Netflix is like a giant video store you can access from your phone, computer, TV, or even a game console. 1How Netflix has changed the global entertainment industry Website: Businessinsider Author: Ashley Rodriguez Date: Retrieved on Jul 28 2023 00:27 IST They charge a monthly fee, but you get tons of stuff to watch, like movies, TV shows, documentaries, and even stand-up comedy. They have Hindi, English, regional languages, and shows from all over the world!
How much does it cost?
There are different plans depending on how many people want to watch at once and how good you want the picture quality to be. 2Plans and Pricing (https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926) Website: Help.Netflix.com
- Mobile plan (Rs 149): Perfect for one person watching on their phone or tablet, with standard quality pictures.
- Basic Plan (Rs 199): Also for one person, but you can watch on any device with standard quality pictures.
- Standard Plan (Rs 499): Great for families or roommates, two people can watch at the same time with really good quality pictures (Full HD).
- Premium Plan (Rs 649): The best plan, with super high-quality picture (Ultra HD) and four people can watch at once.
They sometimes have special deals or discounts, and they might even partner with phone companies to offer bundled plans. you can easily buy a subscription with a credit card or debit card.
Trying it out
Netflix lets you try their service for free for a month to see if you like it before you pay. You can also switch plans up or down depending on your needs.
Bonus features!
- You can watch as much as you want, whenever you want.
- Netflix recommends shows you might like based on what you’ve watched before.
- There are parental controls to keep things safe for kids.
- You can watch shows in many different languages and turn on subtitles.
- With some plans, you can download shows to your phone or tablet to watch later, even without the internet.
Why is Netflix different?
Netflix makes their own shows too, like “Stranger Things” and “Money Heist.” 3List of Netflix India originals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Netflix_India_originals) Website: Wikipedia These shows are really popular and win awards! They also partner with other companies to get exclusive shows you can’t watch anywhere else. They’re always working on new and exciting stuff.
Looking for Free Alternatives?
While Netflix is great, there are other free options available in India, but they might not have the same content or features. here is the list –
Top 12 Netflix Alternatives Free in India
- YouTube
- MX Player
- MiniTV
- Zee5
- Airtel Xstream
- Popcornflix
- TVFPlay
- Tubi TV
- JioCinema
- Pluto TV
- Yidio
- Plex
1. YouTube
Need a break from spending money on entertainment? YouTube is your answer! It is a good Netflix Alternative to choose from. It’s like a free video store with a massive collection of stuff to watch. You can find funny cat videos, movie trailers, educational shows, and even some free movies and web series!
Here’s the deal with YouTube:
- Free to watch: Millions of videos are free to watch, whenever you want.
- Commercials: There are sometimes ads before and during videos, but that’s how YouTube keeps the lights on.
- Subscription option: If you want to ditch the ads, play videos in the background, or download videos for later, you can pay a monthly fee for YouTube Premium. There’s also a student discount and a family plan. 4YouTube Premium subscription with a 3-month plan available for free Website: IndiaToday Author: Ankita Garg Published: Feb 22, 2024
- Support creators: You can also directly support YouTubers you like by paying a monthly fee. This might get you cool stuff like badges and early access to their videos.
Free Movies & Web Series
YouTube has a good selection of free movies and web series, although you might have to watch some ads in between. Here are some popular choices in India to get you started:
- Dhindora (Bhuvan Bam)
- Kota Factory Season 1
- Aspirants
- Bang Baaja Baaraat
- K.G.F Film
2. MX Player
MX Player is another great free app to watch movies and web series in India, kind of like a free Netflix. They have a ton of stuff to watch, including shows, movies, music, games, and even TV shows. The best part? It’s completely free!
Free with Ads
There are commercials sometimes before, during and after the videos you watch, that’s how they make money.
MX Gold: Ad-Free Viewing
If you want to watch without ads and get early access to new releases, MX Player has a premium plan called MX Gold. It’s pretty cheap, costing less than a rupee a day (around ₹299 per quarter or ₹499 per year). 5MX Player set to launch MX Gold subscription service Published: Aug 9, 2021 Website: Exchange4Media
Popular Picks on MX Player
Here are some popular movies and web series you can find on MX Player:
- Hello (6.8 IMDb rating, 160 million views)
- Aashram (7.4 IMDb rating, 1 billion views)
- Bhaukaal (8.0 IMDb rating, 600 million views and counting)
3. Amazon Free MiniTV
Amazon MiniTV is a free app for your phone where you can watch web series, short videos, and even mini-movies. It’s kind of like a free Netflix, but only for India.
Here’s the deal with MiniTV:
- Free to watch: You don’t need to pay anything to use MiniTV.
- Ads: There are commercials sometimes before and during videos, that’s how they make money.
- Mobile-only: You can only use MiniTV on your phone, not on a computer or TV.
- Download the app: Get the MiniTV app from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone).
- Sign in and watch: Once you have the app, just sign in and start watching!
Popular Picks on MiniTV
Here are some popular web series you can find on MiniTV:
- Permanent Roommates (8.7 IMDb rating)
- AFSOS (7.6 IMDb rating)
- The Pitchers (9.3 IMDb rating)
- Crushed (9.4 IMDb rating)
4. Zee5
Zee5 is another big streaming service in India, kind of like Netflix. They have a huge library of movies and shows in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, and many other regional languages.
Zee5 is good for a few reasons:
- Lots of choices: They have a massive collection of shows and movies, including popular ones and some more obscure picks.
- Originals: Zee5 makes their own shows and movies too, and some of them are really popular and win awards!
- Free tier: You can watch some stuff for free, with ads.
- Paid plans: If you want to watch everything and get rid of the ads, you can pay a monthly fee. There are different plans depending on how much you want to watch and how many devices you want to use at once.
Here’s a quick rundown of the plans:
- Free: Watch some shows and movies with ads.
- Zee5 Basic (₹99 per month): No ads, watch all Zee5 Originals, some live TV channels, and limited regional content.
- Zee5 Premium (₹199 per month): Everything in Basic, plus even more Zee5 Originals, early access to new shows and movies, full access to regional content, and download shows to watch later on your phone or tablet.
Zee5 is a one the great Netflix Alternatives if you’re looking for a streaming service with a big library of Indian content.
5. Airtel Xstream
Airtel Xstream is a great app for watching movies, shows, and live TV on your phone or tablet, kind of like a portable entertainment center. Here’s the breakdown:
- Free App: Download the app for free, but you’ll need to pay to watch most things.
- Live TV: Watch over 100 channels of live TV, including news, sports, movies, and even channels in your regional language.
- Streaming Services: Airtel Xstream partners with other streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Zee5 (see previous info for pricing on those).
- Airtel Xstream Premium (₹149/month): Pay this monthly fee to get rid of ads, watch new shows and movies early, and download shows to watch later without internet.
- Free Stuff: The app comes with some free content, although it might not be a lot.
- Mobile Packs: You can also buy mobile data plans that come with subscriptions to certain channels or streaming services. These plans start at ₹148 per month.
Things to Remember:
- Streaming uses a lot of data, so it’s best to use Wi-Fi whenever possible.
- You can manage your subscriptions, recharge your account, and get help from customer support directly within the app.
Airtel Xstream is a good choice if you’re looking for an app with a lot of options for watching live TV, movies, and shows on your phone or tablet, especially in India.
6. Free Movies Cinema – FMC
Free Movies Cinema (FMC) is a great option to watch movies and shows for free, kind of like a free movie theater on your computer or phone. Here’s what you need to know:
- Free to Watch: No need to pay anything to watch shows and movies.
- Ads: There are commercials sometimes before, during and after the videos, that’s how they make money.
- No Downloads: You can’t download movies to watch later, you have to watch them online.
- Big Selection: They have a wide variety of movies, from scary stuff (horror) to educational videos (documentaries).
Some Popular Picks:
Here are some shows and movies you can find on FMC:
- SCP: Overlord
- Closer to God
- PIP The Animation Movie
- The Big Nothing (2018)
- Our Planet (2019) by Netflix
- Origin – Season 1 (all episodes)
FMC is a good netflix alternative if you’re looking for a free way to watch movies and shows online, and don’t mind watching some ads.
7. TVFPlay
TVFPlay is another great app to watch shows for free, kind of similar a free Netflix, but only for India. Here’s what makes TVFPlay different:
- Completely Free: No need to pay anything to watch shows!
- Popular Shows: They have some really popular shows, like Kota Factory, Aspirants, and Gullak.
- Download the App: Get the TVFPlay app on your phone (Android or iPhone), computer, Mac, FireTV, or Android TV.
- High Ratings: The app has a 4.5-star rating out of 5 on the Google Play Store and over 5 million downloads!
- Languages: Offers shows in Hindi and English.
If you’re looking for a free way to watch some of India’s most popular web series, TVFPlay is a great option!
8. Tubi TV
Tubi TV is another great free option to watch movies and shows, kind of like a free video store. Here’s the deal:
- Free to Watch: No need to pay anything to watch shows and movies!
- Ads: There are commercials sometimes before, during and after the videos, but there are fewer ads compared to cable TV.
- Big Library: They have a big collection of over 20,000 movies and shows, including classics, Hollywood hits, and Bollywood movies.
- No Sign-up Needed: You don’t need to create an account to watch anything.
- Multiple Devices: Watch on your phone (Android or iPhone), computer, smart TV, game console, or even on the web through your internet browser.
- Safe and Legal: Tubi TV is a completely legal and safe way to watch movies and shows.
Here are some popular picks on Tubi TV:
- Not Cinderella’s Type (6.2 IMDb rating)
- Warlock (1959) (7.1 IMDb rating)
- The Cosmic Secret (6.8 IMDb rating)
- Bobby (6.9 IMDb rating)
Tubi TV is a great choice if you’re looking for a free way to watch movies and shows legally, and don’t mind watching some ads.
9. JioCinema
JioCinema is a great free app for Jio phone users to watch movies and shows, kind of like a free Netflix. Here’s what you need to know:
- Free for Jio Users: If you have a Jio SIM card, you can watch for free, but there will be ads.
- Login Required: You’ll need to enter your Jio phone number to start watching.
- Lots of Stuff: They have a big library with over 1 lakh hours of content, including movies, web series, short films, and TV shows.
- Multiple Languages: Watch movies in over 8 languages, including Hindi, English, and regional languages.
- Multiple Devices: Watch on your phone (Android or iPhone), computer, smart TV, or even on the web through your internet browser.
JioCinema Premium with Peacock:
JioCinema recently partnered with Peacock to offer a wider selection of Hollywood movies. However, to access these premium movies, you’ll need a subscription that costs Rs 99 per month. 6NBCUniversal and JioCinema partner to bring Peacock content to Indian audiences Website: ET BrandEquity Category: News
Here are some popular picks on JioCinema (free tier):
- Asur (8.8 IMDb rating)
- Manmarziyaan (6.9 IMDb rating)
- Mimi (8.1 IMDb rating)
- Good After Bad (7.5 IMDb rating)
- Aligarh (7.8 IMDb rating)
- Made In China (6.3 IMDb rating)
JioCinema is a good choice if you have a Jio SIM card and are looking for a free way to watch movies and shows, and don’t mind watching some ads. If you’re looking for a wider selection of Hollywood movies, you can consider the JioCinema Premium with Peacock subscription.
10. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is like a free cable TV and movie library, all rolled into one. Here’s the deal:
- Free to Watch: No need to pay anything!
- Live TV: Watch over 80 live channels, including news, sports (cricket, football, kabaddi!), entertainment, music, and movies.
- On-Demand Shows: They also have a library of shows and movies you can watch whenever you want, although it’s smaller than some other services.
- Pluto Originals: Pluto TV even makes their own shows and movies that you can watch for free!
- Legal and Safe: Pluto TV is a completely legal and safe way to watch TV and movies.
- Optional Account: You don’t need to create an account to watch, but it helps if you want to save your favorite shows and get recommendations.
- Content Varies: The channels and shows you can watch might be a little different depending on where you live.
- Parental Controls: There are some channels with age restrictions, so you can set parental controls to make sure everyone watches the right stuff.
- Limited Control: You can’t choose what plays on live TV, and the on-demand shows come and go.
- Mostly Standard Definition: Most channels and shows are in standard definition (SD), but some newer ones are in high definition (HD).
- Ads: There are commercials sometimes before, during and after the shows, that’s how they make money.
Pluto TV is a great choice if you’re looking for a free way to watch live TV and some on-demand shows, and don’t mind watching some ads.
11. Yidio
Yidio is like a giant video store where you can rent, buy, or even watch some movies and shows for free with ads. Here’s the breakdown:
- Free Option: Watch over 10,000 movies and shows for free, with some ads (not the newest stuff).
- Rentals: Rent movies starting at $1.99 (SD) or $2.99 (HD) and shows at $0.99 per episode or $4.99 per season.
- Purchases: Buy movies starting at $4.99 (SD) or $9.99 (HD) and shows at $9.99 per season.
- No Monthly Fees: You only pay for what you watch, no monthly subscription needed.
- Multiple Devices: Watch on your smart TV, game console, streaming device, or computer.
- Good Quality: They offer many titles in high definition (HD) and even some in 4K Ultra HD.
- Some Originals: Yidio even makes a few of their own shows and movies.
- Keep an Eye on Location: The free movies and shows might be different depending on where you live.
- Deals and Discounts: Yidio often has sales on rentals and purchases.
Yidio is a good choice if you’re looking to rent, buy, or watch some free movies and shows with ads, and you don’t mind paying for the latest stuff.
12. Plex
Plex is like your own personal Netflix, but for the stuff you already own. Here’s what it does:
- Free to Use: You can download the app for free to manage your movies, shows, music, and photos.
- Upgrade Available: There’s an optional paid upgrade called Plex Pass that gives you some extra features, but it’s not required.
- Organize Your Stuff: Plex helps you keep all your videos, music, and photos organized in one place.
- Watch Anywhere: Stream your stuff to your phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer.
- Live TV Recording (Paid): If you get the paid upgrade, you can even record live TV (cool, right?).
- More Than Movies: It also works with podcasts, audiobooks, and photos.
- Keep it Private: Plex lets you keep your stuff safe and secure, unlike some streaming services.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Needs Setup: Setting up Plex might take a little technical know-how.
- Your Own Stuff: Plex works with the videos, music, and photos you already own, it doesn’t come with any content itself.
- Limited Compared to Streaming Services: You might not have as much stuff to watch as some streaming services, but it’s all yours!
Overall, Plex is a great option if you want to organize your own collection of movies, shows, music, and photos, and watch them on any device.
Article References
- 1How Netflix has changed the global entertainment industry Website: Businessinsider Author: Ashley Rodriguez Date: Retrieved on Jul 28 2023 00:27 IST
- 2Plans and Pricing (https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926) Website: Help.Netflix.com
- 3List of Netflix India originals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Netflix_India_originals) Website: Wikipedia
- 4YouTube Premium subscription with a 3-month plan available for free Website: IndiaToday Author: Ankita Garg Published: Feb 22, 2024
- 5MX Player set to launch MX Gold subscription service Published: Aug 9, 2021 Website: Exchange4Media
- 6NBCUniversal and JioCinema partner to bring Peacock content to Indian audiences Website: ET BrandEquity Category: News
