Low Income Streaming Services: A Free Alternative to Cable

My family hasn’t paid for cable since 2015, and honestly, we haven’t missed it. Between free streaming services, library perks, and discounted subscriptions for low-income households, we’ve been able to watch all our favorite shows and movies without breaking the bank.

Free Low Income Streaming Services

If you don’t mind watching some ads, you can stream movies and TV shows completely free. Here are some great options:

Tubi has thousands of movies and TV shows with no subscription required.
Pluto TV offers over 250 live TV channels and a massive on-demand library.
Crackle hosts a mix of classic movies, TV shows, and original content.
The Roku Channel offers free shows, movies, and live TV, even if you don’t own a Roku device.
Freevee is Amazon’s ad-supported streaming service with a large content library.

These services won’t cost you anything, but they do come with ads. You’d have to watch ads with cable anyway, right? If you want premium content for free, check out the next section!

Unlock Free Premium Streaming

You may be able to unlock free streaming services through your local library as well. Your library card can often give you free premium access to platforms like these:

Kanopy is a fantastic selection of movies, documentaries, and kids’ programming.
Hoopla offers free movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and more through participating libraries.

In addition, many streaming services offer 30-day free trials, which means you can rotate between services and enjoy premium content without paying a dime. Just make sure you only sign up for one free trial at a time so you can make the most of each one. You’ll also need to make sure that you cancel before you are charged.

Watch Straight from the Website

Many of the most popular TV networks will allow you to stream their movies and TV shows directly from their website without paying for a streaming service. You may have to cast it from your phone to the TV, but it’s still much cheaper than paying for service!

Some of the providers who allow you to stream on their websites include:

ABC will let you watch the most recent episode of each show, but once the episode is more than 7 days old you have to pay for it.
CBS allows you to stream full episodes of their popular shows, including older TV shows.
CW allows you to stream their content.
NBC allows you to stream the latest episode. For older episodes, you’ll have to subscribe to Peacock or another service.

Discounted Low Income Streaming Services

Some streaming services offer discounts if you receive government benefits like EBT or Medicaid. Here are the best deals available:

Prime Video is just $6.99/month if you qualify for their low income discount. You just need to provide proof that you receive benefits from a government program like EBT or Medicaid. This will unlock all of Amazon Prime for you, including thousands of movies and TV shows through Prime Video.

Hulu does not have a low income discount but they do have a student deal. Eligible students can get Hulu for just $1.99 per month as long as they are a college student. That’s 80% off regular price!
Paramount+ is included in Walmart+, so if you qualify for their low income discount you can unlock this streaming service for just $6.47 per month!
Peacock may be included If you have Xfinity Internet. It is not clear if this works for Internet Essentials subscribers, though.

BONUS: Get a Free 55″ TV

Telly is giving away free 55-inch 4K smart TVs—no payments, no shipping fees. These TVs have a second screen that shows ads, news, and updates while you watch. They also come with a built-in sound system, voice assistant, and preloaded games.

The catch? You must agree to see ads and share data, including viewing habits and household details. If you’re okay with that, it’s a great way to get a high-end TV for free. Supplies are limited, so sign up at Telly.com while you can!

Relief Recap

If you’re looking to save money on streaming, there are plenty of free services, library perks, and low-cost subscription options available. Don’t forget to check if you qualify for Amazon’s EBT discount, which gives you Prime Video and other Prime benefits for just $6.99 per month.