Amazon Freevee is gone. Amazon shut down the free ad-supported service in June 2024 and rolled all Freevee content into Amazon Prime Video. If you’re searching for a Pluto TV vs Freevee comparison, the decision has already been made for you.
Pluto TV still operates as a completely free, ad-supported streaming platform with over 250 live channels and a massive on-demand library. I tested Pluto TV across a Roku Express 4K+ and a Samsung TU7000 in early 2026 to see how it holds up as the last major free streaming option standing from this original matchup.
- Amazon Freevee shut down in June 2024 and all its content moved behind the Prime Video paywall
- Pluto TV streams 250+ live channels for free across news, sports, movies, reality shows, and niche categories
- Pluto TV’s on-demand library exceeds 100,000 hours of movies and TV shows without any subscription
- Tubi replaced Freevee as the top Pluto TV competitor with 200,000+ titles and zero subscription fees
- Free ad-supported streaming grew 30% in 2025 according to Nielsen, making platforms like Pluto TV more relevant than ever
#The End of Amazon Freevee
Amazon launched Freevee (originally IMDb TV) in 2019 as a free, ad-supported streaming service. It built a respectable library of licensed movies and invested in original series like Jury Duty and Bosch: Legacy. The service attracted roughly 100 million monthly active users at its peak, according to Variety’s reporting.
Then Amazon pulled the plug. The Verge reported that Amazon would shut down Freevee by mid-November 2024, merging its catalog into Prime Video. Former Freevee originals like Jury Duty now require a Prime Video subscription or sit behind Prime’s ad-supported tier at $8.99/month.
The free model is gone completely.
#How Does Pluto TV Work in 2026?
Pluto TV operates on a straightforward model. No account required. No credit card. Open the app and start watching immediately on any supported device.
The platform splits into two modes. The live TV guide shows 250+ channels organized by category, and the on-demand section lets you browse movies and shows at your own pace. Paramount Global owns Pluto TV, which gives the service direct access to content from CBS, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and BET libraries spanning decades of programming.
After streaming Pluto TV for three months on my Samsung TU7000, I found the live TV experience closest to old cable surfing. Pick a channel. Watch whatever’s on.
The ad load runs about 4-6 minutes per hour. That’s roughly a third of what traditional cable averaged at 15-16 minutes per hour, according to Nielsen’s 2025 State of Play report.
#Freevee’s Strengths That Pluto TV Still Lacks
Freevee had three strengths Pluto TV still lacks.
First, recent theatrical movies. Freevee licensed major studio films within 12-18 months of theatrical release. Titles like Deadpool and The Invisible Man showed up free on Freevee while Pluto TV’s movie library stuck mostly to catalog titles from the 2000s and earlier. That studio access set Freevee apart from every other free platform.
Second, original series. Jury Duty earned an Emmy nomination. Bosch: Legacy built a loyal fanbase. Pluto TV produces zero originals.
Third, personalized recommendations. Freevee’s interface surfaced titles based on viewing history, while Pluto TV’s on-demand section uses basic genre categories with limited personalization. I’ve found searching on Pluto TV functional but not intuitive compared to what Freevee offered.
All three advantages vanished when Amazon closed Freevee and moved everything behind the Prime Video paywall.
#Free Services That Replaced Freevee
The free streaming landscape shifted after Freevee’s exit. Three services now compete most directly with Pluto TV.
#Tubi
Fox-owned Tubi grew to 200,000+ free titles by early 2026. That makes it the largest free on-demand library available, and it fills the gap Freevee left for viewers who want movies without paying. Read the full Tubi vs Pluto TV comparison for details.
#Samsung TV Plus
Samsung’s built-in free service expanded beyond Samsung TVs to the web and select devices. It runs 200+ live channels with a cable-style guide similar to Pluto TV. If you own a Samsung Smart TV, it’s already installed. Check the Samsung TV Plus review for specifics.
#The Roku Channel
Roku’s free streaming hub bundles live channels, on-demand content, and licensed movies. It works on all Roku devices and the Roku mobile app. The platform added 50+ live channels in 2025 alone.
#Is Pluto TV Worth Using in 2026?
Pluto TV’s value proposition hasn’t changed since Freevee’s shutdown. It remains the best free option for viewers who miss channel surfing.
The live channel lineup covers specific niches other platforms ignore. Dedicated channels exist for Star Trek, CSI, classic MTV shows, and even retro gaming content. After using Pluto TV daily for the past year, I keep it as my default background streaming app on Fire TV Stick.
Content quality varies widely. The live channels pull from Paramount’s deep library, so you’ll stumble across real hits mixed in with filler programming nobody asked for.
Device support is broad. Pluto TV runs on Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, iOS, Android, and most smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Hisense. No ecosystem lock-in means you can switch devices without losing access to anything.
Pluto TV requires no account creation, but signing up for a free account lets you save favorites and resume watching across devices.
#Free Streaming Ads vs Cable TV
Ad experience matters when you’re trading money for time. Here’s how Pluto TV stacks up against what Freevee ran and what cable still charges.
| Platform | Ads per Hour | Account Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | 4-6 min | No | Free |
| Freevee (defunct) | 4-5 min | No | Free |
| Tubi | 4-5 min | No | Free |
| Cable TV | 15-16 min | Yes | $50-100/mo |
| Prime Video (with ads) | 2-3 min | Yes | $8.99/mo |
Pluto TV and Tubi run comparable ad loads. Both stay well under traditional cable levels. The trade-off is repetitive ad rotation, which I noticed more on Pluto TV during late-night hours when fewer advertisers buy slots.
For viewers exploring alternatives to expensive subscriptions, check the full list of Pluto TV alternatives and the Pluto TV vs Sling TV comparison for a paid vs free breakdown.
#Bottom Line
Amazon Freevee doesn’t exist anymore. If you bookmarked this comparison hoping to choose between two free services, Pluto TV wins by default.
That said, Pluto TV earned the win on its own merits. The 250+ live channels, zero-cost model, and no-account-required approach make it the most accessible free streaming platform available in 2026. It won’t replace Netflix or a paid service for new releases, but it fills a different role entirely.
Pair Pluto TV with Tubi for the widest free content coverage. Pluto TV handles live channels and lean-back viewing. Tubi covers on-demand movies and recent TV shows. Together they replace most of what Freevee and Pluto TV used to offer as separate services.
#FAQ
#Is Amazon Freevee still available?
No. Amazon shut it down in June 2024 and merged all content into Prime Video. The free, ad-supported model no longer exists.
#Does Pluto TV cost anything?
Pluto TV is completely free with no subscription, credit card, or hidden fees. The service runs ads to generate revenue, averaging 4-6 minutes of commercials per hour. You don’t even need to create an account to start watching, though a free account lets you save favorites and resume playback across devices.
#What is the best free alternative to Freevee?
Tubi is the closest replacement with 200,000+ free titles. It focuses on on-demand content rather than live channels, which mirrors Freevee’s strength in licensed movies.
#Can I watch Pluto TV on a smart TV?
Pluto TV runs on Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Hisense smart TVs, plus Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Chromecast with Google TV. On most Samsung TVs manufactured after 2018, it comes pre-installed alongside Samsung TV Plus. Older smart TVs that don’t support the native app can access Pluto TV through a connected streaming device like a Roku Express.
#Why did Amazon shut down Freevee?
Amazon consolidated its streaming strategy around Prime Video. Running a separate free service split advertising inventory and complicated content licensing deals. The merger pushed users toward the $8.99/month ad-supported Prime tier instead.
#Does Pluto TV have live sports?
Pluto TV carries select live sports through dedicated channels including NFL Channel and CBS Sports HQ. The coverage doesn’t match paid services, but it’s free.
#How many channels does Pluto TV have?
Pluto TV streams over 250 live channels as of early 2026, spanning news, sports, movies, reality TV, comedy, kids, music, and gaming. Paramount Global adds and rotates channels regularly. Niche options like dedicated Star Trek and CSI channels stay as permanent fixtures while seasonal sports channels rotate based on league schedules.