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Did you know that you can find movies to watch on your phone without paying for a monthly subscription?
With some apps for watching movies, you can explore comedies, dramas, documentaries, animated films, and action productions for free.
The main advantage is saving money. You also gain the convenience of watching wherever you are and the freedom to explore different catalogs. In exchange for free access, these services usually show advertisements before or during playback.
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In this guide, you will discover three free apps for watching movies: Pluto TV, Plex, and Mercado Play. We will explain how to install each app, find content, and use every option on your phone. Keep reading and prepare your next movie session without adding another monthly subscription to your budget.
How Do Free Apps Work?
Free apps for watching movies generally use a model known as ad-supported streaming. Instead of charging a subscription fee, the platform displays advertisements at certain moments.
This means you can access part of the catalog without providing payment information. However, you need to accept short commercial breaks during the programming.
Another important point to consider is that the available movies may change. A production available today may leave the catalog later because of distribution agreements.
To get more from these services, keep more than one app installed. When a movie is unavailable on one platform, you can search for it on the other free options.
Three Free Options for Watching on Your Phone
In this article, we will explore three services with different features:
| App | How It Works | Main Advantage |
| Pluto TV | Live channels and on-demand content | Can be used for free with advertisements |
| Plex | Free movies, TV shows, and channels | Makes it easy to explore different genres |
| Mercado Play | Content within the Mercado Livre ecosystem | Simple access for users who already have an account |
All three are apps for watching movies without a mandatory subscription to access their free catalogs. The number of titles, genres, and available features may change over time.
1. Pluto TV: Free Movies and Live Channels
Pluto TV offers free movies, programs, and channels. The service has a live television section and an on-demand area where you can choose what you want to watch.
Among the apps for watching movies, this option is similar to traditional television. You can watch a channel that is already broadcasting or open the on-demand catalog to choose a production.
The platform does not require a monthly subscription for its free content. The advertisements shown during playback help finance the service.
APP
Pluto TV
Here’s how to download the app from the app store
You will be redirected to another website
How to Install Pluto TV on Android
To install the app on an Android phone:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Go to the search bar.
- Type “Pluto TV.”
- Check the app’s name and visual identity.
- Confirm that you have found the official version.
- Select the installation option.
- Wait for the process to finish.
- Open the app.
When you open the service for the first time, it may display options related to privacy, advertising, and usage preferences. Read the information and adjust the settings as needed.
How to Install Pluto TV on an iPhone
On an iPhone, the process is similar:
- Open the App Store.
- Go to the search section.
- Type “Pluto TV.”
- Find the official app.
- Select “Get.”
- Confirm using Face ID, Touch ID, or your password.
- Wait for the installation to finish.
- Open the service.
Keep your phone’s operating system updated to reduce compatibility problems.
How to Watch Live Channels
Pluto TV organizes its channels into categories. You may find options related to movies, TV shows, news, cartoons, and other types of programming. Availability can change over time.
To watch:
- Open Pluto TV.
- Enter the live TV section.
- Browse the available programming.
- Choose a category.
- Select the desired channel.
- Wait for the broadcast to begin.
- Turn your phone horizontally.
- Adjust the volume and screen brightness.
When using this format, the movie may have already started. The experience is similar to finding a production currently being shown on a traditional television channel.
How to Choose an On-Demand Movie
In case you prefer to watch a movie from the beginning:
- Open the app.
- Enter the “On Demand” section.
- Look for the movie category.
- Explore the available genres.
- Choose a production.
- Read the synopsis.
- Check its duration and rating.
- Start playback.
- Expect advertising breaks.
The on-demand section includes free movies and programs from different genres, including comedy, romance, crime, and science fiction.
How to Search for a Title
Pluto TV also provides a search tool for finding movies, programs, and channels available on the service.
Enter the movie’s full title. In case you cannot find it, try searching for an actor’s name, one word from the title, or the movie’s genre.
2. Plex: A Free Catalog Organized by Genre
Plex offers free, ad-supported movies, TV shows, and channels. The service states that it does not require a credit card or subscription to access its free catalog.
It is one of the apps for watching movies recommended for people who enjoy exploring different genres. Its on-demand area includes categories such as comedy, crime, documentary, drama, action, animation, horror, romance, and science fiction.
You can watch without creating an account. However, free registration can help you build a watchlist, save channels, and continue playback on other devices.
APP
Plex
Here’s how to download the app from the app store
You will be redirected to another website
How to Install Plex
On Android or iPhone:
- Open your phone’s official app store.
- Search for “Plex.”
- Find the official app.
- Check the developer’s name.
- Start the installation.
- Wait for it to finish.
- Open the app.
- Choose whether to sign in, create an account, or explore the available content.
Plex can be used on smartphones, tablets, computers, streaming devices, and different models of smart TVs.
How to Create a Free Account
Although part of the service can be explored without registration, creating an account can help you organize your content.
To get started:
- Open Plex.
- Select the registration option.
- Enter a valid email address.
- Create a secure password.
- Confirm the requested information.
- Sign in to your account.
- Adjust your preferences.
- Choose which services you want to see in search results when prompted.
You do not need to register a payment card to create a free account for the ad-supported catalog.
How to Find Free Movies
Let us explore this topic in more detail. Plex also displays results from other streaming services. For this reason, you need to check whether a title is available in the free section or is only listed as a suggestion showing where you can watch it.
Follow these steps:
- Open the app.
- Look for the free movies and programs section.
- Enter “Movies & Shows.”
- Choose a genre.
- Open the title’s page.
- Check the playback source.
- Confirm that it is identified as free, ad-supported content.
- Start the movie.
The service maintains a dedicated area for free on-demand productions.
How to Create a Watchlist
Have you found an interesting movie but cannot watch it right now?
- Open the production’s page.
- Select the option to add it to your list.
- Continue exploring the catalog.
- Sign in to your account later.
- Open your watchlist.
- Choose one of the saved titles.
This feature is useful because it prevents you from forgetting the name of a production you discovered while browsing.
Can You Download the Free Movies?
Plex downloads do not apply to the free movies and programs offered directly by the service. Offline playback is mainly connected to personal content stored on a Plex Media Server and may require Plex Pass.
For this reason, use a stable Wi-Fi connection to watch the free catalog without quickly using up your mobile data allowance.
3. Mercado Play: Movies Within Mercado Livre
Mercado Play is Mercado Livre’s entertainment platform. It brings together free movies and TV shows and can be accessed through the Mercado Livre app or a web browser.
This alternative may be convenient for people who already have an account on the platform. Instead of installing several apps for watching movies, you can use an application that may already be installed on your phone.
The catalog includes productions identified as free. The service’s page also has dedicated areas for movies, TV shows, and free content.
APP
Mercado Play
Here’s how to download the app from the app store
You will be redirected to another website
How to Access It Through the App
To use the service on your phone:
- Open the Google Play Store or App Store.
- Search for “Mercado Livre.”
- Install or update the official app.
- Open the service.
- Sign in to your account.
- Look for the Mercado Play section.
- Access the catalog.
- Choose a movie.
Mercado Play is part of the Mercado Livre application, so you do not necessarily need to search for a separate app.
How to Create an Account
In case you are not registered yet:
- Open the Mercado Livre app.
- Select the option to create an account.
- Enter your information.
- Confirm your email address or phone number.
- Create a secure password.
- Sign in to the app.
- Look for the Mercado Play section.
Use a password that is different from the ones registered with your other online services.
How to Find Only Free Content
After entering Mercado Play:
- Review the categories on the home page.
- Look for the movie and TV show sections.
- Use the available filters.
- Give preference to titles identified as free.
- Open the production’s page.
- Read the synopsis.
- Check the age rating.
- Start playback.
The platform has specific pages that organize movies and TV shows offered for free.
How to Continue Watching Later
When you are signed in, the service may record part of your activity and make it easier to return to a production. To avoid losing your playback position:
- Keep your account signed in.
- Exit the movie using the app’s controls.
- Do not clear the app’s data unless necessary.
- Return to the Mercado Play section.
- Look for the history or continue-watching area.
The names of these sections may change depending on the installed version.
Conclusion
Pluto TV, Plex, and Mercado Play are apps for watching movies that offer free content on mobile devices. Pluto TV combines live channels and on-demand titles. Plex organizes movies by genre and allows you to create a watchlist. Mercado Play brings entertainment into the Mercado Livre ecosystem.
These options can help you save money, discover new productions, and watch content at different times. On the other hand, you will need to accept advertisements and possible changes to the available catalogs.
Now, choose one of these three apps for watching movies, install the official version, and explore the available categories. You do not need to add another subscription to prepare your next movie session. Start today and discover how many free movies are already within your reach.