Is Tubi Safe and Legit to Use in 2025? A Detailed Guide

Tubi TV is one of the most famous free streaming services. It has a large number of movies and shows from different genres. The platform also doesn’t charge you any hidden subscription fees. Also, you don’t even need to register your account—just go to the website and start streaming.

However, streaming from free (unauthorized) sources can cost you in other ways such as your online privacy and legal issues. And, it is free. So, the question arises that is Tubi safe and legal? Although the platform claims to be 100% safe and legal, it is essential to do your homework before giving it a shot.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of whether Tubi is legal and safe. We will also let you know about its security features, important security tips before using it, and its alternatives.

What is Tubi, and how does it work?

Tubi is a free US-based over-the-top ad-supported streaming television platform. It is also known as a (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) service. The streaming service was launched in April 2014, but in 2020, Fox Corporation acquired Tubi for $440 million (all in cash).

Unlike most free video streaming platforms (which mostly are pirated sites in reality), Tubi TV has copyright rights of the hosted content and doesn’t break any laws. It has licensed content from the likes of Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM.

The service has one of the largest collections of premium on-demand content. You can access 275,000+ movies and TV episodes and more than 300 exclusive originals – all for free.

You don’t even need to subscribe or register for an account before accessing its content. The cost is watching ads, which is how Tubi generates revenue. Every time you watch an ad, Tubi is compensated by advertisers.

Is Tubi safe?

Yes, Tubi is totally safe and secure to use. The service works legally, follows copyright rules, and has built-in security and privacy features to protect its users. Here is why Tubi TV is generally considered safe:

• Doesn’t have malware or viruses: Tubi TV is a reputable and trustworthy platform. It undergoes regular security check-ups, minimizing the risk of harmful malware, viruses, and spyware. Unlike most of the free unofficial streaming websites, it doesn’t show you pesky ads or ask you to download sketchy files.
• No personal information logging: While Tubi TV tracks some of the user data during registration (not mandatory) for better recommendations and ads, it follows basic data protection rules. That ensures your privacy is safe with you. However, if you are still concerned, you don’t need to create an account.
• Legal content: Tubi bundles with the famous Hollywood studios and independent film producers to stream licensed content, ensuring the platform only has legal, authorized content and doesn’t have pirated content.
• Doesn’t ask for card information: As we have mentioned above, Tubi TV is a free and ad-supported platform; therefore, you don’t need to give any card details. This reduces the chance of any scam and hidden charges.

Is Tubi legal?

Tubi is 100% legitimate and legal. Since it is not a pirated site and contains only licensed content, it functions just like any other normal television. Advertiser companies pay Tubi to show their ads on the platform. This is how they make money.

Every video you stream on Tubi is licensed, meaning the platform isn’t violating any copyright laws. Therefore, you don’t have to look over your shoulder to see if someone is going to file a copyright lawsuit against you.

Unlike illegal streaming sites that bombard you with suspicious and pesky ads, Tubi TV shows only legit and non-intrusive ads.

In essence, Tubi complies with the law and regulations that apply to other legal sites. The service itself is not going to cause you harm, as it operates legally and transparently.

Is Tubi safe for kids?

Tubi TV has an extensive list of content, ranging from movies and shows, mostly for all ages. However, is it safe for kids?

The short answer is no, not without supervision.

Tubi has a “Kids” section, but it is not positioned as a dedicated kids’ platform, like Disney+ or YouTube Kids. It’s very easy for a child to wander out of the Kids’ section into the fully accessible library of mature horror movies, intimate content, or very intense action films.

Here’s what you should know as a parent:

• Tubi has parental control features, but this is less effective in comparison to dedicated kids’ platforms like Disney+.
• Along with family-friendly content, Tubi has content that is definitely not for kids.
• Ads are not always child-appropriate, even the ones that play during kids’ shows.
• Tubi does not have a complex filtering system for age-inappropriate content.

Therefore, parents should monitor what their kids are watching and consider applying parental control tools on the home network or devices.

If your kids are using Tubi, then parental control is non-negotiable. You can set a PIN that gives access only to the Kids profile, as a way to keep your little one from stumbling into something they shouldn’t. Better safe than sorry.

So what’s the catch with Tubi?

The only drawback of Tubi is that it’s ad-supported. There will be commercial breaks when you are streaming, like on regular TV. The number of ads can vary. During our testing, we experienced 3-5 ads every 12-15 minutes while watching a movie. In general, it is less intrusive than what you’d see on many other free platforms. You’re basically trading a subscription fee for ad views. Fair enough?

If you are signing up on Tubi, here’s what you are actually signing up for: 

• Frequent ad breaks: Unlike most paid streaming options, Tubi interrupts your content with commercial breaks. Some user accounts indicate ad interruptions every 10-15 minutes during their movie.
• Limited newest releases: Tubi’s library is vast, but don’t expect to see the latest releases or blockbusters; you may be disappointed. When selecting titles, you’ll find older films, B-movies, and international selections.
• Data collection: Tubi collects some data (your location and usage patterns), but it uses it to improve your viewing experience and deliver tailored ads.
• Video quality can be unreliable: The quality of some content you watch may not be as good as what you would find on a paid streaming service. However, many selections are available in HD.

Tubi’s safety and privacy concerns

Okay, so — Tubi is legal, but from a privacy and security standpoint, is Tubi safe? Generally, yes. The platform doesn’t infect your device with malware.

Most Tubi complaints center around user experience (excessive ads, occasional buffering, basic user interface, etc.) rather than security issues. However, there are a few things to be aware of:

1. The ad ecosystem

The main issue with any free service is its ads. Tubi vets its ad partners, but the chance of a malicious ad (malware disguised as a legitimate ad) slipping through the cracks, though rare, is never completely zero on any ad-supported platform.

While using an ad-blocker like uBlock Origin on a desktop may help, it often is not a viable option on smart TVs or mobile apps.

2. Data collection

What does Tubi do with your data? You probably expected this even before you signed up. Like most free services, your data is part of the business model. According to its privacy policy, Tubi collects:

• The content you watch, and how long you watch it.
• Your IP address and device information.
• Your approximate location so it can serve relevant ads and content.

Tubi will use this data to build your profile for targeted ads. They will share it with companies to develop ads for you. But Tubi still maintains, “We don’t sell personal information to third parties.”

From a security standpoint, legit complaints are often very rare. The platform doesn’t do anything malicious or compromise user devices.

The problems typically arise when users download Tubi from other sources — third party sites, modified APKs, or other locations that Tubi doesn’t control.

Safety tips for using Tubi

Want to make your Tubi experience even safer? Here are a few tips to help you:

1. Download the app from an official source: Only download the Tubi app from the following sources:

• Google Play Store for Android devices.
• Apple App Store for iOS devices.
• Official app store for your smart TV.
• Official Tubi website for web browsers.

2. Enable parental controls: If you have kids around, engage that PIN.
3. Keep your apps and devices updated: If you are using the Tubi app on the phone, TV, or tablet, keep it updated.
4. Use a VPN and an ad blocker (cautiously): While ad blockers can get rid of annoying pop-ups, keep in mind that ads pay for Tubi’s free service. Using NordVPN with its Threat Protection may help reduce the amount of ads you see.
5. Always exercise caution with personal data: Don’t provide personal info beyond what is necessary when setting up your account.
6. Use strong passwords: Create a strong and unique password when signing up for Tubi if you are using the same email for other services.
7. Watch out for phishing schemes: Take care when you open emails, ad pop-ups, or texts “from” Tubi.

• Don’t click links in emails or pop-up ads where you don’t expect to be asked for a login ID (they are almost always fake ID/website capture sites)
• Always access Tubi through the legitimate site or app you are using and don’t click a link; it can reduce your risk of being sent to a fraudulent site.
• For more security, before clicking on anything suspicious, use a link checker to verify it.

Tubi app safety on devices (Mobile, TV, Desktop)

One great thing about Tubi is its availability, but is it equally safe everywhere? Most of the time, yes. 

Mobile – (iOS/Android)

It is recommended to download the official Tubi app only from the official app store of your device. The sandboxed mobile operating systems add an extra level of protection against any security issues that may arise.

Smart TVs, gaming consoles

Is Tubi free on Smart TV? Yes, it is free, and in general, it is quite safe too. Smart TV apps are well vetted before being allowed into an official app store.

In fact, most new smart TVs and gaming consoles like Xbox or PlayStation either come with Tubi already pre-loaded or have it available in their built-in app store. This gives extra security since the manufacturer must have already vetted the app.

Desktop/Web browsers

Watching Tubi via your browser is safe so long as you visit the official website (tubitv.com) and not any of the sketchy third-party websites claiming to offer access to Tubi.

To enhance safety when using Tubi via browser, ensure browser security is activated and you are using the latest version of your browser.

Streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV)

Stick to official app stores. Don’t go sideloading APKs from third-party websites – these are not secure and can easily be tampered with. As long as you are downloading the official app, you should be, and the experience will be secure no matter what device you are using.

Why use a VPN to access Tubi?

If Tubi is free and legal, then why would someone ever need a VPN? Here’s why:

• Supercharged privacy: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, provides protection, and hides your real IP address. This makes it much more difficult for your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and third parties to track your traffic while you are browsing online. You’re getting a secure layer of privacy on top of whatever streaming you do.
• Access regional content: Tubi TV isn’t accessible everywhere in the world. Plus, it library varies from region to region. For example, the US library is very large, while other countries have smaller libraries. A VPN allows you to connect to a USA server and unlock Tubi’s full library. You can now stream the content that isn’t available in your region.
• Security on public WiFi: If you are streaming Tubi at a public Wi-Fi network (coffee shop, hotel), your connection to the service is encrypted (thanks to HTTPS), meaning your data is safe from Tubi itself.

However, your internet activity on that public Wi-Fi is still naked, and anyone else sharing that same public Wi-Fi could sniff your traffic or even redirect your traffic. The only way to be truly secure is to purchase a subscription to a VPN, to encrypt your entire connection. The VPN will hide your traffic and protect you from random snoopers.

Best VPN for streaming Tubi safely: NordVPN

NordVPN is the favorite of privacy and streaming enthusiasts, and for good reason. It has fast speeds and reliable security features to stream Tubi without experiencing those annoying buffers.

With its proprietary NordLynx protocol, with a specialty in speed, the speeds are fast enough to watch in HD or 4K with no interruptions. You can get around geo-compromising restrictions, such as accessing Tubi and other platforms, like Netflix.

What’s more? NordVPN even has a Threat Protection feature that blocks malicious ads and trackers.

Its long-term plans offer the best value. Pricing starts at $3.09/month for the 2-year plan. Also, NordVPN runs frequent discounts that make the upfront pricing very reasonable for the quality of service you get.

Common Tubi issues and how to fix them

No service is 100% perfect, and Tubi is no exception. The most frequent issues people have with Tubi include:

• Too many ads: This is the most commonly expressed issue; however, it is also the central part of Tubi’s business model.
• Availability of movies: Titles will sometimes come and go depending on when licensing deals expire and renew.
• Video quality: Some users report unexpected streaming variation in video quality.

Most of the complaints are due to the free ad-supported model and not serious safety concerns.

Tubi shortcomings and how to fix them

1. Playback problems

• Clear your browser cache or force close the app.
• Check your speed.
• Change server location if you are using a VPN.

2. Login problems

• Reset your password via Tubi’s website.
• Clear cookies and site data.
• Check your email address.

3. App crashing

• Update the app from your device’s app store
• Restart your device.
• Uninstall and reinstall if problems persist.

4. Geoblocking error

• Ensure you are in a supported region.
• If you are using a VPN, use a different server.
• Reach out to Tubi’s support team if you are in a region where Tubi is supported but still get an error message.

Tubi vs. other free streaming services

So how does Tubi stack up to other free choices?

• Tubi v. Pluto TV: Both are legal and safe, but Tubi mainly focuses on on-demand videos. Pluto TV, on the other hand, focuses on Live TV channels.
• Tubi v. Crackle: In terms of size, Tubi’s library is much bigger, while Crackle (owned by Sony) has some exclusive original content.
• Tubi vs. YouTube: YouTube has more variety, but Tubi provides you with a curated movie experience that YouTube doesn’t.

Verdict: Tubi edges out most competitors, especially with an enormous library backed by Fox Corporation!

Is Tubi worth the trade-offs?

Tubi is a really good option for those who are looking to save money. However, there are a few trade-offs. Here is the good, bad, and ugly:

All in all, Tubi is more effective as a supplement to premium streaming services rather than as a replacement.

Alternatives if Tubi isn’t for you

If you are not satisfied with Tubi’s services, you might want to try these options:

FAQs