Pluto TV: What’s the catch?

Pluto TV is a US-based streaming app that offers a mix of live TV channels and on-demand content. It stands out in today’s crowded streaming marketplace as one of the few options that’s completely free to access. You don’t even need to sign up or sign in to watch over 250 live TV channels and thousands of on-demand movies and shows without paying a penny.

So what’s the catch? In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at Pluto TV, delving into its features, security measures, and potential risks, so you can make an informed decision about whether this service is for you.

• What is Pluto TV?
• Is Pluto TV safe?
• Other Pluto TV downsides
• Can you stream Pluto TV with Proton VPN?
• Pluto TV alternatives
• There isn’t really a catch
• Frequently asked questions

What is Pluto TV?

Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming service owned by the Paramount Global mass media entertainment conglomerate.

Although it does offer on-demand content, its primary focus is on offering a traditional linear broadcast TV experience with a fixed schedule and regular ad breaks. Launched in 2013 to target the emerging cord-cutting(новое окно) trend among US consumers, its simple cable-like experience (complete with a grid guide that allows you to easily browse and select live channels) is a major part of its appeal.

In addition to the US, Pluto TV is now available in many European and most Latin American countries and can be accessed through your web browser or via apps for smartphones and a wide selection of smart TVs and streaming devices.

The catalog of titles available in your country will vary due to licensing restrictions and the availability of regional channels and shows.

Is Pluto TV safe?

Yes, Pluto TV is a safe and legitimate service insofar as you don’t need to worry about hidden charges, credit card requests, or sneaky subscriptions. When your device connects to Pluto TV, the connection is automatically secured using HTTPS(новое окно) so only you and Pluto TV (and its parent company, Paramount) can see what you watch.

You can download its apps from the Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon, and Roku, confident that they don’t contain malware (still, you should never download its apps from unofficial sources).

However, there are a couple of things you should be aware of:

Tracking

Like most ad-supported platforms, Pluto TV collects personal data that it uses to target you with personalized ads. According to its privacy policy(новое окно), Pluto TV tracks your IP address, location data, device identifiers, browsing activity, and viewing habits.

However, this is quite strongly mitigated by the fact that Pluto TV doesn’t require an account or personal information to use the service, limiting how much data it can tie directly to you. And if you use a VPN to hide your real IP address (see below for guidance on how to do just that), you can further reduce the data it has access to.

Content moderation

Pluto TV doesn’t host “adult” content, but R-rated movies are shown throughout the day. In the UK (for example), shows like South Park are only available after the 9 PM watershed(новое окно).

If you do opt to register for the service and sign in, Pluto TV provides parental control options to restrict access to certain channels or content to ensure that younger viewers are only exposed to age-appropriate material. However, with no requirement to register or sign in with an account, such restrictions are easy to bypass.

Other Pluto TV downsides

Other factors that may negatively affect your viewing pleasure include:

Ads

Pluto TV is an almost completely ad-supported service, so you’re going to see quite a lot of ads.

Catalog quality

There are no “Pluto TV originals”, and you can expect most content to be older and/or of a lower standard than is available on most premium channels.

Video and audio quality

Most content is shown at lower resolutions — typically 720p or 1080p, depending on the channel and region. Don’t expect the kind of “4K with Dolby Atmos” quality available on paid services like Netflix or Disney+.

Can you stream Pluto TV with Proton VPN?

With a paid Proton VPN plan, you can easily watch Pluto TV from anywhere in the world. Simply connect to one of our 11,000+ Plus servers in countries where Pluto TV is available.

Using Proton VPN to stream Pluto TV offers other benefits:

• Privacy — With no sign-in requirement, your IP address is the main datapoint that Paramount Global uses to tie the other personal data it collects to your real-world identity. When you use Proton VPN, all Paramount can see is the IP address of our VPN server, not your real IP address.
• Fewer ads — Our NetShield Ad-blocker DNS filtering feature won’t currently block in-stream ad breaks on Pluto TV (although it can on other services). However, it is effective at blocking static ads in the Pluto TV apps and on its website and preventing annoying pop-ups and other distractions.

Pluto TV alternatives

Although unusual, Pluto TV is not the only US-based free ad-supported streaming service. Other options include:

• Tubi (like Pluto TV, Tubi is 100% ad-supported free)
• Philo (this service is primarily ad-supported free, although a premium option is available)

You can stream both these services while connected to Proton VPN. We also support numerous free streaming services around the world. Visit our streaming services guide to find one in your area.

Pluto TV: There isn’t really a catch

If you’re not looking for the latest premium streaming content and don’t mind ads, Pluto TV is a great free service. And with Proton VPN, you can watch it even more privately, wherever you are.

Frequently asked questions