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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThese five apps can cut entertainment and discretionary costs, but “free” means something different in each case. Kanopy and Libby use library funding, Tubi sells advertising, BuyNothing depends on neighbors giving items away, and Google Opinion Rewards trades short surveys and data for modest digital rewards. Here is what each app provides, what you need to use it, and where the limits appear.
At a glance
| App | Best for | What you provide | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanopy | Documentaries, classic and independent films | Participating library or college credentials | Institution-specific tickets and catalog |
| Libby | Ebooks, audiobooks and magazines | Participating library card | Holds, loan limits and library-controlled availability |
| BuyNothing | Furniture and household goods | Time, communication and pickup | Local supply, safety and transportation |
| Tubi | Casual movies, shows and some live programming | Attention to advertisements | Changing, market-specific catalog |
| Google Opinion Rewards | Occasional Google Play credit or iOS PayPal rewards | Survey answers and account information | Variable survey frequency and payment |
1. Kanopy: library-funded streaming
Kanopy offers films and shows at no direct charge when your public library, college or university participates. The service is particularly useful for documentaries, world cinema, classics and independent films. Eligibility depends on the institution, not simply on having any library card. See Kanopy’s eligibility information.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Mini Envelope - Candlelight Celebration | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
How to start
- Open Kanopy on the web or in its mobile app and select Get started.
- Choose Find a public library, then search by library name, city or ZIP code.
- Select your institution and enter the library-card number and PIN or password if requested.
- Create a Kanopy account, or use an available Apple or Google sign-in option.
Kanopy documents the setup process at its library sign-in guide. If your library does not appear, you may not have access through that institution.
The ticket catch
Most eligible titles consume tickets. Your library decides the monthly allotment; tickets reset on the first day of each month and unused tickets do not roll over. The title page shows the ticket cost and viewing period. Kanopy Kids titles generally do not use tickets, and some libraries provide unlimited-viewing titles, according to Kanopy’s ticket rules. A 15-ticket allowance at Seattle Public Library is an example of a local policy, not a universal Kanopy amount (Seattle Public Library).
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#1 Best Overall
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Choose Kanopy if: you want curated, often ad-free library viewing and can plan around a monthly allowance. It is not a replacement for an unlimited mainstream streaming subscription.
2. Libby: your library’s ebook and audiobook shelf
Libby provides ebooks, audiobooks and magazines through participating libraries. The app is free, but each library controls its own collection, loan periods, borrowing limits and holds.
Rank #2
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
Borrowing path
- Install Libby from the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore, or use libbyapp.com.
- Search for your library and sign in with your library card.
- Search or browse, then tap Borrow when a copy is available. Use Place hold when it is not.
- Open the title from Shelf. Use Manage Loan to see the due date or return it early.
Libby automatically returns loans on their due dates, so ordinary late fees are not generated in the app. In the United States, many ebooks can be sent to Kindle, but Kindle delivery, formats, magazines and audiobook availability vary by library. Popular titles may require a hold, and some systems offer separate digital collections or additional cards. The current platform and borrowing details are in Libby’s help guide.
Choose Libby if: you want audiobooks or ebooks without buying each title. If no copy is available, try another format, place a hold, check another eligible library card or use a physical-library alternative.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
3. BuyNothing: free goods from nearby people
BuyNothing is a local gifting and reuse network rather than a store. Members offer unwanted items to neighbors without payment. Furniture, kitchenware, clothing, moving supplies and children’s items can be useful finds, but activity differs sharply between neighborhoods.
Typical exchange
- Join the relevant local Buy Nothing community.
- Browse nearby offers and request an item according to that group’s norms.
- If selected, agree on a pickup time and location.
- Inspect the item before taking it and follow the group’s moderation rules.
The item may be free, but your time, transportation and coordination are not. Never assume a free item is safe: be cautious with recalls, damaged electrical equipment, child-safety products and hygiene-sensitive goods. Prefer a public pickup when practical, avoid entering a private residence alone, and share only the information needed to arrange the exchange. Local coverage and community rules are central to how the service works (original service description).
Rank #4
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Choose BuyNothing if: you have an active nearby community and can handle unpredictable listings and pickups. In sparse areas, Freecycle, local mutual-aid groups, community groups or reuse centers may be more productive, but each has different safety and moderation practices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.4. Tubi: no-fee streaming with advertising
Tubi offers movies, television shows and some live programming without a subscription fee or credit card. It is supported by advertisements, and its catalog changes by market and over time. Tubi lists web access plus Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation and selected smart-TV platforms at its service page.
Best Value
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is affixed inside a mini envelope
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
Account choice
Basic viewing does not require a paid subscription. Creating an account is useful for syncing watchlists and continuing playback across devices, but it does not remove advertisements.
Choose Tubi if: you want the easiest no-card route to casual viewing and accept commercial breaks. Choose Kanopy or library DVDs when you prefer library-curated material or want to avoid Tubi’s ad-supported model. Do not expect a specific film or series to remain available permanently, or for catalogs to match across countries.
5. Google Opinion Rewards: small rewards for short surveys
Google Opinion Rewards sends market-research surveys when you are eligible. Compensation varies with survey length and question count; some setup surveys pay nothing, and survey availability is not guaranteed.
Platform differences
- On eligible Android accounts, rewards are Google Play credits.
- On eligible iOS accounts, rewards may be sent as PayPal cash.
- Balances are tracked separately and are not transferred between Android and iOS.
Google says survey answers are aggregated and shared with the market researcher that wrote the questions; responses may be temporarily connected to your Google Account. Review the current explanations at Google’s privacy and rewards page and its survey-payment help page.
If a survey or credit is missing
You cannot order unlimited surveys on demand. Frequency varies, so a quiet period does not necessarily indicate an error. If an earned credit has not appeared within seven days, Google’s support guidance explains how to report it. Treat this as occasional app credit or pocket money, not dependable income; Google’s current help pages do not establish a universal maximum such as “up to $1” per survey.
Quick Recap
Which app should you install?
- For audiobooks and ebooks: start with Libby.
- For documentaries and independent films: check whether your library offers Kanopy.
- For the simplest no-subscription television: try Tubi if you accept ads.
- For furniture and household items: check BuyNothing only after confirming local activity.
- For occasional store credit: use Google Opinion Rewards, with realistic expectations about surveys and privacy.
Before you download anything
- Do you have a current library card, and does that library participate in Kanopy or Libby?
- Are you willing to watch advertisements instead of paying a subscription?
- Is there an active BuyNothing community close enough for practical pickups?
- Are you comfortable sharing survey responses and receiving platform-specific rewards?
- Do you need entertainment, physical goods or small digital credits? The answer determines the best fit.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
