Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max might get most of the attention, but there are plenty of other streaming services worth checking out. Some focus on independent films, others specialize in documentaries or children’s programming, and a few offer free live TV without requiring another monthly subscription.
However, with streaming prices climbing, viewers are becoming more selective about which services deserve their money.
A recent Cord Cutters News survey of more than 1,800 cord cutters found that Amazon Prime Video was the most widely used on-demand streaming service, with 73% of respondents saying they use it. Netflix followed at 56.6%, while Paramount+ came in third at 51.1%. Peacock, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max also ranked among the most popular options. But those familiar names don’t tell the entire story.
According to another Cord Cutters News survey, cord cutters are canceling streaming services in record numbers. In fact, 54.1% of respondents said they currently pay for three or fewer streaming services. That number climbs to 69.8% when including households paying for four or fewer.
With subscription prices continuing to rise, it makes sense to look beyond the usual suspects. Fortunately, there are plenty of smaller streaming services offering something different, including free movies, specialty programming, local news, and even award-winning independent films.
Here are nine streaming services worth adding to your watchlist.
YOW.tv: A Free Streaming Home for Independent Films
If you’re tired of scrolling through the same familiar Hollywood titles, YOW.tv offers something a little different. The free streaming service puts independent filmmakers and their work front and center, giving viewers a chance to discover movies they probably won’t find promoted on the home screens of Netflix or Disney+.
Instead of simply dumping a collection of films into a library, YOW.tv takes a curated approach. Each movie is hand-selected, and its Pause & Rewind feature gives viewers some background on why a particular film deserves attention.
What makes YOW.tv stand out:
- Independent films: Discover movies from independent filmmakers rather than relying on the usual Hollywood releases.
- Curated recommendations: Its Pause & Rewind feature provides context behind selected films.
- Completely free: YOW.tv currently offers its indie movie library without a paid subscription.
- Social features: Create watchlists, share recommendations, and connect with other independent film fans.
- Read more about how YOW.tv is putting independent films and creators in the spotlight.
You can watch through the YOW.tv website or its apps for Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, smart TVs, and mobile devices, and support independent filmmaking while discovering something outside the mainstream.
Plex: More Than Just a Place to Watch Your Own Movies
Plex has been around for years, but some cord cutters might still think of it primarily as a way to organize and stream their personal movie collections. The service has grown into something much bigger.
Plex offers more than 50,000 free, ad-supported movies and TV shows, along with 600+ live streaming channels. You don’t need a Plex Pass subscription to access its free streaming library.
There’s also a growing selection of specialized channels that give viewers more reasons to open the app. Recent additions have included programming dedicated to Vikings, 60 Minutes, History-style reality programming, courtroom shows, and more. Plex has also added channels featuring Westerns, motorsports, independent Black cinema, supernatural investigations, and science programming.
Why Plex deserves another look:
- Free movies and TV: Watch an extensive selection of on-demand entertainment without paying for a subscription.
- Free live TV: Browse hundreds of channels covering entertainment, movies, sports, news, and niche interests.
- Specialty programming: Find dedicated channels built around particular shows, genres, and interests.
- Personal media library: Plex can also organize and stream your own movies, TV shows, and other media.
Plex is worth installing even if you already use other free streaming apps. Its combination of live channels, on-demand entertainment, and personal media tools gives it several uses.
JustWatch TV: Find Something to Watch Without Opening Five Different Apps
JustWatch has spent years helping cord cutters figure out where their favorite movies and shows are streaming. Now, it’s taking that experience a step further with its own streaming service.
JustWatch TV brings free movies and TV shows directly into the platform, meaning viewers can discover something to watch and start streaming without bouncing between different apps.
The service has three main options:
JustWatch TV Plus costs $3.99 per month after a seven-day free trial. There is also a limited-time lifetime subscription offer for $49.99.
The catalog includes independent films, critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, and selections from studios such as A24. Viewers don’t need a separate subscription just to start watching the free library. You can browse and stream eligible titles without creating an account.
For anyone who spends more time looking for something to watch than actually watching it, JustWatch TV is worth exploring.
Vilpa Max: A Streaming Service Built Around Short Films
Most streaming services devote their libraries to feature-length movies and television shows. Vilpa Max takes a different approach by giving short films their own dedicated streaming destination.
The service focuses on award-winning independent cinema, festival favorites, emerging filmmakers, and original productions. Instead of treating short films as something viewers stumble across between bigger releases, Vilpa Max makes them the main attraction.
Why it stands out:
- Award-winning shorts: Discover films recognized at major festivals, including Cannes and the Academy Awards.
- Emerging filmmakers: Find fresh voices and original storytelling from around the world.
- Different genres: Browse short films, animation, feature films, and original productions.
- Free and Premium options: Selected titles are available free with ads, while Premium unlocks the larger subscription catalog.
Vilpa Max launched as a home for award-winning short films, and currently lists the United Kingdom and the Middle East and North Africa as its supported regions. Its availability in the United States remains limited, so American viewers should check regional access before signing up.
Still, it’s an interesting service to keep an eye on for independent film fans who want something different from the standard streaming catalog.
DOCUMENTARY+: For Viewers Who Prefer Real Stories
Not every night calls for another scripted drama or superhero movie. Sometimes, a good documentary is exactly what you’re looking for. DOCUMENTARY+ is built specifically around nonfiction storytelling, with a curated library of documentaries covering everything from history and politics to food, science, nature, music, sports, and true crime.
The service brings together Academy Award-winning classics, festival favorites, cult documentaries, and films from acclaimed filmmakers.
What makes DOCUMENTARY+ worth trying:
- A dedicated documentary library: Spend less time searching for nonfiction films buried inside larger streaming catalogs.
- A wide range of subjects: Explore history, politics, science, nature, fashion, food, sports, and true crime.
- Independent storytelling: Discover documentaries and stories that might not receive much attention on mainstream platforms.
- Easy discovery: Browse curated collections or search for something based on your interests.
The service is free to access, making it a worthwhile addition for documentary fans who don’t necessarily want another paid subscription. You can browse its documentary library and see which titles are available to stream.
ToonGoggles: A Streaming Service Just for Kids
Parents looking for more children’s programming should add ToonGoggles to their streaming rotation. The service offers thousands of cartoons and kid-focused videos, giving younger viewers a dedicated place to find entertainment without having to navigate the much larger libraries of mainstream streaming apps.
ToonGoggles offers a free, ad-supported experience, as well as a Premium subscription.
Here’s what parents should know:
- Kid-focused programming: Browse cartoons and videos designed for younger audiences.
- Free viewing: Watch thousands of videos without paying for a subscription.
- Parental controls: Parents can restrict viewing to preschool and educational categories.
- Ad-free options: Preschool and educational programming is ad-free even for non-Premium users.
- Premium subscription: ToonGoggles Premium costs $4.99 per month and removes advertisements from its content library. The service also advertises a 30-day free trial.
ToonGoggles is available on several platforms, including Roku, Google TV, iOS, Android, and supported smart TVs.
For parents who want an additional source of children’s programming without immediately adding another expensive subscription, it’s worth investigating.
NewsON: Stream Local News From Across the Country
Free movie and TV streaming services get plenty of attention, but what about local news? NewsON gives cord cutters access to local television news without a pay-TV subscription or an antenna.
The free, ad-supported service provides live local news, previous newscasts, and news clips from more than 285 local television station partners across over 165 U.S. markets.
Why NewsON stands out:
- Local news coverage: Watch live and on-demand newscasts from participating stations around the country.
- Breaking news: Follow major events, severe weather, and developing stories.
- Multiple markets: Follow local stations even when you’re away from home.
- No cable subscription required: Watch without signing up for a traditional television package or paying a monthly fee.
- Save favorite stations to make it easier to follow the local news that matters to you.
For people who have replaced cable with streaming services, NewsON is a useful way to stay connected to local coverage without paying for an expensive live TV package.
Fubo Free: A Bonus for Former Fubo Subscribers
Fubo is better known for its paid live TV streaming packages, particularly among sports fans. However, there’s another option that some subscribers may overlook. Fubo Free gives eligible former subscribers access to more than 170 free, ad-supported channels and on-demand programming without maintaining a paid subscription.
The experience looks similar to Fubo’s regular interface, with sections for live TV, sports, movies, and shows. Viewers can also search for games, teams, and leagues.
Here’s what makes it interesting:
- 170+ free channels: Access a selection of live and on-demand programming.
- Sports-focused interface: Browse games, leagues, and teams through Fubo’s sports section.
- On-demand entertainment: Find free movies and shows alongside live programming.
- No active paid subscription required: Eligible former subscribers can continue watching after their paid subscription or free trial expires.
There is one important catch, however. Fubo Free is currently available only to select former subscribers on supported devices. This one is an option worth knowing about if you’ve previously tried Fubo and don’t want to completely lose access after canceling.
The Archive: A Streaming Destination for Classic and Forgotten Films
Sometimes the best movie to watch isn’t the newest release. It might be an older film you haven’t seen in years, an overlooked classic, or something you didn’t even know existed. That’s the idea behind The Archive.
The service focuses on rare, retro, and restored movies and television shows, giving viewers a place to discover older entertainment that can be difficult to find on mainstream streaming platforms.
Its library covers several areas:
- Classic cinema: Rediscover films featuring legendary stars such as Boris Karloff and Orson Welles.
- Independent films: Find smaller productions and overlooked movies.
- Documentaries: Explore award-winning nonfiction films and other documentary programming.
- Horror: Browse a dedicated collection of horror movies.
- Restored entertainment: Watch selected titles in 4K.
The Archive offers free content, with optional Premium in-app purchases for viewers who want additional access. If you’re a classic movie fan, horror enthusiast, or anyone interested in exploring cinema beyond the latest Hollywood releases, give this one a shot.
Don’t Let Your Streaming Options Stop at Netflix and Hulu
Cutting back on streaming subscriptions doesn’t mean giving up access to interesting movies, shows, and live programming. Some of the services worth discovering are the ones that don’t receive nearly as much attention as Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu.
Whether you’re looking for independent films, documentaries, local news, classic movies, or something to keep the kids entertained, there are plenty of alternatives worth exploring. Many also offer free viewing options, so you can expand your entertainment choices without automatically expanding your monthly bill. And there are even more options worth considering.
If you’re looking to spend less on streaming, check out these other guides:
Sometimes finding your next favorite streaming service doesn’t require another expensive subscription. It just requires knowing where to look.
