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10 Best Popcorn Time Alternatives in 2025
Last updated April 2, 2025
After facing a barrage of legal problems, the last "official" Popcorn Time fork shut down in 2022. Even though many clones are still available, most are just trying to capitalize on the original's success to trick you into paying a subscription or infect your device with malware. That said, you'll need a trustworthy Popcorn Time alternative if you plan on continuing to watch movies and TV shows free of charge.
We'll also note that Popcorn Time used to offer copyrighted content as a P2P-based app. Keep in mind that accessing such content is illegal in most countries. In fact, there's no need to resort to piracy, as we have tons of legitimate streaming apps, the best of which you'll find in this article.
Based on our hands-on tests, this guide offers you a series of the best Popcorn Time alternatives. They allow you to watch publicly available content, even though some can also be used in other ways. We strongly recommend you stick to watching the content you own (or paid for) to ensure you're on the safe side of the law.
10 Best Popcorn Time Alternatives That Still Work in 2025
Popcorn Time used to bring tons of content, free of charge. So, you'll want an alternative with a sizable library of movies, TV shows, and other types of content - and you'll want titles worth watching. Also, since it used to be a Web-based app, you'll want a replacement in the form of a website or a cross-platform app. That way, you can stream at home and on the go.
To improve your streaming experience, look for a platform with a user-friendly UI and different ways to organize your content. You'll also want some extras like a watchlist, for example. Needless to say, you must be extra careful and avoid Popcorn Time clones and copycats designed to trick you into clicking on malicious links or downloading malware.
Based on the criteria laid out above, these are the 10 best Popcorn Time alternatives in 2025:
- Kodi - Unlimited Video Streaming via Free Add-ons
- Plex - Tons of Free Live TV + On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
- Stremio - Access All Your Streaming Apps from One Place
- Jellyfin - Best For Watching Your Locally Stored Content
- Duckie TV - Best For Watching P2P-Based Content
- BBC iPlayer - Critically Acclaimed Movies & TV Shows for Free
- Crackle - Tons of Free Movies and TV Shows + Exclusive Originals
- Tubi - Curated Selection of Free Movies & Shows
- CWTV - CW-Exclusive Content Available Without a Sign Up
- Fandango at Home - Periodically Rotating Holywood Blockbusters for Free
1. Kodi - Unlimited Video Streaming via Free Add-ons
Kodi is among the most popular home theater applications, allowing you to store and organize your library of media files (movies, TV shows, photos, music, and more). Most importantly, it has a whole slate of legal Kodi addons that you can install in seconds.
We'd also like to add that TechNadu's team has been using Kodi for a long time. That said, we've produced plenty of guides. In terms of watching free content, make sure to check out our guides on the best Kodi add-ons for movies, TV shows, live sports, documentaries, and music.
If this is your first time encountering Kodi, we have numerous helpful resources. First, we recommend reading our article on what's Kodi, and then you can proceed to our 'Beginner's Guide' to Kodi. Reading those guides will help you understand the central concept behind the app, how to install it, and more.
2. Plex - Tons of Free Live TV + On-Demand Movies and TV Shows
Plex was initially a home theater application. In that sense, it's similar to Kodi, which is Plex's biggest competitor. However, we've seen plenty of interesting developments in the last year that have made Plex a powerful media streaming service. And in many ways, we believe Plex to be a much better option than Popcorn Time ever was - and here's why.
First, Plex gives you free access to live TV channels. Those are online-based TV channels such as IGN, AFV Family, Motorvision TV, Fight Network, Sportswire, Reuters, USA Today, and more. Then, you'll find on-demand movies and TV shows, Web series, and podcasts. And yes, all of that is 100% legal and free of charge.
Lastly, you can try Plex using your web browser. However, you can also set it up on your computer, smartphone, media streaming device, smart TV, gaming console, and more.
3. Stremio - Access All Your Streaming Apps from One Place
Stremio is a modern-looking media center that allows you to create your own streaming service. It works with locally stored content but supports add-ons as well. The more add-ons you install, the more sources of content you'll add to Streamio. The application is open-sourced and available free of charge.
So, where does Stremio source videos from? The app gets content straight from sites like YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and tons more. Regarding platform support, Stremio supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, among others. Let's not forget there's even support for Steam Deck and Meta Quest headsets.
Another handy feature is that Stremio supports synchronization. So, if you want a media center for multiple devices in your home, this one will keep track of your progress across all your devices. All you need is a Stremio account, available free of charge.
4. Jellyfin - Best For Watching Your Locally Stored Content
In many ways, Jellyfin is similar to other Popcorn Time alternatives mentioned throughout this article (such as Kodi and Plex, for example). That said, Jellyfin is not a media streaming service, as it won't give you access to movies and TV shows online. However, it gives you a framework to organize your own library.
That means that with Jellyfin, you'll need to create your own Popcorn Time-like streaming service. First, add your locally stored movies and TV shows to your Jellyfin library (using your computer, for example). Then, you can access that library on pretty much any device imaginable. That includes smartphones, media streaming devices, smart TVs, and Web browsers.
In many ways, Jellyfin is more capable than Popcorn Time, even though it requires a bit of work on your part to set everything up correctly. However, it's worth the extra effort.
5. Duckie TV - Best For Watching P2P-Based Content
Duckie TV is an open-source app that helps you find TV shows and movies through P2P. The app is built to satiate the needs of TV show lovers, as it gives you a dedicated and personalized TV show calendar. There is also an independent and integrated Duckie P2P client. This handy feature can connect your local torrent client to Ducky TV.
Moreover, users can stay updated on the download progress without switching applications. This alternative of Popcorn Time supports many torrent clients like uTorrent, Vuze, and qBittorent, among others.
Finally, Duckie TV allows you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows in your preferred language. You get the subtitle feature in up to 18 languages using the Duckie TV app. Also, it's a privacy-friendly app that works across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
6. BBC iPlayer - Critically Acclaimed Movies & TV Shows for Free
BBC iPlayer is one of the best sources of free movies and TV shows, offering a sizable library of titles that gets updated daily. Don't make a mistake thinking this platform is only about the BBC; it also offers American movies and TV shows, including full seasons. The best of all is that all you need is an account, which anyone can create.
The most significant limitation of BBC iPlayer is that it only works in the UK. However, there is a way to unblock iPlayer from abroad. What you need is a VPN with UK-based servers. You need to be a bit picky when it comes to these, as not every VPN can unblock this streaming service. Our guide to the best iPlayer VPNs can be of great help in finding a reliable option.
Lastly, we'll add that you can access iPlayer using any Web browser. However, you can also download its apps for desktop devices (for offline viewing), smartphones, tablets, streaming devices, and even game consoles.
7. Crackle - Tons of Free Movies and TV Shows + Exclusive Originals
Crackle is among the best movie streaming apps out there, being a gateway to a sizeable list of movies and TV shows. Furthermore, Crackle has recently started offering exclusives, cementing its position as a proactive streaming service that has been here for a long time.
You'll currently find Taboo, Follow Me, Halloween, Colonia, Killing Season, and plenty more among the most popular titles on Crackle. On top of that, let's not forget that Crackle is a legitimate media streaming service previously owned by Sony. So, there's nothing illegal here - which, as you know, can't be said for Popcorn Time.
Crackle is available on pretty much any device out there. You can also access it via any web browser. It requires you to register an account. However, it's available in the US and select countries across South America. To access it from other regions, you'll need a suitable VPN - so, here's how to watch American Crackle outside the US.
8. Tubi - Curated Selection of Free Movies & Shows
Our list of the best Popcorn Time alternatives wouldn't be complete without Tubi. This is a really cool media streaming service that brings movies and TV shows. All you have to do is register an account, and you'll access one of the most interesting free-of-charge streaming libraries out there.
For example, Tubi lets you watch movies such as The Village, The Last of the Mohicans, House of Wax, Signs, Black Rock, Midsomer Murders, Die Hard, Cop Out, Troy, and more. There really is plenty to watch here, and we guarantee you'll be surprised by what Tubi offers. And of course, we briefly mentioned movies here, but know that Tubi offers TV shows as well.
Just recently, Tubi started rolling out a dedicated 'News' category, focusing on national (US) and global news, which is a sign that Tubi is here to stay. That said, it's available in the US, Canada, Mexico, LATAM, the UK, and Australia, but you can unblock Tubi using a VPN app.
9. CWTV - CW-Exclusive Content Available Without a Sign Up
You might be surprised to see CWTV among our recommendations. However, unlike similar digital apps, this one doesn't require a subscription to its parent channel, The CW. CWTV offers all its content free of charge, and you don't need an account. Just hit "Play," and you'll enjoy countless ad-free movies and TV shows.
As you'd expect, this streaming platform focuses on TV shows. Aside from CW's original content, which becomes available on the platform as soon as it airs, you'll find hundreds of TV shows from other networks. Even its movie library isn't too shabby, as CWTV offers curated collections of action, thriller, comedy, sci-fi, documentary, and anime movies.
Due to broadcast rights, CWTV is available only in the US. You can watch CWTV outside the US using a streaming-friendly VPN. Connect to a US VPN server and leave the app running in the background while streaming - as easy as that.
10. Fandango at Home - Periodically Rotating Holywood Blockbusters for Free
As you already know, Popcorn Time gives you instant access to movies and TV shows - many of which are copyrighted and illegal to stream that way. That said, Fandango at Home (previously known as VUDU) comes with a similar premise, but there is nothing illegal about it. This highly popular streaming service only requires you to register an account.
Don't worry, as Fandango at Home won't ask for your payment information or anything similar. Once you create an account, you'll get to visit the streaming platform's free section, where movies and TV shows await. Some of the most popular options right now are The Blair With Project, The Descent, Killing Them Softly, Dark Skies, Red State, and more.
Lastly, you'll be happy to know that Fandango at Home works on any Web browser. On top of that, it offers native apps for smartphones, computers, streaming devices, and game consoles.
Final Thoughts
As this article has proven, plenty of Popcorn Time alternatives are worth your time. They all show that streaming high-quality movies and TV shows is still possible without paying anything. For example, Kodi is an excellent option if you wish to create your own streaming service. At the same time, Crackle, BBC iPlayer, and Tubi offer tons of content independently, and Duckie TV uses the same P2P architecture as the original.
We also encourage you to make a wise choice and ensure your privacy on the Web. No matter which option you choose, a VPN will help you preserve your privacy and ensure no one knows what you do online. Of course, it's also essential to stay informed about copyright laws when accessing content.
We recommend NordVPN, as it's the most streaming-friendly VPN out there. Aside from giving you access to every single streaming site/app mentioned in this article, it'll ensure you're not tracked or slowed down by your Internet provider's P2P-related throttling.
That would be all we have prepared for this guide. If you have anything to add, make sure to use the comments section below. Lastly, thanks for reading!
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