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Pluto TV review: What to know about this free streaming service
A free streaming service that actually may be too good to be true.
While Pluto TV offers its streaming service of 100+ channels for free across various devices, but you’ll find mostly classics and old favorites.
What's in this review?
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free
- Live TV and on-demand options
- Original channels
- Versatile device compatibility
Cons
- Older TV shows and movies
- No parental controls
What features does Pluto TV offer?
Aside from offering live TV, on-demand shows and movies for free, Pluto TV doesn’t offer many additional features except:
Closed Captioning
You have the ability to set up the closed-captioning option for live TV as well as on-demand programs. Setup depends on your device.
Airplay mirroring
Although the Apple Airplay feature doesn’t work with its app, you can use the Airplay feature from an iOS device to mirror the screen to another larger screen for a grander viewing experience — even if your current TV is incompatible with Pluto TV.
Account personalization
While you don’t need to enter any personal information before streaming with Pluto TV, you have the option to create an account to personalize your viewing experience by hiding unwanted channels and starring your favorites.
Note
At the time of writing, Pluto TV is working out the kinks with its account personalization feature. Though this is not available, it claims to update the feature soon.
What devices is Pluto TV compatible with?
Pluto TV is currently compatible with a range of devices that makes viewing simple, and plans to add more.Smart TV devices:
- Apple TV
- Android TV
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
Mobile devices:
- iOS
- Android
Desktop and laptop devices:
- Windows
- Mac
Other devices:
- Roku
- Chromecast
How much does Pluto TV cost?
Pluto TV is completely free to anyone who chooses to sign up, so there’s no free trial option.What can I watch with Pluto TV?
Watch 100+ channels with Pluto TV including big names like BET, VH1 and CBS — with some Pluto TV originals. TV channels are grouped in categories like kids, comedy and entertainment to help you find your next show.
A selection of TV shows and movies you can expect to watch with Pluto TV include:
- Roseanne
- Unsolved Mysteries
- Dick Van Dyke
- Hell’s Kitchen
- The Terminator
- Zodiac
- The Elephant Man
What Internet speed is required to watch Pluto TV?
To enjoy Pluto TV, you need to have a stable Internet connection of at least 5mb. It also helps to update your devices for smooth streaming.
How much data does Pluto TVuse?
You need an Internet connection to watch on Pluto TV, so you won’t use up your cellular data. If you’re using another device to stream Pluto TV, check with their data usage specifications since they vary from device to device.
Compare streaming services
If you’re looking to learn more about other streaming services, you can check out our Internet TV page and find the right service for you.
Frequently asked questions
Expert review
Review by
Alex Shea
alexius.shea@findercrew.comAlex Shea is a tech and telco writer for Finder, helping readers to break down the details of streaming TV, gaming, sports and more. A storyteller through and through, Alex’s work is published in Allbodies and Obsev Studios. She’s also the author of I Don’t Know Yet, a book of poetry and prose. She’s completing her degree in environmental science and traveling every chance she gets.
Expert review
Pluto TV’s free content is good for reminiscing with old movies and washed-up series. But for most streamers, it can’t replace bigger names like Hulu and Netflix. However, with talks about adding a paid subscription option since the Viacom-CBS merger, there’s a chance Pluto TV’s content could change.