Between Netflix, Disney+, and plenty of other services, most households spend a major amount of money trying to keep up with the shows they want to watch. This is likely the reason why services like BrocoFlix are gaining popularity. BrocoFlix provides the promise of unlimited movies and TV shows for free, and people are going to be interested in a service that charges them nothing to watch what they want. Of course, if you aren’t paying for the service, there’s probably a reason why.
BrocoFlix is a growing search term and is only becoming more popular for people who want to avoid paying for services. Many people see the app as an easy way to keep track of movies, while others see it as a collection of sites that stream movies and TV shows without paying for the content, which are protected by copyright. Before you click “play”, make sure you know what you’re doing and the legal, safety, and privacy risks that could be involved.
This guide will cover BrocoFlix and everything you need to know to see if it’s worth it to stream free movies and TV shows.
What is BrocoFlix?
The name “BrocoFlix” refers to two different services, which leads to a lot of confusion.
The mobile app ‘BrocoFlix – Movies and Series’, is available on the Google Play Store and features the following: trailers, director and cast bios, and watch lists. However, they encourage users to leave feedback. In their disclaimers, the developers say, ‘we do not stream or host movies,’ meaning users will not find movies or even show listings on the app. The purpose of the app is to get people to visit other sites.
BrocoFlix is commonly used to name websites such as ‘brocoflixtv.mom‘ or ‘brocoflix.xyz‘; which do offer free streaming, unlike the app. These sites act as search engines for pirate links. They search for video files hosted on other websites. They also do not pay their licensing fees to the content creators like other sites, and offer content like, movies still in theaters.
How Brocoflix Works
The operational model of Brocoflix sites is like the model of free streaming sites… for as little as $0.00.
The ‘Free’ Model
The websites do not require a subscription like Netflix or Prime video. No account creation is required to start watching. Users simply navigate to the site, search for a title, and click a server link to start.
Revenue Generation
Server costs and maintenance do not come free, and since these platforms do not charge subscription fees, they have to generate revenue in other ways. Their almost exclusive reliance on advertising becomes a problem for users. Users often have to deal with pop-up ads, ads that show up every time you try to pause a video, and ads that redirect you to new pages.
Key Features
Even with the potential for scams and other illegal activities, the platform has features that continue to attract audiences.
Massive Content Library
Brocoflix sites provide access to a content library that is practically unmatched, including everything from 1980’s classic films to the latest releases that might have come out just days before. Unrestricted by peripheral content licensing, their collection is more expansive than what you would find on a single paid service.
minimal Interface
The platforms often have an interface that is simple in design. A carousel of current trending films, various films placed in categories such as romance, horror, or comedy, and a search bar. This simplicity encourages and allows users more freedoms when it comes to accessing the films.
Device Compatibility
The Brocoflix sites are browser-based and are therefore compatible with any device that has a web browser. This includes phones, tablets, laptops, or smart TVs. However, as they are not designed as official apps, they may provide a poor experience with mobile device browsers or TVs that are controlled with a remote.
Legal and Safety Considerations
This is perhaps the most important area to consider, and safety remains a serious concern with the Brocoflix sites. There is a risk to the user, even though the website may appear to be professionally designed.
The Legality of Unauthorized Streaming
In many countries, there are laws that govern copyright infringement, and in the UK and the US, it is illegal to provide unapproved streaming services. This includes the United Kingdom’s FACT and the MPA in the United States, both of which are copyright lobbyist groups who shutter unlicensed streaming services.
End users of the services are in a legal gray area. Even though they are not the target of law enforcement for accessing these sites, they are infringing on copyright laws, which is a crime. It is illegal to access these sites, and in some locations, a user may receive a ticket for streaming, a violation of the law, and their ISP may even send them a warning for streaming illegal content if they are not using a VPN.
Malware and Cyber Threats
While legal ramifications may be serious, safety risks level risks are more prevalent. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center states that a third of all pirate sites infect users with malware.
Site operators target users with malware, as legitimate advertisers like Nike and Apple will not advertise on their sites. Ad networks that advertise malware, also known as malversating, are low quality.
- Drive-by downloads can happen just by visiting a site. With or without your consent, malware can be downloaded to your device.
- Phishing scams involve pop-up ads that simulate system alerts or errors. Users may be prompted to download fake antivirus software or provide their credit card information.
- Data privacy is a concern even with the legitimate Brocoflix app on the Play Store, as its listings suggest the app is not encrypted in transit and shares user data with third parties, potentially exposing usage data and device IDs.
Inconsistent Availability
Due to operating in a legal gray area, these sites are subject to frequent takedown requests, resulting in an active domain today becoming an inactive domain tomorrow due to potential seizure. Users are then inclined to search for “mirror sites,” increasing their chances of finding a credential-stealing phishing scam.
User Experience: Benefits and Drawbacks
If you are considering Brocoflix, here’s an unbiased breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks.
Benefits
- Price: It doesn’t cost anything. This is particularly beneficial to students/people who cannot spend.
- No Registration: You don’t need to submit an email address to sign up or remember a password.
- Convenience: You can access the content libraries of several streaming services (Disney+, HBO, Netflix) in a single location.
Drawbacks
- Potential Malware: If you use it, you are putting yourself in danger of phishing and ransomware.
- Annoying Advertisement: You have to deal with a lot of betting ads, new tabs, and pop ups that can interrupt your streaming.
- Unstable Streaming: Streams are often stuck at 720p or lower and can hang or buffer.
- Unethical: It reduces the income of the creators, actors, and production teams.
Best Alternatives to Brocoflix
Watching free movies can be legal, safe, and high quality. The fast growing market of Free, Ad supported streaming TV (or FAST) is a great new option.
1. Tubi
Tubi is owned by Fox Corporation and has the most movies and TV shows of any free streaming service. It has over 50,000 titles and while you won’t be able to watch any of the newest titles in the theater, Tubi does have a great selection of reality TV, cult classics, and major studio films. It is also completely legal and has a real app for every type of device.
2. Pluto TV
A great option for people who struggle with parental control is Pluto TV. It has a “live” option, like a real TV, with hundreds of 24 hour channels, as well as an on-demand section.
3. Freevee (previously: IMDb TV)
Amazon owns Freevee, which has original shows (like Judy Justice) and other well known movies. The quality of streaming is also great and better than Freevee since Fire TV is Amazon’s product.
4. Kanopy
Kanopy can be accessed by anyone with a library card or a university email. They offer “thoughtful entertainment” by providing a collection of documentaries, independent films, and Criterion Collection titles supported by no ads.
5. Plex
Although a media server, Plex also offers a streaming service with over 200 live channels and thousands of titles available on-demand to its users. They provide legal content Plex partners with all of the major studios to deliver content legally to users.
The Verdict: Is Brocoflix Worth The Risk?
There’s no denying the appeal of free, limitless, entertainment options, but Brocoflix and similar sites come with their own set of issues. You’ll have to endure aggressive ads, and the hidden risks of malware and data loss far outweigh the price of a subscription service.
Where sites like Tubi and Pluto TV offer legal, free streaming services, the need to pirate content is overstated. You no longer have to put your your privacy and personal data at risk to stave off boredom, and sites like Tubi and Pluto TV offer exactly the service that supports content creators and leaves the risk of data breach behind. If you care about your privacy and personal data, it’ll be best to avoid pirated sites like Brocoflix.
