We earn commissions from the links, which influence where and how listings are displayed. Some providers are co-owned by our parent company.
Learn more
The How To Guide was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on The How To Guide are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

The How To Guide was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on The How To Guide are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Best FREE Streaming Sites for Movies & TV Shows in 2025

Free streaming sites can be risky, so knowing where to look and how to protect yourself is key. After testing over 100 free streaming sites for safety, usability, and speed, my team and I shortlisted the 3 best ones below.

Free video streaming platforms come with risks of hackers, trackers, scams, and phishing attacks. Plus, you might get in legal trouble for unknowingly watching copyrighted content. The simplest and most secure method to enjoy free streaming sites is by using a reliable VPN.

I recommend ExpressVPN to keep your connection and data private. It provides military-grade encryption to protect you online and fantastic speeds for uninterrupted streaming in HD. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee*, you can try ExpressVPN without risk.

Important. Using free streaming sites is not illegal, but streaming or downloading copyrighted files is. The The How To Guide team doesn't condone piracy. When looking for streaming sites, it's your responsibility to check the legal and copyright status of the content you access.

Try ExpressVPN for Free Streaming >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free Streaming Sites of 2025

  1. Tubi TV — The overall best free and legal streaming site with a huge selection of classics and new releases. No sign-up is needed.
  2. AZMovies — A well-organized catalog of the latest blockbusters you can access without registering, but it comes with ads.
  3. Vudu Movies on Us — Contains high-quality classics, blockbusters, and pay-to-view content, but only available in the US.

Best Free Streaming Sites for Movies and TV Shows

I scoured the internet for free and legal streaming websites for movies and TV shows. Here’s the top three that I found:

  1. Tubi TV. Tubi TV is a free and entirely legal platform that’s accessible without the need to make an account. It offers a wide range of popular movies and TV series in HD, all easy to find thanks to its well-organized UI.
  2. AZMovies. AZMovies is a sleek and easy-to-use free streaming platform that offers a wide variety of movies, including both classics and new releases. You can search by genre, year, or use the search bar.
  3. Vudu Movies on Us. Vudu Movies on Us provides a free catalog of 100s of titles, from old movies to popular hits like School of Rock or Mad Max. The video quality allows you to stream in up to 1080p.

Try ExpressVPN for Free Streaming >>

Best VPNs for Streaming Movies & TV Shows — Full Analysis (Updated in 2025)

1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds for Streaming Without Buffering

Best Feature Watch movies in UHD with an average speed drop of only 5% on nearby servers
Server Network 3,000 servers in 105 countries to access the most popular free streaming sites
Speeds Fastest of all the VPNs I tested for uninterrupted live-streaming
Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol offers fast and reliable connections, ideal for streaming in UHD. The tech employs efficient encryption methods to boost data transfer rates and ensure optimal security. Connecting to the Los Angeles servers only lowered my speed from 110Mbps to 99Mbps, an impressive feat considering my 7,000km distance from the US. It's also optimized for mobile CPUs, which help save battery when streaming.

With top-tier security, the VPN protects you from risks on free streaming sites. It ensures your privacy with AES 256-bit encryption and DNS/IPv6 leak protection. When testing its servers, ipleak.net showed a flawless result, while the kill switch maintained security during connection drops (e.g., laptop sleep mode).

One minor gripe is that plans can be pricey. However, the service often provides discounts and promotions. For instance, I saved 61% on the 12-month plan, paying only $4.99/month. Which includes 4 free months of subscription.

All plans also include a 30-day money-back guarantee. To verify its legitimacy, I asked the 24/7 live chat support for a refund. I got my money back in my PayPal account within 4 business days. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at The How To Guide, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

ExpressVPN Offer August 2025: For a limited time only, you can get 61% off your ExpressVPN purchase! Don't miss out!

Useful Features

  • Smart DNS. The MediaStreamer feature allows you to stream US and UK movies and shows on devices that don't typically support VPNs, like older smart TVs and gaming consoles.
  • Data privacy. ExpressVPN operates outside the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliances in the British Virgin Islands. It also adheres to a no-logs policy, with its RAM-based servers ensuring your data is wiped regularly.
  • Router app. You can stream shows and movies across all your household devices using ExpressVPN's custom router app. Even without connecting to a router, you can simultaneously use ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices.
  • Easy to use. ExpressVPN takes less than 5 minutes to set up, and you can easily find and connect to a server using its search bar.

Try ExpressVPN for Free Streaming >>

2. CyberGhost — Intuitive Interface to Immediately Start Watching Free Movies and Shows

Best Feature Quick and easy to use CyberGhost for streaming, even if you're a beginner
Server Network 11,690 servers in 100 countries, including ones optimized for streaming
Speeds A 7% speed drop on nearby servers and 18% on faraway ones in Los Angeles
Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more

CyberGhost offers a simple setup and easy-to-use app that's consistent across operating systems. After downloading and logging in, just pick a server and tap the power button to connect. You can choose a server by scrolling through the location list or typing your preferred location into the search bar. It took me less than 5 minutes to set up CyberGhost on my Windows laptop and connect to a server in New York.

With a verified no-logs policy, your streaming session remains private; no data is gathered or distributed. Additionally, it offers a built-in ad-blocker for Windows and Android, ensuring you can stream free of bothersome ads and pop-ups.

On the downside, CyberGhost short-term subscriptions are pricey. However, long-term plans are affordable $2.19/month and have an extended 45-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at The How To Guide, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

August 2025 Deal: CyberGhost is currently available at 83% off! Take advantage of this offer now and save more on your CyberGhost purchase. 

Useful Features

  • Robust security. AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection keep you anonymous online.
  • Unlimited bandwidth. You can stream for free as much as you like without cap limits. CyberGhost can also help you avoid the throttling imposed on you by your ISP provider.
  • Split tunneling. You can choose apps or sites to bypass the VPN, enabling access to local services while streaming your favorite shows and movies.

Try CyberGhost for Free Streaming >>

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Global Network to Reliably Access Free Streaming Sites

Best Feature Thousands of servers worldwide with 53 US locations
Server Network 29,650 servers in 91 countries to quickly bypass geo-restrictions
Speeds My average download speed was reduced by only 14%
Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Linux, routers, gaming consoles, and more

PIA offers an extensive US server network across all 50 states, providing ample access to US-exclusive platforms like Tubi TV and Vudu on Us. Many server options also ensure you can watch content without dealing with server overcrowding. For example, my 110Mbps base speed only slightly dropped to 95Mbps, ensuring delay-free streaming.

The VPN's AES 256-bit encryption, paired with the OpenVPN protocol, offers maximum security when streaming. But if you want to crank up the quality of the video, you can choose WireGuard and switch to 128-bit for faster speeds.

I was concerned that PIA is based in the US, within the 5 Eyes Alliance. But its strict no-logs policy ensures that none of your data gets shared with third parties. Plus, you can save money with PIA’s long-term plans, which start at only $2.19/month. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at The How To Guide, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

August 2025 Update: PIA doesn't usually have deals or discounts (it's already so affordable), but with this exciting offer you can get a crazy 82% off!

Useful Features

  • Ad and malware blocker. PIA's built-in MACE feature stops intrusive ads, malware, and trackers often lurking on free streaming sites.
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections. You can share your subscription with your whole household and only pay for one account.

Try PIA for Free Streaming >>

Quick Guide: How to Use a VPN to Stream Movies and TV Shows

  1. Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because of its fast speeds and worldwide servers, which are perfect for crystal-clear streaming from anywhere.
  2. Connect to a server. Choose a server in a country that will grant you access to your preferred streaming platform. For example, choose a server in the US to access Vudu.
  3. Start watching. Enjoy safe free streaming of your favorite movies and TV shows.

Get the Best VPN for Streaming Movies Today

Streaming free movies and shows online is never fully secure; even reputable services face hacking risks. To safeguard yourself while watching from free streaming sites, you need a VPN.

I recommend ExpressVPN as the best option for free movies and TV shows. It comes with a wide server network, excellent speeds, and powerful security, ideal for safe and buffer-free movie streaming. Best of all, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

[*] Please note that ExpressVPN's generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for free streaming sites...

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.9 /10
9.9 Our Score
Save 61%!
2
9.7 /10
9.7 Our Score
Save 83%!
3
9.5 /10
9.5 Our Score
Save 82%!
We earn commissions from the links, which influence where and how listings are displayed. Some providers are co-owned by our parent company.
Learn more
The How To Guide was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on The How To Guide are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.