I LOVE telly – but there are so many apps asking for a chunk of my change every month, my bank can hardly keep up.
So I’ve tried five of the best TV streaming apps out there, in a bid to save you from paying over £220 a year on Netflix. It turns out that you can get thousands of channels, top Hollywood films, brilliant kids TV, and even The Graham Norton Show without paying a penny on telly subscriptions. I’m convinced that one has enough movies, you could even ditch Netflix.
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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 all do the same – only with a monthly fee attached too.
So here are some of the best free TV app options out there right now. Maybe you can even cancel your £19-a-month Netflix plan (that’s £228 a year)!
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?
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 Dog the Bounty Hunter. For movies, you get Cameron Diaz’s What Happens in Vegas, David Bowie’s Labyrinth, and classic horror Halloween.
Parental Controls
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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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 tubitv.com
- 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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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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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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