An XDA-Developers piece this month described how a free streaming app changed the author’s relationship with their Samsung TV. The angle is bigger than one product: free, ad-supported live TV (FAST channels, in industry shorthand) has gone from “where reruns go to die” to a real catalogue with original programming, classic-TV libraries, and live sports rights worth turning on. The Android and Android TV apps that deliver this content have become genuinely good in the last two years.
We tested 8 of the best free live TV streaming apps for Android. The list spans the channel-bundling services (Pluto, Tubi, Xumo) and the manufacturer apps that ship pre-installed on smart TVs but are also available as Android apps. Every entry on the list is free, no credit card required, supported entirely by ads.
What to look for in a free live TV app
FAST apps blur together at first glance. The five things that actually distinguish them:
- Channel count and overlap. Some apps carry 250 channels; most of those channels overlap between services. Look at the unique channels each provider holds, not the headline number
- On-demand catalogue size. Most FAST services bundle a Netflix-style on-demand library alongside the live channels
- Ad load. Ranges from manageable (under 10 minutes per hour) to grinding (closer to 18 minutes per hour on some apps and channel mixes)
- Local channel support. A few apps integrate live local broadcast channels in major US markets; most do not
- Android TV experience. Some apps are great on a phone but clunky on a smart TV remote, and vice versa
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Channels | On-demand | Available in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | Most channels overall | 250+ (US) | Yes, large | US, UK, EU, LATAM |
| Tubi | Largest movie catalogue | 200+ (US) | Yes, huge | US, UK, CA, AU |
| Plex | Personal library plus FAST | 100+ | Optional | Worldwide |
| Xumo Play | Comcast-backed channel mix | 250+ (US) | Yes | US |
| Samsung TV Plus | Pre-installed on Samsung TVs | 200+ (US) | Yes | Many countries |
| LG Channels | Pre-installed on LG TVs | 200+ (US) | Yes | Many countries |
| Amazon Freevee | Amazon Originals plus FAST | 150+ (US) | Yes, exclusives | US, UK, DE |
| Sling Freestream | Sling’s free tier | 400+ (US) | Yes | US |
The 8 best free live TV streaming apps
1. Pluto TV — best for most channels overall
Pluto TV (owned by Paramount) is the FAST service with the deepest international roll-out and one of the largest channel counts. The interface mimics a traditional cable EPG (electronic programme guide), the on-demand catalogue is large, and exclusive channels for Paramount-owned franchises (CSI, Star Trek, MTV) are unavailable elsewhere. On Android TV the app is responsive and the remote-friendly UI is among the genre’s best.
For users who want a service that feels closest to traditional cable, Pluto TV is the default pick.
Where it falls short: Ad loads can be heavy on some channels. Catalogue rotates frequently; favourites disappear with little warning. Some channels are region-locked.
Pricing:
- Free, ad-supported
Platforms: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, iOS, Web, Samsung/LG smart TVs
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: Install this first. The cable-like UI plus the channel count make it the safest default.
2. Tubi — best for the largest movie catalogue
Tubi (owned by Fox) leans more heavily into on-demand video than live channels but ships a substantial FAST channel grid alongside its catalogue. The on-demand movie and TV library is the largest free catalogue anywhere — over 50,000 titles spanning Hollywood films, classic TV, indie cinema, anime, and a growing slate of Tubi Originals. The recommendation algorithm has improved sharply in the last year.
For users who care more about on-demand depth than live channels specifically, Tubi has the strongest pure-content offering.
Where it falls short: The live channel grid is thinner than Pluto’s. Ad load on some titles is heavy. Limited international availability.
Pricing:
- Free, ad-supported
Platforms: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, iOS, Web, Smart TVs
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: Pair Tubi with Pluto for live channels. Tubi’s on-demand library covers what live can’t.
3. Plex — best for personal library plus FAST
Plex is best known as a personal media server (host your own movies, music, photos), but the same app also bundles a free FAST service with over 100 live channels and a growing on-demand library. The differentiator is that one app serves your personal library alongside the streaming catalogue, which is unique in the category.
For users running a Plex media server who also want free TV in the same interface, Plex is the only single-app option.
Where it falls short: FAST channel count is smaller than dedicated services. Plex’s UI has been criticised for prioritising the free streaming push over personal-library users. Some users find the changes intrusive.
Pricing:
- Free for FAST and on-demand; personal media server is also free, with a Plex Pass subscription for advanced features
Platforms: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, iOS, Web, Smart TVs
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The right pick only if you also use Plex for your personal media library. Otherwise, dedicated FAST apps are cleaner.
4. Xumo Play — best Comcast-backed channel mix
Xumo Play is the FAST service backed by Comcast and integrated into many recent smart TVs. The channel mix leans NBCUniversal-friendly (USA Network’s classic library, Universal originals) and the on-demand library is solid. The Android app is competent but a step behind Pluto and Tubi in polish.
For users who specifically want NBCUniversal content for free, Xumo has the deepest such catalogue.
Where it falls short: Smaller international roll-out. UI is less polished than Pluto. App lacks some of the EPG niceties of competitors.
Pricing:
- Free, ad-supported
Platforms: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, iOS, Web, Smart TVs
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: Install for the NBCUniversal-flavoured channels Pluto and Tubi don’t carry.
5. Samsung TV Plus — best on Samsung smart TVs
Samsung TV Plus ships pre-installed on Samsung smart TVs (2017 and newer) but is also available as a standalone Android app. The channel grid varies by country (over 200 in the US, smaller in other regions), the on-demand library is decent, and the integration with Samsung’s TV OS is the tightest of any FAST app on those TVs.
For Samsung TV owners specifically, the integration is the killer feature. For Android-phone users, the standalone app is competitive but not the standout.
Where it falls short: Outside Samsung TVs, the app is just another competent FAST service. Channel mix varies significantly by country. Discovery features are weaker than Pluto.
Pricing:
- Free, ad-supported
Platforms: Android, Samsung Smart TVs, Web
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: Best on a Samsung TV. Less compelling on Android elsewhere.
6. LG Channels — best on LG smart TVs
LG Channels is the LG smart TV equivalent of Samsung TV Plus: pre-installed on LG webOS TVs from 2018 and newer, with a similarly broad FAST channel grid. The standalone Android app is more recent and less polished than the smart TV integration.
For LG TV owners, this is the FAST app you already have. For Android-only users, prefer Pluto or Tubi.
Where it falls short: Android app trails the smart TV experience. Outside LG ecosystems, less reason to use over alternatives.
Pricing:
- Free, ad-supported
Platforms: LG webOS smart TVs, Android
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: LG TV integration is the reason to use it. On Android alone, pick Pluto.
7. Amazon Freevee — best for Amazon Originals plus FAST
Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) is Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming service with a FAST channel lineup, a respectable on-demand library, and a handful of Freevee Original series that have drawn real critical attention. The app is well integrated with Amazon’s Prime Video on Fire TV devices, and on Android the experience is polished.
For users in the US, UK, or Germany who already use Amazon services, Freevee is a natural complement.
Where it falls short: Limited international availability. Some content overlaps heavily with Prime Video’s catalogue. Channel count lags the genre leaders.
Pricing:
- Free, ad-supported
Platforms: Android, Fire TV, iOS, Web, Smart TVs
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: Worth installing for the Freevee Originals if you’re in a supported market.
8. Sling Freestream — best for sheer channel count
Sling Freestream is the free tier from Sling TV, with over 400 FAST channels — the highest count in the category. The channel mix includes ESPN-adjacent sports channels, news from multiple sources, and a broad mix of entertainment. The catch is that the live sports and premium news channels in Sling’s paid tiers are not free; the FAST lineup is real but not the full Sling experience.
For users who want the broadest free channel grid on Android, Sling Freestream is the highest-count option.
Where it falls short: UI is busy and harder to navigate than Pluto’s. Some channels are thin (slideshow-style content rather than real programming). US-only.
Pricing:
- Free, ad-supported
Platforms: Android, Android TV, Fire TV, iOS, Web, Roku, Apple TV
Download: Aptoide · Google Play
Bottom line: The highest channel count if that matters; otherwise Pluto’s curated grid is friendlier.
How to pick the right one
If you want the safest default and the cable-like UI: Pluto TV.
If you want the deepest on-demand library: Tubi.
If you run a Plex server already: Plex, for the single-app experience.
If you want NBCUniversal content for free: Xumo Play.
If you have a Samsung smart TV: Samsung TV Plus, for the OS integration.
If you have an LG webOS TV: LG Channels, for the same reason.
If you’re already in the Amazon ecosystem (US, UK, DE): Amazon Freevee.
If you want the largest channel count: Sling Freestream.
For most users, the right setup is Pluto plus Tubi installed together. The overlap is moderate, and between them you get the strongest live grid and the strongest on-demand library.
FAQ
Are these apps actually free?
Yes. All eight are free to use, with no credit card or subscription required. The catch is advertising — ad load varies from manageable (Pluto, Plex) to heavy (some channels on Tubi or Sling Freestream).
Can I watch live local TV channels (ABC, NBC, CBS) for free?
Mostly not. The major US broadcast networks don’t have free streaming rights on FAST apps. For free over-the-air local channels you need an antenna and a tuner. A few FAST services have minor local affiliates but the big networks require a paid live TV service or antenna.
Do these work on Android TV and Fire TV?
Yes, all eight ship Android TV and Fire TV apps. Some (Pluto, Tubi, Xumo) are pre-installed on many recent smart TVs. The Android TV interface generally matches the phone app’s content but is built for a remote rather than a touch screen.
Is there a single app that combines all these channels?
Not legally. Each service licenses its own channels, and the rights don’t allow third-party aggregation. Some users run all the apps and use their Android TV’s universal search to find content across them. Plex’s combined model is the closest to a unified interface.
Are these apps available outside the US?
Pluto TV has the widest international footprint (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Mexico). Tubi covers UK, Canada, Australia. Samsung TV Plus is in many countries. Most others are US-only or have very limited international availability.
Do these apps track my viewing?
Yes, like any ad-supported service. Personalised ads, viewing history, and recommendation tracking are part of the FAST business model. Each app has a privacy policy and most allow opting out of some ad personalisation in settings.
