Vudu Review

What is Vudu?

Vudu is a streaming service, owned by Walmart since 2010, that is best known for its library of free content. Users can also purchase movies and TV shows for a one-time price. On the plus side, you don't need any type of contract or monthly fee to access more than 10,000 movies and TV show episodes. However, Vudu does require individual payment for its new releases and all of its other ad-free content. 

The obvious advantage to Vudu over its on-demand competitors is that you don't have to pay a monthly subscription to access much of its content. There is no need for a free trial, and you aren't required to provide a payment method when you sign up (though you can, in case you want to use it later for paid purchases). The platform also has new releases that allow you to purchase films that are currently in theaters. 

Where Vudu lacks in comparison to its rivals is that there are no live channels, and you must purchase your favorite movies and shows piecemeal. Some viewers may not enjoy the number of ads included in the free content. 

How much does Vudu cost?

Vudu doesn't have plans. You can sign up for free and begin viewing more than 10,000 free titles, including movies and TV shows. Free content can include fan favorites, but most of this ad-supported content is not particularly new. 

As for paid content, the cost of each title depends on the program. You'll find movie deals as low as $5, including classics like Edward Scissorhands and rom-coms like Forgetting Sarah Marshall. 

Pricing also depends on whether you are renting or purchasing the content. New release films are commonly $7 to rent and $13 to buy, for instance. Titles that are current theater releases are found in a "Theater at Home" category and cost $20 to rent. 

Vudu content and add-ons

Vudu doesn't have add-ons. All customers have access to the same library of both free and pay-per-view content. Purchases are saved on the platform for future viewing if customers want to return to their favorites in the future. 

Popular categories of content include:

• Free Movies After navigating to the "Movies" section of the platform, you can check a box that says "Free movies only." This lists all the ad-supported free films. Titles include End of the World, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and Dark Island. 
• Films Before DVD Vudu also has a collection of movies that were once in theaters but have yet to be released in DVD form. Users can either rent or buy these titles. Options include action films like Paper Tigers and charming comedies like Together Together.
• Theater at Home Theater at home movies are the most expensive to rent. These are movies that are current theatrical releases. That is, they are currently in movie theaters, but Vudu customers are being given the option to watch them at home. These films cost $20 to rent. Films like Godzilla vs. Kong and Spiral have been featured on Vudu in this category. 
• TV Shows Users will also find free and paid TV shows on Vudu. You can purchase entire seasons of The Office or Raising Hope for prices between $10-$20. Check "Free TV only," and you can discover the ad-supported free episode options. Free TV on Vudu includes Hell's Kitchen, Alf, and Shameless.

Vudu compared

Vudu doesn't compare apples-to-apples to most other popular streamers. Major streaming services don't tend to have a totally subscription-free option. They also frequently feature live content, DVR, and additional packages. Here are some of the similarities and differences between Vudu and two popular streaming platforms: Hulu and Netflix. 

Vudu vs. Hulu

Vudu has a free option, while Hulu starts at $6 per month. Still, Hulu does offer both ad-supported and ad-free experiences, just like Vudu. Getting Hulu ad-free requires a $13 per month subscription. Watching Vudu ad-free only requires paying for the specific content you want to watch. 

Hulu also offers an upgrade to Hulu + Live TV, where viewers can stream content as it airs on various local networks and other channels. Vudu only offers on-demand content. Hulu also offers original movies and shows, while Vudu does not yet create its own content. 

Vudu vs. Netflix

Vudu and Netflix are similar in that they both offer on-demand content exclusively, with no live streaming option. However, unlike Vudu, Netflix has a monthly subscription and a slew of original content to draw in new users. And, Netflix never has ads in its content. 

Another way Vudu and Netflix are similar is that they don't feature add-ons. Users who use the platforms can all see the same shows and movies; there is no need for additional packages to unlock another level of access. 

Vudu features

Vudu does not offer live streaming or DVR service. All of the content can be played, paused, and stopped on demand. Because it doesn't have live streaming, there is no live sports content available. Movies that have been rented or purchased can be downloaded to watch later, offline.

When it comes to simultaneous streams, Vudu is generous for a free service. Up to eight users can log into the same Vudu account, but only three people can stream content at the same time. This can be beneficial for families who want to consolidate their streaming services 

A few areas where Vudu stands out from competitors are the programs it has for turning hard copy movies into digital copies. Their "Disc to Digital" program lets you scan the barcode of any DVD and immediately gain access to a digital copy of the movie. And, if you buy a physical copy of a movie at Walmart, you also get access to a digital version right away. 

Vudu supported devices

Vudu can be watched on a variety of devices. These include smart TVs, gaming consoles, smartphones, streaming boxes, tablets, and more. You can log into Vudu on:

• Samsung Smart TVs
• LG Smart TVs
• Playstation
• Xbox
• Roku
• Chromecast
• Amazon Fire Stick TV
• TIVO
• Mac computers
• PCs
• iOS devices
• Android devices
• Sony Blu-ray devices
• Samsung Blu-ray devices
• LG Blu-ray devices

Is Vudu worth it?

If you're looking for content on a budget, Vudu is definitely worth signing up for. You'll have access to thousands of titles for free. 

You can also expand your movie library by using physical copies of your favorite movies to access digital versions. Finally, linking your Vudu account with the Movies Anywhere platform lets you keep a consolidated library you can access from anywhere.