Vudu is a Video on Demand (VOD) and ad-supported streaming service. It is owned by Fandango Media in a joint venture with NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery.
It was one of the first digital movie rental services available in the US and the first to bring digital movies to consumers in HD. Later, it became the first service to provide access to 4K HD for new releases and some free-to-stream content.
Vudu does not offer a monthly subscription fee for its streaming service but instead charges a per-title fee of $3.99 or less for most movies and TV shows on the platform.
In 2010 the service was purchased by Walmart and later by Fandango.
Today, Vudu has diversified beyond digital rentals and now offers ad-supported free movies and television. In 2019, it was reported that Vudu had access to over 24,000 programs and licensing agreements will all major studios.
But how does it compare with the other streaming services? Let’s dig in!
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Content Library
From a content library standpoint, the company may have access to more fresh content than any of the other free streaming services. However, as noted above, the newer releases are for rent or purchase. Think of it as a Blockbuster that offers free access to older content no one rents anymore.
Vudu as a service has a monthly audience of over 550 thousand viewers (according to PrivacySavvy – and this may just be website viewers).
As one can imagine, a large audience needs a large content library, and Vudu delivers with a massive mix of purchasable and free-to-stream content.
VOD service
To rent movies you’ll need to create an account and add a credit card. However, casual visitors can rent movies without subscribing to a premium service.
Ad annoyance
In 2018 Vudu partnered with MGM Television to acquire “Movies on Us” to provide “family-friendly, advertiser-friendly content” at no cost to viewers. Movies on Us is ad-supported. However, the ads are not intrusive. Compared with some of the smaller and newer streaming services, Vudu most resembles an experience like one would expect on cable TV.
App support
The app is available for use across nearly all platforms, including game consoles. Users can access Vudu on Smart TVs, Playstation and Xbox, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, TIVO, and Xfinity, PC & Macs, phones and tablets, and Blu-ray Players.
Geo-restriction
Vudu is not available for access outside the USA.
VPN compatibility
Vudu doesn’t support VPN connectivity which is unfortunate. Viewers outside the USA can’t access this website via VPN.
Pros
- Free
- Legit
- Easy to use
- Fresh content (rent or purchase)
Cons
- Limited free content, no live channels
- Geo-restricted
Summary
Vudu is a great streaming and VOD service that provides flexibility for users by providing new releases and free streaming content in one place. Wide app support ensures users can take their favorite content with them wherever they go. It will be interesting to see whether Fandango’s joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery will lead to exclusive content and what their plans are in the future. If you haven’t had a chance to check out Vudu yet, it is certainly worth the click.