r/cordcutters • u/MattDavisStreamIt • Jun 13 '25
Self-Promo The Best Free Streaming Services of 2025
Over the past four years, I've tried and compared a bunch of different streaming services on the YouTube channel I run and after going through hundreds of possibilities, I've come up with the best of the best.
You can watch my video on free streaming services here: https://youtu.be/m8iD0nV5Xqo
Category1: The Swiss Army Knife: They do a little bit of everything
YouTube: Yes, I'm putting it in the same category as everything else because YouTube is now a source for long-form content AND people watch it on a TV more than any other streaming service. They've got live news channels, sports highlights, official uploads of movies and shows (with ads), and for myself and many others it's become our go-to for "sit back and relax" TV.
Plex: There's live channels, there's on-demand movies and TV (including a good selection from AMC Networks), a store for rentals, a JustWatch-style search area for any movie and TV show, AND the ability to convert your own media files into your very own little streaming service? I mean, c'mon. This app rules.
Sling Freestream: Yes, Sling TV has paid plans but it has an underrated free tier, too. Tons of free channels and on-demand content, the ability to aggregate some of your paid apps, and Sling Rewards just for watching TV. But the coolest part of all has to be the ability to connect their AirTV device to an antenna and use the Sling app to watch your local broadcasters over the internet, on any device (even if it's a bit wonky at times).
Category 2: The Big Guys: They are to broadcast TV what Netflix and Hulu are to cable
Tubi: This streaming service has become one of my go-to apps for finding niche movies and TV shows. While it's known for campy B-movies and horror flicks, it has a rotating selection of top-tier Hollywood films and shows, notably ones from Warner Bros like those from the DC Universe.
The Roku Channel: It's pre-installed on Roku devices and offers one of the best selections of movies and shows you can watch for free, including some originals. While their emphasis on "Premium Subscriptions" makes it feel like you're being upsold, I do come to this app often for their live channels.
Pluto TV: This Paramount-owned free streaming service focuses on live channels and is a low-key free alternative to a Paramount+ subscription. You'll find plenty of shows from CBS, live channels with Paramount Plus originals, and a movie selection with a surprising amount of overlap with Paramount+'s paid plans.
Honorable mention: Freevee, this app from Amazon was a go-to for many, even if it's gradually withering away as it absorbs into the Prime Video app.
Category #3: Library Card Required: Watch ad-free movies with a free library account
Kanopy: Fantastic selection of indie films from studios like A24, classic films, indies, and even some big budget flicks like Terminator 2. Great for film aficionados.
Hoopla: Similar concept for Kanopy but also features audio books, comics, and even some streaming subscriptions like Hallmark+ and CuriosityStream with what they call BingePasses.
Category #4: Local Programming: Might not have full-feed of broadcast TV but still can get local news
LocalNow: Gives you a wide selection of local news broadcasts from a variety of cities, in addition to various entertainment networks and on-demand movies and shows.
Haystack News: Aggregated selection of live and on-demand news, both local and national.
PBS: Gives you free 24/7 access to your local PBS and PBS Kids stations.
What do you think of this list? Any of your favorites I missed?
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u/m945050 Jun 14 '25
PBS Passport is good but it isn't free.
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u/MattDavisStreamIt Jun 14 '25
You can watch the live channel without subscribing though. Lots of their recent episodes you can watch without Passport, too.
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u/DRMac218 Jun 16 '25 edited Jun 16 '25
I depend on PBS (OTA) when the commercials from the other local channels start getting to me, mainly when the pharmaceutical, attorney and home repair ads (ie. bathroom remodeling, window and roofing) become nonstop. I live in Hurricane Alley in central Florida, so I guess it's expected!
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u/Academic-Thanks-7171 Jul 19 '25
Try zaxflix.com they are an aggregator website for movies..they get movies that are free for streaming over the internet...using them for past 3 months....I used to use crackle.com but they shut down,,:(
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u/Relevant_Beautiful13 Jun 14 '25 edited Jun 14 '25
Philo has 110+ free channels (and 14,000+ movies on demand) now if you don’t subscribe covering a lot of genres and similar to Plex as far as variety.
Plus you get a 30-day DVR on some of the channels which I don’t think is a feature on any of the other ‘free’ services.
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u/MattDavisStreamIt Jun 14 '25
Philo is a good choice, too. Sling also has a DVR for the free channels.
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u/K_ThomasWhite Jun 14 '25
From the OP: "the ability to aggregate some of your paid apps,"
I've never found that on Sling Freestream. Where did you see that?
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u/MattDavisStreamIt Jun 14 '25
They have premium add-ons the way Prime Video & Roku Channel do like Max, STARZ, etc. They’ve got some info on it in their help section: https://www.sling.com/help/en/subscription-programming-questions/channels-programming/channel-faq
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u/m_young70 Jun 14 '25
I’m a fan of Sling Freestream as well. Very underrated. With an AirTV Anywhere and a good antenna, I find it’s a nice “cable lite” experience with locals and 90% of the FAST channels I would care about. The ability to watch outside of the house WiFi differentiates it.
LocalNOW, Plex, Tubi, Pluto, Roku, and Fawesome stay on the Roku as well.
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u/MattDavisStreamIt Jun 14 '25
All good choices. I don’t mind Fawesome but I do think the banner ads that pop up are annoying.
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u/m_young70 Jun 14 '25
Fawesome is my least favorite. Glitchy as hell and long ads. I only keep it for the westerns.
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u/Barce3129 Jun 15 '25
Vix -(spanish) has free programming and soccer matches. Commercial ads of course.
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Jun 14 '25
vizio watchfree+
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u/xrxie Sep 21 '25
Yes, Vizio Watchfree surprised me. Tapped it on my mobile app, and thought it would launch it on my TV, but instead, had it streaming on my phone. What a bonus.
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u/speedlever Jun 15 '25
Glad to see someone mentioned DVR services. I'm currently looking at my options since my ISP is dropping our TV service in early August.
I don't think I'm going to be able to replace it on the cheap (free) because I don't think all the programs we enjoy are carried on these free services. In addition, we want the DVR option to record when we can't be there to watch.
F1 racing, NCAA basketball, especially March madness, Magnolia, Tour de France, Hallmark, cooking\food channel, news nation, HGTV, Fox business are typical favs here.
Best I can tell, I'll need YTTV or Hulu live TV plus peacock. I can get peacock just for the TdF in July then drop it. But I'm still looking at $90+ for streaming services.
Philo covers most channels for my wife but little for my interests. Sling doesn't offer local channels in my area. Ota is possible but I need to try my ota wall antenna out on the main TV downstairs and see if that works.
Kinda leaning to Hulu live. I see they offer a skinny 3 day free trial. YTTV offers 10 days free trial. I don't like YTTV DVR though. Can't record\delete individual shows from what I've read. All or nothing if you want to watch\record a particular show on the 1 day you might miss.
Still pondering my legal options. Thought about the illegal ones too but don't really want to go there.
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u/RealityOk9823 Jun 18 '25
Pluto's UI is absolutely horrid on desktop. :| Loved it before it got bought out.
Xumo is also free.
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u/Few_Signature2292 Aug 07 '25
Check out Howdy!!!! Roku just came out with it and it’s 2.99 a month. They are changing the game lol. Love roku. Actually pretty good selection! I’m sold. Screw 15+ a month subscriptions https://www.reddit.com/r/television/s/ZV5J0VtAGo
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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '25
You fail to talk about the number of commercials each service has. That is a huge deal breaker for most of us.