Don’t put away that popcorn just yet! I tested 47 leading streaming sites for safety, usability, and speed. After careful review and ranking based on streaming catalog size, content, and quality, I’ve put together a list of the 10 best free alternatives to Putlocker. Before you go any further, remember: As convenient as free streaming sites are, they come with a variety of risks to your privacy and safety. Most of the sites out there are traps: Hackers created them to catch users looking for the latest movies or shows and steal your money or data. The best way to keep safe is a VPN, a software that disrupts cyberattacks and tracking by hiding your location and browser activity. Nobody will be able to catch or extort you, and you’ll also enjoy faster streaming - since ISPs won’t be able to throttle your activity. My tests showed ExpressVPN is the best one for streaming, and at the end of my list you can see some other great options. Stream Faster and Safer with ExpressVPN! Visiting the wrong site can have serious consequences. To help avoid these risks and get back to streaming, check out my Putlocker alternatives below.
Best Alternatives to Putlocker That Work Right Now - Full Analysis (Updated March 2023)
These top alternatives to Putlocker are well-designed and easy to navigate, with tons of links to addictive streaming content. You’re guaranteed to find something great to watch.
1. 123Movies - Largest Library
Registration required? No
With the largest streaming library of any site on this list, 123Movies is a superb site for finding a specific title. Right away, I liked this site’s well-organized, minimalist interface. I found it to be very easy to navigate. Although its name suggests it’s better for movies, this streaming site caters to everyone. In addition to movies, it has a large selection of live-action shows—including western hits and Asian dramas—and cartoons. It even has a pretty big catalog of anime. 123Movies allows you to sort shows and movies alphabetically, by release year, or by the number of views. This makes it easy to find something to watch if you haven’t made up your mind. No sign up is required to start watching, and the site has fewer ads than most free streaming sites. The main downside of 123Movies is that its search function isn’t the best. However, the site’s benefits outweigh this downside, making it one of the best replacements for Putlocker. Visit 123Movies
2. Popcornflix - Works Well With Mobile
Registration required? No
Popcornflix offers a huge library of popular movies as well as some great hidden gems. This site is one of the best alternatives to Putlocker when it comes to films, but you won’t find TV shows here. It offers a large variety of movie genres, so finding something you’ll like isn’t difficult. In addition to recently released hits, Popcornflix is a great place to find free movie classics. Another plus is how easy Popcornflix makes it to navigate through different categories when you haven’t decided what to watch yet. This site is my top recommendation if you plan on streaming on your iPhone or Android as Popcornflix is optimized for mobile layouts as well as desktop devices. Visit Popcornflix
3. SolarMovie - Easiest to Navigate
Registration required? No
Not everyone knows about this gem, but SolarMovie is one of the best free streaming sites out there. Despite the name, this site has both movies and TV shows to offer. I was impressed with SolarMovie’s superior search function and well-organized categories. It also features a neat website design without tons of distractions to clutter up your screen. You can filter content by what’s trending, most viewed, and highest user-rated. You can even view results by IMDb rating, which is a convenient feature. Sign up isn’t required, but if you register you can make requests of content you’d like to see. You can also save your streaming preferences and a list of your favorite content for easy access. The biggest downside of SolarMovie is that its catalog isn’t the largest. Visit SolarMovie
4. Los Movies - Best for International Content
Registration required? No
Los Movies is another excellent free streaming site that offers a large variety of movies and TV shows from which to choose. This site’s biggest highlight is its great collection of international content. You’ll find hundreds of pages of international shows and movies in their original language. Most foreign language content is available with subtitles. When you’re browsing, you can sort results by date added, rating, release date, and more. The homepage also features the latest trending content to get you started. Los Movies also has a functional search bar to help you find what you’re looking for. What I didn’t like about Los Movies is the large number of pop-ups that I encountered on the site. If you’re planning to visit Los Movies, I recommend first connecting to a VPN with an ad blocker, CyberGhost. Visit Los Movies
5. Fmovies - Best Search Function
Registration required? No
This is another site that’s great for movie lovers. Fmovies has a unique interface and a user-friendly layout. The homepage features a simple design that’s minimal, perfect for those of us who get overwhelmed by cluttered screens. Fmovies’ best feature is its excellent search function, making this free streaming site a great option if you’re looking for a specific film. Like most sites on this list, Fmovies also allows you to sort by various categories to find what you’re looking for. You can check out movies by genre, most recently added, and most-watched. I ran into some ads on this site, but they were infrequent enough that it wasn’t a huge nuisance. Visit Fmovies
6. GoMovies - User-Friendly Design
Registration required? No
What I like most about GoMovies is that it lets you choose between two different homepage layouts. The default homepage is devoid of clutter and features a well-designed search function. There’s also a button that takes you to the site’s old layout. This is better for browsing when you haven’t decided what you’re in the mood for watching. You can quickly sort movies by trending, most viewed, and IMDb rating. Another unique feature of GoMovies is its night mode. When you turn on this mode, the site switches to a dark-color design that’s perfect for late-night movie marathons. Visit GoMovies
7. MoviesJoy - Tons of US Content
Registration required? No
MoviesJoy has a working search bar at the top of its homepage to help you find your favorite movies and TV shows. The site is updated frequently with new hits, and it features fewer ads than most free streaming sites. You won’t find many international films and foreign dramas on this website, but MoviesJoy makes up for this with a large library of US content. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll certainly find it here. MoviesJoy has an attractive layout that’s easy to navigate and works pretty well on mobile. Visit MoviesJoy
8. AZMovies - Offers the Most Links
Registration required? No
What I like about AZMovies is that it provides a large number of mirrors for each title. If you come across a dead link, you’ll almost always find another working link. This site loads really quickly and has a straightforward interface. I was able to stream in HD with very little buffering. Like the name suggests, AZMovies itself is best for movies. However, you can find links to its partner site NOXX to browse TV shows. My biggest complaint is that its homepage layout is really cluttered. It took me a minute to orient myself and navigate the site successfully. There are also consistent pop-up ads when you click on many of the links. Visit AZMovies
9. Yes! Movies - Find Great Documentaries
Registration required? No
Yes! Movies doesn’t have the largest catalog compared to some of the other sites on this list, but it’s a solid choice for finding exciting new movies and TV series. In particular, Yes! Movies offers some great hidden gems in unique categories. The catalog includes a number of interesting documentaries, which can be harder to find on some free streaming sites. It also features an attractive web design and decent options for sorting through content. The homepage is focused on a search bar, but you can also switch to the browsing view to sort by categories or IMDb ratings. Visit Yesmovies
10. Watch Series Online - Good for TV Shows
Registration required? No
If you can’t find the TV series you’re looking for on other sites, there’s a good chance you’ll find it on Watch Series Online. You won’t run into movies here, but the site offers tons of TV shows with complete seasons and episodes. There are multiple mirrors offered, so there’s usually at least one working link. The “content at random” feed on the homepage is an awesome way to find new content when you’re tired of rewatching your favorite show for the hundredth time. I also liked that most shows are available in HD. This site isn’t higher on the list because I encountered lots of ads that sometimes interfered with my ability to stream. Visit Watch Series Online
Why You Should Always Use a VPN With Free Streaming Sites
Free streaming sites are constantly being taken down, so they change domains frequently. This can be dangerous: Even if these websites were safe before, there’s no way to guarantee they’ll stay that way. You also run the risk of visiting a fake site that claims to be the original but is really just after your personal information or payment details. Here are our top picks for VPNs to keep you safe on streaming sites: Free streaming sites don’t typically host their own content. Instead, they act as an index with links to third parties hosting the content you want to watch. This comes with added risks, as you may know nothing about where you’re ultimately directed. Another downside to free streaming sites is that they’re usually packed with intrusive pop-ups and ads. Try your best to avoid clicking on any of these, but they can be sneaky so they’re difficult to avoid altogether. You may try to click on a link to stream and instead get a malicious pop-up that infects your computer with a harmful virus. A VPN is the best way to protect yourself from the variety of cyber threats you may encounter on free streaming sites. Here’s what a VPN does for you:
1. Keeps your sensitive information private
Most free streaming sites have little to no built-in security, which means that anyone with even the most basic hacking skills can view your IP address, your location, your activity on the website, and possibly much more. VPNs route your internet connection through a secure tunnel protected with advanced encryption to keep your private information from spying eyes.
2. Helps you avoid legal action
Depending on where you live and what you’re watching, viewing content on free streaming sites may have legal consequences. VPNs ensure your anonymity by assigning you a new IP address, which also hides your physical location. They mask your real IP address with strong encryption, advanced leak protection, and other security features.
3. Allows access to geo-restricted streaming content
Your ISP, government, university, or workplace may block you from accessing content on free streaming sites. VPNs help you escape these geoblocks by assigning you a new IP address and masking your old location.
4. Blocks malware and intrusive ads
Some premium VPNs have built-in security measures that allow them to block malware, trackers, and intrusive ads that may contain harmful software. This is incredibly useful when you’re navigating free streaming sites.
Top VPN Recommendations for Free Streaming Sites
These leading VPNs use powerful technology to protect your device from any threats you may encounter on free streaming sites.
1. ExpressVPN - Fast, Reliable Streaming
ExpressVPN’s industry-leading server technology means your connection is ultra-secure, anonymous, and lightning-fast. Say hello to no buffering delays and smooth HD streaming. Its clean, modern interface is easy to use no matter your experience level with VPNs. ExpressVPN offers you some advanced options to customize your VPN connection, but you can also trust its default security settings to get the job done and keep you safe while browsing free streaming sites. ExpressVPN makes sure you have all of the key security features that you need to guarantee your privacy and protect your data. It includes DNS/IPv6 leak protection and an automatic kill switch that locks down your data to prevent any leaks if your VPN connection suddenly drops. Since many free streaming sites are unsecure and full of shady pop-up ads, this is a huge benefit. This VPN secures your connection automatically with AES-256 encryption and uses Perfect Forward Secrecy to regularly change your encryption key. That means that even if your key is somehow compromised by hackers, very little data is at risk. Its strict zero-logging policy and privacy-friendly location in the British Virgin Islands protect your anonymity by making sure no one can view or track your online activity. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology, which wipes all data after every reboot, actually makes it impossible for the company—or any dangerous hackers—to access your data. You can make sure ExpressVPN is the right choice for you without making a commitment thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. The VPN company also provides friendly and responsive customer service through its 24/7 live chat support. Want to know more? Explore our ExpressVPN review to see the full results of our research and testing. Start Streaming With ExpressVPN!
2. CyberGhost - Most User-Friendly
CyberGhost is an excellent choice if you’re a VPN newbie or looking for a “set it and forget it” VPN option. It’s one of the easiest VPNs to set up and use. Although you can modify plenty of advanced options, you don’t have to. CyberGhost’s default settings give you more than enough security to protect your device while streaming. These include robust AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to protect you from the spying eyes on free streaming sites. It ensures your anonymity with its no-logs policy and headquarters based in privacy-friendly Romania. CyberGhost also offers a huge network of 9,074 VPN servers spread across 90 countries. This means its easy to find a nearby server with fast connection speeds for your HD streaming marathon. Another huge benefit is CyberGhost’s built-in ad blocker, which blocks intrusive pop-up ads that may contain harmful malware. Ad blockers can also decrease loading times and buffering delays on streaming sites since you no longer have to load data-heavy advertisements before you can start streaming. The app even automatically stops you from navigating to websites that may contain malicious software. This is useful when you’re browsing unsecure free streaming sites that can quickly become compromised by hackers. CyberGhost offers 24/7 live chat support to help you if you run into any problems, and its generous 45-day money-back guarantee means you can test this VPN out risk-free. It supports up to seven simultaneous connections so you can connect all your household devices at once without paying an extra fee. Want to know more? Explore our CyberGhost review to see the full results of our research and testing. Start Streaming With CyberGhost!
Are these Putlocker alternatives safe?
I tested each of the free streaming sites on this list to make sure they’re currently safe to use. But that doesn’t mean they’ll always be safe. Bad streaming sites are unusable at best. At worst, they’re actually dangerous and could infect your device with harmful viruses or invasive spyware to expose your sensitive private data. The only way to guarantee your safety is to connect to a secure premium VPN service before visiting any free streaming sites.
Is it legal to use free streaming sites?
The answer depends on where you live and what you’re watching. Due to strict licensing laws, it’s illegal in most countries to stream copyrighted shows and movies without paying. However, many free streaming sites offer plenty of great content that is legal to stream. For example, you can stream a lot of film classics and most user-created content without breaking any laws.
What should I look for and what should I avoid in a free streaming site?
The best free streaming sites minimize ads and other pop-ups. They feature uncluttered designs, usable search functions, and fast loading times. A free streaming site shouldn’t try to trick you into upgrading for premium content or ask for payment information of any kind. If you’re willing to pay to watch, there are plenty of better options out there. Another thing to look out for is registration requirements. Some sites may require a basic registration, but a good free streaming site doesn’t require you to enter any sensitive information or go through a lengthy application process to start watching.
The Bottom Line
Put some popcorn in the microwave and get comfortable! With these great alternatives to Putlocker, you’re all set for your next streaming marathon. Remember to use a VPN to unblock websites and protect your privacy while you stream. I recommend ExpressVPN for its speed and security. Ready for more streaming? Check out our list of the best VPNs that still work with Netflix. If you’re ready for premium protection, take a look at our VPN coupon page (updated weekly) to find great deals and discounts on top-rated VPNs!
Best VPNs to keep you safe on streaming sites in March 2023
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.
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