1
Also covers course and documentaries · same kind of website
Documentary Network curates documentary videos and links to full-length films.
Alternatives
The Best PBS Alternatives in 2026
24 alternatives3 free · 1 open source
Looking for something like PBS? Here are 24 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 3 are free or have a free plan and 1 are open source.
PBS offers full episodes, news analysis, and documentaries covering subjects such as history, science, and art.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionDocumentary NetworkDocumentary Network curates documentary videos and links to…Free or freemium optionARTEARTE offers magazine programs, concerts, documentaries, and…Open source optionAcademoAcademo collects browser-based educational demonstrations…Another optionWatchDocumentariesWatchDocumentaries organizes documentary videos into…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Documentary Network | — | Not stated | Web |
| 2 | WatchDocumentaries | — | Not stated | Web |
| 3 | DocumentaryArea | — | Not stated | Web |
| 4 | Documentary+ | — | Not stated | Web |
| 5 | Films For Action | — | Not stated | Web |
| 6 | ARTE | Free | Not stated | Web |
| 7 | Rocumentaries | — | Not stated | Web |
| 8 | Introduction to Data Science | — | Not stated | Web |
| 9 | Academo | Free | Yes | Web |
| 10 | Class Central | — | Not stated | Web |
All PBS alternatives
2
WatchDocumentaries
watchdocumentaries.comAlso covers course and documentaries · same kind of website
WatchDocumentaries organizes documentary videos into categories such as history, arts, biography, and business.
3
DocumentaryArea
documentaryarea.comAlso covers course and documentaries · same kind of website
DocumentaryArea tracks previously watched documentaries and lists documentary titles.
4
Documentary+
docplus.comAlso covers course and documentaries · same kind of website
DOCUMENTARY+ presents a catalog of documentary films, from award-winning classics and box-office releases to festival selections and cult favorites.
5
Films For Action
filmsforaction.orgAlso covers course and documentaries · same kind of website
Films For Action hosts a library of more than 6,000 documentary films and videos, with most listed as free to watch.
6
Also covers documentaries · same kind of website · free
ARTE offers magazine programs, concerts, documentaries, and other audiovisual content.
7
Rocumentaries
rocumentaries.comAlso covers documentaries · same kind of website
Rocumentaries curates links to documentaries available to watch online.
8
Introduction to Data Science
mygreatlearning.com/academy/learn-for-free/cou…Also covers course · same kind of website
Great Learning offers a free introductory data science course covering foundational analytical skills, with a completion certificate.
9
Also covers course · same kind of website · open source · free
Academo collects browser-based educational demonstrations and tools across subjects including engineering, math and music.
10
Class Central
classcentral.comAlso covers course · same kind of website
Class Central aggregates online courses from different providers so learners can find options across subjects.
11
Natural History Museum
naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tourAlso covers course · same kind of website
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers self-guided virtual tours of selected exhibits and museum areas.
12
Thought Maybe
thoughtmaybe.comAlso covers course · same kind of website
Thought Maybe collects films, including documentaries such as a program about the Epstein files.
13
Also covers course · same kind of website · free
openHPI offers free interactive online courses in computer science, IT and digital innovation.
14
PhET
phet.colorado.eduAlso covers course · same kind of website
PhET provides free simulations for physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and mathematics.
15
Video Lectures
videolectures.netAlso covers course · same kind of website
Videolectures offers thousands of free online lectures across categories including computer science, medicine, mathematics and the arts.
16
VideoNeat
videoneat.comAlso covers course · same kind of website
VideoNeat curates science learning materials and provides a page for browsing its selected resources.
17
MinuteLabs
minutelabs.ioAlso covers course · same kind of website
MinuteLabs publishes interactive science apps and explanations for visitors to explore.
18
HalcyonMaps
halcyonmaps.com/infographicsAlso covers course · same kind of website
Halcyon Maps publishes infographics, including an explanation of gravitational waves.
19
Memory Toys
memory.toysAlso covers course · same kind of website
Memory Toys offers browser memory games, including matching cards and challenges for speed and accuracy.
20
YT Video Essay Hall of Fame
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pMlfjJ4gb0vMt2…Also covers course · same kind of website
This Google Sheet is titled Video Essay Hall of Fame and collects entries about video essays.
21
coolguid.es
coolguid.esAlso covers course · same kind of website
coolguid.es collects visual guides from the r/coolguides subreddit across a range of topics.
22
Read Scott Alexander
readscottalexander.comAlso covers course · same kind of website
Read Scott Alexander archives writing from Slate Star Codex, Astral Codex Ten and other blogs in a searchable, organized collection.
23
Information is Beautiful
informationisbeautiful.netAlso covers course · same kind of website
Information is Beautiful turns data, information and knowledge into infographics and visualizations.
24
National Palace Museum
tech2.npm.edu.tw/720vr/enHome.htmlAlso covers course · same kind of website
The National Palace Museum's 720-degree VR tour lets visitors explore permanent exhibitions and selected artifacts.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
ARTE12 alternativesDocumentary Network24 alternativesDocumentaryArea24 alternativesHalcyonMaps24 alternativesYT Video Essay Hall of Fame24 alternativesMemory Toys24 alternatives
What is the best alternative to PBS?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to PBS are Documentary Network, WatchDocumentaries, and DocumentaryArea.
Is there a free alternative to PBS?
Yes. ARTE, Academo, and OpenHPI are free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to PBS?
Yes: Academo.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative