The best free live TV streaming apps in the US are Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Sling Freestream, Plex and the free channels built into Google TV, LG and Vizio TVs. They are legal, need no subscription and are paid for by ads. None of them carries ESPN, local network feeds or most premium cable channels, but together they offer a large live guide of news, classic shows, movies and niche channels. Here is what each app is good for and where it runs.
The best free live TV apps compared
| App | Best for | Account needed? | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | Classic TV channels, CBS News and Paramount-owned shows | No | Most streaming devices, smart TVs, phones, web |
| Tubi | Huge on-demand library plus live news and sports channels | No for most content | Most devices, smart TVs, web |
| The Roku Channel | Live guide plus free movies; built into Roku | No on Roku; free account elsewhere | Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung, web |
| Samsung TV Plus | Channels built into Samsung TVs and Galaxy phones | No | Samsung devices, web |
| Sling Freestream | Free live channels with a free DVR | Free account for DVR | Devices that run the Sling app |
| Plex | Free live channels next to your own media library | Free account | Most devices |
| Google TV free channels | Live channels in the Google TV guide | Google account | Google TV devices and TVs |
Every app on this list is run by a known company: Pluto TV belongs to Paramount, Tubi to Fox, The Roku Channel to Roku and Samsung TV Plus to Samsung. That matters, because it means the channels are licensed and the apps come from official app stores rather than sideloaded files.
Channel counts change constantly, so we have not listed numbers. Sling, for example, advertises its Freestream as offering 600+ free live channels at the time of writing.
What you will and will not find
Free apps carry FAST channels: free, ad-supported streaming television. Most are themed channels built around one show, genre or brand, such as a 24-hour classic sitcom, a true crime channel or a cooking channel. Our FAST channels explainer goes deeper.
- You will find: national news streams, local news channels in some cities, classic TV marathons, movies, sports highlight and niche sports channels, kids and Spanish-language channels.
- You usually will not find: ESPN, TNT, live NFL or NBA games, HBO, or the live feeds of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.
For local networks, an antenna is the free solution. Our guide to the best indoor TV antennas explains how to pick one.
How to choose the right free apps for your device
Roku
The Roku Channel is already built in, with a Live TV guide. Add Pluto TV and Tubi from the Roku Channel Store for the widest choice.
Fire TV
Fire TV shows free channels from several providers in its live guide. Install Pluto TV, Tubi and The Roku Channel from the Amazon Appstore.
Google TV and Android TV
Google TV includes its own free channels in the Live tab. Pluto TV, Tubi and Plex are available in the Google Play Store.
Samsung, LG and Vizio smart TVs
Each brand has a built-in service: Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels and Vizio WatchFree+. They work without installing anything, and you can add Pluto TV and Tubi from the TV’s app store.
Setting up a free live TV lineup in 15 minutes
- Install two or three apps, not ten. Pluto TV, Tubi and your device’s built-in service cover most needs.
- Mark favorite channels in each app so the guide shows them first.
- Turn on the device-level live guide, if your platform has one, to browse channels from several apps together.
- Add an antenna for local networks and live NFL games on CBS, FOX and NBC.
- Use a wired connection or good Wi-Fi to avoid buffering; our live stream buffering guide explains the fixes.
Free apps vs paid live TV
Free apps are great for background TV, news and nostalgia. If you need live sports networks or specific cable channels, you will still need a paid service such as Sling, YouTube TV or a single-network app like ESPN Unlimited or FOX One. Our guide to the cheapest way to watch live TV compares those tiers.
Be careful with “free” apps that promise ESPN, premium channels or pay-per-view events at no cost. Those are almost always unlicensed and can carry malware. IPTV technology is legal, but only licensed providers are legal to use. If you want a paid all-in-one option, IPTV Journal offers one 12-month plan for $89.
Which free apps should you install first?
Start with Pluto TV and Tubi on any device, then add the free service built into your TV or streaming platform. That trio gives you the largest legal free live guide with almost no setup.
FAQ
Are free live TV streaming apps really free?
Yes. Apps like Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus are paid for by ads, so you watch commercials instead of paying a subscription. Some ask for a free account to unlock features like favorites or DVR.
Are these free apps legal?
Yes. These services license their content and are offered by major companies such as Paramount, Fox, Roku and Samsung. Apps that offer paid channels like ESPN or HBO for free are a different story and are not licensed.
Can I watch live sports on free apps?
You can watch some niche sports channels, highlights and replays. Major live games such as the NFL, NBA and college football are generally not on free apps, although CBS, FOX and NBC games are free with an antenna.
Do free live TV apps work on any TV?
They work on most smart TVs and streaming devices, including Roku, Fire TV, Google TV and Apple TV. For an older non-smart TV, a low-cost streaming stick adds these apps.
Do I need a VPN for free live TV apps?
No. These apps are designed for US viewers and work normally on a home connection. Using a VPN to change your location can break the terms of service.
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