21 Best Free Live TV Streaming Alternatives to USTVGO in 2024

USTVGO has long been one of the most popular free live TV streaming platforms. At its peak, USTVGO offered access to over 800 channels completely free of charge!

However, due to evolving licensing restrictions and instability, USTVGO is sadly no longer as readily accessible or reliable as it once was.

But don‘t despair my friend! There are still plenty of great free alternatives to enjoy live TV in 2024. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be sharing the 21 top options to replace USTVGO for streaming free live TV across your devices.

Let‘s get started!

A Quick Refresher – What Was USTVGO?

First, let‘s recap what made USTVGO so popular over the years:

100% free live TV streaming service
Supported by ads
No credit card or login required
Allowed streaming on all major devices and web browsers
Offered 800+ live TV channels when at its peak
Included major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and more
Also featured many popular cable channels like ESPN, MTV, FX, TNT, Discovery, History, AMC and others
Only available in the United States

The main appeal was the sheer amount of content offered entirely free, reminiscent of cable TV but without the burdensome bill each month.

Unfortunately, as broadcasting rights evolved, USTVGO began losing many of its channel offerings until shutdown in 2022.

But the good news is there are now dozens of new free alternatives that aim to provide the same experience in its place!

21 Top Free Live TV Streaming Services Like USTVGO

Based on extensive research and testing, here are the 21 best free options available in 2024 to replace USTVGO for streaming live TV:

1. Pluto TV

Completely free live TV service
Funded by advertisements
Offers over 350 live channels
Wide variety of genres including news, sports, movies, comedy, lifestyle
Intuitive channel guide and personalized recommendations
Available on all major streaming devices and platforms

With endless content and intuitive interface, Pluto TV is arguably the closest overall replacement for the USTVGO experience.

2. The Roku Channel

100% free live TV channels
No subscription, fees or login required
Pre-installed on all Roku streaming devices
Over 175+ live channels available and expanding regularly
Thousands of hit movies and TV shows available on-demand
Clean, easy-to-use interface

The Roku Channel is a must-try for Roku device owners looking for free live TV.

3. Plex

Media server software with free live TV capabilities
Bring your own HDTV antenna and tuner to receive local broadcast channels
Powerful DVR features allow recording shows to watch later
Extensive on-demand media libraries also available
Apps across all major platforms and devices

Plex makes it easy for cord-cutters to roll their own live TV streaming service using an antenna. Excellent DVR recording abilities too.

4. Xumo

Ad-supported free streaming service
Owned by Comcast
Over 160+ live channels spanning entertainment, news, sports, lifestyle
New channels and on-demand content added monthly
Available across smart TVs, streaming devices, web and mobile

With continued growth and backing by Comcast, Xumo is a rising star for free live TV.

5. Redbox Free Live TV

Free live TV streaming through Redbox app
Ads support the service
90+ popular channels including entertainment, news, and sports
Extensive on-demand library with free movies and shows
Available on all major streaming platforms and devices

Redbox leverages its brand recognition and on-demand catalog to offer an excellent free live TV option.

6. IMDB TV

Ad-supported free streaming from Amazon
Over 100 live channels covering entertainment, news, sports, kids
Tens of thousands of hit movies and shows available on-demand
X-Ray features provide extras and info while viewing
Available as an app and through Amazon Prime Video

Backed by Amazon‘s immense catalog, IMDB TV offers a robust selection of free live TV.

7. Peacock

Free tier offers about a dozen live NBC/Comcast channels
Can upgrade to Peacock Premium for full NBC live access
Hundreds of NBC shows and Universal movies available on-demand
Available across all major devices and platforms

NBC fans will appreciate free access to limited live NBC channels and huge on-demand catalog on Peacock.

8. Crackle

100% free, ad-supported live TV and on-demand
Owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment
Dozens of live TV channels from Sony Pictures, NBCU, CBS and more
Thousands of movies and shows available on-demand
Original content like Going From Broke
Apps on all devices

Crackle offers an underrated selection of free live TV and tons of Hollywood movies and shows on-demand.

9. PBS Video App

Official app for accessing PBS digital content
Live streams from PBS member stations
Latest episodes and hundreds of classics available on-demand
100% free access across all devices

The PBS Video app provides free live and on-demand access to beloved PBS programming.

10. Haystack TV

Free news streaming service
Streams live news from over 200 global sources
Local, national and international news channels
Customizable news experience based on interests and objectivity
Available across all major devices and platforms

Haystack TV delivers 24/7 live news coverage from around the world for free.

11. Stirr

Free streaming service from Sinclair Broadcast Group
100+ live channels spanning entertainment, news, lifestyle
Live local Sinclair stations available based on location
New content added regularly
Apps for all major devices

Sinclair leverages its many broadcast partnerships to offer Stirr‘s extensive live TV lineup.

12. Sling TV

Popular subscription live TV service
Limited time free previews available periodically
Preview includes 20+ popular live channels
No credit card required for preview access
Available across all major devices and platforms

Sling TV frequently offers free preview promotions of its live TV service. Take advantage when available!

13. YouTube

Many news, sports and digital networks offer free 24/7 live streams
YouTube TV offers 5-7 day free trials for full live TV service
Huge catalog of free TV shows and movies
Available across all mobile, web and TV platforms

YouTube itself hosts many free live streams. And YouTube TV trials provide temporary access to full live TV.

14. Samsung TV Plus

For Samsung smart TV owners (2016 models and newer)
100% free live TV streaming
Over 200 channels spanning entertainment, news, sports and more
No downloads, accounts or fees required
Additional channel options customizable by region

Samsung smart TV owners are in luck with the Samsung TV Plus app offering tons of free live TV.

15. LG Channels

Available on newer LG smart TV models (webOS 3.0 and newer)
Over 350 free live TV channels
No login, subscriptions or fees needed
Diverse channel lineup including movies, entertainment, news, comedy, gaming, outdoors and more

LG TV owners should take advantage of LG Channels impressive free live TV lineup.

16. VIZIO WatchFree+

Pre-installed on new VIZIO smart TVs
100+ free live TV channels from major networks
Thousands of hit movies and shows available on-demand
New entertainment added daily
Simple to use – just launch the app to start watching

VIZIO smart TV owners can use WatchFree+ for 100+ free live channels.

17. Plex News

Part of Plex media server software
Streams 80+ live news channels from around the world
News content aggregated from a variety of free online sources
Customizable based on interests and preferred sources
Available on all devices with Plex app installed

Plex News offers a great way to stay up-to-date with free live news from around the globe.

18. Hoopla

Digital library service offered through local public libraries
Collection includes dozens of major broadcast and cable TV channels
Users can access a limited number of borrowed items per month
Create an account and link your library card to start watching
Apps available across all devices

Link up your library card with Hoopla to access free borrowed live TV channels each month.

19. Kanopy

On-demand streaming service offered through public libraries
Collection includes content from PBS, A&E, History Channel, and more
Users can borrow and stream a limited number of items each month
Create an account and link your library card
Available across all devices

Kanopy provides library card holders free access to borrowed live TV and on-demand content.

20. Locast

Non-profit live TV streaming service
Provides local broadcast stations for free in 35+ US TV markets
Supported by user donations (completely optional)
Streams ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX and other local channels based on location
Available via website and apps

Locast offers local live TV streaming from major broadcast networks in several US cities.

21. Facebook Watch

Official Facebook video platform
Streams some live news, sports, entertainment and more
Watch Facebook originals like Red Table Talk for free
Available through desktop site and Facebook‘s iOS and Android apps
Viewable by anyone with a free Facebook account

Facebook Watch provides a limited but solid lineup of free live programming.

Using a VPN to Enhance Your Streaming Experience

When accessing free live TV platforms, using a VPN provides major benefits:

Bypass Geographic Restrictions – Many free streaming sites block access based on location. A VPN allows you to bypass this geographical blocking by changing your virtual location.

For example, Locast is only available in certain US TV markets. But with a VPN you can appear located in one of Locast‘s serviced cities and access it from anywhere.

Enhanced Privacy & Security – Free platforms often have lower privacy and security standards compared to paid services. A VPN provides encrypted protection of your streaming activity and personal information.

Unthrottled Speeds – VPN encryption prevents internet providers from throttling speeds on streaming traffic. This results in faster, higher quality video on free platforms.

Access Anywhere – VPN network extensions allow accessing free streaming services normally blocked on public Wi-Fi, school and workplace networks, and anywhere with restrictions.

Our VPN recommendation is ExpressVPN. With ultra-fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and apps for all devices, ExpressVPN is the top choice for optimizing free live TV streaming.

Visit ExpressVPN »

Key Advantages of Switching to a USTVGO Alternative

Despite losing access to USTVGO itself, there are some major perks to switching over to a new free live TV alternative:

More Stability – With regularly maintained platforms like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel, you can enjoy greater reliability versus USTVGO‘s decline.

Improved Channel Selection – Alternative options like Xumo and Redbox Live TV offer more relevant channel lineups focused on popular entertainment.

Enhanced Features – Services like Plex offer great DVR capabilities to record shows, something not possible on USTVGO.

More Device Support – Nearly every alternative covered has apps across phones, tablets, streaming boxes, web and more.

New Content Libraries – Huge on-demand libraries from platforms like Tubi, Crackle and IMDB TV complement their live TV offerings.

Geographic Diversity – Options like Haystack News and Plex News provide live streaming from dozens of global sources.

The breadth of free alternatives means you can easily find a service (or mix of several) that improves upon the USTVGO experience in major ways.

Key Considerations When Selecting an Alternative

With the sheer number of free live TV options now available, it helps to weigh a few key factors when selecting a service:

Number of channels – If channel count is a priority, Pluto TV and Sling Free Preview offer the most options.
Content focus – If interested in a specific genre, choose a tailored option like Haystack News for 24/7 live news.
Device availability – Ensure the platform is accessible on your streaming devices, smart TV, mobile, etc.
Extra features – Plex and Sling provide handy DVR abilities to record live TV shows and movies.
User experience – Try out the interface and ease of use – services like Roku Channel and Pluto excel here.
Rating and reviews – Check reviews and input from other users to gauge stability and reliability.

By keeping these aspects in mind, you can zero in on the free live TV platforms that best match your streaming needs and preferences.

And don‘t forget to use a VPN for enhanced access, speed and security!

FAQs About Free Live TV Streaming Alternatives

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions when using free live TV platforms:

Are there really 100% free options?

Yes, the services listed in this guide offer completely free access supported by advertisements. No credit card or setup is required.

What devices allow streaming free live TV?

Most major options like Pluto TV or Xumo support streaming across mobiles, tablets, computers, streaming boxes, smart TVs and web. Some services like Sling offer previews right in a web browser.

What are the best free alternatives to USTVGO?

Based on channel selection, reliability and availability, the top contenders are Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Plex, Xumo, Redbox and Sling Free Preview.

Can I use these services outside of the US?

Some alternatives only work inside the US. But a quality VPN like ExpressVPN allows you to bypass geographic restrictions and access US streaming platforms from anywhere.

Do I need to create accounts for these free services?

While most alternatives don‘t require accounts, creating one enables customization features like watching lists. Entering just an email address suffices without needing full signup.

Is streaming free live TV legal?

Yes, the platforms themselves provide legal free content supported by ads or other partnerships. However, geographic restrictions may require using a VPN to access some platforms outside their supported region.

Final Thoughts on Replacing USTVGO

It‘s unfortunate USTVGO shut down, but its legacy lives on through the many free live TV alternatives now available. As this guide outlined, there are more options than ever before to stream 100% free live television across your devices.

Platforms like Pluto TV, Sling Free Preview, Xumo and The Roku Channel make it easier than ever for cord-cutters to ditch expensive cable TV while still enjoying live sports, news, entertainment and more. And capabilities like cloud DVR offered by services like Plex open up new possibilities.

Combining two or three of these free alternatives provides even greater variety tailored to your interests. And by incorporating a premium VPN like ExpressVPN, you can unblock access, enhance security and unlock more content.

The bottom line is streaming live TV without an expensive cable subscription is still very feasible thanks to the wealth of free platforms that offer what USTVGO provided and more. Take some time to explore your options, and in no time you‘ll find the perfect USTVGO replacement(s) to meet your needs.

Cut the cord for good and start streaming unlimited free TV!