Tubi fixed my biggest problems with Netflix, and it's why I keep coming back

Dan Girolamo

Tue, August 11, 2026 at 2:15 PM UTC

Tubi homepage — Dan Girolamo/How-To Geek/Tubi

In Home Alone 2, Kevin McCallister scoffs at Cedric when asked if he knows how the television works. " I'm 10 years old. TV's my life ," Kevin tells Cedric before tipping him with gum. I'm much older than Kevin, but I can relate to what he said about TV. It's not my entire life, but it's certainly a crucial part, considering I write for How-To Geek's streaming vertical.

As for what services I use, I'm one of the rare millennials who still pays for cable while also having most of the top streaming services, including Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, and Paramount+. Let's just say I'm not ecstatic at the end of every month when I have to pay my bills. That's why whenever I can use a free service like Tubi, I jump at the opportunity.

Tubi is what's known as a FAST service, which stands for free ad-supported streaming television. It's a free streaming service that offers over 300,000 movies and TV episodes to its user base. There are no tricks or hidden fees when it comes to pricing—it's a free service. Beyond its monetary benefits, Tubi has fixed some of my biggest problems that I have with paid streaming services, especially Netflix.

Tubi gives me the option to watch live TV

I still enjoy channel surfing

One of the main reasons why I still have cable TV is for the ability to channel surf. I find myself turning on the TV with no plan. This happens a lot during the summer, when there are fewer sporting events and water-cooler shows. I'll flip through the channels for a few minutes before picking a show or movie. If I get bored by it, I'll just keep channel surfing until I find something else to watch.

Channel surfing isn't really possible on Netflix. The service might broadcast live events, but there is no linear live TV channel guide. I like scrolling the homepage to see if something catches my eye. If nothing does, I'll move to the genre pages and see if I have better luck. 15 minutes later, I still haven't decided on anything.

Tubi doesn't have that problem because it offers live TV. If you scroll to the live TV section, you'll travel back in time to the days of scrolling through the guide on cable TV. In the U.S., Tubi has over 260 unique channels to choose from in various genres, including sports, news, competition, lifestyle, reality, and more. I can jump into an episode of Law & Order: SVU , and after a few minutes, I can change the channel to an episode of Next Level Chef .

For me, it's so much easier to flip through the channels of Tubi than it is to jump in and out of Netflix shows and movies . Believe me, I wish Netflix had live TV and FAST channels, and it sounds like the streamer is exploring those options , too. Until then, Tubi is the way to go if you want to recreate cable TV.

Tubi alleviates the pressure of finding the perfect show or movie

Lower stakes and fewer commitments

When watching a movie or TV show, I'm very committed to finishing, for better or worse. I feel like I deserve to at least finish whatever I've been watching before moving on. Frankly, that's a habit I want to break, especially for programs I watch in my free time that have no implications for my work.

There are many times when I want to stop a Netflix show or movie at the halfway point, but I keep powering through even though I've moved on mentally. Sometimes, I stick around because of the positive reviews. "If everyone else likes this, then I should like it," runs through my head. I'll give Emmy-nominated shows and Oscar-nominated movies a longer leash, even if I know within 10 minutes that the title won't work for me. I'm paying enough for Netflix, so I feel forced to get my money's worth.

I feel way less pressure when browsing Tubi than I do when browsing Netflix. It's low-stakes streaming when I'm on Tubi. I know that if I use the live TV section, I do not have to commit to anything. Whatever my heart desires, that's what I'll pick. If that means watching bits and pieces of 10 shows within an hour, so be it.

This comes in handy when I'm writing. I love to have the TV on in the background as white noise. Again, it comes down to the ability to change programs within seconds. I can't do that on Netflix. I might spend more time scrolling and looking for another title than actually watching TV and writing. In Tubi's live TV section, I click up or down with my remote, and I have a new program in seconds. It's this efficiency that I cherish.

Tubi is prime for new discoveries

Embrace randomness

I have a love-hate relationship with the Netflix algorithm. On one hand, I appreciate a homepage with suggestions tailored to my liking. On the other hand, the Netflix homepage tends to promote its new programming constantly. From a business perspective, I understand Netflix must push out new content for marketing and viewership purposes. However, I've found that this weakens my chances of finding something I've never heard of, which can be a nice surprise from time to time.

I can honestly say I'm always discovering new things on the Tubi homepage. It has a mix of Tubi originals and classic programming that frequently piques my interest. Admittedly, some of it is a bit too ridiculous—anyone ever watch Gary Busey in Gingerdead Man ?

However, Tubi does have some entertaining hits, including the crime thriller Cinnamon and the reality show Kitchen Commando . You just need to watch with an open mind.

Netflix isn't going anywhere, but Tubi continues to rise

I'm not going to make the hot take that Tubi will surpass Netflix in terms of popularity. I don't see that happening. That doesn't mean Tubi can't carve out a niche in the free-streaming market. With Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV on the rise, I'm expecting the major streaming services to continue investing in FAST channels in the future.

Check out Yahoo's latest streaming advice, based on hands-on testing.

About our ads