Many of us are fed up with rising subscription costs, and it’s fair to assume that quite a few have chosen the path of the open sea because of it. But for those who prefer to stream and watch content on demand legally—and for free—I have a few options worth checking out.
Now in India, you won’t find many free platforms offering popular regional content or the latest local TV shows. However, if you’re interested in international content — particularly U.S. based movies, TV shows, documentaries, and live channels — then this guide is for you.
In this post, I’ll be listing some of the best free, ad-supported streaming platforms that let you enjoy and binge-watch your favourite movies, TV shows, and even some sports content, all without paying a subscription fee.
- All of the streaming platforms mentioned below are region-locked and may not be officially available in India. To access them, you will need to use a VPN or Smart DNS service.
- It’s also worth noting that not all free VPNs work reliably with streaming services. Many free VPN providers impose daily or monthly data limits, slower speeds, or a limited selection of server locations.
- Streaming video through a VPN can consume a considerable amount of data. So make sure you have sufficient data available or an unlimited data plan.
- For VPNs, my preferred choices are Surfshark and Proton VPN. If you prefer the Smart DNS route, Smart DNS Proxy is a solid option worth considering.
1. Tubi
Tubi is arguably the gold standard when it comes to free ad-supported streaming. Owned by Fox Corporation, the platform offers a massive library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, anime, and even live TV channels.
While you won’t find the latest blockbuster releases, there’s enough content here to keep most viewers entertained for months. Secondly, if you’re into football, select matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be available on Tubi free of charge.
2. Xumo Play
Xumo Play focuses heavily on live TV and FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels, primarily featuring US-based content. I’ve personally used XUMO Play quite often to watch some of my favourite TV shows, most notably Storage Wars (hopefully some of you remember it).
The service features hundreds of channels covering news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and movies. While its on-demand library isn’t as extensive as Tubi’s, it’s a fantastic option for users who miss the traditional channel-surfing experience.
3. The Roku Channel
Originally designed for Roku device owners, The Roku Channel is now accessible through web browsers and various streaming devices. The Roku Channel combines a large on-demand content library with a growing selection of live TV channels.
You’ll find movies, TV shows, documentaries, reality programming, and even some Roku Originals. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer a dedicated mobile app and is primarily available on streaming devices and TV operating systems such as Android TV, webOS, etc.
4. Sling TV (Freestream)
Sling Freestream offers access to hundreds of live channels along with a selection of on-demand movies and TV shows, all without requiring you to create an account or pay for a subscription.
It covers everything from news and sports to entertainment and lifestyle programming. While premium content remains behind Sling’s paid plans, the free tier offers plenty of content for casual viewing.
5. ITVX
ITVX is the streaming platform from the UK’s ITV network and is available exclusively for the UK audience. It offers a mixture of live TV, British dramas, reality shows, documentaries, comedy series, and movies.
If you’re a fan of British television, ITVX is easily one of the best free services available and provides access to a vast catalogue of UK-produced content. ITVX is also one of the few free streaming services to offer coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
6. Rakuten TV
Rakuten TV is primarily known as a movie rental platform in the UK, but it also offers a completely free ad-supported section featuring movies, TV shows, and live channels.
Its free library isn’t as large as some competitors, but it regularly includes recognizable titles from major studios, making it worth checking out. Do note that its availability varies by region, with the service being most popular in the UK and parts of Europe.
7. ABC iview
ABC iview is Australia’s public broadcaster streaming service and offers a surprisingly strong selection of content. Viewers can access Australian dramas, documentaries, news, comedy programs, children’s content, and live TV channels.
It’s one of the best options for anyone interested in Australian programming, and it also features a strong selection of children’s movies and TV shows. I actually mainly included this streaming service only because of its selection of kids content.
8. Pluto TV
Pluto TV remains one of the most popular free streaming services worldwide. It combines a large collection of live channels with an extensive on-demand library of movies and TV shows.
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Pluto TV’s movie and TV show library, as it can feel somewhat limited compared to some of the other services on this list. That said, content libraries vary from country to country, so your experience may differ depending on your location.
9. Plex
Most people know Plex as a media server platform that allows users to organize and stream their personal media collections. However, Plex also offers thousands of free movies, TV shows, and live TV channels through its ad-supported streaming service.
It’s an excellent all-in-one solution for users who want both personal media management and access to free streaming content.
10. SBS On Demand
SBS On Demand is one of Australia’s best free streaming services, offering a diverse catalogue of movies, TV shows, documentaries, international dramas, and live TV channels.
The content library won’t appeal to everyone, but I included it on this list because it features critically acclaimed films, and foreign-language content from around the world. My second reason for including it is its free coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making it an excellent option for football fans.
Takeaway
I’ve personally used almost all of the streaming services mentioned in this list, with ITVX being a relatively new addition for me—mainly because of its free FIFA World Cup coverage, but also due to its decent selection of movies and TV shows.
The one thing I’ve learned from using these platforms is that you often come across hidden gems that you might have otherwise overlooked. For me, those hidden gems was House and Forensic Files.
Forensic Files in particular stands out. I first discovered the show on Prime Video and was immediately intrigued by its premise, but I never got around to watching it. By the time I decided to start the series, it was no longer available, and finding such an old show wasn’t particularly easy. Even sailing the open seas didn’t prove very effective. Eventually, I discovered that both XUMO Play and The Roku Channel carried the show, allowing me to watch it completely free of charge.
And that’s the beauty of free ad-supported streaming services. They often host a diverse mix of old classics, cult favourites, and newer content that may not be available on mainstream subscription platforms. Tubi is perhaps the best example of just how good these services can be, offering a massive library of content without requiring users to pay a monthly subscription fee.
So, if you’re willing to sit through a few advertisements, these platforms can be an excellent way to expand your watchlist while keeping your entertainment costs at zero.
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