The Best Free (and Legal) Apps to Watch TV and Movies on Your Phone

Streaming subscriptions add up fast. One service for a single show, another for a movie your friend recommended, and suddenly you are paying for five apps you barely open. The good news is that there is a whole world of free, completely legal streaming apps that work right on your phone.

These apps are not sketchy websites with pop-ups and pirated films. They are run by well-known companies like Fox, Paramount, Roku and Samsung, or they come through your local public library. Most make money by showing ads, the same way broadcast TV always has.

This guide walks you through the best options available in the US, what each one does well, and a few tricks to get more out of them.

How free streaming apps make money

Before you download anything, it helps to understand the deal. Most of these apps are what the industry calls FAST services, short for free ad-supported streaming TV. You watch for free, and in return you see commercial breaks, just like cable.

Library apps work differently. Kanopy and Hoopla are paid for by your public library, so there are no ads at all. The catch is a monthly borrowing limit set by your library.

If an app or website promises brand-new theater releases for free with no ads and no library card, be suspicious. Those are almost always pirated streams, and they often come bundled with malware or aggressive ad trackers.

Tubi: the biggest free movie library

Tubi, owned by Fox, is the app most people start with, and for good reason. It has a huge on-demand library of movies and TV series, plus live news, sports channels and a solid Spanish-language section.

You can watch without an account, but signing up for a free one lets you save a watchlist and pick up where you left off. The catalog leans toward older hits, cult classics and genre films, with a steady flow of more recent titles and Tubi originals.

Expect regular ad breaks. Many viewers find them a fair trade for how deep the library is.

Pluto TV: channel surfing like the old days

Pluto TV, owned by Paramount, feels like cable. You open it and get a TV guide full of live channels, many of them dedicated to a single show or franchise. There are channels for classic sitcoms, crime dramas, reality TV, game shows and news.

It also has an on-demand section, but Pluto really shines when you just want to put something on without deciding. If you miss flipping channels, this is your app.

No account is required to start watching.

The Roku Channel: you don't need a Roku

Many people assume The Roku Channel only works on a Roku TV. It doesn't. The Roku Channel app is available for iPhone and Android, and you can also watch in a web browser.

You get free movies, TV shows, live channels and a growing lineup of Roku Originals. The interface is clean, and it is easy to find something decent in a few taps. Some features may ask you to sign in with a free Roku account.

Plex: free movies plus your own media

Plex started as a tool for streaming your own video files, and it still does that. But it also has a large free catalog of ad-supported movies, shows and live channels that anyone can watch without setting up a server.

Just know what is free and what isn't. The free movies and live TV remain free with ads. Streaming your own personal media from a home server while you are away from home now requires a paid Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass. Plex also offers movie rentals, so check the label before you tap play.

Kanopy and Hoopla: free with your library card

If you have a public library card, you may already have access to two of the best ad-free streaming services around. Many US libraries offer Kanopy, Hoopla, or both.

Kanopy is known for award-winning films, documentaries, classic cinema, indie movies and educational courses. It also has a kids' section. You borrow titles using a monthly allowance of tickets or credits.

Hoopla mixes movies and TV with ebooks, audiobooks, comics and music. Each library sets a monthly borrow limit. Hoopla also runs a "Bonus Borrows" collection near the end of each month that doesn't count against your limit.

Monthly limits vary a lot from library to library, and some libraries lowered their limits in 2026. Check your own library's website to see which services it offers and how many titles you get. Download the app, pick your library, and sign in with your card number and PIN.

More free options worth a look

A few more apps can round out your lineup:

• Prime Video "Watch for Free": Amazon shut down its separate Freevee app in 2025. Its free, ad-supported shows and movies now live inside the Prime Video app, and you don't need a Prime membership to watch that section. You do need an Amazon account.
• Sling Freestream: free live channels and some on-demand content from Sling, the paid live TV service.
• Xumo Play: free live channels and on-demand movies, with no sign-up required.
• Samsung TV Plus: comes built into many Samsung Galaxy phones in the US, and is also on Google Play.
• PBS: the free PBS app streams many PBS shows and local station programs. PBS Passport, a benefit for station members, unlocks more.
• PBS KIDS Video: a free, kid-friendly app with shows for younger children.

One name you may still see in old articles is Crackle. It went dark after its parent company went bankrupt, so skip any app claiming to be Crackle unless you can confirm it is official.

Side-by-side comparison

App	Cost	Ads	Account needed	Best for	Live channels
Tubi	Free	Yes	Optional	Big on-demand movie library	Yes
Pluto TV	Free	Yes	Optional	Channel surfing	Yes, lots
The Roku Channel	Free	Yes	Free Roku account for some features	Mix of movies, shows and originals	Yes
Plex	Free (paid extras)	Yes	Free account recommended	Free movies plus your own media	Yes
Kanopy	Free with library card	No	Library card	Indie films, classics, documentaries	No
Hoopla	Free with library card	No	Library card	Movies, TV, ebooks and audiobooks	No
Prime Video (free section)	Free	Yes	Amazon account	Former Freevee originals	Some
Xumo Play	Free	Yes	No	Quick live TV	Yes

Catalogs change every month, so a movie that is on Tubi today may move to another app next season.

Tips to save data and battery

Watching video eats mobile data fast. A few habits make a big difference:

1. Stream on Wi-Fi when you can. Save cellular data for when you truly need it.
2. Lower the video quality. Many apps have a quality setting. Your phone screen is small, so standard definition often looks fine.
3. Download for offline viewing where it is offered. Some library titles and some apps allow downloads. Ad-supported apps often don't, so don't count on it.
4. Check your carrier plan. Some plans limit video resolution on cellular.
5. Use a finder app. Apps like JustWatch or Reelgood tell you which free service currently has a specific movie, which saves you from searching app by app.

Keep an eye on battery as well. Streaming with the screen at full brightness drains it quickly, so lower brightness if you are watching on the go.

Stay safe with free streaming

Stick to apps from the official App Store or Google Play. Search for the exact name and check the developer, because copycat apps with similar icons do exist.

Be careful with "free movie" apps from unknown developers that promise every new release. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Unofficial streaming apps can expose you to malware, and watching pirated content can violate copyright law.

FAQ

Are Tubi and Pluto TV really free?

Yes. They are supported by ads, so you don't pay anything and you don't need to enter a credit card. You will see commercial breaks during shows and movies.

Do I need a smart TV or a Roku to use these apps?

No. Every app in this guide has an iPhone and Android version, and many also work in a web browser. You can cast to a TV later if you want a bigger screen.

How do I get Kanopy or Hoopla?

Check your public library's website to see if it offers either service. If it does, download the app, choose your library, and sign in with your library card number and PIN. Some libraries let residents sign up for a card online.

Can I watch new theater releases for free?

Not legally, in most cases. New movies usually go to paid rental or subscription services first. Free apps tend to get them months or years later.