With subscription prices rising across Netflix, Disney+, and others, I’m looking for free streaming platforms that actually have good content. I know some have ads, but I’m okay with that if the selection is decent. Has anyone tried services like Tubi, Pluto TV, or Peacock's free tier?
Also, any recommendations for hidden gems on these platforms would be awesome. Thanks in advance!
Mod: Please do not suggest or link to illegal options.
If I were to buy subscriptions in Indian currency, would it really lower the cost that much? I wonder if it’s enough of a difference to make subscribing to multiple services affordable.
Duh bro… not every services are the same that indian trick just for netflix and there is risk. Search on ozb million time discussed.
One big advantage of sailing is that you have to choose what you want to watch. You gotta get recommendations from people, read reviews, look at what the top 10 sailed content was this week.
I get great recommendations from watching FX shows via the ads before and after the show I'm watching. I only found out about Baskets (starring Zach Galifianakis and Louie Anderson as the mother) via one of these ads, I'm not sure if that was on FX, it's Disney now.
Adult Swim has similar ads, I think that's how I found out about Major Lazer and Black Dynamite (dynamite).
I've been buying books and magazines that are like "Rolling Stone's Best 100 Movies Ever Made special issue" when I see them cheap. Browse through them, think hmm I want to watch that, and it's always on the seas. Someone has always ripped some kind of version of any movie and put it online somewhere. I've pirated a movie that was a telecine of an 8mm film, because that was the only version that existed. Won't find it on any streaming service, there are no "distribution rights limbo" on the seas.
agree or you can wait till one TV show season done and watch them in one go! best when having holiday or long weekend
Only if you're sailing the old way. These days with things like Overseer you have all the recommendations and info available right there.
The old ways are best.
Well you don't have to pay for all of them if you're only signing up to one at a time. You can cancel Netflix and get Disney for a month, watch the stuff you want there, then cancel that and go get Binge or Apple or back to Netflix or whichever one has the content you want to watch at that point in time.
That's what I ended up doing when the price increases started to bite. I used to have Netflix, Stan, Disney and Amazon then I thought WTF am I doing. I cancelled Stan and Disney, kept Netflix and I keep Amazon permanently because there are other benefits there beyond streaming (games, free shipping, etc). If I want to watch something on the other I'll just give Netflix the boot and go subscribe to a different one for a month or two.
Stremio + Torrentio + RealDB
/thread
You wouldn't download a car
Wouldn’t stream* a car
I would
But would you shoot a policeman and steal his helmet, then go to the toilet in his helmet, and then send it to the policeman's grieving widow, and then steal it again?
plot twist; the widow never cleaned the helmet
torrentio down for everyone at the moment?
I don't know about everyone, but I couldn't stream anything today.
Yes, torrentio is down at the moment. There’s a thread on reddit that provides updates
That's the way
This is the way
Any one got a good guide on setting this up, asking for a mate ……
Google those terms and look for reddit…
Any issues with real db and using your credit cards etc?
It's s ridiculously easy and a simple search will get you up and running in minutes.
Milk crate(s) + Neighbours with open blinds and good sound system
/thread
If you sit outside their bedroom then you get a different type of show
Until Torrentio is down and we're all lost. More specifically 48 hours ago. Now we're back online baby!
AFP at your door any moment now
In Brazil thanks to VPN
They did keep saying to come there, after all
Lol, 10 years and still waiting. They must be building a case 🤣
Except that torrentio went down yesterday and still is.
This method is excellent - except when it crashes.
While it was down I added Comet as a fill-in. Worked just as well
Sonarr + Radar + Sabnzbd + Plex
this Costs a lot more than the above lol drives are needed on the network, a pc as the server to do heavy lifting etc
You say okay wirh ads now but later swearing every 15mins, what for…. try watching YouTube without paying those ads are crazy see if you can handle that 5x in 1 hour.
I dont
There are free ways to watch YouTube without ads ;-)
What way? Brave used to work but now I see Ads.
Firefox + ublock
Or new pipe
Or vanced
Brave still works if you update it
Are you sure you have changed the settings in Brave browser? I haven't seen ads in Brave. Also Firefox browser with ublock origin and SponsorBlock extension.
Another way is using VPN only with certain countries. I am waiting for Topcashback up to 100% cashback for certain VPN, then I'll make a post about this ;-)
@living4music: Brave browser? I'll check it again on my iPad later. These days I just use YouTube app or browsers with VPN (certain countries). No need for adblocker and no ads in YouTube app or YouTube website in browsers ;-)
I don't want to pay for YouTube premium, Netflix etc.
Playing YouTube in the background while using other apps doesn't work in iPad (it works in Brave/Firefox for android). Maybe because of Webkit engine of Safari browser. All other browsers are just like a skin for Safari because all browsers must use Webkit engine, same with Safari.
looking for free streaming platforms
Beamafilm, Kanopy
This is the answer, if you're not interested in pirating.
If you're willing to try piracy, give Stremio + Torrentio a go.
Just know that piracy is a gateway drug
I have no idea what is Torrentio. Researching now cheers
@jv: Author on Uma's toes, toe-nails, metatarsals, calcenoids, plantar fascias and ligaments, Achille tendons!
Check r/realdebrid
Plenty of guides there for stremio (interface), torrentio and real debrid
Plus Hoopla, which is also available through some local libraries. Gives a seven day 'binge pass' which you can 'borrow' that gives access to Curiosity Stream, Great Courses, Medici TV and a few others (or at least that's what Mornington Peninsula's library gives access to)
Sign up for "digital" memberships for all the LGA libraries in your state - same state they usually allow getting a membership without having to turn up to the library. Plus there's a few libraries where you can sign up even if interstate and get borrowing rights for the e-library stuff. Mornington Peninsular mentioned above is one (also gives access to Beamafilm & a certain number per month for Kanopy). Plus there might be a few other similar libraries that allow interstate around the place.
available through some local libraries.
not ours… :(
Become an honorary resident of the Mornington Peninsular! :) (has Hoopla).
They expressly allow interstate people to join their library - choose the 'web membership' option from their website (Join Our Library).
Become an honorary resident of the Mornington Peninsula'r'
Will I get to wear a crown?
They expressly allow interstate people to join their library
Might as well get a full membership next time I'm down there… thanks.
SBS on demand. Nine now both are free and have a lot of content but you do need to create a free account.
Priced out of streaming services….
Then, dont stream…. :)
I gave up paying for streaming services, doesnt matter how cheap it is. because:
1. As above
2. Without streaming now incan downgrade my nbn to lower speed, cheaper. Hey $15 less amonth is huge, after 5 years
See there? Actually saving futher money by not spending money!
But what about the shows or movies that are region-locked? Would using a VPN work to access those, or is it still hit-or-miss?
By now you should realised that there are millions of issues if you want to continue this path… lol… lock, ban, etc stop working, netflix crack down, price increase, etc etc.. good luck feeling stresss out every 6 months. Then do you think free vpn are good? Mostly not. So… are you looking at way to get into cheap vpn? And so on. We can continue this until 2030…
Haha, you’re right, it’s like playing cat and mouse with these streaming services! Just when you think you’ve got a workaround, they throw in a new block or crack down. I guess the only option left is to start a new hobby… like collecting DVDs again. 😂
@CyberMurning: So retired people, disabled people or people on the dole are abnormal? Maybe use ‘average’.
@Save 50 Cent: ah sorry sorry yes that what i meant
Yep. I know its convenient but do you like 1000 random movies that you dont have time to watch (sorry im assuming you are average person with limited free time), or just browse movie review websites find a good movie, get it, and watch it? And enjoy a free beer while at it because you now pay less for nbn, no need to stream.
@CyberMurning: I’m with you. I have Plex and use it the most. Streamio for when i need to watch a specific movie on the spot (very rare really so i wont renew it when it expires).
Only streaming subscription i pay for is optus sport.
But yeah having a library of only the movies and tv shows that interest me is easier otherwise we used to browse netflix library for an hour before deciding sometimes.
Years and years ago I was trying to watch one of my shows, but they were only on US Netflix, I was scared to use VPNs so I was using a geo-unblocker app called "Unlocator" I believe.
But their work arounds were being updated on a weekly basis, sometimes more frequent. I eventually gave up and sailed the 7 seas. Tried to pay them for something I wanted to watch legitimately, and well, here were are.
Yeah I don't get why people are anti-piracy yet happy to breach ToS by buying overseas, using VPNs or account-sharing.
Just do streamio and realdebrid as mentioned above. No issues.
realdebrid isnt free tho?
It's a lot cheaper than subscribing to 27 different sub services.
YouTube India subscription sorts me for 90% of my media tbh
Woah! that's great buddy.
Hard to get full.movies on youtube, right? Those blockbuster movies im talking But i agree getting full youtube without ads is a must!
There are ways to watch YouTube without ads by using adblocker or VPN only (with up to 100% cashback or more) ;-)
Ublock Origin is free and you'll never see another ad again.
Unfortunately for me, Youtube sent me a notice that I need to use an India issued card for YT Premium from December
Well your case is same as OP trying to pay cheap….
Had this too, been using India YouTube for ages and now they are obviously cracking down
Freeview
Sadly the amount of ads that dntails makes it feel worse than a sub cost. Piracy>streaming>freeviee
yts and tpb
I don't recommend tpb anymore. Much better to use qbit with the search add-on
still good but a month back it was getting a bit slim, too many pub aggregators getting shutdown. Couldn't even get seasons 2-6 of Lost (a major show)
Have you tried my suggestion?
I used it quickly and was quickly converted. It shows dozens of aggregators in one search…
@Caped Baldy: yes I'm using exactly that with about 20 public plugins
edit: just searched lost s2 and its still only a single source that is never online.
@abuch47: I actually downloaded it a few months ago and didn't have trouble. Maybe search for "lost 2004 season"
@Caped Baldy: s1 is fine its everything after haha.
lost 2005 season gave me 1 correct result a Russian audio with 3 seeders.
I just get sadder as the pub trackers die off but there are other options still.
qbit+plugin is dope for a traveller like me
yts is ass
make friends with rich neighbour's
What if you're the rich neighbor, but still want cheap/free streaming? It's hard being rich in today's cost-of-living crisis, you know.
nah i so rich i pay for all my neighbours streaming accounts. i dont want to go to their house or walk past it and watch ads
sometimes i think its easier for me to just by netflix. so everywhere i go is ad free
SBS on Demand.
Sailing high sea. There is no point to get "free" or "cheap". Okay maybe you get one. Sharing Netflix for example there is trick to share with 20 people. Hypothetically. Or buying with Indian currency. Cheap enough. Surely everyone can afford. Don't be stingy. Alright. Yep I can pay that too.
But, what happen when the movie you want is streaming exclusively at Disney, or binge?
Do you expect to register and pay for all services in the world? Can you afford them all? Or you want to hunt down ways to get each of them, all, for cheap/free? I'll tell you, impossible