First Look at Philo Free, the New FAST Service That Allows Viewers to DVR Shows and Movies at No Cost (2024)

There are big things happening at Philo this week. On Wednesday, the live TV streaming service rolled out a new Core subscription plan, which new customers can grab for $28 per month and includes access to the AMC+ on-demand streaming service. Also new at Philo is a free streaming platform dubbed “Philo Free,” which carries dozens of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels that viewers can watch without having to subscribe to a Core plan or even enter their credit card information. I’ll run you through all of the important aspects of Philo Free, so you can decide if it’s worth your time to give the streamer a look!

Important Questions About Philo Free:

What Is Philo Free?

As its name indicates, Philo Free is in fact free! The new streaming platform allows viewers to watch 80+ FAST channels at no cost. It was first announced in late May when Philo informed customers that the base price of a subscription was rising for new subscribers.

Do You Need an Account to Sign Up for Philo Free?

Yes, unlike other free streaming platforms like Tubi or Pluto TV, Philo Free viewers have to register with an email and password before they can watch Philo Free. However, there is no requirement for viewers to enter any payment information to secure their account.

What Channels Are Available on Philo Free?

At launch, Philo Free has 80+ channels from providers including AMC, Cinevault, ALLBLK, Game Show Network, and more. It offers single-show channels like Drag Race Universe and Walking Dead Universe, music networks from Vevo, and many others.

Can You Record Shows on Philo Free?

Yes! Unlike many other free streaming platforms, Philo Free allows viewers to DVR select titles and keep the recordings for up to 30 days.

What is the Philo Free User Interface Like?

Those accustomed to free streaming platforms will see the Philo Free interface as reasonably familiar. The home screen features a carousel of trending titles at the top, and as one scrolls down they’ll see the usual tile rows of Recommended channels, Top Movies, categories like Reality Roundup, etc.

The Top Playable section will show viewers titles they can stream on-demand from various FAST channels, and will allow them to see when those specific titles will air live on the channels in question. The Saved section is where users will see the titles they’ve DVR’d.

The Guide section pulls up a simple channel guide that shows viewers each selection in alphabetical order. Viewers can select which channels are their favorites by selecting the channel’s title card on the left side of the screen, and favorited channels move to the top of the channel list automatically.

Can You Create User Profiles on Philo Free?

Yes, subscribers can create as many as 10 user profiles on Philo Free to enhance the customization of the service.

Can Paid Philo Subscribers Switch to Philo Free?

Yes, paid Philo customers can switch to Philo Free only at any time by canceling their subscription. Conversely, any Philo Free viewers can easily move to Philo Core subscribers by following prompts on the Philo website.

How Do You Sign Up for Philo Free?

To start watching free channels from Philo with no credit card required, follow this link. Click the “Watch free channels” and register your email address. If you are prompted to enter a credit card after putting in your email, go back to the first screen and click “Watch free channels” again. This worked for me when I was trying to sign up; remember, do not enter your credit card info if you only want to watch Philo Free.