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The best paid Popcorn Time alternatives
- 1. Netflix: the best all-around Popcorn Time alternative
- 2. Disney+: best alternative to Popcorn Time for families
- 3. Hulu: a streaming service that supports a wide range of devices
- 4. Peacock: alternative to Popcorn Time with a vast American library
- 5. Amazon Prime Video: a popular streaming platform with the latest blockbusters
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The Best Free Popcorn Time Alternatives
- 6. Kodi: open-source home theater software
- 7. Freevee: free Popcorn Time alternative with the latest movies
- 8. BBC iPlayer: popular free streaming service in the UK
- 9. The Roku Channel: a free alternative to Popcorn Time with HD streams
- 10. Pluto TV: streaming platform with a simple interface and a large content library
- Why use Popcorn Time alternatives?
- Best VPN for Popcorn Alternatives
- Final thoughts: what are the best Popcorn Time alternatives?
Popcorn Time was an extremely popular app that let users stream movies and TV series for free. However, the platform is no longer available officially, prompting users to look for alternatives to Popcorn Time.
After thorough research and testing, I have listed the 10 best Popcorn Time alternative options in this article. Let’s kick off with the top five paid alternatives:
- Netflix: The best all-around Popcorn Time alternative
- Disney+: Top streaming platform for families
- Hulu: Streaming service compatible with many devices
- Peacock: Alternative to Popcorn Time with a vast American library
- Amazon Prime Video: Streaming platform with the latest blockbusters
These are the top five free Popcorn Time alternatives:
- Kodi: Open-source media center
- Freevee: Free Popcorn Time alternative with on-demand content
- BBC iPlayer: Popular UK streaming service with the latest UK shows
- The Roku Channel: Free alternative to Popcorn Time with HD streams
- Pluto TV: Streaming platform with live and on-demand streams
If you intend to use any of the Popcorn Time alternatives above, some may require a VPN to be unblocked due to geo-restrictions. NordVPN is my top recommendation, as it combines fast streaming of high-quality content with excellent security and the ability to bypass geo-blocks in no time.
Give the rest of the article a read to learn more about the best Popcorn Time alternatives!
Popcorn Time was once a popular app for streaming movies and TV shows. But if you’re wondering what happened to Popcorn Time, it was shut down in 2022.
If you’re looking for a different streaming service similar to Popcorn Time, I have listed the 10 best Popcorn Time alternatives below for you to consider. I cover both paid and free alternatives to Popcorn Time in this article.
However, some alternative options listed above are only available in limited regions and countries. Using a VPN to access Popcorn Time alternatives will help you access geo-blocked content worldwide. NordVPN is my top-rated VPN and an excellent choice for streaming due to its fast speeds and unblocking capabilities.
The best paid Popcorn Time alternatives
I have divided my list of the best Popcorn Time alternatives into paid and free streaming services. All of them are completely legal, however, paid streaming services might have a bigger variety of content. If you find what you like on a free streaming service, you can freely use it unless it requires being unblocked with the help of a VPN.
I tested 30+ Popcorn Time alternatives and listed the best ones in the sections below.
1. Netflix: the best all-around Popcorn Time alternative
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 13,612 shows and movies
- Countries available in 190+ countries
- Pricing: From $7.99
No surprises here, as Netflix is the most popular streaming service in the world. While testing the platform, I liked its neat interface and enjoyed browsing through its extensive library that expands weekly. The interface is actually quite similar to what Popcorn Time used to be.
The app is available on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This allows you to seamlessly carry your content across devices. I could download and save all the movies I wanted to watch on the go.
Netflix offers different subscription tiers, with a basic plan starting at $7.99/month. This is slightly expensive, but you can save money on your Netflix subscription. If you use a VPN to direct your internet traffic through a server based in countries like Turkey, you can profit from the fact that Netflix subscriptions are cheaper there.
2. Disney+: best alternative to Popcorn Time for families
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 2,012 movies and shows
- Countries available: 107+
- Pricing: From $9.99 (ad-supported)
Disney+ has taken the streaming world by storm. I loved its huge collection of classics from Pixar, Disney, and Marvel. It also boasts an extensive library of shows, which makes it a great Popcorn Time alternative. In countries like India, with the Disney+ Hotstar app, you can even watch sports, such as cricket, football, and badminton.
Like Netflix, I observed that Disney+ works on most platforms and streaming devices, including Roku. I was also happy to see that you can share your profile with friends and family and use the platform simultaneously on up to four devices.
While Disney+ is now available in most countries, the program and content availability may differ. Some people use Disney+ with a VPN to access a larger content library. NordVPN has an extensive server network, which makes several different content libraries available.
3. Hulu: a streaming service that supports a wide range of devices
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 5,000+ movies and shows
- Countries available: United States, Puerto Rico, and Japan
- Pricing: From $9.99 (ad-supported)
Hulu is another leading premium streaming service that is a viable alternative to Popcorn Time. Its catalog contains TV shows, movies, Hulu Originals, and other premium content. Notably, I discovered that it also provides access to live TV and sports.
The service is supported on an extensive range of devices, including Apple TV, Fire Stick, and gaming consoles like the Xbox. The base package offered by Hulu, which contains ads, is priced at $9.99.
Unfortunately, Hulu is currently restricted to the US and Japan. You will need to use a VPN to watch Hulu from anywhere else in the world. I regularly use NordVPN to access Hulu. It has 1,970 US servers, ensuring you can always find a fast and uncrowded server.
4. Peacock: alternative to Popcorn Time with a vast American library
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 1200+ movies and shows
- Countries available: 6
- Pricing: From $7.99 (ad-supported)
Peacock is NBC Universal’s over-the-top (OTT) streaming service. Like Hulu, it has a great repository of American content, such as The Office, Modern Family, and Suits. The service showcases different podcasts, too, like the Rich Eisen Show, and is also great for watching movies.
Peacock Premium subscription starts for $7.99. A Premium Plus subscription, which costs $13.99, is completely ad-free and allows you to download movies and watch them offline.
Unfortunately, Peacock is only available in a handful of countries, like the UK and the US. However, you can access Peacock with a VPN, no matter your location.
5. Amazon Prime Video: a popular streaming platform with the latest blockbusters
Key Features
- Number of Titles: 30,000 movies and shows
- Countries available: 200+
- Pricing: From $8.99/month
Prime Video is probably the platform that can rival Netflix’s popularity and content library. It makes a great Popcorn Time alternative for people looking to catch up on their favorite movies.
A full Prime membership, which costs around $14.99 monthly, gave us access to movies, shows, and music. If you want to subscribe to just Prime Video, you can do that for $8.99/month. Like its other competitors, Prime runs on virtually every major operating system.
Amazon’s recent acquisition of MGM Studios means its library will be larger and contain some iconic movies, like the James Bond series. Did you know New Zealand has the largest Amazon Prime library, with nearly 20,000 titles? Access the expanded Prime New Zealand library with a NordVPN server.
The Best Free Popcorn Time Alternatives
These free alternatives to the Popcorn Time app are options for users who do not want to spend money on subscriptions, but still want to access the content legally. Originally, Popcorn Time had pirated content, but there are still free streaming sites that offer legal content, great quality, while the only annoyance might be ads.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
VPNOverview doesn’t endorse piracy or illegal activity in any form. Accessing illegal content carries risks that could result in the termination of your internet connection, fines, or legal action. I recommend using only legal streaming websites.
Some of these options are geo-restricted, but you can use a VPN to unblock them. In addition, free content is usually supported with ads. Hence, I strongly recommend a VPN with robust ad-blocking features like NordVPN. The Threat Protection Pro feature that NordVPN provides will also safeguard you against other cyber threats while browsing online.
6. Kodi: open-source home theater software
One of the closest alternatives to Popcorn Time is Kodi. It’s a free software media system that can be used to stream videos. It comes in the form of a downloadable app and features a slick and easy-to-use design.
Kodi comes with add-ons, which can increase its functionality and let you stream Netflix, YouTube, and ESPN, among others. While testing the site, I observed several legal add-ons. However, those developed by third-party developers can lead you to pirated content. So, it’s always good to be careful when choosing your Kodi add-ons.
Kodi can also play music and display pictures, making it an all-around entertainment solution. It works on a range of devices, such as the Apple TV and even the Raspberry Pi.
7. Freevee: free Popcorn Time alternative with the latest movies
Freevee is on-demand video streaming service supported by ads. The service is owned by Amazon and comes pre-downloaded on Fire Tablet devices. The platform has a great selection of popular movies and TV shows. It has simple interface that reminded me of Amazon Prime Video.
The only downside of Freevee is that the app is not available on desktop. However, if a big screen is not the issue for you, you can enjoy movies and TV shows on your phone or tablet.
The app is only available in the United States, the United Kindom, Germany, and Austria. For those outside these regions, you will need a reliable streaming VPN to unblock the service.
8. BBC iPlayer: popular free streaming service in the UK
BBC iPlayer is one of the most popular free streaming services in the UK. It has all the latest UK reality shows, movies, and TV series, while also offering content popular worldwide.
BBC iPlayer is a completely free service. However, it is only available in the UK, so you will need a VPN to unblock the platform from elsewhere. The process is very simple, and any premium VPN would unblock it undetected. I found the interface simple and easy to use. You can use BBC iPlayer on any device.
9. The Roku Channel: a free alternative to Popcorn Time with HD streams
The Roku Channel is known for a variety of free TV shows and popular movies. You can find content for any age group without spending a penny.
The website is geographically restricted, so I used NordVPN to unblock it. The first impression was nice, as the interface is very simple and intuitive. I enjoyed the movie and TV show selection, especially as all of them were completely free.
10. Pluto TV: streaming platform with a simple interface and a large content library
Pluto TV is an American free streaming platform. It offers a variety of content, mostly through live streaming, which is experienced as traditional broadcasting programming.
The menu consists of different genres from which you can choose what you want to watch. I found Pluto TV easy to use, and liked a more traditional television feeling, as sometimes you are not entirely sure what you want to stream. With Pluto TV, you just open the platform, and can immediately watch anything that is airing. To access the website from non-supported countries, I recommend using a VPN, like NordVPN.
Why use Popcorn Time alternatives?
Popcorn Time is no longer officially available. Hence, it is a good idea to be familiar with either paid or free Popcorn Time alternatives if you want to watch content similar to the one offered by the platform in the past. Some of the reasons you might want to check out these paid and free streaming sites we have listed above include:
- Many feature the latest movies and TV shows.
- Most sites are easy to use, and app installations are typically pretty smooth, too.
- Strictly online streaming platforms don’t require you to download torrents. Instead, you can easily watch movies and shows directly online.
All of these Popcorn Time alternatives are completely legal. However, some of the options are blocked due to geographical restrictions. Fortunately, it is quite easy to access them with a trustworthy VPN.
Best VPN for Popcorn Alternatives
- NordVPN – overall best VPN for Popcorn Time alternatives
- Surfshark – cheap Popcorn Time alternatives VPN for every device
- Proton VPN – safe and reliable VPN to unblock Popcorn Time alternatives
NordVPN is a trustworthy premium VPN that you can use while streaming Popcorn Time alternatives. With over 9300 servers in 137 countries, it can easily circumvent geographical restrictions and unblock streaming sites that are restricted. In addition, it is extremely private due to military-grade encryption and other advanced security tools.
Surfshark is another great choice to stream Popcorn Time alternatives worry-free. Its extensive server network covers 100 countries, allowing you to stream any library you wish. What’s best, it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning that the subscription can be shared between you and your family or friends.
Proton VPN is a reliable option if you want to unblock Popcorn Time alternatives unavailable in your country. It is also one of the VPN service providers that offer a decent free version, which has servers in five countries – the USA, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and Romania. It also doesn’t throttle speeds, and they might be substantial for some light streaming. Meanwhile premium Proton VPN version has all the necessities for a smooth and enjoyable Popcorn Time alternatives watching experience.
Final thoughts: what are the best Popcorn Time alternatives?
While Popcorn Time is not officially active anymore, there are more than enough alternatives you can use to stream your favorite online content. Netflix and Disney+ are the best paid alternatives, whereas Kodi and BBC iPlayer are great free options.
I strongly recommend using a VPN while accessing the Popcorn Time alternatives listed above. Not only does it keep you secure, but it also helps circumvent geo-restrictions that such streaming services typically use. NordVPN is an excellent streaming VPN as it’s fast, secure, and easy to use. Moreover, NordVPN offers some great deals on its subscriptions.
Looking for alternatives to other popular streaming platforms? Check out our articles below:
Were any of your questions regarding Popcorn Time alternatives left unanswered by the article? Check out the FAQs below to see if you can find the answer you’re looking for.
Popcorn Time is no longer active, but when it was, it used torrent files to deliver movie and TV streams to its users. Using torrents to watch copyrighted content without permission constitutes copyright infringement, which is illegal in many countries.
The consequences you face if caught using Popcorn Time or any similar platform depend on the stringency with which laws are imposed in your country.
Popcorn Time was an app that you had to download from the internet. There is no longer an official source where you can safely download the program. Instead, several mirrors occasionally host files with malware.
There are plenty of legal Popcorn Time alternatives, both paid and free. Some of the best platforms to stream the latest movies and TV series include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Peacock. However, all of them require subscriptions. Luckily, free legal websites exist, such as Kodi, BBC iPlayer, and Pluto TV.
Yes, I recommend using a VPN to access Popcorn Time alternatives. A trustworthy VPN like NordVPN can prevent ISP throttling, data leaks, and security gaps. In addition, some Popcorn Time alternatives are geo-blocked, requiring a VPN to circumvent these restrictions.
