Pixalate Releases Global Top 20 Most Popular Connected TV (CTV) Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) Apps Reports for Q1 2026: ‘Tubi’ No. 1 on Roku, ‘Pluto TV’ Leads on Amazon Fire TV & Apple TV

Why It Matters

Advertisers can target the most active FAST apps with confidence that traffic is vetted, optimizing spend in a rapidly expanding CTV ad market. The rankings also signal where platform owners should focus partnership and content strategies to capture ad revenue.

Key Takeaways

• Tubi tops Roku FAST apps, holding nine bundle IDs
• Pluto TV leads on Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV
• Samsung TV Plus claims #1 spot on Samsung Smart TV
• Sling TV appears in top five across all four platforms
• Pixalate filtered 4.1 billion transactions, removing invalid traffic

Pulse Analysis

The FAST (Free Ad‑Supported TV) segment has become a cornerstone of the CTV advertising landscape, offering linear, channel‑style content without subscription fees. Pixalate’s Q1 2026 report quantifies this shift by analyzing billions of programmatic impressions and stripping out sophisticated invalid traffic. By providing a clean view of ad volume, the study helps marketers understand where genuine viewer attention resides, a crucial factor as advertisers allocate ever‑larger portions of their budgets to connected‑TV inventory.

Platform‑specific rankings reveal distinct audience dynamics. Roku’s ecosystem remains dominated by Tubi, which commands the most bundle IDs, indicating a broad inventory reach. Meanwhile, Pluto TV’s supremacy on Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV suggests strong cross‑device appeal and a robust ad‑supported content slate. Samsung Smart TV’s native offering, Samsung TV Plus, leads its store, highlighting the advantage of manufacturer‑backed apps in capturing household viewing. For advertisers, these insights translate into strategic placement decisions—allocating spend to apps with verified traffic and high bundle‑ID diversity maximizes exposure across varied viewer segments.

Looking ahead, the continued growth of FAST apps will intensify competition for ad dollars, making fraud detection and traffic validation even more critical. Pixalate’s MRC‑accredited methodology sets a benchmark for industry transparency, reassuring brands that their investments are reaching real audiences. As more broadcasters and OTT players launch FAST channels, the rankings will evolve, offering a real‑time pulse on which apps are gaining traction and where ad‑tech innovators can refine targeting, measurement, and brand‑safe environments.