Sling Freestream and Pluto TV are two of the biggest names in free streaming, and neither one asks for a credit card. I tested both side by side to find out which is the better free streaming platform. Both are completely free and account-optional, both run ads at a similar frequency, and both are excellent cable replacements if you're looking for a quality service while cutting down on monthly spending.
The main difference between Sling and Pluto TV is the number of channels versus the quality of the shows. Sling Freestream offers more than 650 channels, while Pluto TV includes fewer channels but is backed by Paramount's catalog for a more current selection of top hits.
We recommend: Pluto TV, for content you'll love to watch
Pluto TV is the best option if you'd rather scroll through a shorter list full of popular shows and top box-office films. By partnering with Paramount, Pluto TV's programming offers current CBS shows and mainstream movies, not just filler indie material or film noir flicks. That doesn't mean Sling's Freestream isn't interesting. You're bound to find something entertaining among the hundreds of channels offered, too.
Quick comparison
Sling Freestream:
- 650+ free live channels
- Excellent 24/7 news lineup
- No account or credit card needed
- Bonus free music streaming channels
- A mandatory ad at the start of every session, plus breaks about every ten minutes
- Very few recent releases in the movie selection
Pluto TV:
- Backed by Paramount, so CBS and MTV content stays current
- Live guide feels like real cable
- An on-demand library with popular titles
- A pop-up window in the lower right corner that can't be closed
- Limited channel selection
- No dedicated music section
Channel lineup: Sling has more channels, but Pluto has better quality
With Sling's Freestream, you can choose from over 650 channels to watch and more than 41,000 hours of on-demand content—all without signing up for anything. But the catch is that most of Sling's content is niche, ad-supported channels rather than top hits. While I was scanning through my options to watch, I couldn't really find anything decent, at least for my mainstream taste.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
On the flip side, Pluto TV's live guide offers fewer channels at 250 but with much better quality content. Since Paramount owns Pluto TV, dedicated channels for CBS News, MTV Hits, and Comedy Central run around the clock, along with current seasons of shows like Survivor. The on-demand selection is also limited, but I found an Adam Sandler movie within seconds of opening the app, plus the full Mission: Impossible lineup—titles you'd expect to pay for elsewhere.
If you want more options, Sling's Freestream is best for you. But if you'd rather browse a shorter list with hits you're bound to love, Pluto TV's curated shelf wins.
Unlimited data for unlimited streaming
Whether you're scrolling Sling's 650 channels or flipping through Pluto's guide, streaming requires data to run. Make sure you have enough data to stream your favorite shows without running out before the end of the month.
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Stream news, music, and other extras
Sling is the best news source among free streaming apps if you want to stay up to date with the latest world events. Just a few of the top channels include ABC News Live, CBS News, and Bloomberg Quicktake, which all stream around the clock (at no cost).
Sling also offers a free music streaming section. I really enjoyed it and consider Sling a solid backup for anyone who's tired of Spotify's ad-heavy free tier. Just make sure you check the music selection before you commit because the selection is a little random. I landed on a holiday country station in the middle of May, so screen the channels before setting out on a long run like me.
Pluto TV doesn't include many extras apart from the stellar shows and movies it offers. There's no music section and no standout news lineup, but the on-demand movie library makes up for it with titles that are worth watching. Sections like "On Now," "Recently Added," and "Last Chance to Watch" make the smaller catalog easy to work through in a couple of minutes.
Ad experience: Sling interrupts more, while Pluto lingers more
Sling's Freestream opens every session with a mandatory 30- or 60-second ad. Your program is also interrupted every 10 minutes with ad breaks as well, none of which can be skipped. If that sounds like a lot, that's because it is. My biggest complaint about Sling is the amount of ads it has.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Pluto TV runs about as many ads as regular cable, which makes sense since the whole format is built to copy broadcast TV. However, Pluto TV's big annoyance is a pop-up window that sits in the lower right corner of both the app and desktop site and can't be dismissed. It disappears once you're watching your show in full-screen, but when you minimize it, it pops back into view.
Neither app is ad-free, but Pluto's persistent pop-up is preferable to Sling's frequent interruptions.
Which app uses less data?
| App | Data per 2-hour movie | Quality control |
|---|---|---|
| Sling Freestream | 6GB | Auto-adjusts (up to 1080p) |
| Pluto TV | 3–4GB | No manual control |
Pluto TV uses less cellular data than Sling Freestream. In fact, it uses roughly half of what Sling can burn through on a single movie. Neither app provides a manual quality toggle in case you're limited on data, so if you're watching away from Wi-Fi, keep an eye on how long you leave either one running.
Stream on a bigger screen for a better experience
Flipping through channels or scrolling guides is a different experience on a screen that's actually built for it. A foldable phone unfolds into a size closer to a tablet, so channel surfing and movie nights both feel less cramped.
Check out some of the most popular foldable phones on the market now:
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Pixel 11 Pro Fold 5G 256GB
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Galaxy Z Fold8 5G 256GB
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- Front Cameras: 10MP, 10MP
Sling Freestream vs. Pluto TV: Which one should you download?
Pluto TV is the best choice for almost everyone. It has a better selection of shows to catch up on the latest seasons, movies for Friday nights in, and a live TV guide in case you are looking for inspiration.
That said, if you want more access to different news channels, then Sling Freestream is your best bet.
How I tested Sling Freestream and Pluto TV
I tested both apps on desktop and mobile without creating an account, and did activities like:
- Navigating the live channel guides on both apps
- Browsing on-demand categories and checking which titles were actually available
- Timing ad frequency and length across multiple sessions
- Exploring Sling's music streaming section across several genre channels
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Sling Freestream and Pluto TV: FAQ
Is Sling Freestream the same as Sling TV?
No, Sling Freestream and Sling TV are different. Sling TV is a paid live TV subscription, while Sling Freestream is a completely free product from Dish Network that doesn't require a credit card or an account.
Which app has more live channels?
Sling Freestream has more live channels, with over 650 compared to Pluto TV's roughly 250. A large share of Sling's count comes from niche, free ad-supported (F.A.S.T.) channels rather than cable mainstays.
Do I need an account for either app?
No, neither app requires an account to start watching. Both let you open the app and start streaming immediately with no sign-up and no need to enter payment information.
Which app has a better movie selection?
Pluto TV's on-demand library has a better movie selection with recognizable, current titles thanks to Paramount's backing.
Which app uses less data?
Pluto TV uses less data, at roughly 3–4GB per two-hour movie compared to Sling Freestream's roughly 6GB.
Can I stream music on either app?
Sling Freestream includes a free music streaming section with genre-based channels. Pluto TV doesn't offer a dedicated music streaming option.
Which app is better for live sports?
Neither app is built around live sports. Sling Freestream's sports coverage depends entirely on whatever happens to be airing at the moment, and Pluto TV's is similarly limited compared to dedicated free sports coverage on other apps like Tubi.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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