Streaming in 2025 is a bit different. You can expect two things from almost all platforms. You either pay to avoid ads, or you sit through them because you don’t. But Tubi doesn’t want your money. There’s no monthly fee, free trial, or even mandatory sign-up. And you get access to a surprisingly big library of shows and movies without paying a dime.
So, what’s the catch?
Well… ads, of course.
Here’s the thing: Tubi isn’t trying to sell you a premium service, and pretending to be something it’s not. It’s up front about what it is. It’s a free, ad-supported platform with no strings attached. And… depending on what you’re used to, it might actually be more tolerable than what you get with some paid services like Netflix and Hulu.
Does Tubi Have Ads?
Yes. Tubi has ads, and that’s the only thing that keeps it running.
Tubi is a completely free streaming service, with no subscriptions, no sign-up required (unless you want extra features), and no monthly fees. But instead of charging you, they run on an Ad-Supported video-on-demand (AVOD) model. So the trade-off is simple: you don’t pay with money, you pay with time.
You’ll see ads during movies and TV shows, just like traditional TV, but shorter. There’s no way to skip them and no premium upgrade that removes them. What you see is what you get.
But it’s a bit more forgiving than you might expect. The ads aren’t too frequent, and for most people, the price of “free” is more than fair. We’ll break down what kind of ads you’ll see and how often they show up in the next section.
Is Tubi Really Free?
Yes, Tubi is really free. There’s no credit card required, and no trial that auto-renews.
You don’t even have to sign up to start watching. Simply open the app or visit the website, pick something, and click play. No hidden fees, no content locked behind a paywall, no “free for 7 days” fine print.
Of course, it’s not charity. Tubi makes money by displaying ads. That’s how they license content and operate the platform. So while you won’t pay with your wallet, you will sit through a few commercials.
But in an age where every other platform asks for your email, billing info, and commitment, Tubi’s no-strings-attached model feels weirdly nice. Free in the way streaming used to be: simple and immediate, with just ads.
How is Tubi free?
Tubi is free because it’s ad-supported. No subscriptions, no paid upgrades, no hidden tiers.
Unlike Netflix or Hulu, which charge for their ad-supported plans, Tubi doesn’t charge at all. It’s AVOD (Ad-Supported Video on Demand): it licenses content, shows you a few ads during playback, and earns money from advertisers, not users.
No freemium here. You don’t unlock more content by paying. You don’t get fewer ads if you create an account. Everyone gets the same library, same ads, and that’s it.
It works because Tubi keeps costs low, focuses on licensed and older content, and can reach millions of users who are looking for a free alternative. Advertisers love that kind of reach, and viewers don’t mind a few ads when they’re not paying.
So, while Hulu and Netflix charge $7–$10/month just to show you ads, Tubi keeps it simple: free content, funded by ads, nothing else.
Is Tubi safe?
Yes, Tubi is completely safe to use. Both legally and digitally.
It’s a real streaming service owned by Fox Corporation and has fully licensed content. You’re not pirating anything, and there’s no backdoor streaming going on. It’s on all major app stores, smart TVs, game consoles, and browsers, so you’re not sideloading sketchy APKs or clicking through pop-up-ridden websites.
From a security standpoint, Tubi doesn’t ask for sensitive info unless you create an optional account (which only requires basic login details). No credit card required, no hidden subscriptions, and no paywall that appears after a free trial.
However, be cautious of fake Tubi clones or “modded” APKs that claim to remove ads. Those aren’t safe. Stick to the official app or website, and you’ll be fine.
Does Tubi Sell My Data?
Tubi doesn’t sell your personal data like those sketchy third-party apps do, but like most ad-supported platforms, it does collect and share data to serve ads.
When you use Tubi, especially if you create an account, the platform collects basic info like your device type, viewing habits, IP address, and general location. This helps advertisers serve you more relevant ads. This is the trade-off you make for free streaming.
According to Tubi’s privacy policy, they don’t sell personally identifiable information, such as your name or email. However, data can be shared with partners for ad delivery and measurement purposes. That’s how the platform stays free.
If you’re extra privacy-conscious, you can watch without signing in, use a browser’s incognito mode, and even connect through a VPN like Surfshark to mask your location and IP. It won’t block the ads, but it’ll give you a bit more control over what you’re sharing behind the scenes.
What types of ads does Tubi show?
Tubi shows traditional commercial-style ads: usually 15 to 30 seconds long, before and during your selected content. You’ll see a mix of national brands, streaming service promos, insurance, snacks, mobile apps, and sometimes even political or regional ads, depending on your location.
The ads are inserted at natural breaks in the video (like scene changes), though not always perfectly timed. There are no pop-ups or banner overlays. Just full-screen ads like you’d see on regular TV.
In terms of frequency, you can expect 4 to 6 minutes of ads per hour. That’s usually 1-2 pre-roll ads and a few mid-roll breaks, depending on what you’re watching. Movies have 3-5 ad breaks, while TV episodes typically have 2-3.
Compared to cable or even some paid ad-supported tiers (like Hulu or Peacock), Tubi’s ad load is pretty moderate, especially since it’s free. But if you’re binge-watching, the breaks will add up.
Can you skip ads on Tubi?
No, you can’t skip ads at all.
Once an ad starts, you’re stuck. There’s no “skip in 5 seconds” button, like on YouTube, and no fast-forwarding through commercials. Whether it’s a 15-second promo or a full 30-second spot, you have to watch it all the way through.
Tubi doesn’t give you the option to reduce ad frequency or pay to remove them. Everyone gets the same ad-supported experience.
How to block Tubi ads?
As of 2025, most ad blockers no longer work on Tubi.
Tubi has updated its ad delivery system to bypass or break common browser-based blockers. Even tools like uBlock Origin or DNS-level filtering often fail to block ads without disrupting playback entirely. Which is normal, as Tubi relies on ads to make revenue.
That said, if you’re still curious, some users have had limited success with premium blockers like Total Adblock or AdGuard on web browsers. These tools have more aggressive filtering than free extensions and are worth trying if you’re watching Tubi on Chrome or Edge.
But to be clear, there’s no way to block Tubi ads right now. They don’t have an ad-free tier, and trying to block ads will result in video errors, buffering, or missing content.
So while a few tools may offer some relief, the only way to use Tubi is to accept the ads or look elsewhere.
How to Watch Tubi Outside the US?
Tubi is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and a few other regions. If you’re outside those countries, you’ll get a limited version of the site or a “not available in your region” message.
To access the full US Tubi library from anywhere, you’ll need a reliable VPN that can bypass geo-restrictions. A VPN masks your IP address and makes it look like you’re browsing from another country. In this case, the US.
We recommend using Surfshark or NordVPN. Both work well with streaming platforms and offer fast speeds, which is crucial for seamless streaming without buffering. Simply connect to a US server, visit Tubi’s website or app, and you should be able to stream like a local.
Note: Tubi may update its detection systems from time to time, so not all VPNs are created equal. Stick to a trusted one, and you’ll have access to the full free library, no subscription required.
Tubi vs Pluto TV: Which one has more ads and better content?
Tubi and Pluto TV are both free, ad-supported streaming services, but the experience is quite different.
In terms of Ads, Tubi is generally lighter. Expect 4-6 minutes of ads per hour, mostly at natural breaks in on-demand content. Pluto TV is more like cable: live, scheduled channels (like Comedy Central or MTV-style lineups), so the ad load feels heavier and less predictable. You can’t pause or skip around on most Pluto content, and some channels have back-to-back ad blocks that go longer than Tubi’s.
As for content, Tubi also has the edge here. You’ll find a deep library of cult classics, B-movies, horror, documentaries, older TV shows, and a few hidden gems. It feels like a curated video store. Pluto TV leans more into live TV-style channels. So, think news, reality, true crime, and reruns. It’s great for background noise or channel surfing.
If you want to browse and binge without a schedule, Tubi is the way to go. If you want something always playing, Pluto’s live setup might feel more familiar.
Is Tubi better than Netflix if I don’t want to pay?
If you want to stream without spending a cent, then yes, Tubi is better than Netflix because Netflix doesn’t offer free content.
Tubi gives you instant access to a massive library of movies and shows with no subscription, no trial, and no sign-up wall. Netflix, even on its cheapest ad-supported plan, charges around $7.99/month, and that’s just for limited access with ads.
But content-wise wise they’re not playing the same game.
Netflix has exclusive originals, new releases, award award-winning productions. Tubi offers a diverse range of titles, including older classics, cult favorites, reality TV, and offbeat genre picks. It’s not trying to compete with Netflix; it has its own niche.
Is there an ad-free or paid plan available for Tubi?
No, Tubi does not offer an ad-free version or any paid subscription options.
There’s no premium upgrade, no hidden tier, and no way to pay to remove ads. The whole platform is free, ad-supported (AVOD), and that’s not changing anytime soon.
Whether you sign in or not, every user gets the same content library and the same commercials. So if you’re looking for a paid tier to skip the ads, Tubi isn’t the platform for that.
Final Thoughts
Tubi isn’t trying to compete with the big names like Netflix. It doesn’t have exclusive or original content. However, its library is surprisingly big and vast. Just from the homepage, there are some really good movies and niche shows to watch. If you’re into indie content, Tubi is a great platform. And to be very honest, the ads aren’t that intrusive.