FAST streaming services have been growing in popularity for several years now. And with subscription-based streaming services such as Netflix and Apple TV+ raising their prices, it’s easy to see why. I’ve only recently started watching FAST streaming services, but I’m glad I finally took the plunge.
What Are FAST Streaming Services?
In this context, FAST stands for “Free, Ad-Supported Television.” So, FAST streaming services offer on-demand programming (movies and TV shows) completely free of charge. All you have to do is put up with the occasional advertising break. The biggest FAST streamers are some of the best ways to watch movies for free.
Related
The 15 Best Sites to Watch Movies for Free (Legally!)
Looking for the best free online movie streaming sites? Here’s where you can watch free and legal movies anytime you like.
There are an increasing number of solid FAST services available now. These include Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, and The Roku Channel. As well as on-demand programming, some offer live TV channels you can tune in to as you would with traditional cable television, which is perfect for when you don’t have a clear idea in mind of what to watch.
You’re not going to find the latest and greatest blockbusters on FAST platforms. However, most offer a surprisingly solid selection of classic TV and films, with some original programming thrown in for good measure.
Why It Took Me So Long to Explore FAST
I remember taking a quick look at a couple of different FAST services a few years ago and was thoroughly unimpressed. Not only did I resent having to sit through ads, but my overwhelming feeling was that the content available just wasn’t worth watching.
However, this was in the early days of FAST streaming and at a time when Netflix still hosted a large volume of classic TV shows. But things change quickly in the worlds of both technology and television, and so, with my subscriptions to paid streaming services getting ever more expensive, I decided to give FAST streamers another try.
Being in the UK meant that I didn’t have access to all the FAST services that Americans do. Unfortunately, neither The Roku Channel nor Sling Freestream are available in the UK, but there are still plenty of options worth exploring.
What I Discovered From Watching FAST
Having taken the plunge again, I found that the FAST landscape has changed significantly over the last few years. With Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and the like mostly focused on producing original content, the FAST services have hoovered up some of the best classic films and TV shows.
Related
Which Streaming Service Offers the Best Original Content?
The likes of Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon all produce original movies and TV shows. But which service offers the best?
Some of these streamers require you to sign up for an account to access the content, but some don’t even require that. However, it’s often worth signing up for an account even when it isn’t required, as doing so adds more features. These can include the option to build watchlists and the ability to continue watching something where you left off.
My Experience With Three Popular FAST Streamers
I decided to explore three FAST streaming services: Tubi, Pluto TV, and Plex. I also ventured onto Amazon Prime Video, which now incorporates content from Freevee, that’s available to watch with or without a Prime subscription.
Tubi
Tubi offers both on-demand content and live TV channels. There are movies and TV shows, all organized into genres, collections, and networks. And some of the content, especially the newer movies, is well worth watching. This has led some people to consider Tubi the best free streaming service you’re not using, and I’d struggle to disagree.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers both on-demand content and live TV channels. The UI is very similar to that of Netflix, with on-demand content organized into different categories. The live TV channels either focus on one particular show or a genre of TV or movies. And I had a lot of fun tuning into the live TV channels like I would with cable TV back in the day.
Plex
Plex offers both on-demand content and live TV channels. The on-demand content is organized into categories, but there are also helpful listings for Most Popular and Leaving Soon. The live TV channels are also broken up into categories but with multiple channels available under each one. Some content listed isn’t actually available to stream on Plex.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Sides of FAST
As with all products and services, there are good and bad aspects of FAST streaming services. There are also some ugly parts.
The Good
The best thing about FAST platforms is, quite obviously, the fact that they allow you to watch content for free in exchange for sitting through the occasional ad. While no one wants to watch ads, it’s a small price to pay for quality content.
The quality of the content is another big positive about FAST platforms. They were previously filled with the garbage TV and straight-to-DVD films of yesteryear that no one else wanted to pay for. But that’s no longer the case.
The Bad
While you don’t need to sign up for (or sign into) an account to use these services, it’s better to do so. All three hide features behind the sign-up to encourage you to create an account. Still, the fact that signing up is optional at all is a positive.
If anything, there is too much content available on some of the big FAST platforms, making it a chore to find exactly what you want to watch. I would prefer a more curated experience that hones in on the best TV shows and movies each one has to offer.
The Ugly
The user interfaces on all three FAST streaming services I now watch can be confusing. It’s almost as if the UIs have been made intentionally confusing, so you accidentally start watching something you didn’t mean to watch.
The availability of content can also be confusing, especially on Plex. I searched for Comic Book Men, and Plex told me it was available. Then, when I clicked on it to watch, it informed me it was available on other services. I then searched for it on those other services, only to not find it or find incomplete seasons!
Should You Watch FAST Streaming Services?
Given that FAST streaming services such as Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, and The Roku Channel are all free to watch, there’s no good reason not to give them a go. Once you start exploring, you may be surprised at how much quality content there is available to watch. And it’s all available legally and for free.
Related
I Use Ad-Supported Streaming Services and It Saves Me Money
I don’t mind dealing with a few ads if I get my streaming services cheaper.
Sure, the ads can be a little annoying at times, but with the price of paid-for streaming services increasing year-on-year, you’ll soon learn to put up with them. And with a handful of solid FAST services now available in most countries, you’re highly likely to find something worth watching on one of them.
I’ve enjoyed exploring just a few of the many FAST services available, so much so that I’m considering canceling my Netflix subscription. Or, at the very least, switching to the ad-supported plan to save some money each month.
