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, 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 — proving free ad-supported streaming is a real 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. 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
Here’s the trade-off. Tubi’s library leans heavily on older catalog titles, B-movies, and TV shows from the 2000s and 2010s. Picture quality varies. Some titles stream in crisp 1080p, but plenty are stuck at 720p or standard definition.
Tubi
Netflix spends $17 billion a year on original programming. 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.
Netflix Originals
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.
#What Features Does Each Service Offer?
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.
Netflix
Tubi caps at 1080p. In my testing, most Tubi content actually streams at 720p on a 55-inch screen. Fine for a phone. Noticeable on a big TV.
#Offline Viewing
Netflix lets you download select titles to your phone or tablet for offline viewing. Useful for flights and commutes. Tubi requires an active internet connection at all times with no download option.
#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.
Netflix
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. 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.
#Is Tubi or Netflix a Better Value?
Here’s how the pricing breaks down in 2026:
| Service | Price | Video Quality | Simultaneous Screens | Downloads | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Free | Up to 1080p | Unlimited | No | Yes |
| Netflix Standard with Ads | $7.99/mo | Up to 1080p | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Netflix Standard | $17.99/mo | Up to 1080p | 2 | Yes | No |
| Netflix Premium | $24.99/mo | Up to 4K HDR | 4 | Yes | 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.
#Who Should Choose Tubi Over Netflix?
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.
#FAQ
#Does Tubi have ads, and how frequent are they?
Yes. Tubi runs about 4-5 minutes of ads per hour, which is less than traditional cable TV. Ads play before content starts and during natural breaks. Check this guide on Tubi ads for a full breakdown of ad frequency and types.
#Who owns Tubi?
Fox Corporation acquired Tubi in April 2020 for $440 million. The acquisition gave Tubi access to Fox’s content library and advertising infrastructure, helping it grow from 33 million monthly users in 2020 to over 200 million by 2025.
#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 eliminated. Netflix’s cheapest option is now Standard with Ads at $7.99/mo, which includes ads similar to Tubi.
#Can I use Tubi without creating an account?
You can browse and watch some content without an account. Creating a free account unlocks the full library and lets you save titles to a watchlist. No credit card or payment info is required.
#Which service has better 4K content?
Netflix is the only option for 4K HDR streaming. The Premium plan ($24.99/mo) offers hundreds of titles in 4K with Dolby Vision, including all major originals. Tubi doesn’t support 4K or HDR at all.
#Can I watch both Tubi and Netflix at the same time?
Many viewers pair both services. Use Tubi for free access to older catalog movies and hidden gems, then use Netflix for originals and 4K content. Since Tubi costs nothing, adding it alongside a Netflix subscription just expands your options with no extra spend.
#How does Tubi compare to other free streaming services?
Tubi’s 25,000-title library is one of the largest among free services. Pluto TV focuses more on live channels, while Peacock mixes free and paid tiers. For a direct comparison with another service, see Tubi vs YouTube TV.
#Is Tubi safe and legitimate?
Tubi is a legitimate service owned by Fox Corporation, one of the largest media companies in the world. It’s free because of advertising revenue, not hidden charges. The app is available on all major app stores and Smart TV platforms.
#Bottom Line
Tubi and Netflix serve different needs, and many viewers use both. If your priority is zero cost and you don’t mind ads or older content, Tubi gives you 25,000+ titles without spending a dollar. If you want originals like Squid Game and Wednesday in 4K HDR with offline downloads, Netflix’s Premium plan at $24.99/mo is the way to go. For a middle ground, Netflix’s Standard with Ads at $7.99/mo gets you Netflix exclusives at 1080p with a similar ad experience to Tubi.