Tubi is a free streaming service with ads, not a paid subscription

Tubi does not charge a monthly fee. You watch movies and TV shows supported by advertisements — similar to how broadcast television works. There is no subscription tier to purchase, no payment method required, and no trial period that converts to a paid plan later. You create a free account, log in, and start watching.

The trade-off is that you will see ads during playback. The number and length of ads varies by title, but most viewers report 4 to 8 minutes of advertising per hour of content. Tubi does not offer an ad-free tier or a way to pay to remove ads.

Tubi is owned by Fox Corporation and operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and several other countries. The service is available on web browsers, mobile apps (iOS and Android), and connected TV devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Tubi costs nothing and requires no credit card or payment information to create an account and watch.
  • All content on Tubi is ad-supported; there is no paid option to remove advertisements.
  • You can watch on a web browser, smartphone, tablet, or connected TV device without downloading an app.
  • Tubi's library includes older films, independent movies, and TV series, but does not include current theatrical releases or prestige network shows.

What content is available on Tubi

Tubi's catalog includes several thousand titles across genres: action, horror, comedy, drama, documentaries, and international films. The library leans toward older releases, B-movies, independent productions, and content from smaller studios. You will find films from the 1970s through 2000s, cult classics, and low-budget horror alongside some mainstream titles.

Tubi does not carry current theatrical releases, prestige network dramas (like HBO or Netflix originals), or major sports events. The service does produce original content, though the volume is smaller than competitors. New titles are added regularly, but the exact schedule is not published.

The specific titles available vary by country and change over time as licensing agreements expire or renew. Searching for a particular film on Tubi's website or app will tell you immediately whether it is in your region's catalog.

How to create a Tubi account

Go to tubi.tv or open the Tubi app on your device. Select "Sign Up" and choose to register with an email address, Google account, or Apple ID. You will enter a password (if using email) and confirm your age — Tubi requires users to be at least 13 years old.

No payment information is collected during signup. Once your account is created, you can immediately start watching. Your account will remember your watch history, allow you to create a watchlist, and let you resume shows where you left off across devices.

If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen to reset it via email. You can update your account settings, change your password, or delete your account anytime from the account menu.

Watching on different devices

Tubi works on web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) without requiring an app download. Simply log in at tubi.tv and start playing a title. Video quality depends on your internet connection; Tubi streams at up to 1080p on supported devices.

On mobile, download the free Tubi app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app works on phones and tablets and allows offline viewing on some titles — you can download a show to watch later without an internet connection, though this feature is not available for all content.

For TV viewing, Tubi is built into Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google TV devices. Search for "Tubi" in your device's app store, install it, and sign in with your account. You can also use AirPlay (on Apple devices) or Chromecast to send Tubi from your phone or computer to your TV.

Internet speed and data use

Tubi recommends a minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps for standard definition and 25 Mbps for 4K streaming, though most content streams in 1080p. If your connection is slower, video may buffer or play at lower resolution automatically.

Data use depends on video quality and length of viewing. Streaming at 1080p typically uses 0.5 to 1 GB per hour. If you are on a limited data plan, watch over Wi-Fi or lower the video quality in your account settings. The offline download feature (where available) uses data only during the download, not during playback.

Ads and how they work

Ads appear before, during, and after content. You cannot skip most ads, though some may have a skip button after 5 seconds. The number of ad breaks varies — a 90-minute movie might have 3 to 5 ad breaks, while a 30-minute TV episode might have 2 to 3.

Tubi uses targeted advertising based on your viewing history and account information, similar to other free streaming services. You can adjust ad preferences in your account settings, though this does not remove ads entirely.

If you experience technical issues with ads (such as an ad that will not play or freezes the video), refresh the page or restart the app. Persistent ad problems can be reported through Tubi's help center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Tubi account with family members?

Yes. Multiple people can use the same account on different devices at the same time. Each person's watch history and watchlist are separate if they log in with their own email address, but they share the same account credentials. Tubi does not limit the number of simultaneous streams like some paid services do.

Does Tubi work outside the United States?

Tubi operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and a few other countries. If you are in an unsupported region, the service will not load. Some content is region-locked, meaning a title available in the US may not be available in Canada or Australia due to licensing restrictions.

What should I do if a video won't play or keeps buffering?

First, check your internet connection speed using a speed test tool — if it is below 5 Mbps, buffering is likely. Restart the app or refresh the browser page. Clear your browser cache or app cache in your device settings. If the problem persists on multiple titles, log out and log back in, or try a different device.

Is there a way to watch Tubi without ads?

No. Tubi does not offer a paid ad-free tier. Ads are how the service remains free. If you want ad-free streaming, you would need to use a different service that offers a paid subscription.

Can I download shows to watch offline?

Some titles on Tubi allow offline downloads through the mobile app. Look for a download icon next to the play button. Downloaded content expires after a set period (usually 30 days) and requires periodic internet connection to refresh. Not all content supports downloads due to licensing restrictions.