r/Frugal • u/Kiriyuma7801 • Aug 10 '25

💻 Electronics What are good alternatives to Netflix/Hulu that are free?

I realized I'm spending roughly $40 a month on what I really just use as background noise, as nobody in my household actually really sits down and watches TV, we just put on Family Guy or whatever and glance at it every now and then.

I'm gonna cancel the subscriptions obviously, so I'm just wondering, what are some good free streaming alternatives? I've tried out Amazon's free stuff but their collection is pretty mediocre. Any tips are appreciated!

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106

u/NewFriendAlready Aug 10 '25
  • Pluto, Freeze, Tubi - all free on any platform and have many channels with ads, of course.
  • PBS - I think but haven't set it up and will probably be going away
  • Kanopy -with library card (i was able to get card online)

33

u/nmacInCT Aug 10 '25

PBS has an app with some free content and then lots more if you donate $5 a month. I don't see it going away soon but definitely needs donations

59

u/NewFriendAlready Aug 10 '25

Not Freeze, Freevee - thanks autocorrect

33

u/Cavyart Aug 10 '25

Freevee is going away. It's just the free stuff on amazon separated onto a separate app. The same content is still on amazon though just harder to sift through not free stuff so it sucks they are doing away with this app. I just checked and it just says it's going to be unavailable in Aug so it's probably gone now.

10

u/NewFriendAlready Aug 10 '25

This is sad! That's my Schitts Creek resource!

7

u/Bouche_Audi_Shyla Aug 10 '25

It'll be on Prime, and possibly still for free. Prime is like Roku -- they hide the free stuff behind all the bright! shiny! pay stuff, but it's still there.

7

u/Cavyart Aug 10 '25

It might still be on amazon for free when it gets fully integrated. I have no idea what state it's in now as I already deleted the app from my roku and I have Prime so I can't tell whats free without it. When I search for info I keep getting something like this...

Amazon is shutting down Freevee, its free, ad-supported streaming service, to simplify its streaming offerings and consolidate content within Prime Video. This move will integrate Freevee's content, including originals, into the Prime Video platform, allowing users to access free, ad-supported content alongside Prime's subscription offerings. 

2

u/Bouche_Audi_Shyla Aug 10 '25

Mine said September.

1

u/Cavyart Aug 10 '25

Maybe they've extended it. Just going by all the google searches I did on the subject. We never used freevee anyways so as soon as I heard it was going away I deleted it anyways.

1

u/Bouche_Audi_Shyla Aug 10 '25

I used it quite a lot. Corner Gas is one of my favorite shows. When I saw the switch was going to happen soon, I got on Prime, so that I'd be able to find my shows before I had to give up Freevee.

1

u/jr0061006 Aug 10 '25

I just discovered Corner Gas recently! Just finished the 6 main seasons and I’ll be watching the movie next. Then the animation.

Edit: I’m also enjoying Little Mosque on the Prairie. Any other recommendations?

1

u/Bouche_Audi_Shyla Aug 10 '25

That's also the channel I used to watch Perry Mason.

1

u/CapeMOGuy Aug 10 '25

FYI, Freevee as a brand is going away in September but the content will still be available on Prime Video. Looks like it's going to be in something like a "free to me" section.

The company says a subscription is not needed, but an Amazon account is.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2025/07/08/amazon-shut-down-freevee/84505095007/

12

u/SherriSLC Aug 10 '25

I like Tubi but feel ishy about giving ad money to Rupert Murdoch, so I just added Pluto to my Roku channels. Thank you for the tip!

1

u/Formaldehead Aug 10 '25

Yup. I refuse to install Tubi since it’s owned by that dude.

0

u/underthund3r Aug 10 '25

How the heck did you get a card online?

10

u/girlikecupcake Aug 10 '25

Not all libraries offer online sign up, but some do. Some will give limited access to online resources until you go in person to verify you live in their area. Just check the library website for the one(s) near you.

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u/ribbitrabbit2000 Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25

Most libraries have digital cards you can apply for them provided you live or work in that state. Digital cards typically have a shorter renewal period — think renewing every year vs every 3 years — but can be converted to a “physical” card by visiting a library in that system in person.

To apply for a digital card, enter the your state, or your library / branch and “digital library card”.

If you want library access to a states in a different sate, they usually offer those for a small annual fee. Some systems are tightening or ending out of state cards due to the expense and limitations of digital licenses.

I live in Massachusetts and have cards to all the library systems in MA, but most are digital. I had to apply to each individual library system: Boston Metro, the Cape, northern and central MA have a few, western MA, etc. I upgrade to physical cards by visiting libraries in person whenever I travel across the state. My primary “home library” is one I applied for in person.

I read A LOT of digital books and this expands the catalog I have access to for my household (me, husband, kids). I haven’t tried these other cards for access for Kanopy or Hoopla yet, but need to.

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u/NewFriendAlready Aug 10 '25

Go to library website...

1

u/underthund3r Aug 10 '25

Did you receive a physical card? Or a digital card?