Quick Answer
The best free streaming apps for smart TVs are Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Freevee, YouTube, Samsung TV Plus (on Samsung TVs), LG Channels (on LG TVs), Xumo Play, Plex, Crackle, PBS, and Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu). They’re legal, widely available on major smart TV platforms, and funded by ads. Most mix live “channel guide” streams (FAST) with on‑demand movies and shows. For most viewers, start with Tubi (huge library), Pluto TV (effortless live TV), and The Roku Channel or Freevee (strong mix of movies, shows, and some originals). If you own a Samsung or LG TV, their built‑in free channel apps are excellent.
What “Free” Looks Like on a Smart TV
Free streaming apps are ad‑supported: no subscription fees, but you’ll see commercial breaks similar to broadcast TV. On smart TVs, free content typically appears in two formats:
- On‑demand libraries: Choose movies and shows anytime (e.g., Tubi, Freevee, The Roku Channel, YouTube, Crackle, Plex’s Movies & Shows).
- FAST channels: Free, ad‑supported streaming TV that plays like cable with a channel guide (e.g., Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, Xumo Play, and the live sections in Tubi and The Roku Channel).
Availability varies by country due to licensing. Install only from your TV’s official store: Roku Channel Store, Amazon Appstore (Fire TV), Google Play on Google TV/Android TV, Apple App Store on Apple TV, the Samsung TV app store (Tizen/Smart Hub), or the LG Content Store (webOS). All apps below are official and legal.
The Best Free Streaming Apps for Smart TVs
Tubi
Tubi offers one of the largest free catalogs anywhere, covering studio films, popular TV, anime, reality, British TV, and a growing “Tubi Originals” lineup. It also includes a live TV guide with hundreds of themed channels and a dedicated Kids section.
Highlights: Fast search, helpful categories, profiles and watchlists without requiring sign‑in, and captions on most titles. Video quality generally tops out at 1080p. Tubi operates in the US and select international markets, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK (catalog varies by region).
Best for: The biggest on‑demand selection with a simple interface.
Pluto TV
Pluto popularized free channel surfing. Open the app to a familiar grid guide across news, entertainment, crime, reality, classic TV, and sports talk, plus channels devoted to single shows or genres. There’s an on‑demand section, but Pluto’s strength is lean‑back live viewing.
Highlights: Zero‑friction start (no account needed), stable streams, wide device support, and simple navigation. Expect 720p–1080p picture quality. Pluto is available in many countries, though channel lineups vary by region.
Best for: People who want cable‑like live TV without paying for it.
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel blends a sizable free movie/TV catalog with a clean live TV guide. It’s strongest on Roku devices but also available on select Samsung smart TVs, Fire TV, and the web. A “Kids & Family” area filters to age‑appropriate options.
Highlights: Seamless integration with Roku hardware; supports watchlists and profiles; frequent rotation of recognizable films and series; and a solid live news and entertainment lineup.
Best for: Roku households seeking a one‑stop free hub.
Amazon Freevee
Freevee delivers free movies, TV, and select Amazon originals with ads. You’ll often find studio‑backed titles and a polished interface that mirrors Prime Video. On Fire TV, Freevee integrates tightly with universal search and voice.
Highlights: Good recommendations, watchlists, and accessibility options; reliable 1080p streams. You’ll typically sign in with your Amazon account. Freevee is currently available in the US, UK, and Germany.
Best for: Viewers in the Amazon ecosystem who want quality catalog and some originals free with ads.
YouTube (Free Movies, Shows, and Channels)
YouTube isn’t just creators. It hosts a rotating library of free, ad‑supported movies and shows, plus countless news clips and sports highlights. You’ll also find some live FAST channels and many network and league accounts posting simulcasts of clips and special events.
Highlights: Industry‑leading search and recommendations; widespread 4K support for creator content; robust captions and accessibility features. Not everything is studio‑grade, but the breadth is unmatched.
Best for: Variety and discovery, especially documentaries, tutorials, and niche interests.
Samsung TV Plus (Samsung TVs)
Preinstalled on most recent Samsung smart TVs, Samsung TV Plus offers hundreds of free channels by genre, including news, movies, sports talk, lifestyle, and international content. It launches quickly and works with your TV remote’s channel buttons.
Highlights: Deep live lineup with a familiar channel guide; minimal setup; local and international feeds in supported countries. Video quality commonly tops at 1080p.
Best for: Samsung owners who want instant live TV without downloading anything.
LG Channels (LG TVs)
LG Channels integrates directly into webOS’s Live TV interface and program guide. It aggregates free channels across news, entertainment, travel, and more, and can sit alongside antenna or cable inputs in the same guide.
Highlights: Zero‑install on most LG TVs, seamless guide experience, and easy channel surfing. Availability and channel lineups vary by region.
Best for: LG owners who like a single guide for free streaming and over‑the‑air broadcasts.
Xumo Play
Xumo Play focuses on live, genre‑based channels along with a growing on‑demand library. It feels closest to Pluto in day‑to‑day use and includes solid news, classic TV, sports talk, and themed movie channels.
Highlights: Fast start, clean guide, and broad app support across major TV platforms. No login required for most features.
Best for: Channel surfers who want another reliable FAST option to complement Pluto or Samsung TV Plus.
Plex (Free Movies & Shows + Your Media)
Plex combines free ad‑supported movies and FAST channels with the option to stream your own media from a home server. If you just want free content, open the “Movies & Shows” section—no server setup needed.
Highlights: Excellent organization; a watchlist that can track where titles are streaming across services; and wide device support. Free content typically reaches 1080p; your personal media can go higher depending on files and network.
Best for: Tinkerers who may later add personal media to the same interface.
Crackle
Crackle (owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment) offers a rotating selection of recognizable movies, classic TV, and a few originals, all free with ads. The catalog is smaller than Tubi or Freevee but worth installing for extra variety.
Highlights: Simple interface and straightforward categories; 1080p on many titles. Availability is primarily in the United States.
Best for: Supplementing your core apps with additional movie options.
PBS and PBS KIDS (US)
The PBS app streams a large portion of recent episodes and specials from your local PBS station free, with deeper archives available to PBS Passport members. PBS KIDS is a separate app with trusted educational series for children.
Highlights: High‑quality public media, minimal ads (varies), and strong accessibility support. Availability and catalogs differ by region; PBS primarily serves US viewers.
Best for: Nonfiction, arts, public affairs, and kid‑safe programming.
Fandango at Home (Free section)
Formerly Vudu, Fandango at Home includes a free, ad‑supported section alongside its rental and purchase store. The free catalog rotates monthly and typically includes a mix of studio films and cult favorites.
Highlights: Clear “Free” filter, watchlist, and high device compatibility. Picture quality varies by title; free selections generally stream up to 1080p.
Best for: Browsers who like mixing free picks with occasional rentals.
News and Local: Haystack News, Local Now, NewsON (US)
For headlines or local coverage, these apps assemble free news feeds and live streams from national and regional partners. NewsON specializes in live and on‑demand local newscasts; Haystack builds personalized headline playlists; Local Now blends community info with news and weather.
Best for: Staying current without a cable news subscription.
Feature Snapshot
| App | Live Channels (FAST) | On‑Demand Library | Typical Max Resolution | Kids Mode/Section | Account Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Yes | Very large | Up to 1080p | Yes | Optional |
| Pluto TV | Yes (core feature) | Moderate | Up to 1080p | Kids channels | No |
| The Roku Channel | Yes | Large | Up to 1080p | Yes | Optional |
| Amazon Freevee | Some | Large | Up to 1080p | Family categories | Usually required (Amazon) |
| YouTube | Limited | Massive (mixed) | Up to 4K (creator content) | Restricted Mode / YouTube Kids app | Optional |
| Samsung TV Plus | Yes (core feature) | Small | Up to 1080p | Kids channels | No (Samsung account optional) |
| LG Channels | Yes (core feature) | Small | Up to 1080p | Kids channels | No |
| Xumo Play | Yes | Moderate | Up to 1080p | Kids channels | No |
| Plex | Yes | Moderate | Up to 1080p (free content) | Family categories | Optional |
| Crackle | No | Moderate | Up to 1080p | Family categories | Optional |
| PBS / PBS KIDS | Some live streams | Moderate | Up to 1080p | Dedicated PBS KIDS app | Optional (Passport is paid) |
| Fandango at Home (Free) | No | Small‑to‑moderate | Up to 1080p | Family categories | Optional |
Note: Features and resolution can vary by device and title; live channel counts and catalogs shift regularly.
How to Choose the Right Mix
Start with one strong on‑demand app and one strong live app. For on‑demand, Tubi or Freevee will cover most tastes; add The Roku Channel or Crackle for more variety. For live viewing, Pluto is the most approachable; Samsung TV Plus or LG Channels are excellent if you have those TVs; and Xumo Play is a great third option. Then layer specialty apps: PBS for documentaries and public affairs, YouTube for niche interests and tutorials, and a news aggregator for headlines.
Consider these factors as you build your lineup:
- Catalog fit: Browse categories you actually watch (crime, classic TV, anime, British, kids, etc.).
- Interface: If you hate hunting, pick simpler guides (Pluto, Samsung TV Plus) or robust search (YouTube, Freevee).
- Remote integration: On Roku, The Roku Channel feels native; on Fire TV, Freevee integrates best; Samsung/LG offer instant channel buttons.
- Region: Some apps are US‑only; others operate internationally with different catalogs.
- Accessibility: Look for closed captions, audio descriptions, and playback controls. YouTube excels; major apps offer captions.
- Parental controls: Tubi, The Roku Channel, and YouTube (via YouTube Kids or Restricted Mode) provide ways to limit access.
Setup Tips for a Smoother Experience
- Install from your TV’s official store. Search by exact app name to avoid knockoffs.
- Use optional sign‑in wisely. Free accounts enable watchlists, continue‑watching across devices, and better recommendations.
- Organize your home screen. Pin your top two apps to the first row and remove unused ones for faster launches.
- Enable parental controls. On the TV itself and inside apps (e.g., Tubi’s Kids mode, YouTube Restricted Mode or YouTube Kids app).
- Tune picture and sound once. Set motion smoothing and color to your preference, enable captions by default if needed, and pick a consistent audio output (ARC/eARC) for your soundbar.
- Use Ethernet or reliable Wi‑Fi. Free apps adapt bitrate; a wired connection keeps streams steady during peak hours.
Realistic Expectations on Quality and Ads
Free services prioritize reach over high bitrates, so most content plays at 720p or 1080p with stereo or basic surround. YouTube is the notable exception for 4K, though creator uploads vary in quality. Ad loads usually range from 30–90 seconds every 7–12 minutes for on‑demand, with standard breaks on live channels. Some apps also show a brief pre‑roll ad before a movie. Compared with paid services, you’ll see more promotional rows on home screens.
Privacy and Safety
Free streaming relies on advertising and analytics. You can reduce tracking and improve ad relevance by:
- Turning on “Limit Ad Tracking” or the equivalent in your TV’s privacy settings and resetting the ad ID periodically.
- Opting out of interest‑based ads per app when available.
- Using per‑app profiles to keep kids’ viewing separate.
- Installing only official apps and avoiding sideloaded APKs or apps that request unnecessary permissions.
If You’re Outside the US
You’ll still find strong choices, but lineups differ. Tubi, Pluto TV, and YouTube operate in multiple regions; The Roku Channel and Freevee run in select countries; Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels have significant footprints across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Your TV’s app store will filter availability automatically. A VPN can violate service terms and may reduce quality; the better approach is to use what’s licensed in your country.
Quick Picks by Interest
- Biggest free movie library: Tubi, Freevee, The Roku Channel.
- Best live channel surfing: Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus (Samsung), LG Channels (LG), Xumo Play.
- Classic TV: Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Crackle.
- News and local: Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Haystack News, NewsON (US), Local Now (US).
- Kids: PBS KIDS, Tubi Kids mode, The Roku Channel Kids & Family, YouTube Kids.
- Documentaries and public affairs: PBS, YouTube, Tubi’s documentary section.
Bandwidth and Network Basics
For buffer‑free HD, aim for 10 Mbps per stream; for occasional 4K YouTube, 25 Mbps per stream is safer. If others in the home are gaming or video conferencing, add headroom. On Wi‑Fi, place the TV or streaming stick within clear line‑of‑sight to your router, use 5 GHz or Wi‑Fi 6 if available, and consider an Ethernet adapter for streaming sticks that lack ports (Fire TV, Google TV).
Troubleshooting Common Hiccups
- Stuttering or low quality: Restart the app, switch to Ethernet or a less congested Wi‑Fi band, and pause other high‑bandwidth tasks.
- App crashing or freezing: Update the app and TV firmware; clear the app cache if your platform allows; reinstall as a last resort.
- Missing titles or channels: Catalogs rotate. Search across multiple apps, or use Plex’s universal watchlist to track availability.
- No sound or captions: Check the TV’s audio output format; toggle captions within the app; verify HDMI ARC/eARC settings if using a soundbar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these streaming apps really free?
Yes. The apps listed above are legal and free to use because they include advertising. You don’t pay a subscription, and you can install them from your TV’s official app store. Some offer optional accounts for watchlists and profiles, but you can usually watch without paying.
Which free app has the most movies and shows?
Tubi typically offers the largest on‑demand catalog, with The Roku Channel and Amazon Freevee close behind. Selection changes monthly due to licensing, so it’s smart to keep two or three installed and search across them when you want something specific.
What’s the best free option for live TV?
Pluto TV is the most straightforward for live channel surfing, with genre‑based channels and a familiar grid guide. If you own a Samsung or LG TV, their built‑in Samsung TV Plus or LG Channels are excellent. Xumo Play and the live sections in Tubi and The Roku Channel are solid alternatives.
Do I need to create an account to watch?
Usually not. Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Xumo Play, Plex, Crackle, PBS, and Samsung/LG’s built‑in channels can stream without a login. Amazon Freevee typically uses your Amazon account. Creating a free account can unlock watchlists, continue‑watching, and parental controls.
Is any of this available in 4K?
Most free, ad‑supported movies and live channels cap at 1080p. YouTube frequently offers 4K for creator content and some free films. Both your TV and the app must support 4K, and bandwidth needs are higher than for HD.
Can I watch live sports for free?
You can catch sports news, analysis, classic games, and occasional live events on FAST channels (e.g., Stadium, fubo Sports Network, CBS Sports HQ). Full live rights for major leagues usually sit behind paid services, but free apps often carry highlights and shoulder programming.
How do I get local channels free on a smart TV?
Pair your TV with an indoor or outdoor antenna to receive over‑the‑air broadcasts from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and more (where available). Some apps supplement this with local news streams (NewsON, Local Now), but an antenna remains the best path to full local broadcast channels without a subscription.
