10 Best Free TV Apps For Smart TV: An Android User’s Perspective

By Mr Sam On Sep 24, 2023

Owning a smart TV is a matter of pride, but it also increases your monthly expenses to enjoy premium TV shows, movies, or live sports. For this, you will need a TV app which is available on a monthly subscription.

Because you are a new user or you have not even tried to find these apps. The internet is full of free TV apps but most of them are not secure. So finding the best TV apps becomes a difficult task.

I’ve been using Android TV for several years, always experimenting with these apps. In this article, I will share with you 10 best free TV apps that are completely safe to use.

1. Swift Streamz

Swift Streamz has become everyone’s favorite in no time. With this versatile TV app, you can enjoy channels from anywhere in the world and find channels in any language easily. TV shows, movies, sports, news and live events, it has almost everything.

Features

Diverse Channel Selection: Swift Streamz boasts an extensive library of channels, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
User-Friendly Interface: Navigating through the app is intuitive, making it easy to find and watch your favorite shows.
Multiple Streaming Links: In case one link is down, Swift Streamz provides alternative links for uninterrupted viewing.

Pros

Global Coverage: It provides access to channels from various countries, giving you a global viewing experience.
Free of Cost: Swift Streamz is completely free to use, eliminating the need for any subscriptions or payments.

Cons

Ad Interruptions: Like many free apps, Swift Streamz does have occasional ad interruptions during streaming.
Quality Fluctuations: Depending on your internet connection, the video quality may vary.

2. Pluto TV

The Pluto TV app is most popular in the US, Argentina, and Brazil. It lets you enjoy on-demand TV shows, channels, live sports, and more.

Features

Live Channels: It has a wide range of live channels to watch sports, news, TV shows, movies, and more.
On-Demand: You can watch your favorite programs at any time, be it movies, TV shows, or documentaries.
Customizable Guide: Users can personalize their channel lineup for easy access to preferred content.

Pros

Free and Legal: Pluto TV is a legitimate platform that offers its services without any cost to the user.
Content Variety: The app caters to a wide audience with its diverse content library.

Cons

Limited On-Demand Selection: While there is a good selection, some users may find the on-demand library smaller compared to paid services.
Ad-Supported Model: Similar to traditional TV, Pluto TV is ad-supported, so expect occasional interruptions.

3. Kodi

The biggest advantage of open-source apps is freedom from expenses. Yes, the Kodi TV app is an open-source media player that is popular in Western countries and is constantly evolving.

Features

Customizable Interface: The Kodi interface is super simple, allowing you to customize it according to your personal preferences.
Add-On Features: You have the right to extend its functionality by adding plugins and add-ons.
Multiple Formats: You can play a variety of media formats with it, which makes it different and versatile.

Pros

Extensive Customization: Kodi is a flexible app that adapts to your preferences.
Community Support: There’s a large community of users and developers, ensuring a wealth of support and add-ons.

Cons

Learning Curve: If you’re new to it, it takes some time and effort to set up and customize.
Content Sourcing: Using it requires you to source your own content or add-ons, which isn’t easy for everyone.

4. Tubi

Tubi is a great TV app but it has a lot of ads, although it still has a good stock of HD movies and TV shows that you might find interesting.

Features

Large Library: Tubi hosts thousands of titles, ranging from classic films to recent TV episodes.
Regularly Updated Content: The platform frequently updates its library, ensuring fresh content for viewers.
User-Friendly Interface: Navigating Tubi is straightforward, making it easy to discover new content.

Pros

Free and Legal: Tubi is a legitimate platform that provides its services for free, supported by ads.
No Subscription Required: Unlike many other streaming services, Tubi doesn’t require a subscription.

Cons

Ad Interruptions: As with most free platforms, expect occasional ads during your viewing experience.
Content Rotation: In this, some movies, TV shows, or web series are available for a limited time, which spoils the user experience.

5. Crackle

Crackle is another great free TV app, but it also comes with commercial ads along with movies or shows. However, it offers a wide variety of movies and TV shows, including original content.

Features

Original Content: Crackle produces its own exclusive shows and movies, adding a unique touch to its library.
Personal Watchlist: Users can create their watchlist for easy access to their favorite content.
Availability Across Devices: Crackle can be accessed on various platforms, ensuring flexibility in viewing.

Pros

Exclusive Content: The platform’s original content provides a fresh and unique viewing experience.
Cross-Platform Accessibility: Users can watch Crackle on a range of devices, offering convenience.

Cons

Ad Breaks: Advertisements are integrated into the viewing experience, so expect occasional interruptions.
Limited Availability: Crackle may not be available in all regions, especially if you are from the Asian region.

6. Stremio

Stremio is a media center that brings together movies, shows, documentaries, and more from other streaming platforms that you can easily enjoy on a single app.

Features

Unified Library: Stremio brings together content from various platforms, allowing users to access everything in one place.
Recommendation Engine: The app suggests content based on user preferences, enhancing the viewing experience.
Subtitles and Add-Ons: Stremio supports subtitles and offers various add-ons to enhance functionality.

Pros

Streamlined Experience: Having all your favorite content in one app simplifies the viewing process.
Personalized Recommendations: Stremio’s recommendation engine helps users discover new content tailored to their interests.

Cons

Add-Ons: Access to some features and streaming sources may require additional add-ons, which may not be possible for everyone.
Availability: Your location determines what you get to see, as everyone will see different things that you can’t control.

7. Red Bull TV

Red Bull TV is a unique platform that focuses on extreme sports, adventure, and lifestyle content.

Features

Exclusive Content: Red Bull TV offers a range of exclusive shows and documentaries centered around extreme sports and adventure.
Live Events: Users can watch live events and competitions, providing a real-time viewing experience.
Quality Production: The platform is known for its high-quality, visually stunning content.

Pros

Niche Content: For enthusiasts of extreme sports and adventure, Red Bull TV provides a dedicated platform.
High-Quality Production: The content is produced to a high standard, offering a visually engaging experience.

Cons

Niche Audience: The content may not appeal to a broad audience, limiting its appeal to specific interests.
Limited Genre Focus: If you’re not into extreme sports, the content selection may be limited for you.

8. IMDb TV

IMDb TV, owned by Amazon, offers a selection of movies and TV shows, including some exclusive titles.

Features

Exclusive IMDb Content: The platform hosts a selection of movies and shows with IMDb’s stamp of approval.
User Ratings and Reviews: Users can access IMDb ratings and reviews directly from the platform.
Integration with Amazon Prime: IMDb TV is integrated with Amazon Prime Video, providing added value for Prime members.

Pros

Trusted Content: With the backing of IMDb, viewers can expect a curated selection of quality content.
Amazon Integration: For Prime members, IMDb TV is seamlessly integrated into the Amazon ecosystem.

Cons

Ad-Supported: The platform is supported by ads, so expect occasional interruptions during viewing.
Content Availability: Some movies, web series, or TV shows may not be available in regions, which is not a good user experience..

9. XUMO

XUMO is a free streaming app where you can watch your favorite live TV, or movies of different genres, TV shows, web series, or more.

Features

Live TV Channels: There have been many complaints that some live channels are not visible in your area..
On-Demand Selection: The platform also offers an on-demand library with a diverse selection of movies and TV shows.
Simple Interface: Navigating through XUMO is straightforward, making it easy to find and watch content.

Pros

Live TV and On-Demand: XUMO caters to both live TV enthusiasts and those looking for on-demand content.
User-Friendly Interface: The app’s simplicity ensures a hassle-free viewing experience.

Cons

Ad-Supported Model: As with many free platforms, XUMO is ad-supported, so expect occasional ad breaks.
Content Availability: TThere have been many complaints that some live channels are not visible in your area.

10. Vudu

Vudu, owned by Walmart, is a platform that offers a wide selection of movies and TV shows for free, with occasional ads.

Features

High-Quality Streaming: Vudu provides high-definition streaming for an optimal viewing experience.
Large Library: The platform hosts an extensive library of movies and TV shows, including recent releases.
Family-Friendly Options: Vudu offers a selection of family-friendly content for all age groups.

Pros

High-Quality Viewing: Vudu’s focus on high-definition streaming ensures a visually impressive experience.
Varied Content Library: The platform caters to a wide range of tastes with its diverse content offerings.

Cons

Ad Breaks: While the platform is free, expect occasional ad interruptions during your viewing.
Limited Original Content: Unlike some other platforms, Vudu may not have a significant amount of exclusive or original content.

Conclusion

In the world of Smart TV apps, there’s a plethora of options to choose from. As an Android TV user, I’ve had the chance to explore various apps, each offering its unique features and content selection.

Whether you’re into live TV, on-demand content, or niche genres like extreme sports, there’s something for everyone. Remember, these apps are free, so you can try them out and see which ones resonate with your viewing preferences. I personally using several apps, but Swift Streamz satisfied me best.

FAQs

Are these apps really free?

Yes, all the apps mentioned in this article are completely free to use, supported by occasional ads.

Do I need a subscription to access premium content?

No, there are no subscription fees for any of the apps listed. They offer their services for free.

Can I use these apps on devices other than Smart TVs?

Yes, many of these apps are available on a variety of platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices.

Are these apps available worldwide?

While most of these apps are accessible globally, availability may vary based on your region.

Which app is best for live sports streaming?

Swift Streamz is a great option for live sports streaming, offering a wide range of sports channels from around the world.