Best Websites and Apps for Watching Free TV Shows

Whether you’re looking to rewatch old favorites or catch up on recent hits, you can find a great selection of free TV shows online. 

In this article, I’ll take a close look at 11 of the best websites and apps for watching free TV shows online that are completely legal. I’ve visited each of the websites and watched a few videos from each to see what the process is like, what’s available for free and how many ads you can expect.

This article was updated in December 2023 and I review it every three months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.

Where To Watch TV Shows Online for Free

If you’re searching online for free TV shows to watch, there’s a good chance that you could end up on a sketchy website. Some of them may try to get your credit card information; others provide access to pirated content. But there are several websites, apps and streaming services that you can use to watch TV shows legally and for free. Among them are Crackle, The CW, Pluto TV and Hoopla. 

If you’re looking for a full list of websites that let you watch TV shows that you’d normally have to pay for (pirated content), you won’t find it here. Instead, I’ve compiled 11 completely legal websites where you can watch TV shows for free, most of which are ad-supported. 

When you visit some of these websites or download the apps, you might have to create a free account to access the free content. Still, you shouldn’t have to download anything or enter any payment information to watch legal, free TV shows online. At most, you might have to disable your ad blocker. 

Note that I’ve rated “Ad Pain” from low to high. That’s based on the length and frequency of advertisements.

Resource	Best For	Platforms	Ad Pain
Hoopla	Top Hollywood hits; offline viewing	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	None
The CW	Hit shows, live TV and multiple platforms	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	High
Pluto TV	Live TV	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	Average
The Roku Channel	Reality and live TV	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	Low
Freevee (formerly IMDb TV)	Top Hollywood hit shows	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	High
Crackle	Classic shows, comedy, star-studded favorites	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	High
Popcornflix	Family and kids	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	High
Tubi	Reality TV and kids shows	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	Low
Vudu	Hidden Gems	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	Average
Crunchyroll	Anime	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	Average
Yidio	Variety, a large collection	App (iOS and Android) Computer TV	Varies

Below, you’ll find detailed information on 11 different places where you can legally stream free TV shows online.

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Hoopla

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Action & adventure, children’s, comedy, family, reality, sci-fi, thrillers Best For: No advertisements, offline viewing Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming/download), TV (app/casting)

Hoopla is the digital service of Midwest Tape, which is one of the leading providers of entertainment and media to public libraries across North America. On Hoopla, you’ll find digital videos including TV shows and movies as well as music, audiobooks, e-books and more from more than 8,500 libraries. 

Hoopla works just like a public library in the sense that you can borrow digital copies of TV shows at any time by using your local library card. If you have a library card, you can create a Hoopla account for free online. You will have to log in before you’ll be able to “borrow” anything. 

After you sign in, you can browse through featured titles, anything you currently have borrowed, recommendations, popular picks and titles that you’ve added to your favorites. You can also click “browse” at the top of the screen to use the search bar. 

Once you’ve found a TV show you’d like to watch, you can see the details, descriptions and ratings from other Hoopla users. The shows that I chose let me borrow just one episode at a time. If you’re ready to check something out, just click “borrow” beneath the show. You’ll see a message that lets you know how long you’ll have access to the show (typically 2-3 days) and whether it’s available for streaming, downloading or both. The title will automatically be “returned” when it’s due back, but you can return it sooner to check out the next episode.

Once you’ve borrowed a show or movie, you can watch it at any time without any advertisements. Subtitles are also typically available. 

You can access Hoopla on any web browser or your phone (iOS app; Android app). You can also stream content via your Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast or Roku device.

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The CW

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Comedy, action, drama Best For: Hit shows, live TV and multiple platforms Platforms: App (iOS and Android), Computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

CW Seed has recently moved to The CW. It’s still a great resource that streams more than 1,000 hours of comedy, action and drama shows in addition to free live TV.

When I checked out The CW, I saw episodes for several popular shows including “90210,” “Heartland,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and more. You can check out a full list of available on-demand shows here. 

If you find a title you’d like to watch, you can click on it to begin playing the first available episode. The show will instantly begin streaming, but you’ll most likely have to watch an ad or two before getting started. After that, you can expect periodic ads throughout the show. As you can see in the screenshot above, in a 21-minute episode, I saw three advertisements after the show began.

The CW is available online or as an app for your iOS or Android device. You will have to disable your ad blocker before you can stream if you’re watching on a web browser. You can also get The CW for Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Vizio Smart TV, and LG TV. 

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Pluto TV

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Sitcoms, dramas, action, comedy, family Best For: Live TV Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Pluto TV is an internet television service that provides free, ad-supported content including live TV and on-demand titles. There are hundreds of free TV channels to browse and thousands of free movies available on demand.

You can access Pluto TV online using your computer, iOS or Android device. You can also stream Pluto TV on Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung, TiVo, Vizio devices, and Xfinity. I used my computer to visit the website online. 

I clicked “Watch Now” to get started. From there, I could choose between “Live TV” and “On Demand” at the top of the screen. The “On Demand” tab features a few different categories including the genres listed above as well as popular movies, top TV series, new movies and more. On the “Live TV” tab, you’ll find a huge selection of free channels.

You can browse live channels by category including featured, movies, news, reality, comedy, classics, sports, kids and more. There are hundreds of popular television networks available including TV Land, MTV, CSI and Comedy Central. 

Whether you’re watching live channels or on-demand titles, you’ll see occasional advertisements in the same way that you would with traditional TV. In my experience, ads usually pop up around every eight minutes.

You don’t have to create an account to stream content, but it is free to sign up for one if you want. Having an account allows you to keep track of your favorite movies and channels and get updates on new content. 

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The Roku Channel

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Family, adventure, drama, reality, anime, sports, news Best For: Reality and Live TV Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

The Roku Channel is another free ad-supported resource that streams live TV and on-demand titles. You’ll find both TV shows and movies on The Roku Channel.

Fortunately, you don’t have to own a Roku device to access the free content on The Roku Channel. You can visit the website in any browser or download the app for iOS, Android or Amazon Fire TV devices among others. 

When I checked out The Roku Channel, I visited the website on my laptop. I was immediately asked to create an account or sign in to access premium subscriptions, continue watching shows where I left off and get personalized recommendations. Still, an account isn’t required to stream content. However, I did have to disable my ad blocker before I was able to stream anything. 

In the screenshot above, you can see that the show is about 22 minutes and there’s only one advertisement, midway through it. For most shows, closed captions are also available. 

When I checked out The Roku Channel, it included a few popular on-demand TV shows including “Downton Abbey,” “Project Runway,” “Leave It to Beaver” and more. Live TV channels included USA Today, TMZ, The Design Network and NBC News Now among others.

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Freevee (formerly IMDb TV)

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Comedies, chills & thrills, action & adventure, romance, documentaries, sci-fi, family, drama Best For: Top Hollywood Hit TV Shows Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Owned by Amazon, Freevee is another free, ad-supported streaming video resource. Formerly IMDb TV, you can access Freevee content from your computer on Amazon’s website, or via the Apple or Android app. You can also stream Freevee with various devices including Amazon Fire, Android TV, Apple TV, Playstation, Xbox, Roku and more. You can check out the full list of supported devices online.

In order to watch free TV shows on Freevee, you will have to sign in. Creating an account is easy and free, but you can also log in using your Amazon, Facebook, Google or Apple account. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to stream free TV shows and movies instantly. You’ll also be able to add videos to a watchlist and save your place if you need to pause the video. You can continue watching it at a different time or on a different device. 

The videos on Freevee can’t be purchased or downloaded to be watched offline. And you will have to watch a few advertisements throughout the show. In the 42-minute episode below, you can see that there are five advertisement breaks. 

As you’re watching a TV show or movie, you may have the option to enable the “X-Ray” feature in the media player. This shows small pop-ups in the corner of the screen with interesting facts about the scene you’re watching. On the other side of the screen, you can choose to adjust closed captions, video quality, audio and screen size. 

When I checked out Freevee, I found several popular TV shows in the “Recently Added” section including “The Mindy Project,” “Finding Your Roots,” “War and Peace” and more. In addition to hit TV shows and top Hollywood movies, you’ll also find Freevee originals and a whole section of “Hidden Gems.”

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Crackle

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Action, classics, comedy, drama, thriller, reality Best For: Classic shows, comedy, star-studded favorites Platforms: App (iOS and Android), Computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Crackle is owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. On this streaming service, you’ll find original content in addition to TV shows and movies that have been acquired from other companies. 

Crackle features both new and old TV shows and movies. You’ll find a variety of genres including TV shows that feature famous names as well as hidden talent. 

You can use Crackle for free on several popular platforms including web browsers, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, Roku, Android and Apple devices. For a full list of supported devices, visit the website. 

You won’t have to create an account to access free content, but if you want to save any TV shows to watch later, you’ll need to log in. Still, creating an account is easy and free. Click “Create Account” on the homepage to get started. 

Whether you decide to create a free account or stream TV shows without one, you will have to watch a few advertisements. Because of that, you’ll need to disable any ad blockers before streaming online. According to the website, running commercials during TV shows and movies allows Crackle to ensure that the service stays free in the U.S. and Australia.

Before a TV show begins, you’ll have to sit through one or two advertisements. After it starts, you’ll have a few commercial breaks throughout the show. The episode in the screenshot above is nearly 22 minutes long, and you can see that there are two commercial breaks after it begins. 

Below the media player, you’ll see options to add the show to a watch later list (if you’re logged in to a free account), share it on social media, see details about the show and check out similar recommended shows. In addition to the details and description, you’ll also see “Why it Crackles,” which is a short description of why the team at Crackle thinks the show is great. 

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Popcornflix

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Family and kids, drama, reality, action & adventure, comedy, horror Best For: Family and kids Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Popcornflix is a free ad-supported streaming service owned by Screen Media Ventures, which was bought by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment in 2017. You’ll find TV shows, movies, web series and virtual videos on Popcornflix.

There’s a great selection of independent films and original TV shows produced by Chicken Soup for the Soul, which makes it a great place to look for family and kids’ shows. Once you find something you’d like to watch, you can begin streaming it instantly after watching one or two advertisements. 

You won’t have to create an account to stream shows on Popcornflix, but you will have to pause or disable your ad blocker if you’re visiting the website. The advertisements work more like an ad you would see while playing an online game, meaning you may have the option to skip some ads after a brief preview.

On the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a few options that allow you to see what’s playing next and to turn on closed captioning.

You can stream shows available on Popcornflix using a web browser on your computer or with an Apple TV, iOS device, Android device, Roku device, Amazon device or Xbox.

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Tubi

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Action, classics, comedy, drama, family, foreign, kids’ shows Best For: Reality TV and kids’ shows Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Owned by Fox Corporation, Tubi is another ad-supported streaming service. On Tubi, you’ll find thousands of TV shows and movies that you can stream legally and free.

To start streaming, visit the website online or download the app using one of the following devices: Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xfinity X1, Xbox, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV or PlayStation. For a full list of supported devices and how to stream Tubi, visit the website. 

I found both on-demand TV shows and movies from channels like A&E, Fox, Lifetime and more on Tubi. There were also several popular reality shows including “The Bachelor” and “Dance Moms” as well as quite a few older films including “Ernest Goes to School,” “The Temptations” and more. 

When I checked out Tubi, I visited the website online. I didn’t have to create an account to begin streaming. Instead, I was able to choose a show and begin watching right away.

Once you find a TV show or movie you’d like to watch, you can click play to immediately begin streaming. I didn’t run into any ads on the videos I watched, but you can expect them to pop up a few times throughout a show or movie. You will have to disable your ad blocker to begin streaming. 

Beneath the show you’re watching, you’ll see a short description, production details and suggestions for titles you may also like.

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Vudu

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Action, animation, comedy, crime & thrillers, horror, kids & family, romance, sci-fi Best For: Hidden Gems Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Formerly owned by Walmart, Vudu is a digital video store and streaming service now owned by Fandango Media. You can rent and buy TV shows or movies from Vudu, but you’ll also find a selection of titles available for free and instant streaming. Of course, these free shows/movies are ad-supported.

To begin watching videos on Vudu, you’ll need to create a free account using your name and email address. Once you’re logged in, you can instantly stream any title labeled “free with ads.”

If you scroll over the “Free” tab at the top of the screen, you can click on “TV” to narrow your results. From there, you can sort by release date or most watched. You can also click on “Filters” to further narrow your results by genre, rating and more. 

After you find a TV show you’d like to watch, you’ll most likely have to sit through 2-3 advertisements before getting started. Once the show begins, you can expect advertisements to pop up periodically. You can choose between SD and HDX video qualities, and most shows come with optional closed captions. 

Vudu is available on Roku, Android, Apple, PlayStation and Xbox devices as well as online via any web browser. 

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Crunchyroll

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Anime (action, adventure, comedy, drama, thriller and more) Best For: Anime Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Recently purchased by Sony, Crunchyroll is a website and app (iOS and Android) that streams anime in more than 200 countries and territories. If you’re a fan of anime, this is the free streaming resource for you. Crunchyroll provides access to both popular titles and original shows for free. 

As I scrolled through popular animes, I recognized popular titles including “One Piece,” “Black Clover,” “My Hero Academia” and “Attack on Titan” among the hundreds of free shows. Most of the content available on Crunchyroll has Japanese voice acting with English subtitles, but there’s a selection of shows that are dubbed in English. You can find a list of these shows on the website.

You don’t have to create an account to access the free content on Crunchyroll. But you will see advertisements that encourage you to pay for a premium membership. The paid membership allows you to watch unlimited shows without ads, plus members get access to new episodes sooner after they’re released. Members are also able to download content for offline viewing. You can still stream content online for free with ads, though. Just note that the newest episodes may not be available immediately. 

When you find something you’d like to watch, you can start streaming it instantly in your browser or on the app/platform of your choice. If you want to add any shows to a watch later list, you’ll need to create a free account.

I didn’t have to disable my ad blocker to begin streaming, and ads appeared only a couple of times in a 25-minute episode. 

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Yidio

Browse Free TV Shows Major Genres: Drama, romance, comedy, action, adventure, kids & family, horror, crime, mystery, animation Best For: Variety; a large collection Platforms: App (iOS and Android), computer (streaming), TV (app/casting)

Yidio is a little different from the other resources on this list because it’s a video aggregator that compiles links to videos and TV shows available on other streaming services/websites. 

That means instead of seeing a media player and watching a video directly on Yidio’s website, you can instantly search for TV shows across a variety of other platforms including Tubi, Vudu, Crackle, The Roku Channel and over 100 more. 

Of course, there are a few TV shows on Yidio that are only available from paid streaming services like Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+ and Netflix, but you can filter your search results by source and availability to include free-only titles.

You can watch most of the videos available through Yidio on any web browser, your smartphone, tablet, through a streaming media player or on a game console. For a quick reference of which streaming services are supported on which devices, be sure to check out Yidio’s website. 

You won’t have to create an account to use Yidio, but signing up for one is free. Having an account allows you to keep track of your favorite TV shows. Whether you decide to create an account or begin streaming instantly, you’ll just need to click the TV show’s title to see where it’s available for free once you’ve found something you’d like to watch. 

When I clicked on “The Masked Singer,” I saw that it was available on some paid subscription services and on some cable networks with exclusive access. Still, it looked like it was completely free on Tubi. Once I clicked this link, I was redirected to Tubi’s website to watch the show for free. 

If you have a specific TV show in mind, Yidio is a great resource to check and see if it’s available for free online. You can check it out online via your computer’s browser or on your phone via the iOS app or Android app.

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Final Thoughts

Ultimately, all of these websites/apps are worth checking out if you’re looking for TV shows that you can stream online legally.

If you’re looking for an ad-free or offline experience, using your library card to access Hoopla is the best option for you. For live TV and on-demand shows, check out The CW, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel or Freevee. Additionally, you’ll find more ad-powered on-demand TV shows at Crackle, Popcornflix, Tubi and Vudu.

Anime fans will find thousands of episodes available for free on Crunchyroll. And if you have a specific TV show in mind, be sure to check out Yidio where you can quickly check to see if it’s available for free anywhere online.

No matter where you decide to watch free TV shows online, just make sure you’re doing it legally and safely. While you may have to disable your ad blocker online or enter your email address to create a free account you shouldn’t have to download anything to your computer or enter any payment information. 

Have you tried watching free TV shows online? Let us know in our Clark.com Community!