Streaming Alternatives: I Have Abandoned Netflix and Prime

Last updated on November 18th, 2025 at 12:49 pm

I am not saying that Netflix and Prime is bad. However, once my monthly streaming charges topped 40 +, I began to ask myself- what is there out there?

So I was three weeks testing options. Some were surprises. Others? Total duds. Here’s what I found.

The Reason I was Starting to seek Alternatives.

The point is that I did not spend enough time on Netflix to pay 15.49/month. And Prime? I retained it to be shipped, and had little time to visit the video library.

On top of this, fifty percent of the shows that I had a desire on were distributed on other platforms. It’s the same with you, you know, started a series on one of these services and now you need to hear about season two of that other one. Annoying.

The Free Apps that Really Work.

Tubi: The Surprise Winner

I will tell you, I supposed Tubi would be dog. Free streaming? Had to be a catch, right?

Wrong. This thing’s legit. Yes, it has adverts (somewhere between 4-5 minutes per hour), but the content library is huge. I discovered some of the older seasons of the shows I had long been planning to watch, and some nice indie films.

The catch? You are not being given the new releases. However, should that be all right with you Tubi is a no-brainer.

Pluto TV: Cable TV, Reimagined

Pluto TV is like going through cable stations, at no cost. It has got live television streams that are sorted into genres such as news, movies, reality shows and even show specific channels.

The following was the experience I had with it: I went to the “Classic TV” category and fell into a three hour old-sitcom intake spurt. Was not intended, but nothing regrets.

Best part? No sign-up required. Just open it and watch.

Crackle: Sony’s Hidden Gem

Sony owns Crackle, and the quality of production is decent, here. The library is smaller than Tubi but whatever I saw was smooth.

I have borrowed their original series–there are hits, and misses. But for free? Can’t complain. Their content changes every month, and thus one has something to look forward to.

The Ad-Supported Tier Strategy.

My personal opinion is as follows: in case you cannot abandon Netflix or Prime altogether, turn to watching their ad versions.

With the ads, Netflix is available at a $6.99/month price point, rather than $15.49. That’s $102 saved yearly. Prime Video with ads? Included whether you are a Prime member or not, or 8.99 a month.

The commercials are not terrible, they are normally 15-30 sec prior to your programme appearing, and you get a few commercials in between. Much less irritating than regular television.

What About Bundling?

I was unintentionally led to this I found out that it is quite true to say that bundling services save you money.

Disney+ would come packaged with the Hulu and ESPN+ at $14.99/month. Three-subscriptions at a cheaper price than the normal plan of Netflix. You can check it out in case you are sport-loving, or family-content.

There are phone companies that come with streaming services as well. I have friends who have got Apple TV+ as part of their phone plan. A good provider to ask.

FAQs

Do the free streaming services constitute legality?

Yeah, they’re totally legal. Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crackle do not use subscriptions to generate income but ads. They have got legitimate licensing agreements with owners of content. It is not an operation of some sort or another with sketches–they are legitimate businesses that are supported by large corporations.

Should I have different accounts on all platforms?

Majority of these free sites do not even need accounts. Pluto TV works instantly. Tubi and Crackle require you to subscribe, yet it requires around 30 seconds. No credit card needed. The free levels of Netflix and Prime take up what you already have, you just change the plans.

Will I end up saving money or will I simply get more subscriptions?

My candid response to this is as follows: it depends on your discipline. I swapped two of my subscriptions that required cash to three free services and saved approximately $25/month. However, as soon as you begin to add bundles to it all, you will have found yourself in the same place.

Choose two or three services at most, swap them with the seasons and you will literally save money.

My Bottom Line

Three weeks have passed testing options, and in my personal list, I will have Tubi and Pluto TV. They are free, not illegal and they contain sufficient content to keep me under business.

In the case of paid one, I am rotating subscriptions. Netflix 1 month, cancel it and in the following month move to Disney+ bundle. Cuts costs and causes me to actually see what I am spending on.

Five streaming services are unnecessary. You can begin with free so you can see how little you miss Netflix.

Read:

Isaidub.in