Published on: March 29, 2024 Updated 2 times since publishing
Short on time? Here’s the best Putlocker alternative in 2026:
- YouTube. YouTube has multiple channels where you can watch movies at no cost, and they are available worldwide. If you’re in the US, you can watch movies from YouTube Movies’ large catalog.
Sites like Putlocker aren’t a safe option for streaming, as they offer pirated content. You also might get into legal issues, as these sites host and link to copyrighted content without permission from the copyright holders. Plus, they often go down and some contain malware and viruses that could compromise your privacy and device.
So, I created a list of the 5 best free & legal Putlocker alternatives to help you save time when looking for a good, legal, and free streaming site. I picked the streaming sites based on the library size, how frequently it’s updated, ease of use, and more.
Pro Tip: Using a good VPN like ExpressVPN will help protect your privacy while streaming online. All the best VPNs have large server networks and work with the streaming platforms on this list. The VPNs we recommend keep no logs of your online activities, so it’s your responsibility to follow all relevant regulations. At SafetyDetectives, we do not condone copyright infringement.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
5 Best Putlocker Alternatives in 2026
1. YouTube
YouTube is my top alternative to Putlocker since it offers channels where you can stream full movies for free. The Free with Ads section mostly includes older titles but you can also find some recent popular ones, like Ladybird. My colleague in the US was able to watch classics like Home Alone in high quality.
In addition, the streaming site is very easy to navigate — movies are separated into genres, like romance, comedy, documentaries, and teen movies. So you’ll easily find the content you’re looking for.
I like that you don’t have to set up an account to watch movies on YouTube. However, the site uses your data and browsing activities to target you with ads and recommend relevant content.
2. Crackle
Crackle is a great Putlocker alternative for US residents who are looking for a large collection of movies and television shows in different genres. The platform has action movies, biographies, stand-up shows, western movies, and many more — you get 25+ categories for both movies and TV shows.
What’s more, the interface is user-friendly, making it easy to navigate. It also allows you to filter content by release date and in alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order. If you create an account, you will also be able to create a personalized watchlist and save your watch progress.
Crackle supports multiple devices, such as mobile devices, gaming consoles, web browsers, and smart TVs. When it comes to privacy, the platform collects certain personal data, like your IP address and activities on the site.
3. Fandango At Home
Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu) has a large ad-supported catalog of free movies and TV shows, including classics and new releases. It also gives you the option to rent movies for 30 days or purchase them. However, this platform is only available in the US.
I really like Fandango at Home’s filtering system. Besides genre, it also lets you search by cost, media type, film studios, and even Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Plus, each individual page for a movie shows detailed information, like the synopsis, trailer, cast, and ratings.
You can stream Fandango at Home content on a variety of devices, including mobile, smart TVs, gaming consoles, Apple TV, Roku, and more. However, I don’t like that the platform requires you to create an account even for watching free content.
4. Tubi
Tubi is another great Putlocker alternative, and it’s available in the US, Canada, the UK, Mexico, LATAM, and Australia. Its catalog of movies and TV shows is constantly updated, so you’ll easily find the newest releases.
There are 4 categories for movies and TV shows, including popular, genres, collections, and channels with subcategories listed below. It also gives details on duration, genre, director, synopsis, and cast. That said, it lacks the rating system that Fandango at Home has.
Tubi has support for smart TVs and most media streaming devices, like Apple TV, Roku, and Xbox One. To get started on Tubi, you don’t need to create an account. But, the site might share your personal data with certain third parties.
5. Pluto TV
Pluto TV offers both live and on-demand content for free to users located in the US. It has plenty of live channels, including Paramount Movie Channel, Life + Style, World Poker Tour, and Anime All Ages. The on-demand content includes a vast library of movies and TV shows, such as game shows (Jeopardy), daytime shows (the best of Dr. Phil), kids (Transformers and Lego Super Heroes), and more.
It’s very easy to search for specific channels and on-demand content thanks to its minimalistic interface. However, the channel guide doesn’t provide information on future programming after 2 hours.
Pluto TV is compatible with a range of devices, like smart TVs, web browsers, and mobile devices. Plus, it doesn’t require you to set up an account. However, it collects certain personal data, including preferences, interactions with the content, and IP addresses.
Is Putlocker Legal?
Putlocker is an illegal site that hosts and shares media content without obtaining authorization from the copyright holders. As a result, the site has been either shut down or blocked in several countries due to allegations of copyright infringement. So, using sites like Putlocker has legal risks even if you’re just watching content.
The legal consequences for copyright infringement vary across countries. Some countries have strict copyright laws, while in some, downloading or streaming pirated content for personal use is considered legal.
Regardless of your location, at SafetyDetectives, we strongly advise you to choose legal and authorized platforms for streaming movies and TV shows, both for your safety and to show support for content creators.
Why You Need a VPN for Legal Streaming Sites
Using a VPN for streaming sites such as YouTube is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, a VPN ensures privacy by encrypting your traffic, preventing third parties from spying on your streaming activities.
The VPNs featured below also have advanced security features designed to protect your privacy during online streaming. Many of these legal streaming sites collect your personal data, such as your IP address. However, a VPN assigns you a new IP address, allowing you to use these sites more anonymously.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Streaming Sites Like Putlocker in 2026
Editor's Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best free legal Putlocker alternative?
YouTube is the best free and legal Putlocker alternative. It has plenty of channels with movies available worldwide. In addition, YouTube Movies has a large catalog of movies (but it’s only available to US residents).
Are there any safe free streaming sites?
Most free streaming sites aren’t the most secure option out there. This is because they host copyrighted content and contain malware links and ads. Instead, I recommend checking out the free and legal alternatives on my list. They are safe and offer a large catalog of movies and TV shows.
Does Putlocker not work anymore?
Putlocker’s original site was taken down and the site is now available under different domain names. These clone sites often contain viruses and other malicious software. That’s why, I recommend using the top legal alternative streaming sites on my list.
Is Putlocker a paid site now?
No, Putlocker doesn’t require a subscription fee. It’s an ad-supported streaming service, so it makes revenue by targeting its users with ads. However, Putlocker is an illegal streaming site that contains copyrighted material. If you want to stream ad-free on a legal site, make sure to check out my list of free and legal Putlocker alternatives.
