Pluto TV Review

Pluto TV just might be the ultimate free cable replacement

PlutoTV
pluto tv
4 out of 5 stars
4
  • pro
    Free
  • pro
    250+ live TV channels
  • pro
    Extensive on-demand library
  • con
    Lots of ads
Craig Hanks
Jan 22, 2024
Icon Time To Read2 min read

Pluto TV is a free streaming service that’s owned by ViacomCBS. Why does that matter? ViacomCBS has been in the entertainment industry for a long time. They know how to handle a platform like Pluto TV—and judging by Pluto’s growth the last couple years, it shows.

You can already find popular shows like The Hunger Games and Charlie’s Angels on Pluto TV. And you can expect it to keep adding to the line up. This summer, you’ll see Minority Report, Shaft, Total Recall, and Forrest Gump join the streaming library.

If you like live TV, you can also get channels like Pluto Courtroom, Jersey Shore, and Bar Rescue.

Play Video

Is Pluto TV right for you?

If you’re looking for that cable experience but not that cable bill, Pluto TV might be just what you need. While you won’t have access to the same premium channels as the best TV providers, you’ll be able to find similar content among Pluto’s 294 channels. Some popular channels on Pluto include:

  • BET
  • CBS News
  • CMT
  • CNN
  • Comedy Central
  • FS1
  • History Channel
  • MTV
  • NBC News
  • Nickelodeon
  • Nick Jr.
  • Stadium

And if you prefer to watch on your own time, Pluto has several popular movies and TV shows in its on-demand library. You’ll need to sit through some ads while you marathon Naruto, but your wallet will thank you.

Keep in mind that you won’t have access to Originals exclusive to paid platforms like Netflix, and Pluto TV’s selection of new or original content is a little slim.

pro
Pros
pro Completely free
pro 294 live TV channels
pro Extensive on-demand library
con
Cons
con Commercial supported
con Limited originals
con No DVR

How does Pluto TV compare to the competition?

It’s hard to beat free, but is Pluto TV enough to fill all your TV needs? If you watch a lot of sports, enjoy premium live TV channels, or want to talk about Squid Game with your friends, you’ll likely need to crack open your wallet a little.
Sports fans will love all 50 of fuboTV’s sports channels while Hulu + Live TV will appeal to lovers of original and on-demand content. And we recommend YouTube TV if you like lots of variety and want unlimited DVR storage. For comparison, Pluto TV doesn’t have any DVR functionality.

Pluto TV pricing compared to live TV streaming services
Provider
Price
Available channels
Learn more
Free294
Fubo TVFuboTV
$79.99–$99.99259
YouTubeTVYouTube TV
$34.99-$489100
HuluHulu + Live TV
$69.99-$95.9985
SlingSling
$40-$5546
Directv stream correct logo (2023)DIRECTV
$69.99-$149.99*185
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
* Plus taxes. Req's purchase of Device. New customers only.

If you’re on a strict budget, you can supplement Pluto TV with other free streaming services.

How do I watch Pluto TV?

The simplest way to watch Pluto TV is to access its website from your laptop. You can also download the Pluto TV app on your smart device.

If you want a premium experience, you can get the Pluto TV app on a streaming platform like Roku or Amazon Fire. We tested Pluto TV on Roku, but you can compare all our favorite streaming devices below.

Device
Price
Video quality
Internal storage
Learn more
Roku Streaming Stick+$44.994K Ultra HD + HDR256 MB
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K$49.994K + HDR10+8 GB
NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro$199.994K HDR16 GB
Apple TV 4K$179.99–$199.994K HDR32 GB–64 GB

Amazon.com List Prices (as of 04/12/22 10:55 MST).

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon.com. This content is provided "as is" and is subject to change or removal at any time. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Reviews.org utilizes paid Amazon links.

Craig Hanks
Written by
Craig is a long-time writer, presenter, and podcaster, and he now runs the Reviews.org YouTube channel, where he strives to be far more charming and presentable than he is in real life. Within the Reviews.org umbrella, he has accidentally become a streaming expert after covering the streaming wars for almost three years. Craig is also the founder and host of The Legendarium Podcast, his outlet for his love of fantasy and sci-fi literature.

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