Mobdro was once one of the best live TV streaming and free video-on-demand apps in the world. Unfortunately, the streaming service disappeared into thin air early in 2021 without any official announcement from its developers. This move has pushed users to look for alternatives that will quench their thirst for free content. If you are still on the lookout for the best Mobdro alternatives, you are getting lucky because, in this article, we list down the best TV apps like Mobdro you can ever get.
What Happened to Mobdro?
Although there have been no official words from the developers as to why they have abruptly shut down Mobdro, the cessation is pointing in a single direction, and that is copyright issues. It’s not a secret that the service distributes copyrighted titles from different production companies without a clear indication of how they were able to rightfully do so. The service is also completely free which is, although not always true, a red flag for a website that provides the latest episodes and shows. These rumors are backed by a copyright complaint to Google containing different domains that Mobdro used over the years. The complaint is dated just a few months before Mobdro disappeared.
This is not the first time that a pretty huge streaming platform was busted in connection to copyright concerns. Showbox, a quite known free movie app, met a similar fate after being banned in many countries following pressures from movie studios with claims of intellectual rights breaches. Although Showbox has since hopped onto different domains, it never really got back to its feet. Sadly, we are seeing the same trend for Mobdro.
Also read: Best Apps Like Showbox
Best Mobdro Alternatives That Are Legal
Thankfully, there are now a lot of Mobdro alternatives that are completely legal. Some production and network companies would come up with a free on-demand service to keep their subscribers updated on their latest shows. Other free-to-use streaming platforms also enter deals with production houses to distribute their shows and movies. They are often ad-supported so they can sustain their business. Below are some of the best apps like Mobdro, except they are all legal.
1. Peacock TV
Peacock TV is our top pick for the best app that can replace Mobdro. Its collection is humongous, from news programs and live sporting events down to comedy and TV dramas. With just an email, you can register for the service and enjoy thousands of hours of free on-demand TV.
Some of the TV shows you can enjoy are Downton Abbey, Chicago P.D., 30Rock, and Suit. There are also entertainment and current events programs like Fallon Tonight, NBC Sports, NBC News, and Dateline 24/ 7. Add to that a library of movies (new and classic) from major Hollywood studios that you can binge-watch such as Back to the Future, The Hobbit, Seven, and popular comfort movies like Notting Hill, The Proposal, and Eternal Sunshine.
Peacock TV’s free plan will have advertisements in between. Some shows might also have viewing limitations. To access everything from Peacock TV you may opt for Peacock TV Premium (ad-supported) or Peacock TV Premium Plus (no ads).
Download Peacock TV from Google Play Store
Download Peacock TV from the App Store
2. Pluto TV
It’s impossible not to come across Pluto TV if you scour for Mobdro alternatives on the internet; that’s because it’s a popular app for cord-cutters. Frankly, it’s inaccurate to call it just an alternative since it’s much better than Mobdro in all aspects. Pluto TV is owned by VivacomCBS, owner of Paramount, Nickelodeon, and The CW, so its library is expectedly meaty.
For live TV, it partnered with hundreds of channels that are segregated into news, entertainment, sports, reality, kids, and classic TV. Some of the popular channels to watch are CBS, CNN, NBC, MTV, Fox Sports, NFL, and Nick to name a few. For the on-demand service, it has some of the greatest titles such as 007, Star Trek, and Titanic.
You don’t even have to sign up to start watching Pluto TV for free, although you will need to if you want to sync your watchlist across devices. In exchange for letting you binge-watch for free, Pluto TV plays ads before and in between streaming.
Download Pluto TV from Google Play Store
Download Pluto TV from the App Store
3. Tubi TV
You can’t run out of good titles to watch on Tubi TV, thanks to its partnership with major studios. This Mobdro alternative has Warner Bros., Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM on its back, which equates to thousands of hours of streaming great content.
Some of the most-watched titles on the platform are Prison Girls, Zulu, The Cosmic Secret, and Plug Love. Aside from Hollywood movies, they also offer TV dramas, stand-up comedy series, reality TV, and even Bollywood hits.
Content aside, Tubi TV’s compatibility with different devices is what makes it one of the best Mobdro alternatives. Aside from mobile, it allows you to bring your watchlist on select gaming consoles, smart TVs, fireTV, and Chromecast. Since you will be watching for free, Tubi TV’s content will be ad-supported to monetize their partner studios.
Download Tubi TV from Google Play Store
Download Tubi TV from the App Store
4. IMDb TV
This might be a shocker for you but IMDb, the movie database and review site, also has a streaming service where you can watch movies and shows in full — not just trailers. In exchange for viewing ads, IMDb TV lets you watch premium movies and TV shows without a need for a subscription.
Blockbuster movies comprise a great deal of its library, but it also has a fair share of great TV shows to watch; hence, a good Mobdro alternative. White Collar, Chicago Fire, Perry Mason, and Kitchen Nightmares are just a few of the popular TV shows on the platform. It also has a good collection of originals such as Leverage: Redemption, Judy Justice, and Pretty Hard Cases.
Aside from the mobile application, IMDb TV is also readily available on your browser via the Amazon website or IMDb TV channel through Prime Video. As long as you have an Amazon account — Prime membership is not needed — you will be able to start IMDb TV playback immediately.
Download IMDb TV from Google Play Store
Download IMDb TV from the App Store
5. Sling TV Free
Although Sling TV has a trove of great movies, from action-thriller to rom-com, it’s more dedicated to providing a free, on-demand TV experience for its users. If you like to dip your toes into current events, you would be glad to know that Sling TV provides real-time simulcast of news programs from networks like CBS and ABC News. Its library also has a fair share of entertainment, thanks to its partner channels like ET and Discovery.
Of course, Sling TV Free wouldn’t land this list of Mobdro alternatives if it didn’t have bingeable TV shows. Some of the favorite titles that you can watch at your own pace are Sea Patrol, Heartland, Grounded Life, and Rick and Morty. It also has some cult classics like The Adventures of Jim Bowie and The Saint.
Registration is optional on Sling TV Free unless you want to purchase a pay-per-view event or rent movies. Alternatively, you can upgrade to a paid subscription to access everything from Sling including NFL and Premier League live sporting events.
Download Sling TV Free from Google Play Store
Download Sling TV Free from the App Store
6. Crackle
You could be missing great movies and TV shows if you haven’t tried Crackle yet. It’s a free Mobdro alternative, so there’s no point in delaying your experience with it. Admittedly, it doesn’t have the most popular programming and movies, but it’s a unique place to find binge-worthy titles that went off the radar.
In the Crackle library are more than a thousand titles, which means choosing a movie or show to watch can be hard. Thankfully, Crackle allows you to filter out genres to find a title that you can add to your watchlist. Some of our recommendations would be The Switch (Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman), Paddington, Traffik, C.O.G, and The Machine.
Like most of the free TV apps on this list, Crackle inserts ads on each playback for monetization. But for the price tag of $0, can you complain?
Download Crackle from Google Play Store
Download Crackle from the App Store
7. Roku Channel
Contrary to many’s misconceptions, you don’t have to own a Roku media player or streaming stick just to watch shows and movies on Roku Channel. The service is readily available on any internet-capable device, including your trusty smartphone. And since it’s one of Mobdro alternatives, it means it is also completely free to use.
For live programs, you can watch news programs like ABC News Live and NBC News Now along with entertainment channels featuring games shows, reality TV, music, and educational programs. You can also binge on Roku’s original content and acquired programming, ranging from comedies, drama, action, kid shows. However, its free content frequently renews, so you should watch them as they come out. Alternatively, you can upgrade your account to premium to access more from Roku Channel.
Download Roku Channel from Google Play Store
Download Roku Channel from the App Store
8. Vudu
Vudu, Walmart’s streaming platform, now also allows watching select TV shows and movies for free following its merger with FandangoNow. This move effectively makes it one of the best Mobdro alternatives. Titles that are free to stream on Vudu were inserted with ads for a common reason, monetization.
There are a bunch of top-rated American TV shows and movies that you can watch on Vudu Free, ranging from comedy, young-adult titles, action, and mystery. If you haven’t tried Vudu yet, you can easily identify free-to-watch titles by going to the “Free” movies and shows tab or by looking for titles that are labeled as “Free with Ads.” For users that previously have a FandangoNow account, you can still use your old login credential on Vudu. Otherwise, create an account using Facebook or Walmart.
Download Vudu from Google Play Store
Download Vudu from the App Store
Also read: How to Use Vudu on Mobile
9. Kanopy
If you want to dip your toes in classic cinema and thoughtful documentaries, Kanopy is the Mobdro alternative that you should pick. It has a good collection of award-winning pieces available at your disposal for free, only for one condition — you should sign up using your public library card information or university login.
Kanopy partners with local libraries and universities around the U.S. to cover the cost of its members for streaming. These partnerships also allow you to watch whatever is on the platform with interruptions from ads. Before you sign up to Kanopy, verify if your public library or university is a participating member of the platform.
Download Kanopy from Google Play Store
Download Kanopy from the App Store
10. Redbox Free Live TV
Redbox Free Live TV is also a great option if you are looking for Mobdro alternatives. It was initially a destination for movie rentals until it ventured into streaming live TV for free, as its name would suggest. Redbox has a multitude of partner channels that stream their programs on the platform as they air, which include both small cable channels and established news networks.
Other than live TV, Redbox also has free on-demand titles under its hood. Their availability is often time-limited, but they are also hard to miss since some of them are award-winning. Just take note that everything on Redbox’s free-on-demand library will be ad-supported. If you don’t want that, you can rent them instead.
Download Redbox from Google Play Store
Download Redbox from the App Store
11. Xumo
Xumo, Comcast’s over-the-top internet television service, also has something to offer to people looking for Mobdro alternatives. Its content is scattered into different categories, with TV & Movies and Sports as the largest ones. You have to follow its regular scheduled programming to catch the shows you like; however, it’s not a live broadcast most of the time and is different from what you get over the cable service. Regardless, it’s still a great way to get updated on the shows you follow even when you are away from your television set.
Xumo has a few national as well as local news programs on its banner such as ABC News Live, USA Today, and NBC News Now. For TV & Movies, it has a dedicated channel for sci-fi and fantasy, action, American classics, documentaries, and even Bollywood. For sports, you can catch Fox Sports, Sports Wire, and Impact Wrestling to name a few. Xumo also has limited on-demand content such as short clips from shows and movies.
Download Xumo from Google Play Store
Download Xumo from the App Store
12. Airy TV
Airy TV is almost just a cable TV service, except it transmits shows over the internet and you are paying nothing. This cloud-based Mobdro alternative has over 50 partner channels that provide 24/7 entertainment wherever you are through news programs, sports, and movies. All you need to have is the app or a browser and you are set to watch live simulcasts of shows.
The biggest deal-breaker of Airy TV, though, is it doesn’t have an on-demand service. This means, just like a regular TV, there is no replay when you miss a show you are following. Also, Airy TV mostly features local channels that have bizarre programming. Hopefully, Airy TV can feature more mainstream channels in the long run.
Download Airy TV from Google Play Store
Download Airy TV from the App Store
13. YouTube
As the biggest video-sharing platform, you shouldn’t be surprised to see YouTube on this list. Aside from amateur videos, the platform is also home to content made by well-established creators and even TV networks. For the live programming, you would find news programs and sporting events simulcasting on TV and YouTube — all you have to do is to look for them on YouTube’s live section. Alternatively, you can go on the YouTube channel of the shows or programs that you are following for occasional catch-ups on their uploads.
Of course, there aren’t movies and TV series on the free version of YouTube. That said, you can activate YouTube Premium for exclusive and original content along with an ad-free experience.
Download YouTube from Google Play Store
Download YouTube from the App Store
Use Mobdro Alternatives, Or Get Premium
Mobdro has helped many kill time by binging on movies and TV for free, but it has had its day. Hopefully, the apps like Mobdro on this list can live up to your expectations of what a free TV app should be. They obviously have limitations on access and amount of titles. If you want to have more freedom on what and how you watch, you can opt for a premium streaming app like Netflix and Disney Plus. They have no ads and they have a lot of originals on offer. If you are eligible, you can even get them for free!
