What Is Pluto TV?

Completely free ad-supported streaming—no subscription or credit card required
(sign-up is optional for extra features like favorites and watchlists)
Apple+15plutotv.global.ssl.fastly.net+15Reddit+15.

Owned by Paramount Streaming (Paramount Global), launched in 2014, co-founded by
Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, and Nick Grouf TechRadar+3Wikipedia+3plutotv.it.com+3.

Offers hundreds of linear “live” channels (250+ in the U.S., fewer in other markets)
plus thousands of ondemand titles across genres like news, sports, reality, classic
TV, anime, and kids’ programming plutotv.it.com+3Paramount+3Lifewire+3.

Availability & Reach

Pluto TV is available in over 35 countries across the Americas, Europe, UK, and
Australia, with region-specific content lineups. The U.S. gets the most channels (~250),
while the UK and Australia offer fewer (~150 and ~50 respectively)
Wikipedia+15Paramount+15TechRadar+15.

As of 2023, it had around 80 million monthly active users globally Wikipedia.

In December 2024, it became the most popular FAST (free adsupported streaming
TV) service in Canada plutotv.it.com+3Wikipedia+3TechRadar+3.

It continues expanding and recently added permanent channels including The Martha
Stewart Channel and Emeril Lagasse Channel Wikipedia+1The Sun+1.

Supported Devices.

Compatible with nearly every platform: iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV,
Chromecast, Android TV, Samsung/Vizio/Sony smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, and web
browsers (Windows/macOS) Tom’s Guide Digital Trends Paramount

Key Features Being Compared

Summary at a Glance

Feature

Highlights

Price

Free (ad-supported)

Channels

250+ live channels (US), rotating on-demand catalog

Platforms

Mobile, web, smart TVs, game consoles

Content Types

News, sports, movies, classic shows, niche channels

UX Experience

Familiar cable-like guide; no subscription required

Weaknesses

No DVR/pause, heavy ad load, limited new content, UI reliability varies

Strengths

Cost-free, easy access, channel variety

Recent promotions: New subscribers may get introductory pricing like $59.99/mo for 2 months or a yearlong Verizon discount bringing base price to $72.99/mo dealnews Ezechax Cord     Cutters News.

Comparison

Comparison with Other Services

Looking for the best live TV service? Compare Streamo with traditional cable to see which option suits your needs better.

Key Features & Advantages

Zero cost: No subscription, hidden fees, or contracts—just ads during programming,
 
LiveTV experience: A channel-guide interface with themed, full-day playlists mimicking cable channels—great for passive and casual viewing How-To
Geek+2TechRadar+2Reddit+.

Large breadth of content: Classic movies and series, niche entertainment, news and sports channels, and rotating programming additions Digital Trends+1Reddit+1.

Accessible and simple: Easy to use on any supported device, with no login needed
(though signing in unlocks personalization) Reddit.

From a Redditor:
“It’s such terrible service. Stops, starts, lags. But I love the shows and movies.”
Reddit+1Reddit+1 Reddit+3Reddit+3Reddit+3.

Another:
“I use it more than Hulu and Netflix combined.” The Sun+15Reddit+15Reddit+15.

Limitations & Drawbacks

Frequent ads: Many users find the ad breaks repetitive and long—roughly 4 breaks per
30-minute show (similar to cable speed) TechRadar TechRadar.
 
Content limitations: Focuses on older and classic titles; lacks many new releases or premium originals. On-demand selection lags behind paid services TechRadar.

No DVR or pause on live TV: Cannot pause or rewind linear streams. Some app
updates removed on-demand controls previously available (though a later iOS update
reportedly reintroduced them) TechRadar.

App reliability concerns: Especially on Firestick and older devices, users report
frequent glitches, crashes, freezing, and UI bugs. Some say the interface has gotten
worse over time Reddit+3Reddit+3Reddit+3.

User review:
“The way you pull up info… is horrendous.” Reddit

Final Verdict

Pluto TV offers an appealing free-TV alternative for casual viewers and cord-cutters who want a
familiar channel-surfing experience without the cost. It excels in offering diverse, ad-supported
live and on-demand content for free, making it a go-to for background entertainment,
nostalgia-driven browsing, or occasional viewing.
However, if you value fresh content, ad-free streaming, or greater playback control, you
might still want a paid option like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu