Peacock Free vs Paid: Which Is Best?

Peacock Free vs Paid: Which Is Best?

Male hand holding TV remote control.

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When it comes to streaming services, there are limited options to choose from — especially when considering free options. Luckily, Peacock is now available in two tiers: Peacock Free and Peacock Premium. 
Peacock also offers an elevated version of Premium, called Premium Plus. Peacock Premium Plus offers everything from the Premium plan but includes no ads. 
How much is Peacock actually? How much is Peacock Premium and Premium Plus? The Premium version (with ads) is for $4.99/month, and the Premium Plus version (without ads) costs $9.99/month. 

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If you’re planning to switch to the Premium version but are a little skeptical, here’s a comparison of Peacock Free and Premium below to decide which is better for you. 

What Is Peacock?
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s free streaming service that offers originals and a vast collection of hit TV series and films. The best part is that it requires no credit card information. Instead, you enter your email address and password to sign up and access the world of entertainment. 
Even better, there is no expiring trial period as the service offers you unlimited sign-ups. This means you don’t need to worry about how much Peacock TV costs.
Peacock not only has a library of films and TV series to choose from but also allows you to stream daily live news, late-night shows and live sports. You can enjoy popular Spanish TV shows as well.
Peacock Premium Plus lets you stream all that without being annoyed by the ads. Moreover, you can also download shows and movies to watch later on your mobile phone with the Premium Plus plan. Peacock Free and Premium both support a wide range of devices. 

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With Peacock, you can stream your favorite shows from all your favorite devices, including different TV models and gaming consoles. 

Peacock Free vs. Paid: Which Is Better?
Here’s a comparison between the one free and two paid versions of Peacock. 
Peacock Free

  • Price: $0
  • Ads: Yes
  • Shows: Active NBCU seasons, iconic TV shows, limited episodes of Peacock originals and hit Spanish TV shows.
  • Content: Limited hours
  • Additional Content: Movies, classic shows and news.

Peacock Premium

  • Price: $4.99
  • Ads: Yes
  • Shows: Full seasons of Peacock originals, current season shows, live sports, kids entertainment shows and Telemundo hits.
  • Content: More than 60,000+ hours
  • Additional content: Movies, classic shows, news + earlier windowed content, “premium movies” and early access to late-night TV.

Peacock Premium Plus

  • Price: $9.99
  • Ads: No ads
  • Shows: Full seasons of Peacock originals, current season shows, live sports, kids entertainment shows and Telemundo hits.
  • Content: More than 60,000+ hours
  • Additional content: Movies, classic shows, news + earlier windowed content, “premium movies” and early access to late-night TV, download and watch select titles offline.

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Pricing
With many paid streaming services like Disney+ and Hulu already available, Peacock created appeal with its free option. Peacock Free gives users access to NBC’s collection plus news and sports without charging them anything.  
Peacock Premium is the first Premium tier of the streaming service, with a monthly fee of $4.99. You can stream more content with the paid version, such as full seasons and original shows. Moreover, you will also get access to more sports features than the free version.
Even with Peacock Premium, hourly ads can spoil your fun. With an investment of $5 more, you can subscribe to Peacock Premium Plus, which is ad-free.
Access To Content
Peacock Free offers limited content hours, while Premium and Premium Plus let you enjoy more than 60,000 hours of binge-worthy content.
The Free version includes selective TV series airing on NBC, limited episodes of Peacock Originals, and content from other associated networks. You can also enjoy classic TV shows, like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Law & Order and much more. Plus, there’s live news and sports content. 
If you want to stream the entire catalog of originals, expect to pay $4.99 for the ad version and $9.99 for the non-ad version. 
Both Premium plans offer blockbuster movies and TV shows, late-night shows, live sports, news, and more. The Premium version also provides subscribers with 3 1/2 hours of early access to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers before they air on NBC.

What’s in It for Sports Fans?
Sports fans might not be as pleased with the Free version of Peacock. If you are a sports lover, consider investing a few dollars more in the Premium version to stream live sports leagues.  
With Peacock Premium, you can unlock extra sports content, including the English Premier League. 

Peacock Free vs. Paid: Worth the Investment?
When choosing a streaming service option, it is difficult for people to decide on one. Whether it’s the Free version or a Premium one, Peacock allows users to enjoy iconic TV shows and movies.
However, with the free version, you can’t access full seasons of Peacock Originals or other NBC content. It may also fail to appeal to fans of late-night shows and sports lovers.  
Peacock Free and Paid both stream movies, but Peacock Premium has a tier of “premium” content. As for now, Peacock’s best bet seems to be the paid ones for either $4.99 or $9.99 monthly, where people can binge-watch their shows with or without ads. 
Key Takeaway
Peacock offers users multiple subscription plans: Premium and Premium Plus and a free version. For the free version, you simply sign up with an email address and password. The Premium version costs $4.99, and the Premium Plus is $9.99 — with no ads. Although the free version lets you stream TV shows and movies, the premium version has fewer limitations, which may be the most appealing investment.      

FAQ

  • Is Peacock free?
    • Yes, Peacock is absolutely free for the base version. Enter your email address and password to make an account and access the world of entertainment. The streaming service doesn’t ask for your credit card information.
  • What is Peacock Premium?
    • Peacock Premium is a paid version that lets users stream everything on Peacock. In addition to Peacock Premium, the streaming service also offers an ad-free plan called Peacock Premium Plus. You can subscribe to either plan to access Premium features on Peacock by paying $4.99 for the Premium version and $9.99 for Premium Plus.
  • What is better, Peacock Free or Premium?
    • If you are willing to pay $4.99 monthly, Peacock Premium is the ideal option as there are fewer streaming limitations. However, if you’re tight on budget but still want to enjoy hit TV shows, news, sports, movies and late-night shows, Peacock Free is your way to go. The Premium Plus version is ad-free but costs $5 more. Choose the best plan according to your budget.

Information is accurate as of May 6, 2022.
About the Author

Scott Jeffries is a seasoned technology professional based in Florida. He writes on the topics of business, technology, digital marketing and personal finance.

After earning his bachelor’s in Management Information Systems with a minor in Business, Scott spent 15 years working in technology. He’s helped startups to Fortune 100 companies bring software products to life. When he’s not writing or building software, Scott can be found reading or spending time outside with his kids.

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YouTube TV vs. YouTube Premium: Are They Worth It?

YouTube TV vs. YouTube Premium: Are They Worth It?

Saving Money / Entertainment

Kiev, Ukraine - June 5, 2014: Brand new Apple iPhone 5S with YouTube application service on the screen lying on a desk with headphones.

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YouTube has become one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world, with both its free and paid versions attracting millions of users. Most people know YouTube as the good old free video streaming service but are not as knowledgeable about YouTube TV and YouTube Premium or the differences between them.
When looking to invest in a streaming service, you’ll want to compare pricing and content to determine the overall value of each for your needs.

How Much Is YouTube TV?
YouTube TV costs $64.99 a month and comes with a 14-day free trial. Over the years, the subscription price of YouTube TV has increased significantly. But if you compare it to other TV streaming services, the prices are pretty similar.

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For instance, Hulu + Live TV costs $69.99 a month. This also includes subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN+.

How Much Is YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium costs $11.99 a month and comes with a one-month free trial. You can access the content on YouTube Premium through the YouTube app on smart TVs, mobile platforms, media streaming devices and gaming consoles.
However, some features, like streaming videos when the screen is locked, are limited to mobile apps.

What Is YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is a subscription service that offers live TV streaming from multiple networks, including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. It has a channel list with over 85 channels so you can cut the cord on your cable and save up to $500 every year. There are no hidden costs or contracts that keep you subscribed for a certain period of time.

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Unlike traditional cable, there are no local channel fees, cancellation fees, broadcast fees, rental box fees or DVR fees. Some notable features of YouTube TV include:

  • Popular Channels: YouTube TV has many popular channels, including PBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon.
  • Unlimited DVR Storage: Subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage. You can also fast forward, pause and rewind the video.
  • Multiple Accounts: A single subscription gives you access to up to six accounts and three streams per household.

Benefits of YouTube TV
YouTube TV gives you personal recommendations based on what you’ve watched previously. Plus, you can browse through all the channels in the Live tab.
There’s no limit on simultaneous recordings, and you can stream your recorded videos wherever you go. Each account gets a personal library, which means a single subscription lets six family members record their favorite shows in separate accounts.
The recordings in YouTube TV DVR are kept for nine months, giving you ample time to watch or rewatch them later.

Good to Know
YouTube TV supports a number of devices, including Samsung and LG smart TVs, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google devices, Roku TVs, Vizio SmartCast TVs and several versions of Xbox and PlayStation, among others.

What Is YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium is a paid version of a streaming service released by YouTube. It is a successor of the YouTube Red service.
YouTube Premium has many features, including:

  • Ad-Free Viewing: You can watch videos without ads.
  • Background Play: Unlike the free version, videos keep playing in YouTube Premium even if you lock the screen or use other apps.
  • Downloads: You can download videos and watch them later.
  • Music: YouTube Premium gives you access to YouTube’s music app, where you can listen to music without interruptions.
  • Kids Version: YouTube Premium has ad-free videos for kids. The videos can also be downloaded and watched offline later.

Is YouTube TV Worth It?
Offering dozens of popular channels and unlimited DVR storage, YouTube TV is worth it if you want to cut the cord on your cable without losing much content.
Although the subscription price has increased significantly over the years, it’s still a better deal than paying hundreds of dollars and hidden fees for cable.
However, if you have specific viewing needs, you can easily find a cheaper alternative. For example, if you only want to watch local channels and limited on-demand streaming, Philo — at just $25 a month — might be a better pick for you.
Is YouTube Premium Worth It?
If you plan to use YouTube Music or often find yourself wanting to watch videos with your screen locked, you might find the cost worth it for YouTube Premium. The additional benefits of ad-free viewing and the ability to download videos to watch offline are also benefits.
However, YouTube Premium doesn’t offer much in the way of additional content, so if the convenience factors aren’t enough for you, you may find another service more worth your money.
Amber Barkley contributed to the reporting for this article.
Rates are subject to change.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by YouTube. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by YouTube.
About the Author

Scott Jeffries is a seasoned technology professional based in Florida. He writes on the topics of business, technology, digital marketing and personal finance.

After earning his bachelor’s in Management Information Systems with a minor in Business, Scott spent 15 years working in technology. He’s helped startups to Fortune 100 companies bring software products to life. When he’s not writing or building software, Scott can be found reading or spending time outside with his kids.

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5 Best Free VPNs for 2022

5 Best Free VPNs for 2022

Saving Money / Savings Advice

Closeup overhead image of a young woman sitting on the sofa at her home, using her laptop.

lechatnoir / Getty Images/iStockphoto

A virtual private network, more commonly referred to as a VPN, offers a safer way to browse online. It also gives you access to otherwise geo-restricted sites and protects you from identity theft. However, the challenge is choosing the right free, reliable VPN from the numerous available options.
There are hundreds of free VPNs, but you can only rely on a few of them to offer you sufficient security and access. While paid options are ultimately more effective, a good free VPN can serve your internet needs well.

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5 Best Free VPNs 
The following five VPNs ensure you have anonymous online activities without paying a dime.

1. ProtonVPN
If you’re looking for the best free VPN, ProtonVPN is a great option. ProtonVPN is safe to use and has open-source apps in addition to unlimited monthly data. With ProtonVPN, you’re assured of the highest privacy levels as it is among the top free service VPNs. However, the VPN provides only three server locations and doesn’t work with Netflix, which can be a drawback for some. 
Pros

  • Limitless bandwidth
  • Private policy while logging
  • Comes with a kill switch for security
  • Fast speeds for short distance coverage

Cons

  • Blocks all torrenting traffic
  • No live chat for customer support 

Features
ProtonVPN Free is the safest free VPN with an unlimited allowance for free data. You can use the VPN at all times without any worries over depleting your bandwidth. The app also has no ads and benefits from a privacy-friendly logging policy and AES-256 encryption, just like the paid version. ProtonVPN’s free version, therefore, is the best choice for you to anonymize web traffic and secure public Wi-Fi connections. 

2. Hotspot Shield Free VPN
Hotspot Shield is one of the best free VPNs, with up to 500MB data allowance per day. It is also easy to use and allows for a Chrome extension. Additionally, Hotspot Shield Free VPN offers incredible speeds, though not as fast as the paid version. You can be assured of maximum privacy when browsing with the Hotspot Shield VPN. It also has slick apps that work optimally.  
Pros

  • Up to 500MB daily free data
  • Logging private policy
  • Fast speeds
  • Professional kit

Cons

  • Limited to one U.S. location
  • Blocks access to Netflix

Features
Hotspot Shield Free VPN users initially had issues while accessing google search with the display of a 403 error. However, according to the most recent research, the company has solved the problem. Many claims also point to disturbing adverts as a means of discouraging free users.
Hotspot Shield is generally an excellent free VPN, but its paid version is even better. 

3. Windscribe
Another top free VPN you may want to consider is Windscribe. You can start by subscribing to the free Windscribe VPN and switch to its paid version when you’re ready. The paid subscription, or Windscribe Pro, offers more benefits, but the free version gives you a 10GB accessible data allowance per month.  
Pros

  • Permits torrenting and P2P on most servers
  • Private logging policy allows maximum safety and security
  • Works optimally in China and other censored regions
  • Unlimited concurrent connections

Cons

  • Slower speeds on long-distance 
  • No live chat 

Features
Both paid and free plans of Windscribe VPN offer consistent speeds anywhere, a varied network of location servers and a wide selection of Windows applications, iOS, Linux and Android. The only difference is that the premium version provides you with unlimited data.

4. TunnelBear
One of the most well-known free VPNs is TunnelBear. The VPN unblocks many streaming sites, including Netflix, unlike many other free networks. It also has many features and a no-logs policy. TunnelBear is the best VPN if you don’t want to commit to a premium one. 
Pros

  • Allows excellent streaming
  • Has unique security features
  • Easy to install and set up

Cons

  • Up to 500MB monthly data allowance

Features
TunnelBear is among the safest VPN services, thanks to its standard encryption approaches to enhance your connection’s security. Consider installing TunnelBear if you don’t mind the limited data. 

5. Speedify VPN
If speed is an important factor when looking for a free VPN, consider Speedify VPN. The VPN is augmented for faster speeds. The company is based in Philadelphia and enables you to benefit from your accessible bandwidth. With the VPN, you can benefit from its proprietary channel bonding technology that provides super-fast connections.
Pros

  • Can unblock Netflix, Hulu and HBO
  • Fastest speeds on global servers
  • Custom protocol 
  • Strong encryption

Cons
Features
Speedify is a decent VPN with a custom protocol, military-grade security features and fast speeds. Thanks to Speedify’s easy-to-use apps on standard operating systems, it stands out from the rest.
The VPN comes with a free 2GB bandwidth for testing its service. You can opt to its premium plan anytime to access the VPN’s unmetered data. You can also benefit from its 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied. 

Problems With Free VPNs
Free VPNs are better than using none, but they have some downsides. Here are some risks associated with using a free VPN.

  • Unreliable service: Free VPNs are not as polished or optimized as paid ones. Additionally, there is no around-the-clock support in case something goes wrong. It could take weeks to get it fixed.
  • Speed, data and usage caps: Free VPNs have limited functionality and are limited in terms of speed, bandwidth and data.
  • Restricted regional access: Free VPNs are not available in all countries. 
  • No privacy guarantee: You want a VPN that secures your browsing privacy, but you cannot expect as much from free versions as you would premium ones. You cannot entirely trust a service you are not paying for.

Are Free VPNs Worth It?
A paid VPN can have challenges if you don’t do your homework, but they are more reliable than free ones. If you’re looking for the most secure online activity, go for the paid VPNs. If you want temporary access to privacy, a free VPN will serve you well. However, it might not work for long-term private browsing. 

Takeaway
If you want a secure online environment, a good VPN is your means to that end. While you can get a paid VPN, you don’t need to do it because you can get the same security and anonymity you need for free. When choosing the best free VPN, check out the features, pros and cons and go for one that best meets your browsing needs.

Information is accurate as of May 11, 2022.
About the Author

Lydia Kibet is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance and investing. She’s passionate about explaining complex topics in easy-to-understand language. Her work has appeared in GoBankingRates, Investopedia, Business Insider, The Motley Fool, and Investor Junkie. She currently writes about investing, banking, insurance, real estate, mortgages, credit cards, loans, and more. Connect with her on Twitter or moneycredible.com.

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