Streaming Alternatives: Free Movies, TV Shows, Sports & Anime
Old streaming sites come and go. Project Free TV shut down. CouchTuner disappeared. Putlocker got blocked in a dozen countries. And every time one dies, people scramble to find what’s next.
I’ve been tracking free streaming alternatives since 2018. This page is the hub for every streaming guide on this site, organized by the service you’re looking for a replacement for. Every alternative listed in these guides is tested monthly to verify it’s still working.
Movie and TV Show Streaming Alternatives
These guides cover the most popular streaming sites that have shut down or been blocked, and the alternatives that actually work right now.
Project Free TV Alternatives
Project Free TV was one of the first major free streaming aggregators. It shut down in 2017, but the demand for similar sites hasn’t slowed down. I’ve tested 10 alternatives that still work.
What you’ll find: 10 verified streaming sites with real-time status updates, content libraries, and safety assessments.
👉 10 Project Free TV Alternatives to Watch Free Movies and TV Shows
CouchTuner Alternatives
CouchTuner was the go-to for TV show episodes. The original domain is gone, and the clones are unreliable. This guide covers 15 alternatives split into two categories: legal free options (like Tubi and Pluto TV) and grey-area alternatives.
What you’ll find: 15 streaming sites organized by legality, with comparison tables and safety tips.
👉 CouchTuner Alternatives: 15 Free Streaming Sites That Actually Work
Putlocker Alternatives
Putlocker was massive before it got taken down. The name lives on through mirror sites and clones, but most of them are sketchy. This guide separates the working alternatives from the malware traps.
What you’ll find: 10 tested alternatives with an emphasis on safety and content availability.
👉 10 Best Putlocker Alternatives to Watch Any Movie
123Movies Alternatives
123Movies was the world’s most visited illegal streaming site before it shut down in 2018. Dozens of copycats popped up, but most are ad-infested nightmares. I’ve narrowed it down to 10 that actually deliver.
What you’ll find: 10 working alternatives tested for content quality, streaming speed, and safety.
👉 10 Best 123Movies Alternatives to Watch Movies Online
Sports Streaming Alternatives
Stream2Watch Alternatives
Stream2Watch was the go-to for live sports. It’s been blocked in most countries, but free sports streaming hasn’t died. This guide covers alternatives specifically for live sports events: NFL, NBA, Premier League, UFC, and more.
What you’ll find: Free sports streaming sites with sport-specific recommendations and legal alternatives like ESPN+ and DAZN.
👉 Best Stream2Watch Alternatives: Free Sports Streaming Sites That Work
Best Free Sports Streaming Sites
Not looking for a specific replacement? This broader guide covers the best free sports streaming options available right now, from completely legal platforms to free trials of premium services.
👉 10 Best Free Sports Streaming Sites
Anime Streaming
Best Anime Apps
If anime is your thing, dedicated streaming apps are usually better than browser-based sites. This guide covers the 15 best anime apps for both iOS and Android, including Crunchyroll, Funimation, and several free alternatives.
👉 15 Best Anime Apps for iOS and Android Devices
Protect Yourself with a VPN
I’ll be direct: if you’re using free streaming sites, you need a VPN. Not because I’m trying to sell you something. Because your ISP can see what you’re streaming, free sites are loaded with trackers, and some countries actively block these domains.
A VPN encrypts your connection, hides your activity from your ISP, and lets you bypass geo-blocks. I’ve tested a lot of VPN services. Two worth mentioning:
- NordVPN — What I use personally. Fast servers, reliable kill switch, works consistently with streaming sites. Around $3.39/month on the 2-year plan.
- Surfshark — Best budget option. Unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can cover every device in the house. Around $2.49/month.
For a deeper comparison, check the best VPN services guide and the best free VPN services guide.
I’ve tested over a dozen VPN services. Most “best VPN” articles are just affiliate link farms. Here’s the honest truth: NordVPN and Surfshark are the only two I’d actually put on my own devices. NordVPN is faster. Surfshark is cheaper and lets you connect unlimited devices. Pick whichever fits your budget.
Streaming Safety Checklist
Legal Free Streaming Options
Before you go hunting for grey-area sites, you’d be surprised how much free, legal content is available right now. These platforms are ad-supported (like TV used to be) but completely legal:
| Platform | Best For | Cost | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Movies and TV series | Free | Yes, minimal |
| Pluto TV | Live TV channels | Free | Yes |
| Crackle | Original content + movies | Free | Yes |
| Plex | Movies + live TV | Free tier available | Yes |
| The Roku Channel | Movies and TV | Free | Yes |
| Kanopy | Documentaries, indie films | Free with library card | No |
| Popcornflix | B-movies, older films | Free | Yes |
Tubi and Pluto TV have improved dramatically in the last two years. Their libraries are bigger than you’d expect, and the ad experience is honestly less annoying than cable TV ever was.
How I Test Streaming Sites
Every site in these guides is tested the same way:
- Actually visit the site. I don’t list sites from other people’s lists. I open them, browse the catalog, and try to play content.
- Check for malware and aggressive ads. I use an ad blocker and inspect network requests. If a site fires suspicious scripts or redirects, I flag it or exclude it.
- Verify monthly. Free streaming sites go down constantly. Every guide is re-tested at least once a month to remove dead links and add new alternatives.
- Note legal status. I clearly mark which sites are legal (ad-supported free content), grey-area (aggregating content they may not have rights to), and outright piracy. You should know what you’re clicking on.
For more on how I approach testing, see the review methodology page.
Need a VPN? Start with NordVPN
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free streaming sites legal?
It depends on the site. Ad-supported platforms like Tubi, Pluto TV, Crackle, and Plex are completely legal. They have licensing agreements with content owners. Sites that host or aggregate pirated content are not. I mark the legal status clearly in every guide.
Do I need a VPN to use free streaming sites?
Why do free streaming sites keep shutting down?
Copyright enforcement. Movie studios and TV networks actively take legal action against unauthorized streaming sites. When a site gets big enough to attract attention, DMCA takedowns and domain seizures follow. That’s why sites like Project Free TV, CouchTuner, and the original 123Movies are gone. The replacements are usually smaller, less-known sites that haven’t attracted legal attention yet.
What’s the best free legal streaming service?
Tubi. It has the biggest free library, the app works on every device, and the ad interruptions are reasonable. Pluto TV is a close second if you prefer a live TV experience with channels you can flip through. Both are completely free, no credit card required.
How often are these guides updated?
Monthly. Free streaming sites are volatile. A site that works today might be offline next week. I re-test every listed site at least once a month and update the guides accordingly. The Last Updated date on each guide reflects the most recent verification.
All Streaming Guides
Quick reference for everything covered on this site:
| Guide | Category | Alternatives Listed |
|---|---|---|
| Project Free TV Alternatives | Movies & TV | 10 |
| CouchTuner Alternatives | TV Shows | 15 |
| Putlocker Alternatives | Movies | 10 |
| 123Movies Alternatives | Movies & TV | 10 |
| Stream2Watch Alternatives | Live Sports | 10+ |
| Free Sports Streaming | Sports | 10 |
| Anime Apps | Anime | 15 |
| Best VPN Services | Privacy & Safety | — |
| Best Free VPNs | Privacy & Safety | — |
Last updated: February 24, 2026