Best Free Streaming Services in 2026: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Kanopy
Ad-supported free streaming has matured. Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Kanopy each cover different content niches. Here is what each is and what each lacks.
Tubi
Tubi (tubitv.com) is a free ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox Corporation. The library includes catalog films, TV shows, and Tubi-original productions. No account required for browsing; an account enables resume across devices. Ad-supported with mid-roll breaks during long-form content.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV (pluto.tv), owned by Paramount Global, offers a hybrid linear + on-demand model. Around 250+ free linear channels stream live with traditional cable-style ad breaks. On-demand catalog overlaps with Paramount's library. Useful for users who want a 'channel surfing' UX rather than picking individual titles.
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel (therokuchannel.roku.com) is Roku's ad-supported service available on Roku devices, iOS, Android, and the web. Includes Roku Originals and an ad-supported catalog of films and TV. Premium subscriptions to other services can be added through The Roku Channel as a single billing relationship.
Kanopy
Kanopy (kanopy.com) is a film-streaming service available free with a participating library card or a participating university login. The catalog leans toward art house, documentary, and the Criterion Collection. Most libraries cap monthly views per card. Probably the highest-quality-per-dollar free service — but only if your library participates.
What free tiers do not include
Current-season network TV, recent theatrical releases, 4K UHD content, and offline downloads are generally absent across the free tiers. Ad load varies; the trade-off is ads and catalog age in exchange for zero subscription cost. Used as a complement rather than a replacement, the free services genuinely cover a different slice of viewing than the paid majors.
Sources
Tubi: tubitv.com. Pluto TV: pluto.tv. The Roku Channel: therokuchannel.roku.com. Kanopy: kanopy.com. All URLs accessed 2026-04-30.