The rise of media services like Netflix and Hulu has sparked a new trend in the entertainment industry. Increasingly, users prefer premium streaming services over traditional television channels, as these platforms offer the convenience of legally watching content anytime, anywhere, and on multiple devices.
There are now hundreds of services worldwide that provide on-demand access to popular movies and TV shows. In exchange for this convenience, these platforms charge a subscription fee, which many users are willing to pay. But what about those who aren’t?
If you are one of those who don’t want to pay any fee for on-demand video services, then don’t worry. While there are not many free options, we have tried our best to compile some of the best free movie download apps from which you can legally watch and download hundreds of films/series for absolutely free.
Did you know?Globally, the video streaming market size is projected to exceed $416.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.5%. The availability of legitimate movie download apps has helped reduce movie piracy by offering users legal and convenient alternatives. [1]
Table of Contents
14. Lifetime
Rating: 4/5 from 62,000+ users
Available in: US, UK, Canada, Australia
Premium Version: Free/ Verify your Cable or satellite TV subscription
Lifetime is a popular television network and streaming platform owned by A&E Networks. The streaming platform is ad-supported, providing free access to various TV shows and movies produced by Lifetime.
The platform specifically targets a female audience, offering content focused on relationships, drama, and empowerment. This differentiates it from competitors that cater to a more general or male-dominated market.
Lifetime has been aggressively expanding its lineup of holiday-themed movies to increase viewership during the festive season. It is also increasingly tapping into the true crime genre with dramatized movies based on real-life crimes.
As of 2023, Lifetime was available to nearly 63 million pay television households in the US, down from its peak of 100 million households in 2011. [2]
13. Mobdro
Rating: 4.5/5 from 2,000+ users
Available in: Worldwide
Platform: IPTV player for IOS
Premium Version: Free
Mobdro is a lesser-known app compared to other popular streaming platforms. It allows users to stream movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more. However, unlike typical streaming apps, Mobdro operates more like traditional cable TV, where you select a specific channel rather than individual movies or shows.
The platform doesn’t offer playlists; instead, it provides access to live streaming, as long as you have the URL. Along with movies, Mobdro includes sports and news channels, as well as “YouTube-like” channels that showcase animal videos, cartoons, and other content.[3]
12. Hoopla Digital
📚🎧 Find what you’re looking for with our vast selection of audiobook genres—including thousands of subgenres! #hooplahint 🌹🛸🕵️ https://t.co/x8wcYPHQTW pic.twitter.com/QB39CelKJn
— hoopla Digital (@hooplaDigital) September 23, 2024
Rating: 4.8/5 from 1.2 million+ users
Available in: US, Canada
Content Library: 1.5 million audiobooks, comics, music, movies
Premium Version: Free
Hoopla Digita allows users to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, comics, manga, music, TV shows, and movies from their local libraries. Its unique model integrates with public libraries to offer free content to patrons.
Unlike subscription services, Hoopla operates like a digital library. Users borrow content for a limited time, and items are automatically returned, avoiding late fees. While the content is free for users, libraries pay Hoopla for each borrowed item on a pay-per-use basis. This allows libraries to offer various digital media without upfront bulk purchase fees.
Hoopla has recently expanded its audiobook catalog through partnerships with Penguin Random House Audio and other major publishers. The platform now caters to more than 7.5 million library cardholders. [4]
11. Xumo Play
Rating: 4/5 from 11,000+ users
Available in: US, Canada
Content Library: 300 live channels and 15,000+ titles
Premium Version: Free, ad-supported
Xumo partners with leading content providers like NBCUniversal, CBS, and Bloomberg to offer free access to a diverse selection of live channels and on-demand content. The platform currently features over 250 live TV channels, including NBC News NOW, CBS Sports HQ, and ABC News Live.
In addition to live programming, Xumo offers a growing library of on-demand movies and TV shows, featuring content from partners like Sony, Lionsgate, and WarnerMedia. It monetizes its service through ads shown before, during, and after content.
With an estimated 40 million monthly active users, Xumo ranks among the most popular free streaming platforms in the US. Users consume millions of hours of content each month, with live TV channels being a major attraction for the platform’s audience. [5]
10. Viki
Rating: 3.8/5 from 1.4 million+ users
Available in: North America, Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America
Original Programs: 100+
Premium Version: $4.99 to $9.99 per month
Owned by Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce giant, Viki is a global streaming platform specializing in Asian entertainment. It is known for providing popular Korean dramas and other Asian programming with multilingual subtitles, often created by a community of fans.
The platform operates on a freemium business model. Users can watch selected shows for free, supported by ads. Paid subscriptions remove ads and unlock exclusive content, such as the latest shows and early access to popular dramas.
Unlike other streaming services, Viki incorporates social features like timed comments, allowing users to comment in real-time while watching a show, creating a sense of community.
Viki has also partnered with Kocowa, a joint venture of Korean broadcasters SBS, KBS, and MBC. This partnership has enhanced Viki’s content library with exclusive K-dramas and popular shows such as “Running Man,” “The Penthouse,” and “Hospital Playlist.”
By 2023, Viki had 74.6 million users, marking a 25.2% year-on-year growth. Plus, over 162 million users have downloaded the Viki app. [6]
9. Kanopy
Rating: 4.6/5 from 124,000+ users
Available in: US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Parts of Europe
Content Library: 30,000 titles
Premium Version: Free
Kanopy is known for its focus on high-quality, thought-provoking content. It provides access to a large catalog of critically acclaimed titles, indie films, and educational resources. It has a dedicated section for children’s content, offering educational and family-friendly programming that encourages learning and development.
Unlike many other free streaming services, Kanopy is completely ad-free, providing an uninterrupted viewing experience. It partners with public libraries and educational institutions, who pay for the content on behalf of their members, allowing users to stream for free. Users only need a library card or a university login to access the service.
The platform has established partnerships with over 4,000 libraries and educational institutions, serving a global audience of 158 million library card holders. In 2023 alone, it gained 3.6 million new users, with a total of 13 million hours of content watched. [7]
8. FilmRise
Rating: 4/5 from 11,000+ users
Available in: US, UK, Canada
Content Library: 30,000+ movies and episodes
Premium Version: Free, ad-supported
FilmRise is known for its extensive library of classic titles and has partnerships with various media companies to offer a large collection of free content. Its collection exceeds 30,000 movies and TV shows across genres like action, drama, horror, comedy, classics, unscripted crime, and more.
The platform primarily focuses on older or lesser-known films, TV shows, and documentaries that cater to niche audiences. It licenses content from both major studios and independent distributors, while also acquiring digital distribution rights for films and shows.
The FilmRise Streaming Network has achieved 31.5 million downloads in the U.S. and is accessible on platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, and mobile devices running Android or iOS.
The platform is entirely free to use and does not offer a premium tier or paid subscription model. Its sole revenue stream comes from ads, which are seamlessly integrated into the streaming experience.
7. Pluto TV
Rating: 4.5/5 from 1.9 million users
Available in: US, Canada, Europe, UK, Australia, Latin America
Content Library: 250+ live channels and 1000s of movies/shows
Premium Version: Free, ad-supported
Owned by Paramount Global, Pluto TV offers various live TV channels and on-demand content. It mimics traditional TV with linear channels, organizing content into categories like movies, sports, news, comedy, kids, and reality. It also offers niche content that appeals to specific audiences, including lesser-known movies and classic shows, all without a subscription fee.
In recent years, Pluto TV has expanded its channel offerings with more than 20,000 hours of programming. It continues to add channels based on popular series and niche genres, including dedicated channels for brands like CSI and James Bond.
In 2022, Pluto TV generated over $1.1 billion in advertising revenue, with $851 million coming from the US and $261 million from international audiences. By 2023, Pluto TV had over 80 million monthly active users worldwide, solidifying its position as one of the largest ad-supported streaming services. [8][9]
6. Vimeo
Video has undoubtedly revolutionized how we connect with each other…we’re taking it a step further. Introducing our newest advancement, AI-powered video translation.
Seamlessly localize your videos with Vimeo AI: https://t.co/tEPAYVUC70 pic.twitter.com/nMT64ajqw1
— Vimeo (@Vimeo) July 31, 2024
Rating: 3.9/5 from 150,000+ users
Available: Worldwide
Content Library: 1000s of titles
Premium Version: Free for viewers
Vimeo is a video-sharing platform for independent filmmakers, creators, and businesses to host and share their content rather than a traditional streaming service like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
It features thousands of indie films, documentaries, and short films from creators worldwide. You won’t find any popular movies or TV shows, but the platform does host web series and episodic content produced by independent creators or small production companies.
Vimeo’s ad-free model is a significant competitive edge for users who want a cleaner, more focused viewing experience, especially for professional or business use cases.
In 2023, the platform generated nearly $410 million in revenue from its subscription services (for content creators) and enterprise clients. It has over 260 million active users, with approximately 1.38 million paid subscribers. Around 42 million of Vimeo’s users are based in the U.S., meaning nearly 80% of its user base is located outside the U.S. [10][11]
5. YouTube
Rating: 4.2/5 from 196 million+ users
Available: Worldwide
Content Library: movies and documentaries
Premium Version: $13.99 per month
If you’re a fan of classic films and documentaries and want to watch them on your smartphone, YouTube is the go-to app. It offers the majority of its content for free, supported by ads. This includes thousands of documentaries, ranging from professionally made, full-length features to user-generated content. Major networks like National Geographic and BBC frequently upload segments or entire documentaries.
In addition to free content, YouTube also produces original shows and documentaries featuring popular creators, musicians, and celebrities, adding to its premium offering.
The platform further expands its content options through YouTube Movies & Shows, a section where users can rent or purchase movies and TV shows. This pay-per-view option allows viewers to access a vast library of popular films, classic titles, and television series, providing flexibility in how they consume media on the platform.
With over 500 hours of content uploaded every minute, YouTube provides a vast library on almost every topic imaginable, attracting diverse audiences worldwide. The platform boasts 2.7 billion monthly active users. [12]
4. Vudu
Rating: 4.6/5 from 470,000+ users
Available in: US and Mexico
Content Library: 250,000 movies and TV shows
Premium Version: $2.99 – $5.99 PPV
Vudu is a part of Fandango Media, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal. It offers both free (ad-supported) and premium (pay-per-view) content. Unlike subscription-based services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Vudu doesn’t charge a monthly fee.
Users pay only for the content they want to rent or purchase. Rentals usually cost between $2.99 – $5.99, while purchases can range from $9.99 – $24.99 for digital ownership. In 2023, the platform expanded its library by adding more free ad-supported titles as part of its “Movies On Us” offering, including cult classics and popular franchises. [13][14]
Vudu supports various devices, from PlayStation and Xbox to mobile devices like Android and iOS. This broad compatibility helps it stand out in a crowded market. Plus, it allows users to scan the barcodes of physical DVDs and Blu-rays to get digital versions on their accounts.
3. Tubi TV
Rating: 4.7/5 from 1.6 million+ users
Available in: US, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand
Content Library: 250,000 movies and TV shows
Premium Version: Free, Ad-supported
Tubi is one of the largest free streaming platforms that operates on a fully ad-supported model. This means users can watch all content for free, with ads being the primary revenue source. The absence of paywalls makes Tubi one of the most accessible free-streaming platforms. It has more than 80 million monthly active users. [15]
Tubi excels in offering a diverse range of content, especially older films, niche titles, and genres that are harder to find on other platforms. All contents are legally provided by more than 200 production houses and studios, including Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Lionsgate.
In 2020, Fox Corporation acquired Tubi for $440 million in an all-cash deal.. Since the acquisition, Tubi has benefited from a deep integration with Fox’s broader entertainment ecosystem. [16]
In 2023, Tubi launched its own original content, including Tubi Originals, primarily focused on thrillers, comedies, and unscripted TV. It also expanded its Tubi Kids section, which includes thousands of hours of family-friendly movies and shows. This strategic expansion positions Tubi to better compete with larger streaming platforms.
2. Crackle
Crackle originals are waiting for you this weekend😎 pic.twitter.com/sW0ec2iRyw
— Crackle (@Crackle_TV) June 20, 2024
Rating: 3.8/5 from 410,000+ users
Available in: US, Latin America
Content Library: 80,000+ hours of content
Premium Version: Free, ad-supported
Crackle offers a completely free service with a sizable library of movies, TV shows, and original programming. The platform frequently rotates its content library, offering a mix of older films and TV shows, along with a few popular titles.
Crackle has a notable catalog of original series and films, including shows like “The Oath” and “StartUp,” which helped it build a loyal user base. It has also created several original series like “Snatch,” “Chosen,” and “Sequestered.”
The best thing about Crackle is that users do not need to sign up for an account, though creating an account allows them to track their watch history and receive personalized recommendations. The platform is completely free and ad-supported, with 15/30-second commercials running before and during the content at regular intervals.
As of 2024, Crackle’s Android app had been downloaded over 10 million times, with the platform reaching 30 million monthly active users and generating $35 million in annual revenue, entirely from ad sales. [17]
1. Plex
Rating: 4.6/5 from 517,000+ users
Available in: North America, Europe
Content Library: 600+ live channels and 20,000+ titles
Premium Version: $5 per month or $120 for a lifetime subscription
Plex combines free, ad-supported content with personal media library management, allowing users to store, organize, and stream their own media across devices. It provides live TV, podcasts, music streaming, and news in a single interface, making it a comprehensive media solution.
Plex features over 600 free live TV channels (covering news, sports, and entertainment), along with 20,000+ films and shows in genres like drama, action, comedy, documentaries, and family content.
Plex has partnered with Lionsgate and other studios to expand its library of on-demand TV shows and movies. It has also launched a new feature called Plex Discover that aggregates content from various streaming services. This allows users to search for content across different platforms like Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu.
The platform has over 23 million monthly active users. According to Growjo, its estimated annual revenue stands at $51.4 million. With a workforce of 228 employees, this equates to revenue per employee of $225,500. [18][19]
Read More
- 18 Best Free Movie Download Sites | Fully Legal
- 13 Best Tools To Convert 2D Videos To 3D
- 16 Best Netflix Alternative You Can Try
- Digital Media, Video streaming market size and trend analysis, GrandViewResearch
- Lifetime, Stream your favorite Lifetime TV shows on your favorite Android device, Google PlayStore
- Mobdro Live, Get access to live streaming as long as you have the URL, Apple AppStore
- Homepage, Hoopla puts your public library at your fingertips, Anytime. Everywhere, Hoopla Digital
- About Page, Xumo features content from traditional and digital networks, FreeWheel
- Flora Sanchez, Korean Hit ‘Concrete Utopia’ Now Streaming on Rakuten Viki, MediaPlayNews
- Homepage, Kanopy offers thought provoking, exclusive content, Kanopy
- Advertising, Advertising revenues of ad-supported video-on-demand platforms worldwide, Statista
- Georg Szalai, Paramount streaming loss widens to $511M as Paramount+ hits 60M subs, TheHollywoodRepoter
- Company Highlights, Vimeo’s revenue and earnings, CompaniesMarketcap
- Internet, Number of Vimeo subscribers worldwide, Statista
- Internet, Online video and entertainment, Statista
- Internet, Leading countries based on YouTube audience size, Statista
- Fandango at Home, Watch new movies and shows weeks before they hit the shelves, PlayStore
- Fandango at Home, Get access to more than 250,000 titles, AppStore
- Tubi, Swipe your way to discovering new content, PlayStore
- News Releases, Fox Corporation acquires Tubi for $440 million in net cash , Fox Corporation
- Crackle, Crackle reaches 30 million monthly active users, LeadIQ
- George Winslow, Plex launched 92 more fast channels worldwide in Juny 2024, TvTech
- Company Overview, Plex’s estimated revenue & employee data, Growjo
