The Biggest Downsides Of Streaming With Google TV Freeplay

Google TV Freeplay is an ad-supported service that allows you to stream over 10,000 shows and movies and 300 live channels for free, making it an incredibly convenient option for many. As more people look to cut the cord and ditch cable boxes for internet-based solutions, streaming services are emerging as near-perfect alternatives. The best part is that you are no longer limited to shows and movies; you can even watch live TV on many platforms. 

That said, Google TV Freeplay and even other similar options have their fair share of downsides that users usually realize much later. One of the major problems with Google TV Freeplay is that the service is limited to the U.S., which can be a problem for those who frequently travel to other countries. Apart from that, many shows on Google TV Freeplay stream in low resolution. They are available in HD, but in 720p, despite 4K and 1080p now being largely mainstream. 

Users also often complain about frequent ads, though that's a problem with many free streaming services. When you're not paying for a subscription, streaming platforms make money through ads, often showing far too many of them. Some who've tried Google TV Freeplay note that the collection of shows and movies is subpar, and there aren't many watch-worthy titles available. So, if you're already using Google TV Freeplay or planning to buy a new television running Google TV just to access the service, you'll want to have a good understanding of its downsides.

As we highlighted earlier, Google TV Freeplay is restricted to the U.S. This means users outside the country can't access the service, even if they are using the Google TV OS.  Content licensing agreements could have something to do with it. These are fairly common and can limit content availability to specific regions. So, if you are based outside the U.S. or simply traveling to another country, you will lose access to Google TV Freeplay. 

While you could use a VPN to try to access geo-restricted content in your location, with Google TV Freeplay, bypassing this geo-blocking isn't as easy as it sounds. Usually, connecting to a VPN does the trick, but with Google TV Freeplay, the setup doesn't always work. You might have trouble accessing live channels, shows, and movies when using a VPN. It may still work for a few of you, though keep in mind that Google TV Freeplay is officially supported and available only in the U.S. This is perhaps the biggest downside of the streaming service. 

Other major downsides of Google TV Freeplay include frequent ads and the relatively limited collection of shows and movies. While users may tolerate the ads as the service doesn't cost anything, the limited number of shows and movies is something worth thinking about, and similar services often have better titles to choose from. Google TV does have an advantage as it lets you add free channels from other apps. 

Of course, you may have to install the app and create an account to view those channels. But when you look at it, Google TV does have a more expansive collection of channels, especially since it combines its built-in Freeplay channels with free channels from other apps. So, if you prioritize live channels over shows and movies, Google TV Freeplay is worth considering.  However, if you're only interested in streaming shows and movies, you are better off with its alternatives. Another problem with Google TV Freeplay is its streaming quality and compatibility with other smart TV platforms. Most shows on Google TV Freeplay stream at a comparatively lower resolution, which directly impacts your experience. 

Lastly, Google TV Freeplay is built directly into Google TV devices, so it isn't directly available on TVs running other smart TV platforms. As is the case with geo-blocking, you may still be able to access Freeplay on another TV by connecting a Google TV streaming device, but the experience won't necessarily be the same. Even with those downsides, Google TV Freeplay isn't a bad choice for everyone. If it has channels and shows that align with your interests, it could be just what you're looking for.