Pluto TV is an on-demand and live streaming platform that offers the classic TV experience for free. Unfortunately, it’s not available worldwide. If you can’t watch Pluto TV in your country, here’s how to get around the geographic restrictions:
- Get a reliable and fast VPN service. According to our tests, NordVPN is the best option for buffer-free streaming.
- Download the VPN app and log into your account. You’ll use this to change your IP address, making Pluto TV think you’re accessing the site from one of its supported regions.
- Connect to a server in a country where Pluto TV is available. The U.S, UK, Canada and Spain are all good options. But our research uncovered that the U.S. version has the best content.
- Open the Pluto TV website. Make sure you only visit Pluto TV in an incognito tab, or a different browser than the one you normally use. Otherwise, the streaming provider might figure out your true location.
- Enjoy Pluto TV’s live and on-demand content!
Pluto TV’s programs differ a lot from region to region. In the article below we’ll discuss why that is, and what kind of content you can expect to find on the site.
Pluto TV is a fantastic alternative to expensive cable. The wide variety of Pluto TV channels features everything from comedy shows and action movies to sports events and popular news channels. It even has on-demand content, including popular shows like Mad Men.
The best part? It’s 100% free. However, it does include ads just like regular TV.
Pluto TV is not available worldwide. And even if it’s available in your country, you might not be able to tune into your favorite shows or movies. But don’t worry. This article will explain why that happens and how to get around the content restrictions.
Why Can’t I Watch Pluto TV in My Country?
If Pluto TV is not available in your country when you try to visit the site, you’ll see this:
That’s because only a few countries have distribution rights for the programs that Pluto TV streams. For example, let’s say Pluto TV wants to stream Mad Men. The streaming provider will need to pay for a license from the owners of Mad Men to distribute the show. Plus, Pluto TV will also need to pay for one of these licenses for each country it wants to stream the show in.
Naturally, if the streaming service thinks a license won’t be profitable anywhere except in a country like the UK, for example, they’ll only make the content available there. And if they don’t think they can make a profit streaming anything in Bulgaria, they won’t make the entire service available there.
This is very common with streaming platforms like Pluto TV, Netflix, or HBO Max. It’s also the reason U.S. viewers and UK viewers will see completely different programs on Pluto TV. Even if it’s profitable to pay for Mad Men licensing rights in the UK, it might not be profitable to do so for the U.S.
Countries where Pluto TV is available
Pluto TV is slowly expanding, so this list can grow in the future. But as of right now, we can confirm that Pluto TV is available in the following countries:
- The U.S.
- UK
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Brazil
Even if you don’t live in any of those countries, there are ways to unblock Pluto TV and stream geo-blocked content.
How Do I Watch Pluto TV Anywhere in the World?
If you want to watch Pluto TV channels anywhere in the world, you’ll need a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This tool will route your internet traffic through servers in other countries, making it look like your IP address is different. So when you visit Pluto TV, the site will see an address from the country you pick.
Here’s how to circumvent Pluto TV’s geo-restrictions:
- Get a VPN. We tested multiple VPNs with Pluto TV, and NordVPN offered the fastest speeds.
- Download the VPN app and install it on any device you want. The Pluto TV app is available on smart TVs (including Android TV and Apple TV) , Amazon Fire TV Sticks, Playstation consoles, Roku, Chromecast, Android and iOS devices, or any web browser.
- Log into your VPN account.
- Choose a server from one of the countries where Pluto TV is available. The U.S. has the best content, but if you’re far away and on a slow internet speed, you might need to choose a server that’s closer.
- Open Pluto TV.
- Enjoy a free cable-like experience.
Most VPNs should be able to help you pull this off, but not all of them will work. For example, some VPNs are more focused on browsing privacy, offering enhanced encryption at the cost of bandwidth. That’s not ideal for streaming content. Other VPNs (like NordVPN) are made specifically for accessing geo-blocked content, with functionalities designed to help you stream better.
Moreover, ensure you read Pluto TV’s terms and conditions. Some platforms don’t support the use of a VPN, even for safety reasons, and might take action to block your VPN.
The Best VPNs to Access Pluto TV
We’ve been researching VPNs for nearly a decade. So, to help you have the best viewing experience with PlutoTV, we tested different VPNs. Here are our top 3 picks.
1. NordVPN: The best choice for streaming
Pros
- Great speed and performance, which is crucial for streaming
- Great at unblocking streaming sites, including Pluto TV
- Dozens of servers in the U.S.
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
NordVPN is by far the best choice for unblocking Pluto TV. It’s also our top pick to stream any geo-blocked content. NordVPN has servers in dozens of US locations, which is where the best Pluto TV content is. Not to mention, NordVPN has smart DNS. This feature will let you install the Pluto TV app more easily on your smart TV.
It’s a reliable VPN provider, and it doesn’t slow down your internet connection, so you can enjoy Pluto TV without any buffering. And if you get bored of the programs available, your NordVPN subscription can also unblock Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Peacock TV, and plenty more.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
2. Surfshark: A cheaper alternative to NordVPN
Pros
- Affordable service
- Decent speed and performance for streaming
- Unlimited devices
Cons
- Not as fast as NordVPN
Surfshark is a good choice to get around Pluto TV’s geographical restrictions. It might not be as good as NordVPN, but it’s fast, reliable, and cheap.
Compared to other VPNs, you can use it to unblock PlutoTV across an unlimited number of devices, which is a great plus for big households. On top of that, it’s one of the cheapest VPNs out there, constantly offering discounts and great deals. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can use as a free trial to see whether or not you like the service.
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly interface
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Lots of servers in countries where Pluto TV is available
Cons
- Limited payment options
- Tracks what devices you use (to enforce its 7 devices limit)
CyberGhost, like Surfshark, isn’t a better option than NordVPN. But it has thousands of servers to help you bypass geographic restrictions, including in the U.S., UK, and Canada.
It’s not as expensive as NordVPN, so it’s still a budget-friendly option. Not to mention, it has a 45-day money-back guarantee. And we haven’t even mentioned its biggest plus yet: the beginner-friendly user interface. CyberGhost is a smooth and easy-to-use VPN, especially for people without experience with a virtual private network.
- Very user-friendly
- High quality for a low price
- Torrents and Netflix possible
What Can You Watch on Pluto TV?
Founded in 2013, and financed by ViacomCBS, Pluto TV has amassed an impressive library of movies and TV shows in the past decade. It features many live and on-demand titles, but the content available differs drastically based on where you live. The U.S. and UK programs available are quite different, so it’s like accessing two completely different sites.
We browsed PlutoTV’s libraries in multiple countries to curate a list of the best content to watch on the site. Here’s what we found.
Pluto TV channels
Pluto TV’s content is structured based on channels, just like you would see on normal television. Their most popular channels include:
- Star Trek: Currently airing episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Stories by AMC: Featuring AMC fan favorites like The Walking Dead
- CSI: Featuring episodes from both CSI New York and CSI Miami
- Black Cinema: Filled with titles by and with black creators
- ShowTime Selects: Featuring boxing matches and other select titles from ShowTime
You’ll also find dedicated channels for news, sports, comedy, reality shows, and plenty more.
Pluto TV free movies
Pluto TV’s on-demand movies are not that great. We struggled to find something with decent critical reception. The free Pluto TV movies on live channels also change all the time, so you should visit the site for the latest timetable. At the time of writing, these were the stand-out titles in the UK:
- Left Behind
- The Rifleman
- Joe Somebody
The U.S. library had many more action titles, including:
- The Expendables
- The Mechanic
- Robocop
- Saw V and VI
Needless to say, if you want a large library of movies, you’ll be better off with other streaming services.
Pluto TV shows
Various TV shows have been available on Pluto TV since the streaming service was created. Here are the top TV shows you can watch on Pluto in both the UK and the U.S:
- Star Trek (only in the U.S.)
- CSI: New York
- CSI: Miami
- Multiple Sherlock Holmes series
- Mad Men (on demand in the UK)
Pluto TV news
The UK’s list of news channels isn’t that impressive. But if you visit Pluto TV from the U.S., you’ll have access to a lot of high-profile channels, including:
- NBC News
- CBS News
- Bloomberg TV
- Euronews
- Cheddar
- CNN
- 60 Minutes
- Sky News
Pluto TV sports
Much like the news channels, the UK library of Pluto TV sports channels is slim. These are the ones that stood out:
- Strongman
- PokerGo
- Glory Kickboxing
The U.S. library of sports channels is a bit bigger. It includes the UK sports channels mentioned above, plus:
- NFL Channel, currently airing reruns of great matches
- Pluto Sports
- Bellator MMA
You’ll probably need a different platform if you want to watch high-profile boxing matches or the Super Bowl. But if you’re in the mood for a classic NFL game, Pluto TV content is good enough.
Pluto TV comedy
Pluto TV has a few comedy channels spread out in different regions. The most popular ones are:
- Fail Army
- Comedy Central
- Pluto TV Comedy Movies
- Pluto TV Stand-up
- Just For Laughs
Their on-demand content is nothing to write home about. If you want to watch stand-up comedy, you’ll be better off on Netflix. But for a quick laugh, you can stream Pluto TV.
Pluto TV reality shows
Pluto TV is pretty big on reality shows, especially in the U.S. You can tune into channels like:
- Pluto TV Reality
- Pluto TV Pets
- Judge Judy
- Mythbusters
- Duck Dynasty
- Ice Pilots
- Tough Jobs
There’s not a lot of on-demand reality content. But if you want to watch some Mythbusters or Duck Dynasty, Pluto TV is here to deliver.
Conclusion: Watching Pluto TV Worldwide
Pluto TV is the closest free streaming service to regular TV. Pluto TV channels have everything, from action movies to zany reality shows, and you don’t have to pay a dime. And even if it’s not available in your region, a VPN is everything you need to unlock Pluto TV’s huge library of free movies, TV series, news, and sports. If you’re not sure what VPN to pick, you can’t go wrong with NordVPN:
If you want to make the most out of your NordVPN subscription, check out our other guides on streaming:
- How to Access Crunchyroll From Anywhere: A Complete Guide
- Is Streaming With a VPN Legal?
- How to Watch Fox Sports Worldwide
- How to Watch Sling TV Online From Anywhere
Still have questions about Pluto TV and how to access it? You might find your answer in our FAQ below.
Yes, watching Pluto TV is free. The streaming provider makes money from ads, just like regular TV channels do. Some people complain that there’s not a paid subscription that can give you the option to remove the ads completely. But if you want a free TV-like experience, you can probably put up with a few ads.
Pluto TV is available in some countries in Europe, including France, Spain, and Germany. But if it’s not available where you live (or if you want to watch Pluto TV U.S.) you’ll need a VPN to change your IP. Installing the best VPN will help you unblock the site.
Yes, you can watch Pluto TV from Canada. Pluto TV features some shows for Canadians, and you won’t need a VPN to access the website. However, the library for Canada’s Pluto TV has less variety than the one in the U.S., so if you want to make the best of it, you’ll need a VPN that routes your traffic through a U.S. server.
Suggested VPN's for Pluto Tv do not work here in Toronto "Not authorized in your country"
We just tested it from our own location and they seem to work fine. It shouldn't matter which country you visit from. Are you sure you have the VPN turned on and are using the right server? It might also be that you have to clear your cache and maybe your cookies. With the information you're giving us we can't pinpoint where the problem is exactly. We would advise you to contact your VPN's support to try and solve the problem.