Last updated on October 1st, 2026 at 11:21 am
I am not saying that Netflix and Prime are bad. However, once my monthly streaming charges topped 40 +, I began to ask myself: what is out there?
So I spent three weeks testing options. Some were surprises. Others? Total duds. Here’s what I found.
Table of Contents
The Reason I Started Seeking Alternatives.
The point is, I didn’t spend enough time on Netflix to justify paying 15.49/month. And Prime? I kept it for shipping and had little time to browse the video library.
On top of that, 50% of the shows I wanted were on other platforms. It’s the same with you: you start a series on one of these services, and then you need to hear about season two on another. 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 found some older seasons of shows I’d been planning to watch for ages, plus some nice indie films.
The catch? You don’t get the new releases. However, if that’s 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 live TV streams sorted into genres like news, movies, reality shows, and even show-specific channels.
Here’s what I experienced: I went to the “Classic TV” category and fell into a three-hour-old sitcom binge. It wasn’t intentional, but nothing to regret.
Best part? No sign-up required. Just open it and watch.
Crackle: Sony’s Hidden Gem
Sony owns Crackle, and the production quality 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, so you always have something to look forward to.
The Ad-Supported Tier Strategy.
My personal opinion: if you cannot abandon Netflix or Prime altogether, switch to the ad-supported version. With ads, Netflix is $6.99/month instead of $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 seconds prior to your program appearing, and you get a few commercials in between. Much less irritating than regular television.
What About Bundling?
I was unintentionally led to this, but I found out it’s true that bundling services saves you money.
Disney+ comes bundled with Hulu and ESPN+ for $14.99/month—three subscriptions for less than Netflix’s normal plan. You can check it out if you love sports or family content.
Some phone companies also offer streaming services. I have friends who have got Apple TV+ as part of their phone plan—a good provider to ask.
FAQs
Are free streaming services legal?
Yeah, they’re totally legal. Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crackle do not use subscriptions to generate income but ads. They have legitimate licensing agreements with content owners. It is not an operation of some sort or another with sketches–they are legitimate businesses that large corporations support.
Should I have different accounts on all platforms?
Most of these free sites don’t even require accounts. Pluto TV works instantly. Tubi and Crackle require a subscription, but it takes about 30 seconds—no credit card needed. Netflix and Prime’s free levels use what you already have; you just change the plans.
Will I end up saving money, or will I end up with more subscriptions?
My candid response is this: it depends on your discipline. I swapped two subscriptions that required cash for three free services and saved about $25/month. However, as soon as you start adding bundles to it all, you’ll find yourself back 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
After three weeks of testing options, my personal list is Tubi and Pluto TV. They are free, legal, and have enough content to keep me busy.
For paid services, I rotate subscriptions. I use Netflix for 1 month, then cancel it and, the following month, move to the Disney+ bundle. This cuts costs and helps me see what I’m actually spending on.
Five streaming services are unnecessary. You can start with the free plan to see how little you miss Netflix.
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I’m a technology writer passionate about AI and digital marketing. I create engaging and useful content that bridges the gap between complex technology concepts and digital technologies. My writing makes the process easy and engaging. I encourage participation I continue to research innovation and technology. Let’s connect and talk technology!
