Free Sites Like Netflix: Try These 16 Free And Paid Netflix Alternatives

Look, I get it. You just saw your Netflix bill jump to $24.99 for that Premium plan, and you’re sitting there thinking “What am I even watching on here anymore?”

Between the password-sharing crackdown and the constant price hikes, Netflix feels less like a must-have and more like a monthly reminder that streaming services think we’re made of money.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you: you’ve got options. Lots of them, actually. Some won’t cost you a dime, and others will save you serious cash while giving you fresh content to binge.

After years of analyzing streaming platforms (yeah, it’s literally part of my job). I am breaking down 16 solid alternatives that’ll keep your wallet happy and your watchlist full.

Why You’re Probably Overpaying for Netflix Right Now

Netflix recently bumped its prices again. The ad-supported tier costs $7.99 per month, the Standard plan is $17.99, and the Premium plan is $24.99. That’s a big jump from what we used to pay, especially when you calculate the annual cost.

We’re talking $287.88 per year for the Premium tier alone. From a financial standpoint, this is what we call opportunity cost. Every dollar you spend on one streaming service is a dollar you can’t invest, save, or spend elsewhere.

When you’re paying nearly $300 annually for content you might not even fully utilize, that’s money that could be working harder for you in a high-yield savings account or index fund.

But here’s where it gets interesting: many alternatives are available for under $10 or even free. The math is simple.

If you’re only watching Netflix a few times per month, you’re essentially paying premium prices for occasional entertainment. That’s not smart money management, friend.

The Best Free Netflix Alternatives (Zero Dollars, Serious Entertainment)

1. Tubi the Free Streaming Champion

Tubi is an endless supply of vintage camp gold, and honestly, it’s become my go-to recommendation for anyone looking to cut streaming costs completely. This platform is 100% free and ad-supported.

What You Get:

• Thousands of movies and TV shows across every genre
• Regular library updates so you always have something new
• No subscription required, ever
• Works on pretty much every device you own

The catch? You’ll sit through ads. But honestly, if you grew up watching cable TV, this shouldn’t bother you. The ads aren’t as frequent as on a standard TV channel, so you’re not constantly interrupted.

My take: Tubi has cult classics, B-movies, and hidden gems you won’t find on Netflix. Perfect for movie nights when you want something different without dropping cash.

2. Pluto TV (Free Live TV Meets On-Demand)

Pluto TV is Paramount’s streaming service that’s monetized via ads and features a lot of live TV channels along with on-demand movies. Think of it as cable TV reimagined for the streaming age.

Key Features:

• Over 100 live TV channels covering news, sports, movies, and more
• On-demand content including recent blockbusters
• Channel-surfing experience like traditional TV
• Completely free with ads

I’ve spent way too many weekends channel-hopping on Pluto TV. It scratches that itch when you don’t know what you want to watch but need background entertainment. The live TV format is perfect for when decision fatigue hits hard.

3. Crackle (Sony’s Free Offering)

Crackle brings some legitimate quality to the free streaming space. Owned by Sony, this platform offers movies and TV shows without asking for your credit card.

What Makes It Worth Your Time:

• Original content you won’t find elsewhere
• Rotating selection of Sony movies
• Ad-supported but manageable
• No account creation needed (though you can create one for personalized recommendations)

Real talk: The library isn’t massive, but the quality-to-cost ratio is unbeatable. You’re getting Sony’s content library for free. That’s a deal.

4. Freevee (Formerly IMDb TV) – Amazon’s Free Alternative

Freevee’s library includes a mix of older titles and some more recent releases, and the service has been investing in original content, producing shows like “Bosch: Legacy” and “Judy Justice”.

Why It’s Smart:

• Amazon’s resources backing the content
• Growing library of originals
• Integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem
• Free with ads

From a financial perspective, this is Amazon using a loss-leader strategy. They’re hoping you’ll eventually spring for Prime Video, but you can milk the free tier indefinitely.

5. Plex – More Than Just Streaming

Plex has the fewest regional restrictions among free streaming services, which makes it available to more people globally.

The Deal:

• Free movies and TV shows
• Fewer geographic restrictions than competitors
• Optional premium features if you want them
• Can also organize your personal media library

FYI, Plex Premium exists, but the free version is genuinely solid for most users. Don’t feel pressured to upgrade unless you need specific features.

Premium Netflix Alternatives Worth Your Money

1. Amazon Prime Video – The Bundle Winner

Prime Video costs $8.99 per month, or you can pay $14.99 per month for a full Prime membership that includes free two-day shipping and other benefits.

Why This Makes Financial Sense:

• If you already shop on Amazon, you’re essentially getting Prime Video for free
• You can get a free, 30-day trial
• Vast library of movies and TV shows
• Includes Prime-exclusive deals and benefits

My calculation: If you order from Amazon even twice a month, the shipping savings alone justify the cost. The streaming is just bonus value. This is what I call “stacking benefits” getting multiple services for the price of one.

2. Hulu – The Next-Day TV Solution

Unlike Netflix, Hulu uploads episodes of many network TV shows the day after they air, so you can stay current without cable.

Pricing Options:

• Ad-supported plan: Around $7.99/month
• Ad-free plan: More expensive but commercial-free
• Hulu + Live TV: Over 95 live channels for cord-cutters

The smart play: Sports fanatics can add on ESPN+, while families and Marvel lovers alike will love the Disney+ add-on. These bundles save you money compared to subscribing to each service separately.

3. Disney+ – Family-Friendly Powerhouse

Disney+ owns your childhood. Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, National Geographic it’s all here.

Bundle Strategy: Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN have made for a popular bundle option among streamers. You can get multiple services for less than Netflix’s Premium plan.

Financial tip: If you have kids, this might be your best value. Calculate your cost-per-viewing-hour, and Disney+ usually wins for families.

4. HBO Max – Premium Content, Premium Price (But Worth It)

HBO Max offers a three-tiered pricing structure that includes a basic ad plan that costs $9.99 per month, an ad-free plan that runs $16.99 per month, and a third Ultimate ad-free plan for $20.99 per month.

What You’re Paying For:

• Every HBO show ever (Game of Thrones, Succession, The Sopranos)
• Warner Bros. movies
• High-quality original content
• 4K streaming on the Ultimate plan

This is what I call “quality over quantity.” HBO Max has fewer titles than Netflix but higher average quality. If you value prestige TV over endless scrolling, this is your move.

5. Paramount+ – The CBS Universe

Paramount Plus offers an ad-supported Essential plan at $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year.

What You Get:

• Live CBS broadcasts
• Paramount movies
• Star Trek universe
• NFL games and live sports

Money move: That annual plan saves you nearly $36 compared to paying monthly. Always look for annual options when you know you’ll use a service long-term.

6. Apple TV+ – Small But Mighty

Apple TV+ has made waves with critically acclaimed shows like Severance, The Morning Show, and Ted Lasso. The singular plan is $9.99 monthly.

The catch: Smaller library than competitors, but every show is an original. No filler content.

Smart tip: If you buy an Apple device, you often get Apple TV+ free for several months. Time your purchases right, and you might never pay full price.

7. Peacock – NBC’s Streaming Service

Peacock’s ad-free subscription is slightly cheaper than Netflix’s comparable plan, and you get access to NBC and Bravo favorites.

Highlights:

• The Office (in its full glory)
• Live sports
• Next-day NBC shows
• Over 50 TV channels

This works great if you’re a sports fan or reality TV junkie. The value proposition is strong for specific demographics.

Niche Alternatives for Specific Tastes

1. Acorn TV – British TV Lovers’ Paradise

Acorn TV features a variety of original programming, as well as popular network shows from the UK, Ireland, and Australia, with a particularly good selection of murder mysteries.

If you love British drama, this specialized service beats Netflix’s limited UK content. Sometimes paying for exactly what you want costs less than paying for everything you don’t watch.

2. Criterion Channel – For Film Buffs

Criterion Channel is a curated movie-streaming service that offers ad-free and on-demand access to films from The Criterion Collection, with subscriptions costing $10.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

What Makes It Special:

• Classic films and art house cinema
• Criterion Collection quality
• No ads
• Curated selections with context and commentary

This is Netflix for people who actually studied film. If you care more about Kurosawa than the latest reality show, this is your platform.

3. Shudder – Horror Fans Unite

Shudder is an on-demand streaming service dedicated to niche horror movies, running at $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year in the US.

For horror enthusiasts, this beats scrolling through Netflix’s limited horror section. Specialized services often provide better value for dedicated fans.

Bundle Deals That Actually Save You Money

Here’s where streaming gets interesting from a financial planning perspective. Disney Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced a new streaming bundle that includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and Max.

The Math:

• Individual subscriptions: $40+/month
• Bundle pricing: Around $16.99/month with ads
• Annual savings: Over $270

This is called economies of scale in action. Companies would rather have you as a customer at a discount than lose you entirely to free alternatives.

My recommendation: Map out what you actually watch. If you’re bouncing between three services anyway, bundles make financial sense. If you’re only using one regularly, don’t let bundles trick you into paying for content you don’t consume.

The Real Cost of “Free” Streaming

Let’s talk opportunity cost and hidden expenses. Free streaming services show you ads. Most of these websites/apps include ads to cover their costs.

Time is money:

• Average ad load: 4-5 minutes per hour
• If your time is worth $20/hour, that’s $1.67 in “cost” per hour
• Watch 10 hours monthly? That’s $16.70 in time value

Sometimes paying $10/month for ad-free content is actually cheaper than watching ads on free services. It depends on how you value your time.

Building Your Perfect Streaming Stack

Here’s my personal finance approach to streaming:

The $20/Month Budget Plan:

• One free service (Tubi or Pluto TV)
• One paid service ($10-15)
• Rotate the paid service quarterly based on what’s releasing

The $40/Month Comfort Plan:

• Amazon Prime (if you shop on Amazon)
• One bundle (Disney+/Hulu or Max/Disney+)
• One specialty service (your choice)

The No-Budget Approach:

• Tubi, Pluto TV, Crackle, and Freevee
• Rotate free trials (ethically, of course)
• Cost: $0/month

Smart Strategies for Maximum Value

Subscribe and Cancel: Don’t feel married to any service. You can get it for a month, binge, cancel, and fall into another streaming hole. This “streaming rotation” strategy can save you hundreds annually.

Annual Subscriptions: If you know you’ll use a service all year, annual plans typically save 15-20%. That’s guaranteed ROI.

Student Discounts: If you’re in school, college students can get 75% off the regular monthly price on Hulu, bringing the price down to $1.99 per month. Always ask about education discounts.

Family Sharing: Netflix cracked down, but many services allow multiple profiles. Split costs with household members legally and ethically.

The Financial Reality Check

Let’s do some real math. The average American household subscribes to 4-5 streaming services. At an average of $15 per service, that’s $60-75 monthly or $720-900 annually.

Compare this to:

• Traditional cable: $100-150/month
• Carefully curated streaming: $20-40/month
• Your annual savings: $720-1,560

That savings could fund a Roth IRA contribution, pay off credit card debt, or build an emergency fund. This is why I’m so passionate about intentional spending on entertainment.

When Netflix Still Makes Sense

I’m not here to trash Netflix entirely. Netflix has over 300 million subscribers for a reason. It makes sense if:

• You watch it daily
• You have a large household sharing the account
• You value their specific original content
• The cost represents less than 1% of your monthly income

But if you’re keeping Netflix out of habit while rarely using it? That’s what behavioral economists call “sunk cost fallacy,” and it’s costing you real money.

Technical Considerations Nobody Talks About

Device Compatibility: Make sure your streaming service works on your devices. Most do, but some free services have limited smart TV apps.

Download Capabilities: If you travel or have spotty internet, check which services allow offline downloads. This often separates free from paid tiers.

Simultaneous Streams: How many people can watch at once? This matters for families and impacts your cost-per-person value.

Video Quality: Free services often max out at 1080p. If you invested in a 4K TV, you might want services that support HDR and 4K streaming.

My Final Recommendations

• Best Overall Value: Amazon Prime Video (if you already shop on Amazon)
• Best Free Service: Tubi (largest library, best variety)
• Best for Families: Disney+ bundle with Hulu
• Best for Film Lovers: Criterion Channel
• Best Budget Combo: Tubi (free) + one rotating paid service
• Best Cable Replacement: Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV

Final Thoughts

You don’t need Netflix to stay entertained; you just need a smart plan that fits your viewing habits and budget. Track what you actually watch for a month, then build your streaming mix intentionally.

Whether that’s all free services, one premium platform, or a money-saving bundle, make sure every subscription earns its keep.

The streaming world is full of options use them wisely. Every dollar you save can go toward your financial goals, and those small savings add up over time.

Start with the free ones, cancel what you don’t use, and focus on value. Your wallet and your future self will thank you.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some B-movies to watch on Tubi. For free.