What Is Tubi? Everything You Need to Know

In the crowded world of streaming services, subscription fatigue is real. With the cost of Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime rising every year, entertainment budgets are being squeezed tight. Enter Tubi, a refreshing alternative that has quickly become one of the most popular streaming platforms in the US—promising thousands of movies and TV shows completely for free. But how can a service this good be free? Is there a catch?

If you are new to the world of FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV), you likely have questions. What content is actually on Tubi? How many ads will you have to sit through? And is it legitimate? In this guide, we provide a deep dive into what Tubi is, how it works, its channel lineup, and how you can access its full library from anywhere in the world.

What Is Tubi?

Tubi, widely known as Tubi TV, is an ad-supported streaming service owned by the Fox Corporation. Unlike other paid platforms that require a monthly or yearly subscription, Tubi is an AVOD (Advertising-Based Video on Demand) service. This means you can watch its entire library of over 50,000 movies and TV shows without paying a dime, as long as you are willing to watch short commercial breaks.

Tubi offers content from major studios like Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate, as well as a growing slate of Tubi Originals. It is available on virtually every device, including Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, computers, Android, and iOS.

Pros and Cons of Tubi TV:

Is Tubi Safe and Legit to Use?

Yes, Tubi is completely safe and legitimate for streaming content. As we have mentioned above, it was acquired by the Fox Corporation in 2020 for $440 million, placing it under the umbrella of one of the world’s largest media companies. So Tubi is not a pirated streaming site. In addition, it operates strictly within the law, signing contracts with studios to host content legally. When you watch a movie on Tubi, you are not breaking copyright laws. As for device safety when using the Tubi TV, you can check the following:

• No Malware: Unlike illegal streaming sites, Tubi does not inject malware, ransomware, or cryptominers into your device.
• No Redirects: You won’t be redirected to aggressive pop-up ads that may lead you to dangerous websites.
• Secure Connection: Tubi uses HTTPS encryption to protect the connection between your device and its servers.

However, while safe means you won’t get a virus, it doesn’t mean your data is private. As with any free service, the payment is your attention and data, which leads us to how Tubi actually works.

You may also like: Best VPN for Tubi TV

How Does Tubi Work?

Understanding Tubi’s business model explains why it is free. It operates on a “Value Exchange”: you pay with your time and attention rather than your wallet.

1. Content Licensing: Tubi deals with rights holders (NBCUniversal, Disney, etc.) to license movies and shows for a specific period. This is why movies on Tubi sometimes rotate in and out each month.
2. The Ad Experience: When you watch a video, Tubi inserts pre-roll (before the show) and mid-roll (during the show) advertisements. These breaks are typically 1 to 2 minutes long and occur every 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Data-Driven Ads: To make money, Tubi needs to show you ads relevant to your interests. To do this, its algorithm analyzes what you watch (e.g., if you watch a lot of horror movies, you might see ads for upcoming theatrical thrillers).

Privacy: The Cost of Free

While you don’t pay money, you do “pay” with data. According to Tubi’s privacy policy, they collect data on your viewing habits, device ID, and approximate location. This data is shared with advertisers to target ads effectively. This is standard practice for almost all free online services, including YouTube and Facebook.

Key Features to Know

1. Tubi Kids

If you have children, Tubi offers a dedicated “Tubi Kids” mode. This filters out the R-rated horror movies and crime thrillers from the main catalog, presenting a simplified interface filled with cartoons, family movies, and educational content.

• How to enable: Go to Account Settings > Parental Controls > Select “Tubi Kids.”

2. Tubi Originals

Recently, Tubi has started producing its own original content. These “Tubi Originals” range from documentaries and thrillers to adult animation, giving you exclusive content you can’t find on Netflix or Hulu.

3. Guest Streaming (Anonymous Watching)

Unlike most services that force you to register, Tubi allows you to watch almost everything as a guest. You can simply skip the “Register” or “Sign In” prompts. This is a great feature if you want to test the service without handing over your email address.

How to Watch Tubi Anywhere (and Improve Speed)

While Tubi is a fantastic service, it has one major limitation: Geo-restrictions. Currently, Tubi is only officially available in select regions like the US, Canada, Mexico, and Australia. If you travel abroad or live in Europe or Asia, you will be blocked from accessing the content.

Additionally, because Tubi is a free service, some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may “throttle” (slow down) your connection when they detect heavy streaming, leading to buffering.

The solution to both these problems is using a reliable VPN.

Why You Need a VPN for Tubi

• Unlock Global Content: If you are outside the US, a VPN allows you to change your virtual location to a US city, giving you instant access to the full American Tubi library.
• Bypass ISP Throttling: A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it impossible for your ISP to see that you are streaming video, ensuring consistent speeds.

Recommendation: Stream with BearVPN

For a smooth Tubi experience, we recommend BearVPN. With a massive network of 2,000+ servers, BearVPN allows you to instantly switch your IP address to a US-based location. This tricks the Tubi app into thinking you are sitting in a living room in Los Angeles or New York, giving you full access to the complete American library from anywhere in the world.

How to Unblock Tubi with BearVPN:

Step 1. Download and install the BearVPN app on your device. It supports Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.

Step 2. Open BearVPN and select a server located in the United States.

Note: As Tubi is available for targeted locations only, you can’t connect to a server that is outside of its supported areas.

Step 3. Once connected, open the Tubi app or website. It will now recognize you as a US viewer and unlock the full library.

How to Stay Safe When Streaming on Tubi

Tubi is generally safe, but following a few simple steps can help you protect your privacy and avoid malicious content while enjoying its free library.

Method 1. Use Tubi Kids Mode for Families

Protecting the kids’ online security is more important than others. If you have children, do not let them browse the main Tubi catalog. Tubi’s kids mode is designed for children under 13. Here’s how to enable it:

Step 1. Go to the account settings of your Tubi app or on the website.

Step 2. Choose the Parental Control.

Step 3. Filter your desired content. You can choose to show only content rated G, PG, and TV-Y7, removing the risk of them seeing R-rated movie covers.

Step 4. Enter your password to save changes.

2. Stick to Official Apps

Always use the official Tubi app from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, Roku Channel Store, or visit tubitv.com directly. Never download a so-called Tubi Ad-Free Mod or similar APK files from third-party forums. These are often Trojan horses for malware.

3. Stream Anonymously

Tubi allows you to watch almost everything without creating an account. To avoid account tracking, you can simply skip the Register or Sign In prompts. This prevents Tubi from linking your watch history to your email address or social media profiles, effectively keeping your data less centralized.

Conclusion

So, what is Tubi? It is arguably the best free streaming service available in 2025. With a massive library of legitimate movies, a growing list of live channels, and the backing of Fox Corporation, it is a safe and high-quality alternative to paid subscriptions.

While the ads and lower resolution are the trade-offs for the free price tag, the sheer volume of content makes it worth it. If you are located outside the supported regions or simply want to keep your streaming habits private, remember to pair Tubi with BearVPN for an unrestricted and smooth viewing experience.

FAQs About Tubi TV

1. Can I download movies on Tubi to watch offline?

No. Currently, Tubi does not support offline downloads. You must have an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to stream content.

2. Does Tubi have Live TV?

Yes. Tubi has a “Live TV” tab that features over 200 linear channels. This includes local news stations, weather channels, sports highlights (like Fox Sports), and entertainment channels (like TMZ or Dateline 24/7).

3. Is Tubi really free?

 Yes, it is 100% free. There is no “Premium” tier to remove ads. Everyone gets the same experience.

4. What resolution does Tubi stream in?

Most content on Tubi streams at 720p HD. While this is lower than the 4K offered by Netflix, the bitrate is optimized to look good on mobile devices and standard-sized TVs.

5. What is the downside of Tubi?

The main downsides of Tubi are the frequent, unskippable ads, the lack of 4K/1080p streaming quality, and a library mostly consisting of older or B-grade movies.

6. Does Tubi track you?

Yes. Tubi collects data on your device type, IP address, and viewing history to serve targeted advertisements. It also shares this data with analytics partners and advertisers to monetize the free service.

7. Is Tubi banned in the US?

No, Tubi is not banned in the US. It is a US-based company headquartered in San Francisco and is fully compliant with US laws. It is widely available across the country.

8. Is Tubi safe for kids?

Tubi is safe for kids only if you use the dedicated Tubi Kids mode. The standard library contains R-rated content, nudity, and violence that is not suitable for children and teenagers.