Tubi now pulls in over 200 million monthly active users worldwide, and Netflix still dominates paid streaming with 280M+ subscribers. I’ve used both services daily for the past two years across Samsung, LG, and Roku devices. The right pick depends entirely on how you watch and what you’re willing to pay.
- Tubi offers 25,000+ titles completely free, owned by Fox Corporation since 2020 and funded by short ad breaks averaging 4-5 minutes per hour
- Netflix invests $17 billion annually in originals — producing series like Squid Game, Wednesday, and The Night Agent that you can’t find anywhere else
- Netflix supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision, while Tubi maxes out at 1080p with most content streaming at 720p
- Netflix now has an ad-supported tier at $7.99/mo, making the free-vs-paid gap smaller, though Tubi still costs nothing
- Tubi has 200M+ monthly active users globally: free ad-supported streaming is a proven alternative to subscription services
#How Do the Content Libraries Compare?
Content is where these two services differ the most.
#Library Size
Tubi’s catalog sits at over 25,000 movies and TV shows. That’s roughly 10x Netflix’s movie library, which hovers around 3,000 films and 2,000 TV series. According to Fox Corporation’s investor filings, Tubi generated over $900 million in ad revenue in fiscal 2024, giving the platform the budget to sustain its licensing operation. Fox Corporation’s 2020 acquisition of Tubi gave the platform access to a deeper pool of licensed content, and new titles rotate in weekly.
Netflix loses licensed content every month as deals expire. You’ll see popular titles vanish with little warning. Tubi has the same licensing churn, but its sheer volume means the catalog always feels full.
#Content Quality
Tubi’s library leans heavily on older catalog titles and B-movies. Picture quality varies: some titles hit 1080p, but many are stuck at 720p.
Netflix spends $17 billion a year on original programming. Netflix’s plans and pricing page breaks down what each tier includes. The Q4 2024 earnings report confirms that the platform ended the year with 301 million paid subscribers globally.
That budget produces award-winning series and films in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR. Squid Game, Wednesday, The Crown, and Stranger Things are all Netflix exclusives you won’t find on Tubi or anywhere else.
If you want prestige TV and cinematic originals, Netflix wins. If you want a massive free library of older movies for background watching or weekend binges, Tubi delivers.
#Features: Streaming Quality, Downloads, and Profiles
Beyond content, the feature gap between these two is significant.
#Streaming Quality
Netflix streams in 4K HDR with Dolby Vision on the Premium plan ($24.99/mo). Even the Standard with Ads tier ($7.99/mo) gets you 1080p. I tested both on a 2024 Samsung CU7000, and the difference in sharpness and color range between Netflix 4K and Tubi 720p was immediately obvious.
Tubi caps at 1080p. In my testing, most Tubi content streamed at 720p on a 55-inch display, which is noticeably soft compared to Netflix’s 4K output on the same screen.
#Offline Viewing
Netflix lets you download select titles to your phone or tablet for offline viewing on Standard and Premium plans. I’ve used this on long flights where I pre-download a few episodes the night before, and it works reliably without any re-authentication issues. Tubi requires an active internet connection at all times with no download option whatsoever.
#User Profiles and Parental Controls
Netflix supports up to five user profiles per account, each with its own watch history and recommendations. You can set content rating restrictions per profile and block specific titles for kids.
Tubi gives you a single profile with one watchlist. Parental controls are limited to a basic “Hide Adult Content” toggle. If multiple people in your household use Tubi, everyone shares the same recommendations.
#How Do the Ads Compare?
This used to be straightforward: Tubi had ads, Netflix didn’t. That changed when Netflix launched its Standard with Ads plan in late 2022.
Tubi runs about 4-5 minutes of ads per hour of content. Nielsen streaming data found that Tubi viewers tolerate the ad load better than comparable FAST services because breaks are front-loaded rather than scattered. The breaks are shorter than cable TV and feel less intrusive in my experience. You can’t skip them, but they’re predictable.
Netflix’s ad-supported tier ($7.99/mo) shows roughly 4-6 minutes of ads per hour. The ad load is similar to Tubi’s, but you’re still paying a monthly fee on top of watching ads. Netflix’s ad-free plans start at $17.99/mo (Standard) and go up to $24.99/mo (Premium).
The big difference: Tubi is free with ads. Netflix charges you $7.99/mo and still shows ads. If you want ad-free Netflix, you’ll pay at least $17.99/mo.
#Pricing and Value Comparison
Here’s how the pricing breaks down in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Quality | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Free | 1080p | Yes |
| Netflix with Ads | $7.99/mo | 1080p | Yes |
| Netflix Standard | $17.99/mo | 1080p | No |
| Netflix Premium | $24.99/mo | 4K HDR | No |
Tubi is the clear winner for anyone who doesn’t want to spend money on streaming. Zero cost, zero commitment. If you’re already paying for one or two other services and want extra content without another subscription, Tubi fills that gap.
Netflix makes sense if you value original programming, 4K picture quality, or offline downloads. The Standard with Ads plan at $7.99/mo gets you Netflix originals and downloads at 1080p, which Tubi can’t match at any price. The Premium plan at $24.99/mo is the only way to get 4K HDR with Dolby Vision.
If you’re dealing with Tubi not working on your smart TV or Tubi issues on a Roku TV, check those troubleshooting guides before making your decision.
#Choosing the Right Service for You
Choose Tubi if you:
- Want free streaming with zero monthly fees
- Enjoy older movies, cult classics, and catalog TV shows
- Don’t mind short ad breaks during content
- Already subscribe to other paid services and want extra variety
Choose Netflix if you:
- Want award-winning originals you can’t find elsewhere
- Need 4K HDR streaming on a big screen
- Download shows for offline viewing on planes or commutes
- Want separate profiles with parental controls for your household
Both services work on virtually every device: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Android/iOS phones, and game consoles. You can read my full Tubi TV review or check out how to watch Tubi on LG TV if you need setup help.
#Device Compatibility and Setup
Both apps install in under two minutes on Roku, Samsung, LG, and Fire TV. No credit card required for Tubi.
Netflix supports up to four simultaneous streams on the Premium plan, which makes it practical for households with multiple TVs. Tubi places no practical limit on simultaneous viewers since it runs no account-level subscription check, making it ideal for shared use across a family’s devices without any additional cost or stream restrictions to manage.
#FAQ
#Does Tubi have ads, and how frequent are they?
Yes, about 4-5 minutes of ads per hour. Check this guide on Tubi ads for a full breakdown.
#Who owns Tubi?
Fox Corporation acquired Tubi in April 2020 for $440 million. The deal gave Tubi access to Fox’s advertising infrastructure and content library. Since then, Tubi has grown from 33 million monthly users at acquisition to over 200 million by 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing free streaming platforms in the US market.
#Does Netflix still have a plan without ads?
Yes. Netflix Standard ($17.99/mo) and Netflix Premium ($24.99/mo) are both ad-free. The old Basic plan at $6.99/mo was discontinued.
#Can I use Tubi without creating an account?
You can browse and watch many titles without creating an account. Signing up for free unlocks the complete library, saves your watchlist, and gives you personalized recommendations. No credit card is ever required, and Tubi has never charged for account creation.
#Which service has better 4K content?
Netflix Premium ($24.99/mo) is the only option for 4K HDR with Dolby Vision. Tubi tops out at 1080p and has no HDR support.
#Can I watch both Tubi and Netflix at the same time?
Yes, and many viewers do. Tubi costs nothing, so running it alongside a Netflix subscription adds a large catalog of free content without raising your monthly bill. I use Tubi for older movies and catalog TV, then switch to Netflix when I want to watch originals like Wednesday or Stranger Things in 4K. The two services complement each other well rather than competing directly.
#How does Tubi compare to other free streaming services?
Tubi’s 25,000-title library is larger than most free alternatives. Pluto TV focuses on live channels, while Peacock splits between free and paid tiers. See Tubi vs YouTube TV for a full comparison.
#Is Tubi safe and legitimate?
Yes. Tubi is legitimate, owned by Fox Corporation.
For background context, see Wikipedia’s smart TV entry.
#Bottom Line
Tubi and Netflix serve different needs. If you want zero cost and a huge catalog of older movies, Tubi is the answer. Netflix is worth paying for if you need originals, 4K HDR, or offline downloads.