As traditional video streaming services continue to raise their monthly fees, free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) becomes an increasingly appealing alternative. After all, a few commercials are a fair trade-off for no-cost entertainment. MyFree DirecTV is the newest player in this space, leveraging the familiar DirecTV brand. Although we applaud DirecTV for offering an affordable way into its streaming ecosystem, MyFree DirecTV’s mediocre lineup and bland interface fall short of our Editors’ Choice winner, Tubi.
Price and Platforms
As the name suggests, MyFree DirecTV doesn’t cost money. You just create an account to start watching movies and shows. This starkly contrasts with DirecTV Stream, one of the most expensive streaming services we’ve tested (its lowest tier costs more than $100 per month). Granted, you get much more with that service, including DVR functionality and a complete live cable TV replacement. But MyFree DirecTV is a much easier way to sample the DirecTV experience.
(Credit: DirecTV/PCMag)
You can upgrade your MyFree DirecTV account to a paid DirecTV Stream tier. People with upgraded accounts can spend money to purchase or rent individual shows, similar to Amazon Prime Video. Rentals cost around $6, while purchases are about $20. At that point, you aren’t using MyFree DirecTV, and it’s annoying how you sometimes can’t immediately tell which content is premium and which isn’t.
MyFree DirecTV is available on the web, mobile (Android and iOS), and streaming media devices (Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku). It doesn’t support video game consoles like the PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X.
What Can You Watch on MyFree DirecTV?
Free streaming services rarely include the latest and greatest Hollywood hits. Rather, they collect large quantities of old, affordable, and overlooked content. MyFree DirecTV stream is no different. You’ll find shady shows about tracking down Bigfoot, Kickboxer starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and some lesser-known Yu-Gi-Oh anime. You can watch live weather forecasts or a pickleball match, but you won’t find mainstream news or sports. The service touts more than 35,000 movies and shows, but that includes paid content alongside free channels.
(Credit: DirecTV/PCMag)
MyFree DirecTV has the cheap, eclectic charm of most other free streaming services but without any one thing to pull it together or elevate it. It doesn’t focus on niche content like RetroCrush or Screambox. It doesn’t have interesting original shows. Its mainstream content is interchangeable with rivals like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel. And it lacks the quality and variety of Tubi, a service with everything from Max shows to schlocky original films. MyFree DirecTV doesn’t make a strong case for why you should pick it over competing platforms.
MyFree DirecTV on Web and Mobile
MyFree DirecTV exists as a section within DirecTV’s larger apps rather than a separate platform. The interface lacks personality, with bland squares and backgrounds that do the bare minimum to organize content into coherent sections. You can directly search for shows and movies or browse genres.
Each program listing has a brief description and a button for you to bookmark for later viewing. MyFree DirecTV also has faux live streaming that lets you watch roughly 30 themed channels streaming content 24/7. Some channels focus on individual shows like Anger Management, while others encompass broader topics like crime and finance. Check the guide to what’s coming up next on the schedule.
(Credit: DirecTV/PCMag)
The video player pops out for picture-in-picture viewing, which is useful for watching multiple shows simultaneously. You never know the exact video resolution, but you can adjust the quality from Good to Better to Best. Note that free streaming content typically never reaches 4K. Video playback ran smoothly over my home internet connection.
The mobile app lacks extra features, so don’t expect premium perks like offline downloads. However, as a free service, technically, there are no limits on how many devices you can stream on at once.
(Credit: DirecTV/PCMag)
Accessibility and Parental Controls
MyFree DirecTV has basic but appreciated accessibility features. You can turn on subtitles and adjust their appearance for maximum readability.
More impressive and unexpected, MyFree DirecTV lets you create multiple profiles. Different profiles can have different preferences, such as hiding scores while watching sports. Parents can also make profiles for their kids to block mature content. Most free streaming services don’t bother with parental controls because they’re so easy to circumvent (the kids don’t even need a credit card). Still, it’s nice to see.
Can You Watch MyFree DirecTV With a VPN?
Free streaming services may be even more sensitive to licensing deals than their paid counterparts. The companies must convince partners to give away their material. So not only do free libraries frequently shift, but the licensing deals seem extra incompatible with VPNs that spoof your geographic location for enhanced online safety.
I streamed MyFree DirecTV using a Windows PC connected to Proton VPN servers. The service worked while using a US server. However, I couldn’t watch it when using an overseas server.
Video Streaming Services: What You Should Know
Verdict: Free TV, With Limitations
There’s little risk in trying a free streaming service, and you might find something you like on MyFree DirecTV. Plus, it’s an easy way to enjoy DirecTV without breaking the bank, made better with paid rental options. But between its generic library and bare-bones app, there’s little to inspire you to make it your no-cost service of choice. That honor goes to our Editors’ Choice for free streaming, Tubi, which offers a much wider variety of entertaining, no-cost movies and TV shows.
The Bottom Line
MyFree DirecTV is the free counterpart to the pricey DirecTV Stream, but its library and viewing experience don’t surpass other no-cost video streaming services.
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About Jordan Minor
Senior Analyst, Software
