There are many free movie streaming sites available on the internet, but the question always comes down to their safety. Just like other sites, 123Movies has also been a part of the debate about whether it is safe to use or not.
Although the original 123Movies was shut down, you will find many clones of it through a simple Google Search. Most of these sites are quite similar to 123Movies in terms of features and interface but not safe to use.
I have been testing all the alternatives to 123Movies sites for some time, and this article will tell you whether the site is safe to use or not. Also, I will list some safe alternatives to 123Movies that you can use.
Is 123Movies Safe?
I wouldn’t say that 123Movies (all the clones you will find) is completely safe to use. Though you can use the site for free, there are a few things that can always be a concern for safety, such as
- Ads- I encountered a lot of ads while using the 123Movies. Most of these ads were for betting sites and poker games. At times, these ads can get pretty annoying because they will appear with every click you make on the site. These ads ruined the experience for me, appearing when I searched for some movie, started playing a movie, or even when I tried to play/pause some content.
- Trackers- Yes, many 123Movies clones have trackers. I was using a few of these sites on Brave Browser which blocks trackers in the background. Brave Browser blocked a suspicious number of trackers on 123Movies after I exited the site.
- Website Redirect- Not only did I see ads on the site, but I was also redirected to betting sites. 123Movies redirected me to the registration page of the betting site.
- Illegal Streaming- 123Movies and its clone do not have rights to any of the movies or the TV shows they stream. Piracy is illegal in many countries, so if you are using 123Movies to stream movies then you may get some fines depending on what country you are in.
Can I Stream Safely on 123Movies?
Yes, there are some safety tips that you can follow if you want to stream safely on 123Movies.
- First, ensure you are using a VPN when browsing 123Movies. Use a good VPN like NordVPN, or Surfshark VPN, and avoid free or unreliable VPN services. A VPN will mask your identity, so you will be safe from trackers.
- If you are using a PC, then have a firewall as well as antivirus installed on your system.
- Do not sign up on any websites that you are redirected to when using 123Movies.
- Have an ad blocker extension installed on your browser. For better security, I always prefer using Brave Browser which comes with its own ad and tracker blocker.
5 123Movies Alternatives That are 100% Safe
If you use any clone of the 123Movies then you will have to be cautious about your safety. If you are looking for safe 123Movies alternatives, then here is the list that you should look up to.
1. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video turns out to be one of the biggest OTT platforms used all over the world. This is not a free site, but yes legal and without ads. You need to have a subscription to stream movies on the platform. Prime Video service is part of Amazon, so they have rights to all the movies and TV shows they have on their platform. You will find Amazon Originals series and movies as well.
The best part about the streaming platform is X-Ray (this is the feature that I personally like). X-Rays show details of all the cast members that are currently in the scene. So if you see a new face in a particular scene, you will know who that is. Also, Prime Video lets you stream up to 4K, plus you can change the language and subtitles of the movie/TV show you are watching.
You can have a custom watchlist with all the movies that you want to watch later. Prime Video will recommend content based on your watch history. Not only this, but you can also download the content if you want to play it without the internet later on.
2. Tubi TV
Just like Amazon Prime Video, Tubi TV is also a 100% legal and safe streaming site. It is a free site with app support on various devices including Android, Apple TV, iOS, PS4, Vizio, Roku, and more. As the site is free, you might come across a few ads here and there, but that’s manageable.
Tubi TV hosts content in various genres including action, horror, thrillers, sci-fi, comedy, and more.
Apart from this, you can navigate the featured, most popular, and recently added section to find the top movies and TV shows trending on the platform. Though you have the signup option, no registration is required to stream on the site. Signing up will unlock added features like creating a watch list, liking/disliking movies, and content suggestions. We also published the Tubi TV guide.
3. Netflix
Netflix is a popular name on the list of OTT platforms and movie streaming sites. The platform dominates the OTT industry with its vast library; it has become a common name for every household.
Netflix holds exclusive rights to many movies and TV shows, like 13 Reasons Why, Money Heist, The Witcher, Dark, Lucifer, Stranger Things, and Squid Games, so you won’t find them on any other streaming platform. You will find not only movies and TV shows but also documentaries and kid’s content.
Netflix has multiple plans that users can opt for as per their requirements. Netflix caters to the needs of every individual, so you will find content in different languages. The platform supports around 45 languages and is accessible worldwide.
You can have different profiles for the same account if you are sharing Netflix with other family members. This allows you to have complete privacy regarding what you are streaming. Every profile will have its own watch history and watchlist. Additionally, the recommendations will be personalized for each individual profile.
Netflix is not only supported on browsers, but you can also download its app on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, and more. The only downside to the platform is the screen limitation. If you share the account with your family members, there will be a limit to how many screens can stream Netflix simultaneously (this varies for every plan).
You might be interested in knowing Netflix alternatives.
4. Vudu
Vudu is also known as Fandango at home and is one of the safe alternatives to 123Movies. Whether you want to stream movies for free (with ads) or want to watch new release movies, Fandango at Home caters to all users having varied requirements.
You can watch movies for free by exploring the free section. Meanwhile, Vudu also has an option for you to rent or buy premium movies. But wait, there’s more! When you play any movie on Vudu, it provides additional information like cast & crew, ratings, and parental guide to help you make an informed choice. Also, it offers bonus features like deleted scenes and a gag reel for users who buy any movie title.
However, it requires an account creation to play movies on Fandango at Home. Other than movies, you can stream TV shows from 37 different TV networks like Peacock, Paramount+, Hulu, etc. as well.
And if you want to go out for a movie date, you can buy tickets from this streaming app.
5. Crackle
Crackle is one of the free streaming sites where you enjoy movies and TV shows across 30 genres including action, black entertainment, crackle originals, romance, and others. You can play any title on Crackle without the need to create an account. But if you create one, it will give access to additional benefits such as parental controls, creating your watchlist, and saving your watch progress.
Also, you can scroll down to explore more categories like trending, summer binge, spotlight, comfort TV classics, and more. You can not only watch crackle content but also share it on your social accounts.
Furthermore, it is available on various platforms including web, mobile, smart TVs, and streaming devices. But, there is no option to change video quality and it doesn’t offer offline viewing like other streaming services.
In addition to the above options, here are a few more alternatives that you can consider.
Conclusion
In my experience, I encountered many ads and was redirected to betting sites while using 123Movies sites. These sites are not completely safe to use if you plan to stream movies on them. Instead, you can opt for the 123Movies alternatives we have listed to stream movies safely. However, if you still want to use 123Movies, consider following the safety tips we mentioned above.
