By KodiExpert Team · Updated 14 November 2026
The best free streaming apps for Firestick are Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Plex and Prime Video’s free tier. All of them are legal, paid for by ads, and installed straight from the Amazon Appstore. No sideloading or APK files are needed. Together they give you hundreds of live channels and tens of thousands of films and shows for nothing.
| App | Best for | Account needed? | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubi | Biggest on-demand film library | No | Fox |
| Pluto TV | Cable-style live channels | No | Paramount |
| The Roku Channel | Curated films, live TV, originals | No | Roku |
| Plex | Free streaming plus your own media | Free account | Plex |
| Prime Video (free tier) | Free titles inside the Prime Video app | Amazon account | Amazon |
| Kanopy | Arthouse and classic films, no ads | Library card | Kanopy |
1. Tubi: the best free film library
Tubi is the first app most people should install. It has the largest on-demand catalogue of any free service, light ad breaks, and you can start watching without signing up. Its strengths are action, horror, thrillers and older TV series, and new titles rotate in every month. Tubi is owned by Fox and is available in the US, Canada, Australia and some other countries.
2. Pluto TV: free live channels
Pluto TV works like cable: open it, pick a channel from the guide, and whatever is on starts playing. It carries over 250 live channels in the US, including news, classic sitcoms, film channels and sports channels such as the NFL Channel, plus an on-demand section. It is run by Paramount and operates in more than 30 countries, with different line-ups in each.
3. The Roku Channel: works on Fire TV too
You do not need a Roku device to use The Roku Channel. The app runs on Fire TV and offers free films, TV series, live channels and Roku’s own originals. It won Cord Cutters News readers’ vote for the best free streaming service of 2025.
4. Plex: free streaming plus your own files
Plex has two sides. Its free, ad-supported section streams films, shows and hundreds of live channels. If you keep your own films or music on a computer, Plex also plays them on your Firestick. You need a free Plex account.
5. Prime Video’s free tier (formerly Freevee)
Amazon has folded its old Freevee service into the Prime Video app, so a selection of titles can be watched free with ads, even without a Prime membership. Look for the free row in the Prime Video app. As of 2026, the free tier is only available in the US.
More free apps worth adding
- Kanopy: ad-free classic, foreign and documentary films, free with a card from a participating public library or university.
- Xumo Play and Sling Freestream: hundreds of extra free live channels, good for news and background viewing.
- Fire TV Channels: Amazon’s own free live channels, built into the Live tab on your Firestick.
- YouTube and PBS: full episodes, documentaries and kids’ programmes.
- NewsON: free live newscasts from local stations across the US.
How to install free apps on a Firestick
- From the home screen, open Find and select Search (or hold the Alexa button and say the app’s name).
- Type the app name, such as “Tubi”, and select it from the results.
- Choose Get or Download. The app installs in under a minute.
- Open it from Your Apps & Games. To keep it on the home screen, press the menu button (three lines) on the app and choose Move.
Everything above is in the official Amazon Appstore. If a site tells you to sideload an APK to get “free” films and live sports, treat it as a warning sign: those apps are usually unlicensed, carry malware risks, and can stop working overnight.
Tips for smoother free streaming
- Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band or an Ethernet adapter. Ad-supported apps buffer more on weak Wi-Fi.
- Clear an app’s cache if it gets slow: Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > select the app > Clear cache.
- Uninstall apps you don’t use. Firesticks have limited storage, and a full device runs slowly.
Still buffering? Our guide to fixing buffering works for every streaming app, not just Kodi.
Prefer all your live TV in one app?
Some viewers use an IPTV service so live channels, sports and on-demand sit in one place on a Firestick or smart TV. If you go that way, choose a provider that is licensed where you live. Read our Xtreme HD IPTV review for prices and setup.
Disclosure: kodiexpert.org is run by the same team as Xtreme HD IPTV.
FAQ
Are free streaming apps on Firestick legal?
Yes. Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Plex, Prime Video, Kanopy and the others listed here are licensed services paid for by advertising or library partnerships.
What is the best free movie app for Firestick?
Tubi, for the size of its library and its light ads. Add Pluto TV for live channels.
Do I need an account to use these apps?
Not for Tubi, Pluto TV or The Roku Channel. Plex needs a free account, and Kanopy needs a library card.
Is Freevee still available?
Not as a separate app. Its free titles now sit inside Prime Video, in the US only.
Sources: Amazon Appstore listings, Cord Cutters News, SmartTVs.org, TechWhack. Checked 14 November 2026.