Loop, Doctor Who, Belle, The Imitation Game, and more.

Apart from this free streaming website being a treasure trove of British TV, BBC iPlayer allows you to catch up with your favorite shows by notifying you about the latest episodes. Though it may seem like a minor feature, it is a big deal for a free platform. Alas, you need a BBC account to use the iPlayer freely. But once you sign up, you can enjoy juicy British content in a stable HD quality.

The main drawback of BBC iPlayer is the geographical restrictions. Unfortunately, the website’s only available for UK viewers. That is, naturally, if you don’t own a VPN service that so happens to bypass such geo-blocks rather swiftly. You just need a streaming-friendly service with UK servers, which means that NordVPN is your best shot.

URL: bbc.co.uk/iplayer

2. 10Play – versatile free streaming service for beginners & veterans

10Play has been trying to win the Aussies over, and as a result, we got one of the top free streaming services aboard. It’s simple to use and offers a variety of TV shows and flicks. Also, you’ll find loads, from captivating Australian dramas to reality series and news programs sprinkled with some US content here and there. 10Play’s diverse catalog ensures that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Here’s what you can watch: TV shows, reality TV, comedies, dramas, documentaries, thrillers, and sports events. The most famous Australian TV shows include The Bachelor, Australian Survivor, Masterchef, and The Masked Singer. As for movie fans, goldies like The Revenant, X-Men: Apocalypse, Get Out, or The Fault in Our Stars will definitely keep you engaged.

It’s also a live TV streaming service, a big plus, allowing viewers to catch their favorite shows and games in real time. We also found the catch-up service convenient for missing an episode that aired recently. During our tests, the streaming quality was good, though it didn’t reach HD. Also, you do need to create an account to enjoy the free content, but the process is quick.

Alas, 10Play is only available for Australians. It’s quite a disadvantage for the rest of the world that wants to indulge in free Aussie content. Luckily, you can rely on a VPN service to bypass geo-blocks and slip onto the website hassle-free. Pick the VPN with Australian servers with proven streaming support, and you’re good.

URL: 10play.com.au

Stream freely & safely with a VPN

3. Amazon Freevee – popular and reliable streaming website for families

Amazon Freevee, often known as just Freevee, is a free streaming service with one of the most exciting libraries. It contains movies, though fewer TV shows than a regular hub. On the other hand, you get monthly Amazon originals to spice up your options. While our experts liked the reliability of the Amazon platform and content selection, the website navigation is clunky and, at times, confusing.

Here’s what you can watch: dramas, Westerns, musicals, comedies, documentaries, TV shows, Sci-Fi, horror, fantasy, etc. Basically, you get a handful of genres to dabble in. Folks love Judy Justice, Criminal Minds, Bosch, and Amazon Originals like The Grand Tour, then also MLB, Top Gear, NHL FAST, Teen Wolf, and other shows & hits.

Overall, our tests revealed a whole suite of features and a near-HD viewing experience. For example, you can filter results by subtitle language and browse the catalog by genre. You can add movies and shows to a watchlist and hide those you don’t want to see. On the other hand, ads interrupted our streams quite frequently, but we found that a solid ad blocker secures ad-free sessions.

However, there’s a catch. Like with Amazon Prime Video, Freeve is geo-restricted to the US. If you live abroad or want to catch up with some shows while traveling, you might want to get a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, which has around 2000 US servers with stellar speeds for streaming swimmingly wherever you are.

URL: amazon.com/freevee

4. Pluto TV – best-in-class free streaming service with on-demand shows & movies

Pluto TV is a conspicuous streaming hub that doesn’t charge for its content. The goldmine is the library. Paramount owns this platform and ensures you get a nifty selection of shows and flicks, along with live TV channels to boot. The design is a real eye candy. However, the navigation is a different matter as it sometimes confuses us while browsing the catalog.

Here’s what you can watch: In the case of Pluto TV, you don’t pay for free content with a decade-old assortment. Since it’s Paramount-based, you get hits like Criminal Minds, Star Trek, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and Gladiator. It even houses channels like CNN, MTV, CBS News, and Fox Sports.

Tinkering around, we found that while no account is needed to enjoy media on Pluto TV, having an account enriches functionality. For instance, you get features like favoriting channels and parental controls. As for streaming quality, we were getting 720p resolution at most on both PCs and mobiles. But, the ads were a frequent occurrence, unfortunately.

On the other hand, ads interrupting your binge sessions don’t have to remain an acute issue while streaming for free. Getting an ad blocker can resolve your ad-related problems in a flick of your fingers. However, if you love to traverse free domains, a VPN with ad-blocking capabilities will expand your options on top of securing an ad-free experience.

URL: pluto.tv

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5. Sling Freestream – top-notch website for movies, shows & live TV streaming for free

Sling TV fans can opt for its free counterpart, Sling Freestream. That’s right, you can enjoy on-demand content free of charge. Although you should expect fewer titles, the overall selection is solid. As for the website interface, it’s alright. We didn’t get lost browsing the library and jumping between landing pages, which is a plus.

Here’s what you can watch: Freestream is home to around 200 channels for live TV streaming. Those include ABC News Live, USA Today, Discovery, and VH1 I Love Reality, among many. As for the greatest hits, you can enjoy Hell’s Kitchen, The Walking Dead, Forensic Files, and Heartland. And many, many more.

Since it’s an ad-supported platform, we encountered a fair share of ads, though bombarding our test streams a tad bit too much. On the other hand, you can navigate the domain safely since it’s owned by Sling TV. Our experts note that streaming on Freestream is capped at 720p, though visually, it was okay for a free streaming service. Overall, Sling Freestream is a good choice.

But, just like Sling TV, the freebie counterpart is available only in the US. So, non-US folks or expats may have to rely on a reliable streaming VPN to enjoy the free streaming hub despite their whereabouts. The best we can recommend that maintains top stream quality and has a colossal US server selection is none other than NordVPN.

URL: sling.com/freestream

6. TVNZ – slick streaming hub full of free movies, TV shows & channels

TVNZ made it to the list of free streaming services for true media aficionados because it offers a rich library of titles, old and new, popular TV shows, and not-too-shabby channels. As for the website and app interface, the design is polished and great for beginners. Library browsing is a breeze since we found what we needed quickly in a well-organized layout.

Here’s what you can watch: TVNZ houses a myriad of channels with a heavy focus on sports. For example, you can watch NFL, MotoGP, NZ-based cricket, World Rally Championship, Diamond League Athletics, and more. Film and TV show enthusiasts get terrific choices like Love Island UK, Survivor, Rush, The Winter King, and Bewitched. More so, it’s just a small glance at the whole library.

Kiwi content will have you going down the rabbit hole, guaranteed. Folks love TVNZ, especially because you can find English shows unavailable on streaming giants like Netflix. Further on a positive note, our tests left us pleased with the streaming quality, which maintained a stable 720p during all sessions. Of course, the ever-present ads don’t let you watch seamlessly, but there aren’t that many of them.

Now, if TVNZ were accessible to everyone, it would be a perfect free streaming service. Sadly, it’s only available in New Zealand. It doesn’t spell a dead end if you’re not a Kiwi. Get a robust streaming VPN service with servers in New Zealand and solid streaming support, and geo-blocks will be gone in a cloud of smoke.

URL: tvnz.co.nz

Bypass geo-blocks with the best VPN

7. RetroCrush – nostalgic free anime streaming service with a hefty library

RetroCrush is a free anime streaming service that houses a sophisticated library of the best classic shows and movies. In fact, it’s one of the best free retro anime hubs, but we warned that there aren't any modern anime to watch here. It’s all vintage. As for the website interface, the homepage is a bit laggy due to animations. But otherwise, we were greeted with a sleek design and clean navigation.

Here’s what you can watch: there’s a variety of subtitled and dubbed anime shows and movies, but the library seems to have no more than 100 titles available. Among them, you’ll find Golgo 13, Urusei Yatsura, Devilman, City Hunter, and more.

RetroCrush’s web version, during our tests, maintained a constant resolution of 720p, though the quality dropped in some instances. But since we’re talking vintage anime, some have a grainy quality regardless of stream quality, which is normal. We were pleased, though, that RetroCrush streams aren’t riddled with ads. We came across 5 ads during several hours of viewing.

On the flip side, most of you won’t do without a VPN. That’s because RetroCrush is only available in the United States and Canada. Anyone outside receives an error message. So, grab yourself a trustworthy service with optimal US and Canadian servers. NordVPN has hundreds of those and secures a smooth streaming experience on top of it all.

URL: retrocrush.tv

8. Channel 4 – cozy British TV hub loaded with shows & movies free of charge

Another great free streaming service for the fans of all things British – Channel 4, formerly known as All 4. Here you can find both older and newer titles, including popular TV shows, juicy reality TV, and flicks that’ll keep you engaged to the last minute. Or not. Some could be boring, but you’ll be the judge of it. The website is linear and easy to navigate, with shows and movies placed under ‘Categories’, and channels under ‘Live TV’.

Here’s what you can watch: apart from 4-related channels, you get content of various genres, including drama, comedies, lifestyle, sport, documentaries, etc. Fan-beloved titles such as Made in Chelsea, Naked Attraction, or 2 Broke Girls are all available on Channel 4 free of charge.

We spent hours testing Channel 4 and weren’t surprised that the free streams haven’t dropped lower than 720p in resolution. However, one thing we found annoying was the recurrent lag each time we tried to rewind even a single minute of the stream. Also, the ads were frequent and interruptive during more intense moments, which threw us off. Though it’s a good free streaming service, there’s room for fine-tuning.

The price of the free British content comes in the shape of geo-blocks. You guessed it right: the platform’s only available in the UK. Hence, free streaming without a VPN simply won’t do. Fortunately, NordVPN houses several hundred fast UK servers, allowing you to enjoy the best of Channel 4 from anywhere.

URL: channel4.com

Get a reliable VPN against geo-restrictions

9. Tubi – fast & reliable free streaming hub with a colossal selection

Tubi is one of the best free streaming services that cinema fans continue to praise. The platform houses an impressive library for a free one, and better yet, the selection is gradually growing. You get various content, too, based on genre and release date. Meanwhile, navigating the website is a pleasant ride, without foggy sections that mislead you in search of that movie or TV show on your list.

Here’s what you can watch: a plethora of channels like ABC News, Bloomberg, CBC News, Fox Sports, MLB, People TV, and the list goes on. And on. And on. It's quite the same with movies and shows. The genres are many, the best of which include The Hunger Games, Die Hard, Twilight, Hell’s Kitchen, Heartland, Luther, and even Pokémon.

Libraries and interfaces aside, our tests bring about more good news. Though the resolution is 720p, it’s solid quality as free platforms seldom offer HD. The ads weren’t frequent, and we experienced merely several dips in streaming quality. Overall, our experts are pleased with Tubi and envision a promising future for the hub.

Alas, not all are rainbows and daisies. Tubi’s only available in the US, Canada, Australia, and Mexico. If your area isn’t on the list, you don’t get to enjoy cinematic masterpieces for free unless you’ve got a VPN in your arsenal. Fortunately, market-leading services like NordVPN have plenty of services in these countries, so you can unblock Tubi swiftly.

URL: tubitv.com

10. TV Tokyo – free anime streaming service of high quality and great assortment

TV Tokyo is one of the greatest free anime streaming services available. Year after year, it remains a popular visiting spot for anime lovers, and the Japanese-only interface doesn’t stop anybody. It houses a ginormous anime collection, both old and new shows, along with movies. And, of course, as with all things Japanese, the website is full of cute things but can be tricky to navigate if you don’t know the language.

Here’s what you can watch: Naruto, Boruto, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Sonic X, One Punch Man, Shaman King remake, Spy x Family, Chainsaw Man. Actually, the list goes forever, it seems.

The stream quality couldn’t have us complaining. The 720p resolution seemed more than enough, even for newer titles like Chainsaw Man. Overall, we experienced only a few ads, which is a plus compared to some other services. Although the problem we had was mainly with the Japanese language, whether it’s dub or sub. However, for a die-hard anime fan, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.

TV Tokyo is only available in Japan. Thus, you’ll need a VPN with Japanese servers and top-grade performance since, likely, the servers will be far from you. NordVPN does well with distant servers, maintaining high streaming quality and speed regardless.

URL: tv-tokyo.co.jp

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Best free streaming service: comparison

Practically every single free streaming service is out of reach due to geo-blocks unless you’re lucky enough to live in one of these countries. Otherwise, you’ll need a sturdy VPN to outmaneuver the geo-restrictions and possibly block ads from breaking your binge sessions. In fact, the service might even improve stream quality and let you access far more exclusive content than just free media hubs.

Why do you need a VPN for free streaming services?

Official free streaming services protect the content they grant people, even if free of charge. Due to licensing and copyright restrictions, the broadcasters of free shows and movies tend to rely on geo-blocks.

Regional restrictions, a.k.a geo-blocks, curb viewers’ attempts to watch certain content in another country. So, if some hits are available in the US and Canada, people outside the countries won’t get access to them. It’s done for copyright and distribution reasons, even with free content. However, that’s where a reliable VPN service enters the game.

The technology serves as a protective bridge between the web and your device wrapped in AES-256 encryption. It allows data to travel privately and safely. Also, you get a foreign IP address matching the location of a VPN server you connect to. Ultimately, the VPN service helps you bypass geo-blocks and access a range of free shows and movies.

Additionally, some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) employ bandwidth throttling to manage network traffic in favor of other tasks, like gaming over streaming. So, if you stream, your ISP may cause slow speeds. Since a VPN conceals your online ventures even from someone like a service provider, they can no longer throttle you, even during peak hours. Overall, incorporating a VPN into your free streams is a win-win.

Best VPNs to use for free streaming services

Choosing a VPN might be harder than picking out the best free streaming service. In the latter’s case, we typically check whether it’s available and has what you want to watch. Then we’re good to go. A VPN is a delicate matter that requires time to choose appropriately. Luckily, we did the heavy-lifting and picked out the best ones for streaming.

1. NordVPN. It stands out as the top-performing VPN, seamlessly working with all the free streaming services we put to the test. This VPN ensures your online activities remain private, bidding farewell to any interference from your ISP. Also, its built-in ad blocker swipes ads off your screen instantly. And the cherry on top is the smooth streaming, thanks to NordLynx. With a vast network of 7000+ servers across 118 countries, it bypasses geo-restrictions like no other.
2. Surfshark VPN. It’s another reliable VPN option for seamless and secure streaming sessions on free hubs. The recent Nexus update has brought even more stability to the speedy WireGuard protocol. All the while, CleanWeb keeps ads at bay. Plus, with a massive fleet of over 3200+ servers spread across 100 countries, you can be sure that there are no boundaries when it comes to accessing regionally restricted content.

Fear no restrictions with NordVPN

Free streaming services you should avoid

Not all free streaming services are good. In fact, most of them have one or another issue, or sometimes a whole package of them. For example, you can expect significantly smaller libraries lacking popular and modern titles. You might even be stuck with 480p video resolution in most cases, cluttered with ads to the point where streams are unwatchable. And that’s just the basic problems.

Often, the host domains aren’t safe. Websites like 123Movies, MoviesJoy, or F2Movies might carry ads with malicious code, and redirects could take you to hazardous websites. If you don’t browse those with a secure VPN or an active firewall, then you could catch a virus or have your data compromised in a matter of seconds. Is the risk worth it for some outdated catalog? Debatable.

Copyright infringement is a common occurrence on such free streaming services. The content is typically pirated or obtained in some other illegal manner. So, watching such movies and shows online makes you an accomplice. It could earn you a fine or some other consequence in line with local laws regarding illegally distributed copyrighted material. Thus, be careful.

Free trial streaming services

It’s no secret that premium streaming platforms cover the greatest libraries of all-time popular shows and flicks. And if you want to check out some content you can’t find on free streaming hubs and avoid financial commitment, well, there’s a recourse. You can opt for free trial streaming services. Once the trial ends, you can hop onto another one and cheat the system this way for a while.

Here are some of the most popular free trial streaming services with bustling libraries:

1. Amazon Prime Video. You get a plethora of movies, TV shows, and most popular sport stream recordings. A 30-day trial is available and it’s easy to change location. Registration is required.
2. Hulu. A fine selection of the most popular hits, along with Hulu Originals for exclusivity. You can take advantage of the 30-day trial. The catch is that it’s only available in the US.
3. YouTube TV. It’s one of the most popular premium streaming platforms with a library that just doesn’t run out of the good stuff to watch. There’s a 14-day trial, but it’s only accessible in the US.
4. Crunchyroll. Anime fans can relish the up-to-date list of on-demand anime and the golden classics. Also, there’s plenty of anime movies to enjoy in HD. You get the 14-day trial and the service’s available globally.
5. BritBox. British content lovers can enjoy the expansive selection of comedies, dramas, documentaries, and all things UK on this platform. It offers a 7-day trial. BritBox’s available in the UK, US, and Canada, while the content may vary based on the country.

Do we recommend free VPNs for streaming services?

No, we don’t recommend free VPNs for streaming services. Just like with free streaming services, good VPN freebies are scarce. Meanwhile, the rest come with severe limitations and, sometimes, even problems. Here’s why you should shy away from free VPNs:

• Tight data caps. Free VPNs want you to choose their paid plans, so they won’t give you much to work with. For example, the data caps are typically 500 MB to 10 GB, though the latter is generous and very rare. That much won’t last you through one movie.
• Too few servers. Most of our top free streaming services are geo-blocked, so you need a VPN to circumvent them. Unfortunately, free software usually has fewer than 50 servers in just a few locations (usually 3 to 10). It means the servers are always hogged, slow, and likely already blacklisted by most platforms.
• Chance of malware. Such VPNs may have no price tag, but they cost you information. Free software is known to collect user data silently and then sell it to advertisers. Some go so far as injecting their apps with malware for data harvesting.

Instead, we recommend choosing a premium VPN with a free trial. You get full access to the best capabilities of a market-leading service: full-fledged security, robust geo-block circumvention, optimal performance, ad-blocking, and more. All this for a limited time, yes, but better than relying on a dubious free VPN. Besides, you can switch to another provider once the trial ends.

Stream safely with a reliable VPN

Wrapping up

There is a good selection of free streaming services with live TV options, watchlists, and juicy libraries. Some even offer parental controls, among other extras. But the trick is to find them. After hours of testing, we compiled a list of Top 10: BBC iPlayer, 10Play, Freevee, Pluto TV, etc. However, you need a VPN to access them outside their respective regions and enjoy the free hubs to your heart’s content.

NordVPN is the best streaming VPN against geo-blocks and even pesky ads. The service has a proven track record of unblocking all the leading streaming platforms and maintaining the highest quality possible. All thanks to the speedy NordLynx and colossal global coverage. And the cherry on top is the Threat Protection tool for ad-free sessions.

What do you think is the best VPN for free streaming services? Let us know in the comments!

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FAQ

What streaming services are free?

Tubi, Pluto TV, Freevee, Sling Freestream, 10Play, BBC iPlayer are free streaming services. There are several more streaming services that house legal content they don't charge for. However, the libraries have fewer titles than their premium counterparts or other platforms like Netflix or Hulu.

What streaming services have free trials?

A number of streaming services have free trials, some of which are Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Crunchyroll, or Hulu. It all comes down to the kind of content you're looking for as a variety of platforms have free trials. Albeit, only very few don't ask for credit information.

Are there live TV streaming sites?

Yes, there are several live TV streaming sites. The best free live TV streaming services include BBC iPlayer, Amazon Freevee, Sling Freestream, TVNZ, Channel 4, Tubi, and more. However, you'll need a VPN like NordVPN to access them as they're mostly available either in the US or the UK.

Should I use a VPN when streaming?

Yes, you should use a VPN when streaming. A good service helps bypass geo-blocks and deal with bandwidth throttling. It's even more necessary for streaming on free platforms since you also deal with interruptive ads, NordVPN is the best streaming-friendly pick with ad-blocking and a huge server fleet.

Is Peacock a free streaming service?

No, Peacock is no longer a free streaming service. It stopped the free service back in early 2023 and now only offers premium plans. However, there are similar alternatives like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Freevee, Tubi, or Sling Freestream. Note that you'll need a VPN, such as NordVPN, against geo-blocks.