Vudu Review: A Simple Streaming Option For Budget-Minded Watchers

Streaming services have revolutionized the way we consume movies and TV shows.

With the rise of subscription-based platforms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the costs associated with accessing quality content.

However, there is one streaming option that stands out for its affordability and simplicity: Vudu.

Vudu offers a cost-effective solution for budget-minded watchers, providing access to a wide range of movies and TV shows without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a casual viewer or a dedicated binge-watcher, Vudu has something for everyone.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various aspects of Vudu, and conclude with whether Vudu is the ideal choice for budget-minded viewers.

Let’s begin.

What is Vudu?

Vudu is a digital video-on-demand service. Walmart acquired Vudu in 2010, and in 2020, it was acquired by Fandango Media, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal.

It offers a simple way to rent digital TV and movies from home, with a massive library of high-quality video content, including 4K movies. Vudu also provides a rotating selection of film and TV titles to stream for free, albeit with ads.

It frequently offers deals where you can purchase multiple titles at once at a discount, making it easy to build your own movie/TV library. Vudu allows you to convert DVD and Blu-ray discs that you already own to digital for including in your library for a fee.

Vudu offers a staggering streaming library that sets it apart from competitors whether you pay or watch free content. New releases, along with new catalog titles from across film history, are added every week for sale and rental.

It is a no-fuss way to rent movies online if you don’t want to bother signing up for anything. Vudu also offers early access to movies before they hit other digital storefronts. 

Vudu is best for users who want free access to movies and TV shows, those looking for a convenient and affordable way to rent videos, and budget-minded viewers that don’t want to pay a monthly fee.

It is not recommended for viewers that want to watch original programming, users who want to watch ad-free content, and those that enjoy access to a large selection of current or critically acclaimed films and shows.

Vudu is not available in all regions and does not offer a free trial, but it is a convenient and affordable way to build your own movie/TV library.

Features of Vudu

Vudu is a digital on-demand video service that offers free and paid content without a monthly fee.

Users can rent movies and TV shows for 24 hours or purchase content to watch anytime through the Vudu app or a compatible, linked platform.

The platform provides a simplified, Netflix-like interface with categories for movies, TV, free content, and user’s purchases and rentals.

The service was first introduced in 2008 as a set-top-box but later shifted to digital content sales and delivery through apps installed in Blu-ray players and other devices.

The service is available on various devices, including smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and TV connected devices such as Roku, Chromecast, and gaming console.

Regarding bonus features, Vudu offers special bonus features for certain movies, but access to these features may vary depending on how the user obtained the movie.

For instance, if a user has a UV copy of a movie or purchased a Walmart digital code for a movie, they may not have access to the special features on Vudu.

This is because Vudu creates two movie profiles for many new films, and one has access to the features and one does not. Vudu has been criticized for this practice, but it is ultimately up to the studios to decide which bonus features are available on which platforms.

Vudu also has a free service called Vudu Movies on Us, which offers thousands of movie and TV titles to watch for free, with limited commercials.

These titles include critically-acclaimed films, family-friendly features, date night movies, thrillers, documentaries, and more.

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Vudu Pricing

Vudu is a free streaming service that offers both free and paid content without a monthly fee.

Users can rent or purchase movies and TV shows, with prices varying based on the age of the content, video quality, and whether it’s a rental or purchase. 

New releases typically cost $19.99 to buy and $5.99 to rent, while older movies can be in the $10-15 range to buy and $3-6 range to rent.

TV series can range in price from $10-40 per season and $2-4 per episode. Vudu also has a Disc to Digital service that allows users to purchase a digital copy of a movie they already own for between $2 and $5.

Additionally, Vudu runs several deals on their content, such as the “Summer of Savings” sale, which offers classic and modern action movies and TV shows at 25% off. 

Vudu does not offer a free trial, but the service is free to use with rental and purchase prices being one-time fees.

However, it’s worth noting that there have been reports of Vudu raising the prices of their on-sale movies, with some “On Sale” movie prices increasing from $9.99 to $12.99 and fewer $5 movie deals available.

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How to Sign up on Vudu?

To sign up for a Vudu account, you can follow these steps based on the information from the provided sources:

1. Visit Vudu’s Website: Go to www.vudu.com.
2. Login/Activate: Look for the login/activate option in the top right corner and click on “Login”.
3. Sign Up: If you are a new customer, click on “Sign Up” and fill in your details like first name, last name, email, and password. Agree to the terms of service.
4. Verification: Verify your account through the email sent to you after signing up.
5. Add Payment Method: Once signed in, add a credit card to your account.

By following these steps, you can successfully set up your Vudu account and start enjoying movies and shows on the platform.

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How to Get Vudu Discounts/Deals?

If you want discounts and deals on Vudu, try doing the following:

1. Sign up for a free account: By creating a free account, you can access free content and receive the weekly newsletter with special offers.
2. Like the Vudu Facebook page: Liking the Vudu Facebook page can also provide you with special offers and updates on promotions.
3. Check for Vudu promotions or promo codes: There are websites that provide information on current Vudu promotions and promo codes, such as CouponFollow, which offers a 15% off promo code.
4. Use Vudu’s reward system: Vudu has a reward system where you can redeem reward points for virtual items, which will provide you with a promotion code to use on the Vudu website.
5. Check Reddit: Reddit has a Vudu community where users share information on current promotions and promo codes.
6. Look for deals on new releases and movie bundles: Vudu often offers deals on new releases and movie bundles, which can provide significant savings.
7. Use free shipping codes: Vudu occasionally offers free shipping codes for online purchases, which can help you save on shipping costs.
8. Check for region-specific deals: Vudu offers deals that are specific to certain regions, so be sure to check if there are any deals available in your region.

Take advantage of various discounts and deals on Vudu. They help you save on your movies and TV show purchases.

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Vudu Ratings & Reviews

Vudu has received mixed reviews from users. While some praise the service for its streaming quality and large media library, others criticize it for its pricing and lack of subscription options.

One user on Best Company gave Vudu a 3.2 out of 5 for overall score, praising the service for its streaming quality but criticizing it for its pricing and lack of subscription options.

Rotten Tomatoes does not provide a specific rating or review for Vudu as a service, but it does list popular movies and TV shows available on Vudu. 

Fandango at Home, which has acquired Vudu, has received mixed reviews from users. While some praise the service for its expansive and convenient streaming options, others criticize it for its lack of exclusive content and poor interface.

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How Others have Rated Vudu?

Vudu has received mixed reviews from different sites.

According to U.S. News, Vudu doesn’t make it to their list of the Best On-Demand Streaming Services this year, but it is one of the few services not requiring a paid subscription. 

Vudu offers a vast library of movies and TV shows, with more than 200,000 titles available for streaming at any time. However, the content is primarily a la carte, with no paid subscription, and the rental and purchase prices can add up over time.

In a discussion on the Vudu forums, users compare Vudu with Movies Anywhere, another streaming service. Some users prefer Vudu for its higher quality UHD video, while others appreciate Movies Anywhere’s interface and higher bit rates for both HD and 4K. 

Although it’s an old discussion, it highlights that Movies Anywhere may not have all the titles available on Vudu, and it does not support Dolby Vision/Dolby Atmos on many titles, nor does it have TV titles.

Reddit users have also compared Vudu and Movies Anywhere, with some praising Vudu’s bigger selection and ability to upgrade formats, while others prefer Movies Anywhere for its better interface, quality, and bonus features. 

In summary, Vudu has received mixed reviews from different sites.

Conclusion

Vudu is a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies and TV shows.

Despite not so good ratings, it remains a viable choice for budget-minded viewers seeking a diverse selection of movies and TV shows.

With its free ad-supported content and a vast library available for purchase or rent, Vudu offers a range of options for entertainment enthusiasts.

While it lacks the subscription model unlike other services, Vudu’s focus on individual rentals and purchases can be cost-effective for those who prefer a pay-as-you-go approach.

However, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks, including high per-item prices and limited availability of some titles.

While Vudu may be a viable choice for those looking to save on their entertainment costs, it’s worth considering other options as well to ensure a satisfying viewing experience.