Top 30 Free Streaming Services in the U.S (Legally)

Rosemary September 17, 2024 | 14:58

The streaming market is growing quickly because every year more streaming services come out. There are a lot of free or cheap ways to stream in the US. You can watch your favorite shows on these sites!

♦ 30 Best Free Streaming Sites For Watching Movies & TV Shows Online

♦ Top 30+ Totally Free Apps to Watch Movies Online

Top 30+ Best Free Streaming Sites & Services In The US Today. Photo: KnowInsiders.com

When did Streaming in the US Start?

Streaming first became popular in 2005, thanks to YouTube

On its home network, CBS, the long-running hit TV show NCIS had a new season in 2017. However, older episodes of the show were more popular on Netflix. Last year, Sunday Night Football was the most-watched show on network TV, with an average of 20 million viewers each night. In contrast, Tiger King, a Netflix original series, had over 34 million viewers in its first ten days.

Nearly three-quarters of American households subscribe to at least one video streaming service

Netflix is by far the largest paid service, with nearly 200 million members worldwide and a billion hours of content viewed every week. Amazon Prime Video is number two. However, there are a hundred Davids for every Goliath. Numerous smaller streaming services concentrate on niche content, showing only Japanese anime, vintage films, or sports.

Free Movie Streaming Sites: Are They Legal In The US?

It's not against the law for websites that let you watch movies online to exist. Also, you can legally go to these sites and watch free movies.

But in some countries, it might be illegal to stream copyrighted content for free if you don't have the right permissions and rights. In some parts of the world, this could be seen as piracy and can lead to very bad things.

There are a lot of free movie streaming options, which is great. There are many legal alternatives, both free and paid. This means that you can stream free movies for free, no matter where you are or whether they are available in your country.

How to Stream for Free in the U.S

Photo software testing help

VPNs allow free TV and movie streaming. VPNs allow safe access to most free TV streaming services.

Connect to a VPN server in the country where your free streaming services offer live or on-demand content. Most services on our list geo-block IP addresses from outside the US, but some are inaccessible to US users without a VPN.

After connecting, visit the streaming service's website or app to load a stream. Everything is set if it plays!

Even with a VPN, some devices may not support streaming. You may still see that access is blocked message. If so, try Chrome's Incognito mode to browse the website privately. Disable browser or device location requests, clear browser cache, and delete cookies.

The streaming market is growing quickly because every year more streaming services come out. The streaming market is expected to be worth $330 billion by 2030.

It's crazy that 60% of American homes have at least one paid subscription for music streaming and 85% of homes have at least one paid subscription for video streaming.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have signed up for all of the major services. COVID and growth in general have also forced video streaming services to spend more on original content, or "originals."

Top 30+ Best Free Streaming Sites & Services In The US Today

Photo KnowInsiders

1. ABC News Live

ABC News Live is a great option if you're craving TV news content. The service runs around the clock and offers totally unrestricted access to live news content straight from ABC News.

This option allows users to watch US news on a single channel. Furthermore, no matter where you live, you can watch ABC News Live without a VPN. It's an unrestricted, completely free option for US news. In China, where content from Western nations like the US is frequently restricted, ABC News Live is even available without a VPN.

2. Adult Swim

Over 100 titles are available on demand for this service. While many of its episodes require you to log in with a cable TV service provider, like Hulu + Live TV, a large portion of its content library is available for free with advertisements. You're attempting to stream Adult Swim from outside of the US in both situations.

Adult Swim will show a message stating, "BLOCKED: Sorry, there must be some sort of restriction on the content we are streaming here," if you attempt to connect from outside the US. Return later or choose a different stream.

Use a VPN to connect to a US server if you are seeing this message from your location. This will allow you to get a US IP address and bypass the geographic content blocking.

3. Charge!

Focuses on sports mixed with action-packed TV series and films.

Charge! is one of many genre-specific TV streaming services that emphasizes live streaming all day, every day, with an ad-supported business model. Charge! caters to action TV viewers, though it occasionally features sports programming as well.

Once more, this is not a streaming service that is available on demand. Its movies and TV series are all aired live. Because of its business model, it functions similarly to conventional over-the-air TV stations but streams content online.

The following message will appear on Charge! if you attempt to connect from outside of the US: "This stream is not available in your area."

You can easily get past this notice and watch all content streaming live through Charge! by connecting to a VPN server in the US. There is an iOS app that you can pair with an iOS VPN app if you prefer not to use a web browser.

4. Comet

It offers science fiction content, such as beloved sci-fi TV shows and motion pictures.

You're right if you think Comet looks familiar. The company in charge of it is Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which also runs Charge! Comet and Charge! are identical except for Comet's concentration on science fiction films and television series.

Consequently, all of the information mentioned above about Charge! also applies to Comet, including how it works and which apps are available to watch it on devices other than web browsers. If you attempt to stream Comet from a location outside of the US, you will even encounter the same location-based blocking message. As long as you are connected to any US server, NordVPN can effortlessly unblock content that is streamed for free through Comet.

5. CONtv

It provides access to a large library of geek culture films and TV series. Initially known as Viewster, the streaming service, CONtv was founded in 2007. The website was acquired by content distributor Cinedigm in 2019 and given a new name. In addition to a new moniker, CONtv completely changed the content library. A free service that formerly catered to anime has shifted its focus to action and cartoons from the US.

The newly imposed geographic content restrictions with CONtv, however, were the more significant change. The service could be streamed anywhere as Viewster. However, you might not always be able to access the service as CONtv.

6. Crackle

Crackle is a network of video entertainment with ads that offers full-length films, TV series, and original content. The service can be accessed online, on set-top boxes, mobile devices, connected TVs, and video game consoles. Prepare to watch That Girl, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and more on streaming services.

7. CW Seed

Hosting a free streaming website Popular original programming on The CW.

More than 80 titles are available on demand through this service.

If you attempt to load CW Seed TV shows from outside the US, you will receive the following message: "This content is only available in the US due to licensing restrictions." That should be fairly obvious. You can simply get past that notice and access the live and on-demand content offered by CW Seed by using NordVPN and a connection to a US server.

If you plan to download the app on an Android, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV, there’s a NordVPN available on all of those devices that will still allow you to bypass geographic content blocking for the service.

8. Kanopy

The free content on Kanopy requires a university or public library card to access award-winning foreign films and series, documentaries, and ad-free movies like Parasite and Moonlight. Simply enter your library card information to get started, or use a legitimate university login to sign up if you are a faculty member or registered student at one of the participating universities.

9. Roku

A "always-changing selection of free movies, shows, live news, kids' TV and more" is what this service promises viewers and moviegoers. In addition to free movies, the Roku Channel features live TV and original series like Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka's Swimming with Sharks.

Top 15+ Best Free Channels on Roku to Download and Watch

10. Hoopla

Similar to Kanopy, this digital media service requires a library card in order for users to "borrow" movies and TV series for their computer, tablet, phone, or television. There are thousands of titles to pick from, such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, Maid in Manhattan, 13 Going on 30, and Sweet Home Alabama. "Your public library at your fingertips. Anytime," is what Hoopla offers. All over the place!"

11. Fawesome.tv

kids TV series offered for free through an app. The exclusive content of this ad-supported streaming service can only be accessed via its dedicated apps. Its app store also has a small selection.

With the help of Fawesome's Windows app or an app for LG smart TVs, you can stream any of its 250+ titles on Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices.

12. FilmRise

Top-rated movies are available for free streaming on YouTube. FilmRise is a content distribution business that purchases film and television series licenses. Though you can find most of its content on the company's YouTube channels or through its specialized iOS, Android, and streaming device apps, it is available on a wide range of streaming services.

This service carries 1,500+ titles in its library.

13. Vudu

While Vudu, the official movie and TV store on Roku, offers thousands of movies and TV shows to rent or buy, there are programs and films that are free for viewing with ads.

14. Yidio

A platform called Yidio, which stands for "Your Internet Video," lets users search through series and movies from various services like Netflix, Hulu, and so on. In addition, the site features a section dedicated to free movies that "may be part of the free movie catalog on a free movie site that also offers pay to stream films, such as Hulu." They could be accessible on a completely free website like Snagfilms or Crackle." The free films "do not require a subscription, a rental fee, or a purchase of any kind," according to the Yidio website.

15. XUMO

Free live and on-demand entertainment is available on the ad-supported streaming website. With the ability to pause and rewind, users can select from more than 190 different channels. Free XUMO channels and XUMO-enabled apps can be found on a variety of platforms, including Xfinity X1 devices, Roku, Android TVs, Hisense, iOS, and Amazon Fire devices.

16. Reelgood

The free app acts as a TV Guide for streaming platforms. Reelgood pulls from various streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Prime Video, plus free services so viewers can see what's available in one place.

17. DistroTV

No registration is required to enjoy DistroTV. The service, available online, as well as via Roku, FireTV, Android and iOS, offers free movies, TV shows and documentaries.

18.. Amazon Freevee

IMDb TV previously. provides a vast selection of free films. In addition to original content, the advertisement-supported service (formerly known as IMDb TV) provides free TV series and films. Amazon offers free streaming of Freevee on a number of platforms, including Fire TV, Prime Video, Apple TV, Echo Show, and Google TV. Among the upcoming feature films are Emma, Deadpool, Shrek, and Knives Out.

19. Kidoodle

Free children's TV with a premium option that features no ads. Kidoodle.TV is a streaming service that offers a free version with advertisements and a paid version that includes some extra features, like an ad-free experience. Kidoodle.TV has very few geographical content restrictions, much like HappyKids.tv.

Since the service is reportedly offered in more than 140 countries, you should have no trouble using it wherever you live. We advise you to attempt connecting to a VPN server in a nation where it is most likely to be accessible, such as the US, Canada, the UK, or the majority of EU countries, if you discover that you are being blocked.

20. PBS

All PBS original content is available for free on-demand.

One thing sets PBS apart from the BBC, which is frequently compared to the US version of the network: most of its content is accessible without a TV license. This indicates that the streaming service is actually free. While a good portion of PBS's content is accessible without charge, some is restricted behind a paywall.

The content library of this service contains over 190 titles.

21. Peacock

NBC's streaming service, Peacock, offers thousands of hours of programming to users for free with ads. In 2021, Peacock even carried live coverage of the Tokyo Olympics. The best part is that The Office's first five seasons are available for free on the streamer. (You can watch all nine seasons of The Office with a paid Peacock subscription.)

21. PlutoTV

The free streaming television service offers live and linear channels, in addition to movies and TV shows on demand. Featured shows include TV Land sitcoms and BBC Food.

22. Tubi

Thousands of hours of streaming video content from studios like Paramount, Lionsgate, MGM, and others are available on Tubi. You can watch Hitch, Hotel Transylvania, Beetlejuice, The Vow, and many more films and TV series for free, and you can stream from any location. Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xfinity X1, Xbox, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, PlayStation, and the internet are all places where you can stream Tubi.

23. Vudu

A fantastic, acceptable substitute for MovieStars is Vudu. Sadly, its library isn't very large, and you probably won't be able to find the newest releases here as soon as they become available on other streaming services. It's still among the greatest free streaming services that only display content that is publicly accessible, though.

It's a fantastic way to watch movies online without having advertisements interrupt you all the time. While not all content is available for free viewing, Vudu offers extremely affordable rentals and purchases of individual films and TV series.

24. XUMO

Another legal streaming service with a much smaller content selection is XUMO. Xumo struggles to draw a large audience because it is not supported by a large corporation. Nevertheless, it is accessible across a variety of platforms and provides both live and VOD content.

Just don't count on a lot of diversity in the content. Additionally, new users may find its interface to be somewhat confusing. The live content that Xumo is streaming will be automatically displayed as soon as you land on the website.

Regretfully, Xumo can only be accessed from the United States. You will require a VPN if you wish to test it from outside of the United States. For this, NordVPN is our top choice.

25.YouTube

YouTube's content is not available everywhere, despite being nearly everywhere. When they upload content, a lot of people impose geographic restrictions on it. After that, YouTube uses its own software to impose those limitations by locating users based on their IP addresses.

In addition to the millions of videos from its user base, YouTube's content licensing division offers over 270 titles on demand.

26. Bounce TV

Black Americans are the target market for the US-based digital streaming service Bounce TV. It caters to a very particular niche and includes television series and films with a diverse cast.

The media quality is in high definition, it is free to access, and the advertisements aren't too bothersome. You only need a VPN to locate movies to stream if that appeals to you and you aren't currently in the US. You can try it; NordVPN in particular is effective at unblocking US-based platforms.

27. VexMovies

Access to a large selection of HD films and TV series is free with VexMovies. It is not particularly unique in relation to the other items on the list, but because of its significant drawbacks, it is ranked lower. Since it hasn't been updated since 2018, people don't go there to check for new releases.

Aside from that, it offers a sizable collection and is free of advertisements, making it a solid choice for anyone searching for the greatest free movie streaming website. That is, if they wish to view a film that was released prior to 2018.

28. Tiny Zone

Despite its obvious ripoff of YouTube's interface, Tiny Zone is nevertheless a popular free movie streaming service. It has a large library of films and TV series, is simple to use, and has few annoying advertisements.

You can understand why many still rank it as one of the greatest free movie streaming websites when you consider its quick loading speed and near-zero buffering, even on sluggish connections. Be aware that the content they offer is not subject to distribution rights, which may be against the law in the nation you are streaming from.

29. Crackle

The best website for streaming free movies is Crackle. It offers a sizable collection of high-caliber free films from around the globe, including Crackle Originals.

On Crackle, you may watch movies without making an account or providing any signup information, in contrast to other free movie websites like Peacock, SBS On Demand, or The Roku Channel.

Content from major studios like Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and TriStar Pictures is lawfully hosted on Crackle. Previously owned by Sony, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a US media company that also owns Popcornflix, a website where you can watch free movies.

It's a polished streaming service with an attractive website. Better than the 720p quality you get when streaming on SBS or Tubi, content streams in 1080p Full HD.

30. MovieJoy

MoviesJoy is your best bet if you're looking for a straightforward free movie streaming website with excellent search capabilities. The website has a simple layout that is reminiscent of Google. The website features both older classics and the newest blockbusters. HD movie streams are also accessible.

On MoviesJoy, there are advertisements, but they aren't overly bothersome. Additionally, the website hosts advertisements directly on the webpage rather than using pop-up windows.

Best Paid Streaming Services in the US

The best streaming services will help you stream great content without having to pay for cable. The only problem is that one of the best is getting more expensive very soon.

#1 Netflix

#2 fuboTV

#3 Disney+

#3 Amazon Prime Video

#5 Crunchyroll

#5 Hulu

#5 YouTube TV

#5 Peacock

#9 HBO Max

#9 Paramount+

How Much Are People Paying for Streaming Services?

While 15% of respondents claimed to spend $50 or more a month on video streaming subscriptions, the majority of respondents said they spend $20 to $29.99. The group that spends the most on streaming subscriptions is 35 to 49 years old (24% of them paying for more than five).

A staggering 93% of Americans stated that they intend to alter or expand their current streaming plan, if not expand their selection of streaming content.

How Much Can the US Streaming Audience Watch?

A huge 160 billion minutes of content were watched by streaming users in the US. That's 304,414 years of nonstop viewing. In terms of history, that would be the time when humans began to evolve.

But in the last week of December 2021, people in the U.S. streamed for a total of 183 billion minutes, which is 348,173 years straight—an extra 44 thousand years.

In February 2021, people in the United States watched 143.2 billion minutes of video on streaming services. That went up to 169.4 billion in February 2022, which shows that this amount is likely to keep going up. Americans watched videos that were worth almost 15 million years' worth of time.

In Conclusion

All 30 websites or online services listed above are legal and free although you can register and pay for better services. You can watch, download movies, TV shows, music and more on these online websites illegally. However, you should read the instructions of the online platforms carefully to avoid copyright infringement.

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