Top 5 Best Free Video Streaming Services for 2026 (U.S. & Canada)
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| The Best Free Video Streaming Services |
Thanks to FAST platforms (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV), you can now watch thousands of movies, TV shows, and live channels legally without paying a monthly fee. You’ll see ads, but the trade-off is access, convenience, and surprisingly large content libraries.
Below are the five best free video streaming services for 2026, based on content depth, usability, device support, and availability in both the U.S. and Canada.
Read more: Free vs Paid Streaming in 2026: Which Is the Better Choice? (U.S. & Canada)
1. Tubi – Best Overall Free On-Demand Streaming
Website: https://tubitv.com
Tubi continues to be the strongest all-around free streaming service in 2026. Its on-demand library is massive, with thousands of movies and TV shows spanning action, crime, comedy, horror, documentaries, and reality TV.
While you won’t find brand-new blockbusters, Tubi excels at evergreen content. Many users treat it as a “comfort streaming” app: easy to open, easy to browse, and easy to find something watchable within minutes.
Tubi is widely available in both the U.S. and Canada, with apps on smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, game consoles, and mobile devices.
Best for: viewers who want a large, no-friction movie and TV library with minimal setup.
2. Pluto TV – Best Free Live TV Experience
Website: https://pluto.tv
Pluto TV is the closest thing to free cable television. Instead of browsing titles, you scroll through a channel guide with hundreds of always-on channels covering news, sports highlights, classic TV, reality shows, movies, and niche interests.
In 2026, Pluto TV’s Canadian expansion makes it a strong choice north of the border, while its U.S. lineup remains one of the largest FAST offerings available.
Pluto also includes an on-demand section, but its real strength is background viewing and channel surfing.
Best for: people who miss cable-style TV or want free live news and entertainment.
3. The Roku Channel – Best FAST Platform for Households
Website: https://therokuchannel.roku.com
The Roku Channel has evolved into a full-scale free streaming destination. While it works best on Roku devices, it’s also accessible via web and mobile apps in the U.S. and Canada.
In 2026, the Roku Channel stands out for its polished interface, strong lineup of FAST channels, and growing on-demand catalog. It’s particularly popular in family households thanks to its clean layout and easy navigation.
If you already own a Roku TV or streaming stick, this service is essentially built in.
Best for: Roku users, families, and viewers who want a smooth, TV-first experience.
4. Plex – Best All-in-One Streaming Hub
Website: https://www.plex.tv
Plex is often misunderstood as just a personal media server, but its free streaming section has become a major competitor in the FAST space.
In 2026, Plex offers hundreds of live TV channels and a rotating library of free movies and TV shows. What makes Plex different is its discovery tools. You can search across platforms, build a watchlist, and track what’s available for free versus paid.
For users who like organization and control, Plex works as a central dashboard for streaming.
Best for: advanced users who want one app to manage everything they watch.
5. Kanopy – Best Ad-Free Free Streaming Option
Website: https://www.kanopy.com
Kanopy is the quiet standout on this list. Instead of ads, it’s funded by public libraries and universities. If your local library supports Kanopy, you get free access with a library card.
The catalog is smaller but far more curated. Expect award-winning films, documentaries, classic cinema, indie movies, and educational content. Monthly viewing limits apply, but the experience is completely ad-free.
Kanopy is available across the U.S. and Canada, depending on library participation.
Best for: film lovers, students, and viewers who value quality over quantity.
How to Choose the Best Free Streaming Service in 2026
Ask yourself one question: How do you usually watch TV?
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Prefer browsing movies and shows? → Tubi
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Like live channels playing in the background? → Pluto TV
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Own a Roku device? → The Roku Channel
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Want one central streaming dashboard? → Plex
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Want ad-free, curated films? → Kanopy
Most users end up combining two services: one for live TV and one for on-demand viewing.
Final Thoughts
Free streaming in 2026 is no longer a compromise. For viewers in the United States and Canada, these platforms offer legitimate, high-quality entertainment without monthly fees.
While ads are part of the deal, the value is hard to ignore. Whether you’re cutting costs, supplementing paid subscriptions, or just exploring new content, these five free streaming services are the best places to start.
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