Let me tell you about one of my best purchases. My smart TV. I was incredibly proud of it. But that led me to realize something else. That cable is expensive. So, I needed the best free TV apps to help me save some money and use my brand-new smart TV to its fullest.
And you know what? I’ve been using some of these free TV apps for smart TV for a few years and I haven’t looked back. If you need help and are looking for some low-cost entertainment, here are my favorite apps for cable TV that will save you a pretty penny.
1. Free Streaming Apps - Crackle
The first thing I need to tell you about Crackle is that it’s produced by Sony. Therefore, you know from the beginning that this is a safe streaming app.
Second of all, Crackle is an app for mobile that allows you to stream movies to your heart’s desire. I love to watch famous titles on this one as I’m on the go, as well as hit TV series.
Keep in mind that Crackle still needs to improve its quality because streaming-wise, it still leaves a lot to be desired. However, it will work just fine for a free cable TV app.
2. Best Free TV Apps - NBC
As you already know, NBC was once one of the best places to turn to if you wanted to watch quality TV. It still is, but as a free cable TV app. The only thing that has changed is that if you have cable TV, you will have to pay a gigantic bill for it.
Let me tell you a secret. They offer an app that unlocks new episodes of all your favorite TV shows. This includes Will & Grace as well as Saturday Night Live.
The only catch here is that you will have to wait eight days until the episodes appear for free on the app. I think that is not a big deal if you want to see those episodes for free.
3. The Free ABC Network TV App
Since we’re talking about free TV apps for smart TV, it’s impossible not to have heard about ABC. In fact, I’m sure that, just like me, you’ve grown up watching ABC. Well, now they have a TV app that you can download.
The best thing about the free ABC TV app, in my opinion, is that, along with new episodes of all the best TV shows, you can also watch all the classics you want. This means shows that have already finished, such as Modern Family and Dancing with the Stars. When it comes to apps for cable TV, it doesn’t get better than this!
4. PBS Kids - Free Apps for Your Children
The best free TV apps for smart TV can also cater to children, not just adults. My favorite example is PBS Kids. It’s completely free, so you won’t miss out on any amazing content for your children trying to save money. Not just that, but the app allows you to stream as much content as you want, 24/7. Therefore, entertaining your kids has never been easier.
PBS Kids uploads new content every single Friday. They have educational programs that you can enjoy on your smart TV or on your phone, for every age group, depending on what you need.
5. Cartoon Network - How to Entertain Children for Free
Let’s stay in this area a little longer because I have one more free cable TV app that you can use if you have children. Cartoon Network has one of the most incredible selections of content I’ve ever seen. Plus, they allow you to stream full episodes, knowing exactly what children want.
Usually, Cartoon Network can be found in cable packages that you have to pay for if you have cable TV. Therefore, this app is incredibly generous, so I suggest you take advantage of it right now!
6. Pluto TV - Free Live TV Streaming
Alright, let’s go back to the world of adults. It’s time to take a look at live TV. If like me, you have a smart TV and are looking for the best free TV streaming apps, Pluto TV can be the one for you.
This is, in fact, an entire platform that hosts over one hundred channels. You will be able to watch anything you want from music to movies to sports to classic TV, depending on your mood.
My favorite thing about Pluto TV and the reason I included it in this list is the fact that it offers some unusual channels as well, the kind you won’t find hosted anywhere else. For example, they host a channel called Slow TV that will help you relax at night and sleep better.
7. Crunchyroll - Free Streaming for Anime Fans
I know there are a lot of anime fans reading this who absolutely need to know where they can find the best TV apps to indulge in their favorites. Therefore, I have not one, but two best free TV streaming apps, so keep reading.
The first one is Crunchyroll. They host everything, from Dragon Ball Super to Christian Anime. In this way, you know you will be covered, no matter what you choose to watch.
However, one thing that I must warn you about is that your viewing experience on Crunchyroll will be interrupted by ads, just like it is on normal TV and cable. If you can get past that, you will enjoy it all the more because Crunchyroll offers free and full episodes all the time on their platform.
8. Funimation - Free Full Anime Episodes Streamed
Funimation is the second most popular app when it comes to anime. Therefore, I had to include it in my list of the best free TV apps. Not only that but one of the reasons I love it is because, as a platform, it specializes in offering anime dubbed in English.
You will also find indie content that will help you locate new and interesting anime shows you might not have heard of. Overall, you can get both apps installed and watch your favorite shows one day at a time.
9. Hoopla Digital - Access Your Local Library
Here is a very interesting streaming app. I love to use it because it’s very easy, completely legal, and because of the way it works, provides access to a vast quantity of content entirely free of charge.
Hoopla allows you to create an account on their platform by using your library card. As a result, you can then watch all the movies you want, stream TV and cable, plus listen to music, download books and audiobooks, pretty much anything you want. One of the best free TV streaming apps that works with a library card!
10. Plex - Stream Blockbuster Movies and TV Shows
Because of the constant request from their customers, Plex launched a video service on-demand that I simply love.
Why?
Because it gives access to over one thousand amazing Hollywood blockbuster movies, as well as independent films that you might not find anywhere else. For free, of course.
One thing that I have not been able to find on Plex is a lot of TV shows. Therefore, if this is what you’re looking for on a daily basis, you will need to turn to other best free TV apps.
However, it’s good to know that Plex is planning on adding even more content!
11. NewsON - Stay Connected for Free
So, you have decided to give up on your cable package or your satellite TV package. I did the same thing. I wanted to save some money on my monthly bill and so do you. The downside is that you might be missing the current or daily news.
Not anymore. I found NewsOn, which is one of the best apps for cable TV. It allows you to search for local news as well as international events if you’re interested in such a thing. NewsOn is perfect when you’re trying to save money but still need to know when the next election is happening or what to do in case of a tornado.
12. Tubi TV - Stream Movies and TV Shows Instead of Cable
You can think of Tubi TV as your personal Netflix, only free of charge. The only difference between Tubi TV and Netflix or Tubi TV and Crackle, which I have also put on this list of the best free TV apps is this. Tubi TV does not have any original content.
However, you will find in its library more than 7,000 TV shows and movies that you are sure to love.
Plus, one of the main reasons why I watch Tubi TV is because it has a wide selection of reality TV shows that I cannot find on other platforms for free. They also offer classic sitcoms that Netflix or cable channels would charge you for.
13. Nosey - Dive into Daytime TV for Free
Speaking of reality TV that I love to watch for free, how about some daytime TV?
Evidently, as the name suggests, these shows can only be watched on cable TV during the day. The problem is that we are working during those hours.
The solution comes in the form of Nosey, a platform that offers shows like Jerry Springer, Family Feud, Paternity Court, and Cheaters. You can watch them whenever you want, for free, and stream to your heart’s desire.
14. RedBox Free Live TV - Unusual Channels
When it comes to the best free TV apps, I love to watch movies, sitcoms, and Oscar films. But I also need something a little more unusual to keep me entertained. If you’re like me, and I’m sure you are, then let me introduce you to RedBox Free Live TV.
The platform hosts different channels such as USA Today, Fail Army, where you can watch gags and bloopers all day long, TMC, and a host of others specially made for children.
You can check them all out for free on the RedBox website. I’m sure you will find something that will amuse you since this is one of the best free TV apps for smart TV.
15. Roku - an Alternative to Cable TV
Let’s talk about free TV apps for smart TV a little more. As you know, we all have a plethora of smart TVs as well as set-top boxes that don’t exist yet on Google Play. However, I have discovered that those platforms do offer free content that you can watch if you have the right device.
A perfect example that I love is Roku. It’s a channel that you can play on the special Roku device. You will be able to watch a selection of movies and TV shows as well as the classic content you would get otherwise. I offer this advice to anyone who has a smart TV like me because it’s a great way to see if it will offer you any free content that you can enjoy on a daily basis!
16. Kodi - Free TV Streaming Apps for Android
As an app, Kodi has been specially made for Android devices. That’s the first thing you need to know. As a result, it acts as a media player and it has its own user interface that allows you to control it.
The best thing about it is that Kodi supports plugins. Therefore, any plugin that you can think of and that has free content can be played on Kodi with no problem. That’s how you get free TV streaming apps!
17. The CW - the Fastest Platform Around
The main reason why I chose the CW for my list of free streaming apps is that this is one of the fastest platforms around.
What does that mean?
That they upload all-new episodes only a few hours after their respective channels have aired them. As a result, you can watch them later that same night! Just like I do. All for free. How amazing is that?
What’s the Conclusion?
The best free TV apps depend on what type of content you’re looking for. This is why I tried to include so many different platforms on this list of the best free streaming apps.
However, the most important thing to remember is that whether you’re looking for movies, TV shows, daytime TV, reality shows, or content for children, you can find them all for free if you browse through this list.
Do you have your list? or any of the above you're using? Don't forget to share your feedback below.