I tried best FREE TV apps with 1,000s of channels, films and shows – my top pick is worth killing your £220 Netflix for
So I've tried five of the best TV streaming apps out there, in a bid to save you from
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The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach dives into the world of free telly – and finds some massive bargains
Credit: Sean Keach
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Even paid-for apps are showing ads these days – so you might as well be watching telly for free
Credit: Sean Keach
The catch
is that all of these apps will show you ads – either during live telly or midway through on-demand content.
But regular TV has been showing ads for decades, and the entry-level memberships for Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video
So here are some of the best free TV app options out there right now. Maybe you can even
Free TV app #1 –
Pluto TV
What is it?
Pluto is one of the big names in free streaming, and it's got a vast library of content. It's also available on plenty of devices.
How easy to get set up?
You're asked to accept or reject some privacy settings with one click – and that's it. I was watching telly within seconds.
You don't need to create an account or add a credit card, and you're whisked straight into the TV guide. You can scroll through channels or head into the menu for on-demand telly.
How much content is there?
In the UK, Pluto TV has somewhere between 100 and 150 channels – and upwards of 20,000 hours of on-demand telly.
What are the best bits?
You're throwing away money on Netflix – I found three common mistakes sending your bill soaring but the fixes are easy
For live channels, there's reality TV (Geordie OGs, Catfish, Teen Mom), sports (UFC, Fifa+), and great kids options including channels for Teletubbies, Bob the Builder, and
Arthur
.
You also get some classic American telly channels focused on shows like South Park, Judge Judy, and CSI. Plus there's an entire 'paranormal' section. Spooky.
On-demand is a mixed bag, but for TV you've got Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen and
horror
Halloween.
Parental Controls
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Pluto TV has a decent selection of live TV channels and on-demand telly
Credit: Sean Keach
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Your viewing will be interrupted by ads – that's the price you pay for free TV
Credit: Sean Keach
It's not very granular. There's simply a kids mode that blocks content, locked behind a four-digit PIN. It's workable but could be better.
Verdict:
The live channels are great. On-demand has some gems, but there's a lot of rubbish to wade through.
We tried it on an Apple TV box.
Free TV app #2 –
Xumo Play
What is it?
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Xumo Play is a good option for background telly
Credit: Sean Keach
Xumo is an American TV company based in California and part-operated by Comcast – but it's available for Brits too.
How easy to get set up?
The app was already right there on my
Sky
Stream box – and it took seconds to get in and start watching.
How much content is there?
Xumo Play has north of 75 channels in the UK, with a claimed catalogue of over 15,000 movies and TV shows.
What are the best bits?
There's a good selection of reality TV channels, including Cheaters, Homes Under the Hammer, World's Wildest
Police
Videos, and Mythbusters.
And sports fans might enjoy World Poker Tour or Sky Sports Classics.
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The app is even available on Sky TV platforms
Credit: Sean Keach
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The selection of movies isn't exactly inspiring – but you might find some cheesy fun
Credit: Sean Keach
For on-demand viewing, the catalogue of movies is very obscure. I struggled to find a single movie that I recognised – but that might make for a laugh if you've got pals round.
TV was slightly better with 12 seasons of Unsolved
Mysteries
, plus five seasons of Andromeada for sci-fi fans. But the mix isn't great.
Parental Controls
I couldn't find any parental controls in the app. That's something to keep in mind if you have kids.
NETFLIX 2025 PRICE HIKES REVEALED
Here's what you're now paying (and what you get)...
Netflix Standard with Ads
Price: £5.99 (up £1 from £4.99)
Ad-supported, all but a few movies and TV shows available, unlimited mobile games
Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
Download on 2 supported devices at a time
Netflix Standard
Price: £12.99 (Up £2 from £10.99)
Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
Download on 2 supported devices at a time
Option to add 1 extra member who doesn't live with you
Netflix Premium
Price: £18.99 (Up £1 from £17.99)
Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR
Download on 6 supported devices at a time
Option to add up to 2 extra members who don't live with you
Netflix spatial audio
Picture Credit: Netflix
Verdict:
Xumo Play is perfectly fine for a bit of background telly. It's the sort of thing you stick on with friends round while you chat. Just don't plan your Friday night around it.
We tried it on a Sky Stream box.
Free TV app #3 – Tubi (TOP PICK FOR FILMS)
What is it?
A major US player that recently launched in the UK, Tubi is the best option for movies – so it's the Netflix killer on the list.
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Tubi is a movie lover's dream – especially if you're on a budget
Credit: Sean Keach
How easy to get set up?
You make a privacy setting choice, and the app loads up straight away. You don't need to sign up, log in, or add any financial details to start watching.
How much content is there?
In the UK, Tubi serves up somewhere in the region of 40,000 movies and TV episodes.
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You'll want Tubi loaded up for movie night
Credit: Sean Keach
That's impressive since the launch roster was half that when Tubi debuted in Britain in July 2024.
What are the best bits?
You've got some movie night classics like Memento, Elysium, The Girl
Next
Door, and several Resident Evil movies.
There's also Bad
Neighbours
1 and 2, the 2016 Ghostbusters, District 9, and '90s cult classic Cruel Intentions.
THere's some captivating reality telly, including Masterchef UK, Cheaters, Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, and Jerry Springer.
And as a bonus treat, you'll also find The I.T. Crowd and all nine seasons of Peep Show on Tubi too.
Parental Controls
You can set up parental controls on the website, allowing you to choose specific content levels. It's a rare level of detail for parents, so this is a big upside.
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Tubi is constantly adding new content to its library
Credit: Sean Keach
Verdict:
This is the movie night app. It's quick to start, has loads of top flicks, and a decent selection of on-demand binge-worthy TV too. Just keep in mind there are no live telly channels (unlike in the US).
We tried it on an Apple TV box.
Free TV app #4 –
Rakuten TV
What is it?
Owned by a Japanese tech giant, Rakuten TV has both live channels and on-demand telly too.
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Rakuten is where you'll be able to find The Graham Norton Show re-runs
Credit: Sean Keach
How easy to get set up?
Once you pick your privacy settings, you're straight in. No sign up or credit cards – just instant telly.
How much content is there?
In the UK, Rakuten offers more than 150 channels, plus over 10,000 movies and TV episodes.
What are the best bits?
For on-demand, you've got some fun content for kids, including Postman Pat The Movie, Barbie Dreamtopia: Festival of Fun, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.
There's also After
Earth
, Gone Girl, and Mile 22, which tick the action or thriller boxes.
There are Baywatch, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Ninja Warrior channels.
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Gordon Ramsay fans will be able to enjoy Hell's Kitchen USA on Rakuten too
Credit: Sean Keach
But the highlight is probably the dedicated The Graham Norton Show channel.
Parental Controls
There weren't any parental controls in the version of the app that I tested.
Verdict:
Great for Graham Norton re-runs, and some good child-friendly movie options too.
TUBI SUPPORTED DEVICES – WHERE CAN YOU WATCH?
Here's the official list for the UK...
Android via Google Play Store
Android TV
iOS via App Store
Apple TV
LG TV Web OS
Samsung TV
Sony TV (Android)
Web via
Roku
Chromecast (Android, iOS and web)
Sony PS4
Amazon Fire Tablet
Hisense Vidaa
PS5
Xbox Series
Windows
Picture Credit: Tubi
We tried it on an Apple TV box.
Free TV app #5 –
Plex
TV (TOP PICK FOR LIVE TV)
What is it?
Plex began life as a way to stream your own saved media files (like a home movie) to your TV. But now it offers free telly supported by ads.
How easy to get set up?
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Plex started out as a home streaming app – but it's now a free Netflix rival
Credit: Sean Keach
I click the app open, choose my ad privacy consent, and then free telly materialises before my very eyes.
How much content is there?
Plex promises more than 600 TV channels in the UK, plus north of 50,000 on-demand movies and TV shows.
What are the best bits?
There are loads of live TV channels, including Fear Factor, Pointless, Fifa+, and Baywatch – plus Arthur, Mr Bean, and Smurf TV for the kids.
It's live TV where Plex has the edge.
The on-demand selection is OK: you get Hell's Kitchen, Mighty Morphin'
Power
Rangers
, and The Adventures of
Sherlock
Holmes on the telly front.
And on-demand movies include The Boondock Saints, Big Momma's House, and Jumper.
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Plex has plenty of movies and TV shows on offer
Credit: Sean Keach
Parental Controls
I couldn't find any parental controls on the TV version of the app.
Verdict:
Plex has a top-notch selection of live TV channels – but the on-demand library is extremely forgettable.
We tried it on an Apple TV box.
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I tested the TV apps using Sky Stream and Apple TV plug-in boxes
Credit: Sean Keach
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Sky Stream is just one way to watch free TV apps – but most smart TVs and streaming gadgets offer the same selection of services too
Credit: Sean Keach
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