Netflix just announced a price increase, and when one streaming platform does it, it seems the others aren’t too far behind. I’ve rounded up some alternative ways to stream content for Free (or a few bucks a month).

Hoopla

Many libraries in Wisconsin offer the Hoopla app. It offers free service to library card holders and offers e-Books, Audiobooks, e-Magazines Movies, TV Shows, and more. Depending on your library, you may have a limit of how many items you can check out (Brown County Library is currently 4 titles max per month,) but there’s no waiting and you can often find some popular books and movies on the platform. There are also two extras:

BingePasses: BingePasses offer 7-day passes to more than 20 collections, including eMagazines, eBooks, eAudio, streaming video, puzzles, comics, and more. Be sure to check the app every week because Hoopla keeps adding more options. 

Bonus Borrows: Bonus Borrows are selected titles that can be checked out without taking from your monthly borrowing limit. You can find them at hoopla Digital during the last week of every month.

Source: Brown County Library website

Kanopy

Many libraries across Wisconsin also offer the Kanopy app. Instantly stream and download movies, television shows, documentaries, and instructional programs. The Brown County Library does not have this app, but the Appleton Public Library offers it. And if you’re a Wisconsin resident, you can get a free library card at APL. I’m planning a little road trip just so I can get my library card and access to the app. Other libraries that offer it include:

• Milwaukee Public Library
• Madison Public Library
• New London Library
• Kimberly Public Library
• Elisha D. Smith Library of Menasha
• Clintonville Public Library

HBOMax

Cricket Mobile users who pay for the $60 Unlimited tier for their cell phone get a Free ad-supported account with HBOMax.

YouTube

You can watch lots of content on YouTube for free, but you’ll want to click the Movies & TV tab on the site. There are thousands of movies and TV shows available with commercials.

Netflix

T-Mobile users who subscribe to the Experience Beyond ($170/m for 3 lines) or Experience More ($140/m for 3 lines) Plans get the Basic Ad-supported Netflix plan for free.

Pluto TV

Download the Pluto TV app, which is part of the CBS family, offers on-demand content and access to channels like Comedy Central, Sky News, and Nick Jr. I started using this app years ago when it was the only online option for one of my favorite TV shows.

Tubi TV

One of the great things about this app is that you can browse their library BEFORE you have to sign up. You’re not going to find this year’s Oscar winners, but you will find TV shows like Miami Vice and the Drew Carey Show, as well as many modern films

Plex

Here’s another app that offers TV shows and movies. Shows like Weeds, Veronica Mars, Property Brothers, Mad Men and more are available. They also have live channels for shows like The Walking Dead, Bones, the original Charmed, and more.

History Channel

The History Channel has an app and features many of their signature shows like Hazardous History with Henry Winkler, Pawn Stars and American Pickers. They’ve also produced several documentaries on Presidents Washington, Kennedy, Lincoln, Grant, Jefferson, and both Roosevelts that are available

FilmRise

This app features everything from movies like Olympus Has Fallen to TV shows like Mystery Science Theater 3K. They also have shows like the original Unsolved Mysteries with Robert Stack to Highway to Heaven. Lots of action films and inspirational films like Jesus of Nazareth. It’s an eclectic mix, that’s for sure.

PBS

Download the PBS app and you’ll have access to a lot of your favorite public broadcasting shows, from Daniel Tiger to Finding Your Roots and American Experience. Or, you can help support PBS with a monthly donation of $5 and get access to PBS Passport, which includes every single Ken Burns documentary, full access to your favorite British dramas, and more.

Did I miss any apps? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to the list!

Fans of reading may be interested in my other website, Bargain Sleuth Reviews. The majority of books I review are Advanced Reader’s Copies, which are given to me for free. Or I get my books to review from The Brown County Library.

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