Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or fed up with streamflation and can’t bear to sign up for yet another paid streaming service, there are actually a surprisingly large number of free TV and music streaming services out there for you to enjoy. That’s convenient, because most of us are spending a lot on streaming services — and vastly underestimating how much money it’s costing us. “Consumer Reports” says we’re underguessing by $133 per month!
The following music and TV streaming services are completely F-R-E-E, with no monthly fees and no “sign up offer” for a few months and then needing to remember to cancel to avoid getting billed.
Read on to see the best music and TV streaming services and what you need to know about each one.
The Best Free TV Streaming Services
Freevee
What it is: Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) is an ad-supported streaming service that offers tons of free television shows and films, both originals to Freevee, like the recent smash Jury Duty, as well as syndicated hits like Ocean’s 8 and Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer. They also have 300+ live channel options, so you can watch sports, news, movies, true crime documentaries and much more.
How to get it: Watch the Freevee app on your smart TV, through your gaming console or on a streaming media device. (It’s already pre-installed on your Amazon Fire Stick.) Or you can stream Freevee titles right off the Amazon website.
Limitations: Programming is supported by advertising, so you do not have to be an Amazon Prime member to watch Freevee. However, you do need an Amazon account to log in. And you can’t download any of Freevee’s programs to watch offline.
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Tubi
What it is: Tubi offers viewers free television and film choices on demand without a fee — or even a login. You just jump on TubiTV and start watching! They say they have something like 50,000+ movies and television shows, including some original programming. Watch classics like To Kill a Mockingbird or Columbo or check out newer fare like Black Adam, The Lighthouse and Hell’s Kitchen. Not sure what to watch? Sort by First Time on Tubi or Leaving Soon, or let the personalization engine recommend content you might like.
How to get it: Watch Tubi via your browser or through Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xfinity X1, Xbox, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs and PlayStation.
Limitations: To keep this service free, you will be watching some ads during programming. You also can’t download shows or films to watch offline.
Hoopla
What it is: Hoopla Digital is just one more reason to love the library. The company partners with libraries across the country to offer patrons free movies and TV shows as well as music, audiobooks, Ebooks and comics. Watch new films like Past Lives and The Whale, hear music from Taylor Swift and enjoy all sorts of fun shows for kids. Speaking of, Hoopla has a kids mode setting, and Hoopla is ad-free.
How to get it: You can watch via web browser, or through many streaming devices and services like Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast and Apple TV. You can also download some of the available content to read, listen to or watch offline.
Limitations: You’re required to have a library card to access Hoopla and at this time, not all library districts have Hoopla. Much like a library, you are only borrowing things for a limited time, and you’re limited to how many Hoopla items you can check out at once each month.
Crackle
What it is: Crackle offers viewers free, ad-supported movies, shows and original programming.
How to get it: Crackle is watchable on connected TVs, mobile devices, set-top boxes, video game consoles and online at Crackle.com. Head over to Crackle to view TV series like Everybody Hates Chris, Shameless and classics like The Little Rascals and Bonanza. The company is owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul, who also offer special made for TV movies.
Limitations: You’ll be watching ads with your shows and films, and you can’t download stuff to watch offline.
Free services may not offer you everything you want. If there are certain shows, films or live sports you just need to watch, check out the best video streaming bundles and packages.
The Best Free Music Streaming Services
Spotify
What it is: Though Spotify has a paid premium tier, they also offer Spotify free, an ad-supported way to listen to the latest, greatest music and podcasts.
How to get it: You can listen on your computer or via your mobile device.
Limitations: The good news is you can listen to tons of amazing stuff, but there are ads interspersed throughout. There are also limits to listening — if you’re on your phone, you can’t play an individual track from an artist, you have to listen to an entire playlist. You also can’t download anything and listen offline. Finally, you’re getting lower quality audio than Premium members.
Take advantage of Spotify deals and discounts with RetailMeNot
Amazon Music
What it is: Amazon Music Free is Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming music tier. In addition to music and stations, there are plenty of podcasts to listen to. You do not have to be an Amazon Prime member to use this free music streaming service (Prime members have their own tier), though you will have to sign into your Amazon account.
How to get it: Amazon Music Free can be heard on Echo and most Alexa-enabled devices, via app on your phone, on Fire TV and through the web.
Limitations: This is ad-supported, and you can’t download your music or podcasts to listen to them later.
iHeartRadio
What it is: Stream thousands of radio stations, from music to talk radio to sports, comedy, and news, tons of podcasts and even curated artist playlists, all for free via iHeartRadio.
How to get it: Use the free iHeart app just about anywhere — the company says it’s available on over 200 platforms, including iOS and Android so you can listen at work, in your car, on your phone or through your wearable.
Limitations: Yes, this is another ad-supported free streaming service.
SoundCloud
What it is: A way to explore all sorts of music, podcasts, comedy shows and more via streamable audio files. If you’re interested in new and emerging independent artists, it’s a fun place to explore. It’s also a great platform for creators to upload their work to reach new fans and even communicate with them. Because it’s so vast and deep, Soundcloud has been referred to as the YouTube of audio.
How to get it: Stream SoundCloud on the web, get the SoundCloud app for iOs or Android, or listen via Sonos, Chromecast or Xbox One.
Limitations: There is a lot there so sometimes it’s hard to discover new music — Soundcloud says it currently features 375 million tracks from 40 million artists. And the free tier is ad-supported.
Still want more? Check out where to find the best free streaming trials.
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