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The best HDToday alternatives: a quick guide

HDToday is a popular destination for streaming movies and TV shows online for free. However, it’s become increasingly difficult to use HDToday safely. There are different HDToday mirror sites, and most of them are filled with intrusive ads and risky redirects that can expose you to malware and other threats.

Hence, I researched and tested multiple platforms to find the top 10 best legal HDToday replacements. Here are the picks worth checking out:

  1. Pluto TV: Best free streaming alternative for HDToday
  2. Plex: Free HDToday replacement with a large content library
  3. Tubi TV: Subscription-free, licensed free streaming site
  4. The Roku Channel: HDToday alternative with free movies and shows
  5. Popcornflix: Alternative for HDToday with few ads and indie films
  6. Vudu / Fandango at Home: Free, legal HD streaming of top movie titles
  7. Crunchyroll: Best HDToday alternative for anime
  8. Amazon Freevee: Free streaming with popular movies and classic shows
  9. YouTube Free Movies & TV: HDToday alternative for free movies and TV
  10. Rakuten Viki: Best HDToday streaming alternative for Asian movies and shows

I recommend only streaming copyrighted content from licensed platforms. Regardless of the site you pick, use a VPN to protect your privacy and block intrusive ads. Based on my tests, NordVPN is arguably the best VPN for secure, private streaming on legal sites.

Continue reading the article below for more information about the best HDToday alternatives.

HDToday offers free movies and TV shows for streaming. It has a massive, frequently updated content library and requires no registration.

However, HDToday recently started redirecting users to questionable websites. Since it’s an unofficial streaming platform, it’s vulnerable to takedowns and copycat mirrors that can expose you to malware and compromise your safety. A link that works fine one day could be malicious the next, so be extra careful in your search.

As a result, many are seeking HDToday alternatives with a similar experience. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of legal free streaming platforms worth checking out. While I can’t guarantee continuity or complete safety of any third-party site, I strongly recommend using a VPN to protect your connection and maintain your privacy while browsing.

The 10 best HDToday alternatives to watch free movies online

HDToday offers a decent streaming experience. But if you want to binge your favorite shows and watch online movies without risking your privacy, check out my top HDToday alternatives below.

Important Notice:

VPNOverview does not endorse piracy or illegal activity in any form. Many free movie sites offer access to public domain or copyright-free material, but it’s very easy to accidentally stream copyrighted content. While some countries allow piracy for personal use, in others, accessing unofficial content may lead to ISP warnings, fines, or even legal consequences. All platforms listed below are legal and safe to use.

I tested dozens of free streaming sites to compile this list. Below you’ll find the 10 best HDToday alternatives available right now.

1. Pluto TV: best free streaming alternative for HDToday

Screenshot of PlutoTV website homepage, July 2023, with added logo in the corner
Stream your favorite shows and movies on Pluto TV

What I Like

  • Massive library of licensed movies
  • Doesn't feature too many ads
  • No pop-ups or banners

What I Don't Like

  • Ad timing can be pretty bad

Visit: Pluto TV

Pluto TV is Viacom’s online streaming platform, and it’s one of the best alternatives to HDToday for watching free movies and TV shows online. Pluto TV is a licensed streaming site; it has distribution rights for the free content on its site. Unlike many free streaming sites, Pluto TV doesn’t feature many ads and has decent titles from Viacom, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central.

If you want to stream movies and shows online for free, it’s a great pick. There are a few downsides to this site, though. If you’re not in the US, you’ll need a VPN to unblock Pluto TV. Also, ads tend to come in the middle of movies and shows, interrupting your viewing experience.


2. Plex: free HDToday replacement with a large content library

Plex is a free, safe, and legal HDToday alternative
Enjoy free and secure movies and TV on Plex, a great HDToday alternative

What I Like

  • Massive content library
  • Clean and simple interface
  • You can stream movies and series without an account

What I Don't Like

  • Ad-supported

Visit: Plex

Plex is a top HDToday alternative for free streaming without registration. With a wide library of movies and TV shows, you’ll easily find something to watch, whether it’s classics or newer releases – all available in high definition. It’s simple to use, and you don’t need to have an account to start watching.

Since Plex is a legal, ad-supported platform, expect short ad breaks during playback. On top of that, some content may be geo-restricted, but a reliable VPN like NordVPN can help you access more titles while keeping your connection private.


3. Tubi TV: subscription-free, licensed free streaming site

Screenshot of Tubi website homepage, July 2023, with added logo in the corner
Watch free licensed content on Tubi TV

What I Like

  • Licensed streaming platform
  • Impressive library from Fox and other entertainment giants
  • Apps for most devices
  • Good parental controls

What I Don't Like

  • Not many TV series
  • No ad-free plan

Visit: Tubi TV

Tubi is a great HDToday alternative for streaming licensed movies and TV shows from trusted sources. It is owned by Fox and features titles from big names like MGM, Warner Bros, and Paramount. Plus, its interface is smooth, and Tubi has apps for most devices. Unfortunately, Tubi TV is only available in the US. If you live anywhere else, you’ll need a VPN to get a U.S. IP address to access Tubi TV.


4. The Roku Channel: HDToday alternative with free movies and shows

The Roku Channel is a great free alternative to HDToday
Stream content on The Roku Channel at no cost

What I Like

  • Subtitles are available in many different languages
  • Offers trending and classic content

What I Don't Like

  • Ad breaks during streaming

Visit: The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel is one of the best legal alternatives to HDToday, especially if you’re after easy-to-access and completely free content. It comes with a clean, user-friendly interface, and it also offers apps on a wide range of devices, including mobile ones, and even most smart TVs. While The Roku Channel leans more towards classic films and older TV shows, I still found plenty of content to stream – from comedies to thrillers and everything in between. Most titles also include subtitles, which is a nice bonus.

You don’t need to download any applications, and everything is accessible via the official website. However, note that The Roku Channel is ad-supported, so expect a few interruptions during playback.


5. Popcornflix: alternative for HDToday with few ads and indie films

Watch Popcornflix – a legal and free alternative to HDToday
Stream your favorite free movies on Popcornflix

What I Like

  • No account needed
  • Great navigation and browsing
  • Low ad intrusion

What I Don't Like

  • Smaller library when compared to other alternatives

Visit: Popcornflix

Popcornflix is a simple and free alternative to HDToday, with a focus on indie films and older titles. During my tests, I found it easy to navigate, and I noticed a minimal presence of ads. On top of that, the site doesn’t require you to sign up to stream, which is a plus in my book.

That said, I did notice that Popcornflix’s library is smaller than what you’d find on larger streaming platforms. It’s best for viewers looking for a quick, no-fuss way to legally stream movies online.


6. Vudu / Fandango at Home: free, legal HD streaming of top movie titles

Stream your favorite content on Fandango at Home, a legal and free HDToday alternative
Watch free content on Vudu (Fandango at Home)

What I Like

  • Easy to sort by genre or rating
  • Extensive library of content

What I Don't Like

  • Available free content often changes
  • While minimal, ads can get pretty annoying

Visit: Vudu / Fandango at Home

Vudu’s free tier – which is now part of Fandango at Home – is a strong HDToday alternative for those after free access to HD, legal content. It offers a rotating selection of popular movies and TV shows, so there’s always something new to watch for everyone.

While testing it out, I liked how easy it was to filter content by genre or rating. Also, while there were ads, the interruptions were minimal. However, with the free tier, the available content changes frequently, so it’s worth checking back often for new releases.

If you’re after a legal, polished streaming experience that feels close to HDToday, Vudu’s a solid choice.


7. Crunchyroll: best HDToday alternative for anime

Streaming platform Crunchyroll, homepage with added logo in the corner
Watch popular anime on Crunchyroll

What I Like

  • Biggest library of anime online
  • Great community of viewers
  • Official streaming platform

What I Don't Like

  • Most content is locked behind a paywall

Visit: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is the most popular streaming platform for anime. It has over 1,000 series in its library and offers amazing features like offline viewing and instant availability as soon as an episode is released in Japan. It also has dubbing in a lot of languages, so it’s a great destination for anime fans from across the globe. Unfortunately, the free library on the site is pretty limited. If you want to enjoy Crunchyroll to the fullest, you’ll need to pay up.


8. Amazon Freevee: free streaming with popular movies and classic shows

Freevee is a great HDToday substitute
Access free movies and TV shows on Freevee

What I Like

  • 100% free
  • No Prime membership required
  • Integrated directly in the Prime Video app

What I Don't Like

  • Smaller library than Amazon Prime Video
  • Supported by ads

Visit: Amazon Freevee

Amazon Freevee (now part of Prime Video) is a solid HDToday alternative for free, ad-supported streaming with recognizable titles. While Amazon is phasing out Freevee as a standalone service, its content remains free and accessible through the Prime Video platform. Whether you’ve got a Prime membership or not, you can still enjoy Freevee’s library at no cost.

In general, its catalog isn’t as extensive as Amazon Prime Video’s, but you’ll still find hit shows like Mad Men, and even several Star Trek films. At first, I had some trouble locating the free content inside Prime Video, but once I did, streaming was smooth, and the ads weren’t too disruptive.

That said, if you’re looking for a legal way to watch popular content without paying for a subscription, Freevee’s a great pick.


9. YouTube Free Movies & TV: HDToday alternative for free movies and TV

YouTube Free Movies and TV is one of the best HDToday alternatives
Stream content on YouTube’s Free Movies & TV section at no cost

What I Like

  • Works across all devices
  • Great filtering and browsing features
  • 100% legal and widely available

What I Don't Like

  • Includes occasional ads during playback
  • Limited to older content

Visit: YouTube Free Movies & TV

With a surprisingly large collection of free titles, YouTube Free Movies & TV is one of the most accessible HDToday alternatives. I enjoyed how easy it was to browse by genre or popularity, and the layout works seamlessly across devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.

On the platform, you’ll find older hits, indie movies, and hidden gems, and the selection of it rotates quite often. My viewing experience was smooth, and playback interruptions by ads were minimal. Plus, you can even continue browsing while watching, without losing track of the video. For those after a fully legal, no-hassle, and convenient way to watch movies and shows online, YouTube’s Free Movies & TV section is worth bookmarking.


10. Rakuten Viki: Best free streaming site for Asian movies and shows

Streaming platform Rakuten Viki, homepage with added logo in the corner
Stream your favorite Asian dramas on Rakuten Viki

What I Like

  • Good interface and layout
  • Subtitles available in a lot of languages
  • App on almost all streaming devices

What I Don't Like

  • Free content is limited
  • Not much else besides Asian shows

Visit: Rakuten Viki

If you’re hooked on Asian dramas, Rakuten Viki is the best HDToday alternative. They have the latest and most popular Asian shows available today, and some content is even free. All Korean, Japanese, and Chinese dramas are streaming in HD, and you can get signed up right now. Unfortunately, not all content is available for free. You’ll need a subscription to watch everything on Rakuten Viki. But it’s not too expensive. For $4.99/month, you can access all the content on the site. If Rakuten Viki is not available where you live, don’t worry. You can use a VPN to get a US IP address and access it.


Why I recommend using a VPN to access HDToday alternatives

Even when using legal free streaming platforms, online privacy and security risks still exist. Many ad-supported services display third-party ads, which can occasionally redirect to shady websites or slow down your browsing. On top of that, your internet service provider (ISP) can track your activity and even throttle streaming speeds. Plus, certain streaming platforms are geo-restricted, meaning you’ll need a local IP address to access them.

A trusted VPN like NordVPN helps you stay secure and anonymous. It hides your IP address, encrypts your internet traffic, and blocks malicious ads or trackers with tools like Threat Protection. With a VPN, you can enjoy a smoother, safer playback experience, even on fully legal platforms.

Best VPN for streaming free movies and TV shows: NordVPN

A VPN protects your identity while you watch content on free movie streaming websites. It will save you from hackers trying to steal your data and the prying eyes of third parties. Not to mention, a VPN can help you unblock sites like Pluto TV or more popular streaming platforms like HBO Max, which are only accessible from a few countries.

NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming free movies and shows online. It combines much-needed security features to hide your identity online, incredible speeds, and unblocking capabilities. The Threat Protection feature also detects and blocks malware, trackers, and intrusive ads. This allows you to enjoy streaming safely and without any restrictions.

I’ve tested NordVPN extensively by using it to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock streaming sites. NordVPN was the fastest VPN in our speed tests, maintaining around 96% of our base connection speed on nearby servers. That’s fast enough to stream in 4K without worrying about lag.

That said, read our NordVPN review to learn more about our experience with this VPN service.

Conclusion: HDToday Alternatives

There are plenty of safe and legal HDToday alternatives available today – from well-known sites Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV to less-popular platforms like Rakuten Viki. Whether you’re into Hollywood blockbusters, indie films, or international shows, these platforms offer a variety of free content without the risks of unofficial sites.

To get the best experience, especially when dealing with geo-restricted content or third-party ads, use a reliable VPN like NordVPN. It protects your privacy, helps you stream securely, and can even unlock additional content libraries while traveling.

FAQ

The best HDToday alternatives: frequently asked questions

Still not sure which HDToday alternative to pick? Or do you have questions on your mind? Take a look at the FAQ section below for more information.

Who are the competitors of HDToday?

The main HDToday competitors include Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Freevee, and Crunchyroll. These legal, ad-supported platforms let you stream free movies and TV shows in HD and offer a safer and more reliable viewing experience.

Is HDToday an illegal site?

HDToday is considered illegal in most countries since it streams copyrighted content. While some regions allow personal-use piracy, it’s best to check your local laws before visiting unofficial or unlicensed streaming sites like HDToday.

What is similar to HDToday TV?

Similar sites to HDToday TV include platforms like MusicHQ, SolarMovie, and Cineb. If you prefer legal streaming options, legitimate alternatives like Pluto TV, Tubi TV, and Crunchyroll also offer free HD movies and shows without the risks tied to unlicensed streaming.

Why is HDToday not working?

HDToday may stop working due to domain blocks, server issues, or copyright takedowns. Since it’s an unofficial streaming site, outages are common. For a reliable and legal alternative, explore the HDToday replacements listed above.