Think of Tubi as a free version of Netflix, offering an impressive on-demand library of over 20,000 movies and TV shows without requiring a single penny from viewers. Now owned by Fox Corporation, Tubi delivers a surprisingly robust mix of recent films and classic library titles through partnerships with over 250 providers, including major Hollywood studios like Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM. Its clean, streamlined interface rivals paid services in polish and responsiveness, with thoughtfully organized content sections and technical performance that impresses across devices, including affordable smartphones popular in India.

The Roku Channel has evolved from a simple aggregator into a legitimate entertainment destination with a smart balance between free accessibility and premium content sampling. Its strategy of offering first episodes of premium cable shows like "Game of Thrones" provides a taste of high-quality programming without immediate subscription requirements. The platform's rise coincided with acquiring Quibi's original content library and developing originals like "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story," while its integrated Live TV Guide brings channel-surfing functionality to the streaming world. Indian viewers often access it through VPNs as the service hasn't officially launched in the subcontinent.

The Viacom-owned Pluto TV stands out by successfully recreating the traditional television experience without the hefty price tag, offering over 250 live channels organized into categories like news, sports, entertainment, and comedy. It cleverly leverages content from Viacom's extensive portfolio, with channels dedicated to MTV, TV Land, VH1, and BET programming, alongside branded channels for recognizable names like CNN and Fox Sports. The clean design makes it easy to toggle between live and on-demand sections, and while registration isn't required, creating an optional account unlocks helpful features. Indian viewers will find its accessibility improving as more region-specific content is being added each month.

Plex occupies a unique position by bridging the gap between personal media collections and streaming content, allowing users to seamlessly transition between personal and streaming libraries within a unified interface. Its discovery functionality has become increasingly sophisticated, allowing users to add multiple streaming services to their profile and manage watchlists across platforms in one place, while its social features create an interesting recommendation system based on actual social connections. The free streaming library has grown substantially through partnerships with studios, and the optional Plex Pass subscription (now ₹449/month in India) unlocks advanced features while most core functionality remains free.

Crackle stands as a pioneer in the free streaming space, launching in 2004 when Netflix was still shipping DVDs. Now owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, it combines free access with original programming featuring recognizable talent like Martin Freeman, Bryan Cranston, and Rupert Grint. Its movie library is significantly more extensive than its TV selection, offering a mix of recognizable films alongside more obscure titles that rotate regularly. The straightforward interface organizes content into logical categories, and while registration isn't required, creating a free account enables features like favorites lists and cross-device playback. Indian viewers should note that content availability is more limited compared to other regions.