The best apps for watching free channels on Android TV and Google TV

Last update: 4 April 2025
  • Google TV FreePlay offers more than 150 free live channels.
  • There are apps like Kodi, TiviMate or IPTV Easy Player to watch channels with IPTV lists
  • Platforms such as TDTChannels or Pluto TV allow you to watch DTT without an antenna.
  • With a VPN and a US account, you can access more free Google TV content.

Smart TV in the center of a room

Watching television has evolved radically in recent years. Before, we relied on an antenna and a DTT receiver, but today, with a smart TV or a device like Chromecast, we can access a huge range of free channels and streaming content without having to pay a cent. If you have an Android TV or Google TV, you're in luck: there are incredible apps for watching free TV, from live channels to movies, sports, and documentaries.

In this article we are going to explain to you what are the The best apps you can install on your Android TV or Google TV to watch free channelsWhether it's official apps, IPTV platforms, or even integrated services like Google TV FreePlay, we'll show you all the available options, their advantages, and how to easily configure them.

Google TV FreePlay: integrated channels without installing apps

Apps to watch free channels on Android TV and Google TV-7

One of the great advantages of Google TV is the service Freeplay: an official feature that allows you to access over 150 free channels without installing anything. It's designed to let you watch live TV right away. All you need is a device with Google TV (not Android TV) and meet certain requirements, as it is currently only available in the United States.

This doesn't mean you can't access it from outside the country. To get FreePlay working in Spain, you need three things: a Google account with a region set to the US, a VPN that connects your device to a US server (such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN) and an updated Google TV app.

Once everything is set up, you'll see a new tab called “Live” within the main interface. There you'll find the 151 FreePlay live channels, with a variety of content: news, sports, reality shows, movies, cooking, series, music, and more. All supported by advertising, in the style of the FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) model.

IPTV apps for Android TV and Google TV

Another of the most popular options to access free channels is through IPTV listsThese lists allow you to stream TV channels over the internet. To use them, you need an IPTV app that can load and play them. Let's take a look at the most notable ones.

TiviMate

TiviMate

One of the most comprehensive IPTV apps, highly rated by advanced users, TiviMate lets you import multiple channel lists in M3U or similar formats, organize them by category, modify names, add logos, and browse content with a well-designed interface.

Its free version is sufficient for using a single playlist, which is ideal for most users. If you want to unlock advanced features (such as multi-device use or broadcast recording), you can upgrade to its Premium version.

Tivimate IPTV Player
Tivimate IPTV Player
Developer: Armobsoft FZE
Price: Free

IPTV Easy Purple Player

Ideal for those looking an elegant and intuitive interfaceThis player stands out for its design, similar to that of Netflix or HBO, which greatly improves the browsing experience. It's compatible with multiple platforms (Android TV, Fire TV, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, and even Xbox).

It supports IPTV lists, seamless playback, and various visual configurations. It also offers the option of custom categories.

IPTV Smart Purple Player
IPTV Smart Purple Player

IPTV Stream Player

A simple, straightforward app. Perfect if you just want to load an M3U playlist, browse it, and watch channels without any hassle. It automatically organizes channels by country and is free with no in-app purchases.

IPTV Stream Player: Watch TV
IPTV Stream Player: Watch TV

iptv pro

A paid option for those looking for stability and speed. It supports M3U and XSPF playlists, as well as multicast streaming via UDP proxy. You can choose between different views (grid, list, tile) and configure options like auto-connect and auto-resume.

IPTV Pro Stream Player
IPTV Pro Stream Player

Free and legal IPTV lists

RTVE Play

One of the most complete currently is the one you can find on GitHub, maintained by volunteers who collect public and legal links Streams from channels around the world. They're organized in M3U lists, and you can easily copy them to watch more than 1.500 channels.

Among the content you can find are national channels like RTVE and Teledeporte, regional channels, and even international channels. However, availability varies, and some channels may stop working if their links change or become obsolete. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check for updated listings.

RTVE Play
RTVE Play
Price: Free
TDP RTVE
TDP RTVE
Price: Free

Other apps to watch free channels

In addition to IPTV and FreePlay options, there are applications that offer free channels directly, without having to load lists. Here are some of the most interesting ones you can install from official sources or via external APKs:

TDTChannels

TDTChannels

A very popular and 100% legal app for watching all Spanish DTT channels from your mobile phone or Android TV. You can send content to Chromecast with just one click, and it offers direct access to an official, verified list. It doesn't feature intrusive ads or require an account.

TDTChannels | Live TV
TDTChannels | Live TV
Developer: Marc Villa
Price: Free

Pluto TV

Platform with hundreds of ad-supported thematic channels. You don't need to register, and it features exclusive content not available on traditional DTT. You can install it directly from Google Play.

PlutoTV: Free Movies/TV
PlutoTV: Free Movies/TV
Developer: Pluto, Inc.
Price: Free

Kodi

Kodi is a very powerful media center that also allows you to load IPTV playlists. With the addon PVR IPTV Single ClientYou can watch TV channels from external lists. You can also record content with the IPTV Recorder addon.

Kodi
Kodi
Developer: What Foundation
Price: Free

Rakuten TV

It offers free streaming of channels without registration. It offers diverse programming: movies, documentaries, music, and on-demand content. It is available on mobile devices, smart TVs, and online.

Rakuten TV -Movies and Series
Rakuten TV -Movies and Series
Developer: Rakuten TV
Price: Free

Channel websites

If you prefer not to install apps, you can also watch many channels live from their official websitesRTVE, Telecinco, Cuatro, Antena 3, and La Sexta offer free broadcasts accessible from your Smart TV's browser or from a browser like DTVFree for Android TV.

Other useful and complementary options

SmartTube

In addition to the apps above, there are some very useful tools to enhance your experience watching free channels:

  • SmartTube: Alternative YouTube client that removes ads and is optimized for TVs.
  • DTVFree: Web browser for searching and playing online content and streaming channels.
  • wiseplay: Media player that supports many video extensions and IPTV lists.
  • NewPipe: Allows you to access YouTube and other services like SoundCloud without ads or an account.
  • plex: Combines live TV (over 600 channels), free movies and a personal media center.
  • Distro TV: More than 150 free channels in English and Spanish, including sports, news, and movies.
Smart Tube
Smart Tube
Developer: Developerkingbeta
Price: Free
wiseplay
wiseplay
Developer: Wise Play Apps
Price: Free
Plex: Movies, TV, music
Plex: Movies, TV, music
Developer: Plex, Inc.
Price: Free+
DistroTV - Live TV & Movies
DistroTV - Live TV & Movies

The possibilities for watching free TV on Android TV and Google TV are endless. From native apps like FreePlay to IPTV solutions or platforms like TDTChannels or Pluto TV, you can transform your TV into an entertainment center without spending a cent. All you need is a good internet connection, some patience to configure the apps that work best for you, and perhaps a VPN if you want to unblock additional content from other countries.