OneBox HD is a fan-favorite streaming app for watching movies and TV shows for free. However, the app is unreliable, servers went down, links stopped working, and updates became rare. That’s not all; you’ll likely face safety issues like malware, intrusive ads, and copyright risks.
Well, that’s normal if you are streaming on a free service. Therefore, it’s always better to choose a reliable option to stream your favorite movie or series. There are plenty of solid alternatives that offer the same convenience (and even better features) without the same headaches.
This article covers the best OneBox HD alternatives (both paid and free) to help you stream safely and smoothly. We will also cover whether OneBox HD is safe and legal to use.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about OneBox HD based on our security tests and research; you shouldn’t take it as legal counsel. Also, each country has its copyright laws that may change constantly. You can consult an expert if you don’t understand your local laws.
Top-notch OneBox HD alternatives
Any streaming app or website that offers free content without proper licensing is probably illegal. So, use subscription-based services to avoid dealing with copyrighted content. You will only have to pay a small fee to access an extensive collection of movies and TV shows. The table below shows OneBox HD’s legal alternatives.
| Netflix | This is a top-rated streaming service worldwide. It probably has the most extensive movie and TV show database, although it uses geo-blocks to restrict content to specific regions. While it’s a subscription-based service globally, the Netflix app is available for free in Kenya. |
| Hulu | Hulu is an excellent streaming service for watching live sporting events. It also has a solid lineup of live TV channels, movies, shows, and originals. |
| Amazon Prime Video | Amazon Prime Video is perhaps the biggest competitor to Netflix. It broadcasts films and TV shows by Amazon Studios and MGM Holdings, as well as content from other providers. The service is available worldwide except in Cuba, China, Russia, Korea, and Syria. |
| HBO Max | HBO Max boasts an impressive lineup of content from movies, TV shows, animation, documentaries, originals, etc. Also, it has options like parental controls, multiple profiles, offline downloads, and simultaneous screens. Some exclusive shows include Locked Down, Julia, Made for Love, It’s a Sin, Infinity Train, Esme & Roy, Search Party, etc. |
| Fox Sports Go | This is a must-have app if you are a sports fanatic. It broadcasts Fox’s regional sports networks, including MLB, NHL, and NBA games, as well as college soccer, football, basketball, and baseball. |
| Sling TV | This reliable streaming service comes with personalized subscriptions and affordable plans. The Sling Orange package has kids and sports channels, while the Sling Blue package has entertainment and news channels. |
| YouTube TV | YouTube TV is a premium streaming service that offers on-demand video, live TV, and cloud-based DVR. It has over 100 television networks, including PBS, Fox Network, CW, etc. |
| Disney+ | This is an ideal option for Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars fans. Also, the service has many kids’ content suitable for households with small children. Some popular titles include Turning Red, Sneakerella, Encanto, Raya, and The Last Dragon, Jungle Cruise, etc. |
Keep in mind that some of the above alternatives are not available worldwide.
For example, YouTube TV is only available in the US, while Netflix is available worldwide with a twist. It lets users watch different shows and movies on Netflix based on their location. A quality streaming VPN will help you bypass the geo-restrictions and change your virtual location so you can enjoy whatever you want on any platform.
Free streaming services like OneBox HD
Apart from OneBox HD, other reliable free streaming apps provide almost similar content.
Freevee
Previously known as IMDb TV, this is an incredible streaming service with an impressive list of free on-demand content. In addition, it broadcasts popular shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Lost, Mad Men, Desperate Housewives, etc. Thankfully, the service is supported by several devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, web browsers, Android, iOS, etc.
Tubi
The Tubi mobile app looks exactly like the website, hosting more than 35,000 TV shows and movies. When you select a movie, you will be taken to a description page with information like genre, release date, duration, and other similar titles.
Unfortunately, it’s unavailable to users outside the United States, so you’ll need an active VPN connection to access Tubi TV outside the US.
Redbox
This is a mobile streaming app that allows you to watch on-demand content. The content is arranged nicely on the homepage, making it easy to choose the title you want to watch. It is available on Android, iPad, iPhone, Roku, Chromecast, and Apple TV.
Vudu
Vudu offers free movies and TV shows, but you must bear with the occasional ads. Accessing the free content is easy; just click on the free page in the menu. The Vudu app is available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku.
Like Tubi TV, you cannot access Vudu outside the US unless you don’t have a VPN.
Yidio
Yidio is a fantastic free streaming app; hence, it’s widely recommended as an alternative to many similar services, including ShowBox and OneBox HD. The app only works on selected devices, though. It allows you to filter content in various ways, like IMDb rating, genre, premiere date, and MPAA rating.
What is OneBox HD?
OneBox HD is a free streaming app for the Android platform. It has an extensive library of content in various categories to keep you entertained. The movies and TV shows on the app are available in SD and HD quality. Also, the app is lightweight and will not take up much space on your device.
Is it illegal to use OneBox HD?
OneBox HD does not host any content but will connect you to video repositories elsewhere on the internet where the content is stored. However, the app cannot guarantee that all content is legal. The only way to watch legal content is through network television, like Fox, or an official online streaming service like Netflix.
Countries have different copyright infringement laws. For example, most countries have banned downloading copyrighted content to protect intellectual property. However, other countries allow it altogether or for personal use.
We encourage you to confirm your country’s laws before using OneBox HD or other similar sites. The table below shows different countries’ general stance on piracy.
| Countries | View on piracy |
|---|---|
| Spain, Poland, Switzerland | Piracy is allowed and legal but for personal use. |
| Finland, Australia, China, Germany, Britain, Italy, Portugal, Latvia, Japan, the US, South Africa | Piracy is illegal, and there are strict copyright laws. |
| Colombia, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Denmark, Czech Republic, India, Greece, Iran, Egypt, Netherlands, Singapore, Slovakia, Uruguay, Israel, Slovenia | Piracy is illegal, but there hasn’t been any active prosecution. |
Please understand that streaming content online is also deemed as downloading it. This is because your device will first download the video for you to watch in real-time, then delete it afterward when you close the stream. Hence, you possess illegal copyrighted material, at least temporarily.
Legal consequences of using OneBox
Besides having different copyright rules, countries also differ regarding the consequences of breaking these laws. For example, you can be fined severely or imprisoned for downloading copyrighted content in countries like Japan and Germany. However, this might not be an issue, or you may get a warning in other countries.
Getting prosecuted for streaming content on free streaming services like OneBox HD is difficult because no file remains on your device after closing a stream. However, this does not mean you are off the hook, as you can be tracked through your IP address.
Moreover, most countries don’t enforce copyright laws by going after people using free streaming services like OneBox HD. Instead, they put their effort into distributors of the copyrighted content.
How to use OneBox HD alternatives securely
Using free streaming services like OneBox HD is not allowed in some countries, so we don’t encourage you to do it. However, many countries allow such streaming services altogether or for personal use.
Regardless, you need antivirus software to protect your device from malware. Also, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to prevent ISPs, hackers, and other third parties from accessing your data.
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN like NordVPN.
- Download and install the VPN software.
- Go to the server list and connect to any option you like.
- Open the streaming app or website of your choice and start streaming.
Can a VPN help me stay safe on alternatives to OneBox HD?
With the above risks in mind, you can take certain safety precautions to improve your security on OneBox HD free alternatives. For example, a VPN will protect your device and network from intrusion.
The top two VPNs for OneBox HD on this list provide military-grade security measures to prevent anyone from accessing your data. For instance, they use advanced encryption that makes your data look gibberish. So, anyone who manages to infiltrate your information won’t be able to decipher it.
Some VPN providers, like NordVPN, have an ad blocker so you can stream your favorite content on free streaming apps like OneBox HD without interruptions. Also, the feature will block malware or websites known to host malicious files.
Furthermore, these VPNs have a kill switch feature to prevent anyone from tracking your identity or location. It will cut off your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops.
Another key VPN feature is the no-logs policy. ExpressVPN and NordVPN adhere to a strict zero-logs policy and do not retain users’ data, a claim that reputable firms like PwC and VerSprite have audited. So, even when authorities ask for your information, there won’t be any data to hand over.
Besides maintaining your privacy and security, a VPN will help you bypass geo-restrictions of unavailable content in your region.
Reasons why people worldwide like OneBox HD to an extent
The following are reasons why OneBox HD has recently become popular.
- Extensive library of content in various categories in SD and HD quality.
- The minimalist and straightforward interface makes it easy to navigate the app.
- A simple search feature to help you identify the titles you want to watch with ease.
- Has a lightweight app that doesn’t consume a lot of space.
- Allows you to stream videos with built-in external players.
FAQs
Yes, if you download the correct APK. Unfortunately, many fake websites claim to offer the OneBox APK, yet they are designed to collect your device information with malware or collect your data.
No. These countries deem streaming free content as downloading copyrighted content. So, you will still get into trouble streaming content on OneBox HD.
This will depend on the country you are streaming from. Some countries allow watching free content online while others ban it. Some of the common consequences of breaking copyright laws are hefty fines and/or imprisonment. Usually, even in countries where it’s illegal, authorities go after the distributors of the copyrighted content and not consumers.
Yes, you can be hacked when using OneBox HD. That is why we encourage you to protect your connections with a VPN. It will encrypt your data to prevent unauthorized access.
