Summarize this article with:
Rave made watching movies with friends across the globe feel normal. But it’s not the only option anymore, and depending on what you need, it might not even be the best one.
The apps like Rave space has grown fast. Teleparty, Discord, Kast, Watch2Gether, Kosmi, and others all offer synchronized playback, group chat, and remote watch party features. Some focus on specific streaming services. Others let you share your entire screen.
Each app handles things differently. Video chat support, platform compatibility, pricing, and the number of people who can join a single session all vary.
This guide breaks down 10 alternatives worth trying. You’ll get honest details on what each app actually does well, where it falls short, and which one fits your setup. Whether you’re planning a virtual movie night with a long-distance partner or syncing Netflix with a group of friends, there’s something here that works.
Apps Like Rave
Teleparty
What It Does
Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) is a browser extension that syncs video playback across streaming platforms so groups can watch together remotely. Over 20 million people use it.
It started as a simple Netflix sync tool. Now it covers way more ground.
How Watching Together Works
Install the Chrome, Edge, or Opera extension. Start playing something on a supported service, click the Teleparty icon, and share the generated link with friends.
Everyone joins through that link. Playback stays perfectly synced. If someone pauses, it pauses for everyone.
Up to 1,000+ people can join a single party. That’s not a typo.
Supported Streaming Services
Free tier: Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max
Premium tier: Crunchyroll, Paramount+, ESPN+, Fubo, Apple TV+, Sling, and more
Chat and Communication Features
Free users get text chat with custom nicknames and user icons. You can react in real time while watching movies together.
Premium subscribers unlock voice and video chat. Only the host needs Premium for everyone to benefit from the audio/video features, though. Non-Premium users in the party can still hear and see Premium users who have their camera and mic on.
Device and Platform Support
Primarily desktop browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Opera. There’s an Android app in beta, but it’s limited. No iOS support yet.
This is the biggest downside. If you want a mobile-first watch party app, Teleparty isn’t there yet.
Free vs. Paid
The free version covers most popular streaming services and basic text chat. Premium starts at $3.99/month (or $47.88/year) and adds extra platforms, video chat, and custom reactions.
Only the host needs Premium to start a party on premium-only platforms. Guests can join with a free account.
Best For
Desktop users who mainly watch Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube with friends. Long-distance couples who want a simple, reliable virtual movie night without installing a separate app.
Where It Falls Short
Mobile support is basically nonexistent for iOS users. The Android app lacks key features like hosting parties. And if your group prefers watching on phones or tablets, you’ll hit a wall fast. Also, every participant needs their own subscription to whatever streaming service you’re watching.
Kast
What It Does
Kast is a screen sharing and watch party platform that lets you stream pretty much anything to a group. Movies, TV shows, games, whatever is on your screen.
It used to be the spiritual successor to Rabbit (remember that?). These days it’s found its own groove.
How Watching Together Works
Create or join a party. Share your screen, webcam, or use Kast TV to stream content directly from the cloud. Up to 20 people can share their screen or camera, and another 100 can watch.
Kast TV is the standout feature here. It streams content from the cloud, so there’s no screen mirroring lag or bandwidth drain on your end. Your mileage may vary with quality, but the concept is solid.
Supported Streaming Services
Kast doesn’t integrate directly with specific streaming platforms like Teleparty does. Instead, you share your screen and everyone sees what you see.
Kast TV offers a curated library including YouTube channels, independent films from Tubi-like free platforms, and original playlists (Kast Mix). Everything on Kast TV is free with ads.
Chat and Communication Features
Real-time text chat, voice calls, live video, reactions, and moderation tools. All built in.
You can share your microphone and camera while Kast TV streams from the cloud, so there’s no conflict between audio sources. Animated GIF comments are a nice touch too.
Device and Platform Support
Web browser (no download needed), iOS, and Android. Cross-platform works well. Start on your phone, pause on your tablet, resume on desktop.
Screen sharing on mobile is limited, though. On phones, Kast TV and camera sharing work fine, but you can’t share your full screen like you can on desktop.
Free vs. Paid
Free with ads. Kast Premium costs $6.49/month or $59.99/year. Premium removes ads, unlocks premium party reactions, and gives priority support. Screen sharing on desktop recently moved behind the paywall, which frustrated a lot of longtime users.
Best For
Groups who want flexibility beyond just streaming services. Gamers who want to share gameplay with friends. Creators building community through shared watch experiences.
Where It Falls Short
The paywall on desktop screen sharing is a deal-breaker for some. Mobile screen sharing is still not available. And honestly, the app has a history of bugs, especially around friend lists and sync issues. The concept is great but execution can be inconsistent.
Scener
What It Does
Scener is a watch party platform with video chat baked in. Think virtual movie theater where you can actually see your friends’ reactions while watching.
It launched in 2018 out of Seattle, incubated by RealNetworks. The pandemic sent its growth through the roof.
How Watching Together Works
Install the Chrome extension, create a Scener account, and pick between two party modes:
- Room – private, invite-only, up to 10 people
- Theater – public, unlimited guests, great for screening events
Content syncs automatically across everyone’s browser. Adjust audio and visual settings, choose your streaming service, and share the link.
Supported Streaming Services
Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vimeo, Shudder, and more. For U.S. users, it covers most major platforms.
The iOS app supports YouTube and Tubi watch parties directly. Premium platform support in the app is coming.
Chat and Communication Features
Free users get text chat. Scener Premium unlocks video and audio chat, which is the real selling point. Seeing your friends react to a plot twist while you’re watching is genuinely fun. At least in my experience, that’s what separates Scener from simpler extensions.
Device and Platform Support
Chrome extension for desktop (Mac, Windows, Chromebook). iOS app for joining and hosting YouTube/Tubi parties. No Android app. Mobile support for premium streaming platforms isn’t available yet.
Free vs. Paid
Free for basic watch parties with text chat. Scener Premium adds video/audio chat and ad-free viewing. Pricing details vary, check their site for current rates.
Best For
People who want face-to-face interaction during watch parties. Content creators and influencers hosting public screenings. Zack Snyder once hosted almost 30,000 viewers for a Justice League screening on Scener, so the scale potential is there.
Where It Falls Short
User reviews are mixed. Sync issues pop up, especially across regions (someone in the UK and someone in the US watching Amazon Prime together can be a mess with different ad breaks). The extension can be buggy after updates. And locking video/audio chat behind Premium is frustrating when alternatives like FaceTime offer video calls for free.
Watch2Gether
What It Does
Watch2Gether is a browser-based platform for watching videos in sync. No app downloads. No account creation. Just create a room, share a link, and go.
It’s been around for years and built a loyal following, especially among long-distance couples and remote study groups.
How Watching Together Works
Go to w2g.tv, create a room, and share the URL. Anyone with the link can join. Search for content directly in the room, add it to a shared playlist, and hit play. Everything stays synced.
Any user in the room can browse and queue up content. It’s not one-directional like a Twitch stream.
Supported Streaming Services
YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Twitch, SoundCloud, and even Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+ through their W2gSync feature (browser extension). Google Drive video files work too.
The native YouTube and Vimeo integration is solid. Streaming service support through W2gSync can be tricky, though.
Chat and Communication Features
Built-in text chat, webcam support, and voice chat. The chat runs alongside the video player. You can share reactions, GIFs (with Plus subscription), and use custom chat colors.
Device and Platform Support
Entirely browser-based. Works on any device with a modern browser. No app needed, which is both its strength and limitation. The interface isn’t optimized for mobile screens, but it functions.
Free vs. Paid
Free with banner ads. Watch2Gether PLUS costs $2.90/month and removes ads, adds animated GIFs in chat, and custom chat colors. Watch2Gether PRO at $7.90/month removes ads for everyone in your rooms.
Honestly, the free tier is generous enough for casual use.
Best For
Quick, no-fuss group video watching. Long-distance relationships. Study groups sharing educational content. Anyone who doesn’t want to install anything or create accounts.
Where It Falls Short
The free version has a default video that plays in new rooms (mildly annoying). Streaming premium services like Netflix through W2gSync requires an extension and doesn’t always work perfectly. The UI feels dated compared to newer alternatives. No dedicated mobile app means the experience on smaller screens isn’t great.
Kosmi
What It Does
Kosmi is a virtual hangout platform. Watch parties are just one piece of it. You can also play multiplayer games, browse the web together, share files, and video chat. All from your browser.
Think of it as a customizable virtual room that you can design however you want.
How Watching Together Works
Visit kosmi.io, click “Create a Room,” share the link. No account needed. No downloads. The room syncs video playback for all members automatically.
Kosmi uses virtual browser technology, so it can sync content from pretty much any streaming service. Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, or local video files. Your pick.
Supported Streaming Services
YouTube natively. Everything else through their virtual browser or screen sharing. Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video all work. You can also play local video files directly.
Chat and Communication Features
Built-in text chat, voice chat, and video calls. All free. No premium paywall for communication features, which is a big plus compared to Scener or Teleparty.
Device and Platform Support
Browser-based only. Works on desktop and mobile browsers. No native app needed. The experience is better on desktop, but mobile works fine for joining parties and chatting.
Free vs. Paid
Mostly free. The free tier includes room creation, streaming, games, and all communication features. Premium options exist for enhanced customization, but the core experience costs nothing.
Best For
People who want more than just synchronized playback. Virtual hangouts that combine watching, gaming, and chatting. Groups tired of juggling Zoom plus a streaming service plus a chat app. Kosmi puts it all in one place.
Where It Falls Short
Since it relies on virtual browser technology, video quality can depend heavily on your internet connection. The platform is less well-known than Teleparty or Discord, so convincing friends to try it takes effort. And room customization, while cool, can feel overwhelming if you just want to hit play on a movie.
Discord
What It Does
Discord is a communication platform built for communities. It wasn’t designed as a watch party app, but its screen sharing and voice channel features make it one of the most popular ways to watch movies with friends online.
If your group already hangs out on Discord, there’s no reason to install something else.
How Watching Together Works
Join a voice channel, click the screen share button, select what you want to stream. Everyone in the channel sees your screen. Play Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, or literally anything else on your monitor.
It’s not true synchronized playback, though. One person streams, everyone else watches. If you pause, there might be a slight delay before others see the pause. But for most people, it’s close enough.
Supported Streaming Services
Anything you can open on your computer. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Cinema HD alternatives, whatever. It’s screen sharing, so there are no platform restrictions.
Some streaming services may show a black screen due to DRM. Chrome or Edge usually works around this. Safari doesn’t.
Chat and Communication Features
This is where Discord dominates. Voice chat, video chat, text channels, reactions, threads, GIFs, stickers, and bots. All free. The communication features are years ahead of any dedicated watch party app.
Device and Platform Support
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browser. Screen sharing works on desktop and mobile. Discord Nitro ($9.99/month) unlocks 1080p streaming at 60fps. Free users get 720p at 30fps.
Free vs. Paid
Free for everything except HD streaming quality. Discord Nitro adds 1080p/4K streaming, larger file uploads, and custom profiles. Most people get by fine without it.
Best For
Friend groups and communities already on Discord. Gamers who want to share gameplay alongside movie nights. People who value communication quality over perfect video sync. If you’re looking for platforms similar to Steam communities with built-in social features, Discord fits naturally.
Where It Falls Short
No true playback synchronization. One person hosts, everyone watches their stream. DRM can cause black screens on some services. Video quality on the free tier is mediocre for movie watching. And it’s not intuitive for people who aren’t already familiar with Discord’s server/channel structure.
TwoSeven
What It Does
TwoSeven is a browser extension and web app built specifically for synchronized streaming with friends. It supports a broad range of platforms and even lets you play local video files in sync.
The name is a play on “27” because the creator originally built it for watching content across time zones.
How Watching Together Works
Sign up, click “Start Watching,” and create a private virtual room. Invite friends by sharing the room link. Friends without TwoSeven accounts can still join, which is a nice touch.
Playback syncs automatically. You can customize who controls playback, enable webcam and mic, and toggle text chat. Everything runs through Chrome or Firefox extensions.
Supported Streaming Services
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+, Vimeo, Crunchyroll, and HBO Max. You can also upload and sync local video files from your computer. That local file feature is surprisingly useful when your group wants to watch something not available on any streaming service.
Chat and Communication Features
Text chat, webcam, and microphone support. All built into the watch room. Communication works well for small groups, but there’s no large-scale theater mode like Scener offers.
Device and Platform Support
Chrome and Firefox extensions on desktop. No mobile app. The extension needs to be installed by anyone who wants to control playback, but viewers can join with just a link.
Free vs. Paid
Free to use. TwoSeven operates on donations to keep development going. There’s no mandatory subscription or premium tier, which is refreshing.
Best For
Small friend groups who want cross-platform streaming support without paying for it. Couples in long-distance relationships who want webcam chat while watching Netflix together. Anyone with local video files they want to sync.
Where It Falls Short
No mobile support at all. The donation-based model means development can be slow. Only Chrome and Firefox are supported. And since it’s a smaller project, bug fixes and new features don’t roll out as quickly as they do for Teleparty or Scener.
Amazon Prime Watch Party
What It Does
Amazon Prime Watch Party was a built-in feature that let Prime members stream movies and shows together with up to 100 friends. It synced playback and included a chatroom directly in the Prime Video interface.
Here’s the thing, though. Amazon removed this feature. It’s no longer available as of 2024.
How Watching Together Works
It doesn’t anymore. When it was active, you’d pick a movie or show on Prime Video, hit the Watch Party button, and share the invite link. Everyone needed their own Prime subscription. Playback synced automatically, and a text chat sidebar ran alongside the video.
Supported Streaming Services
Only Amazon Prime Video. That was the limitation even when it existed. No cross-platform support.
Chat and Communication Features
Text chat only. No voice or video calls. It was bare-bones compared to dedicated watch party apps.
Device and Platform Support
It only worked on desktop browsers. No mobile or smart TV support.
Free vs. Paid
It was free for Amazon Prime subscribers. Now it’s gone.
Best For
Nobody, at this point. If you want to watch Amazon Prime content with friends now, your best options are Teleparty, Discord screen sharing, or Apple SharePlay.
Where It Falls Short
It was discontinued. That’s the biggest shortcoming possible. Amazon hasn’t explained why or indicated plans to bring it back. For current alternatives to Amazon Prime’s shared viewing, look at Teleparty (which still supports Prime Video) or Rave itself.
Hulu Watch Party
What It Does
Hulu Watch Party is a built-in feature that lets you watch Hulu’s on-demand catalog with up to 8 friends at the same time. It’s one of the few remaining native watch party features from a major streaming service.
Most other platforms killed their built-in group watching features. Hulu kept theirs.
How Watching Together Works
Find a movie or show on Hulu, click the Watch Party icon, and share the invite link. Everyone needs a Hulu subscription. Playback syncs across all participants.
Straightforward. No extensions, no extra apps.
Supported Streaming Services
Hulu only. On-demand content. It doesn’t work with Hulu’s live TV plan or add-on channels.
Chat and Communication Features
Text chat with emoji reactions. That’s it. No voice, no video.
Device and Platform Support
Desktop browsers only. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. No mobile or smart TV support for the Watch Party feature, even though Hulu itself runs on practically every device.
Free vs. Paid
Free for Hulu subscribers. No additional cost. But everyone in the party needs their own active Hulu account.
Best For
Small groups (max 8 people) who primarily watch Hulu content. If everyone already has Hulu, the zero-setup experience is hard to beat. No extensions, no third-party tools, no accounts to create. Just click and watch.
Where It Falls Short
8-person limit is restrictive. Desktop-only. Text chat with no voice or video feels bare compared to video calling apps that people already use. And being locked to Hulu’s on-demand library means you can’t use it for live TV or content from other services. If your group streams across multiple platforms, you’ll still need something like Teleparty or Rave.
SharePlay (Apple)
What It Does
SharePlay is Apple’s built-in feature for watching and listening to content together during a FaceTime call. It syncs playback of supported apps across all participants’ devices.
It arrived with iOS 15.1 in late 2021 and has become the default group watching option for iPhone and iPad users.
How Watching Together Works
Start a FaceTime call (one-on-one or group, up to 32 people). Open a supported streaming app and hit play. A SharePlay prompt appears. Everyone on the call taps “Join SharePlay,” and playback syncs across all devices.
Anyone can control playback. Pause, rewind, fast-forward. Actions show up as notifications naming who took control. It’s well thought out.
Supported Streaming Services
Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max (Max), Paramount+, and more. The list keeps growing.
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are NOT supported. This is a significant gap. If your group watches a lot of Netflix, SharePlay won’t help.
Chat and Communication Features
Full FaceTime audio and video during the entire watch session. This is the biggest advantage. You’re on a video call while watching, so you see everyone’s face and hear their reactions naturally. Volume adjusts intelligently so conversation doesn’t drown out the content.
Device and Platform Support
iPhone (iOS 15.1+), iPad, Mac (macOS 12.1+), and Apple TV. It’s Apple-only. If even one person in your group uses Android or Windows, SharePlay isn’t an option for them.
You can AirPlay the shared content to a TV while keeping the FaceTime call on your phone. That’s actually a really nice setup.
Free vs. Paid
SharePlay itself is free. You just need a subscription to whatever streaming service you’re watching. All participants need their own active subscription.
Best For
Apple users who want the smoothest possible shared viewing experience. Couples and friends who already use FaceTime. Anyone watching Apple TV+, Disney+, or Hulu content in a group.
Where It Falls Short
Apple ecosystem lock-in. No Netflix support. No Amazon Prime Video support. If your group has mixed devices (Android and iOS), it simply won’t work. And regional content restrictions apply, so if a title isn’t available in one participant’s country, they’re out of luck. For cross-platform groups, tools like Rave or Teleparty remain the better option.
FAQ on Apps Like Rave
What is the best free alternative to Rave for watch parties?
Teleparty is the most popular free option. It syncs Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video playback across browsers. Text chat is included. You just need the Chrome extension and a shared streaming subscription.
Can I watch Netflix with friends without Rave?
Yes. Teleparty, TwoSeven, and Discord screen sharing all work with Netflix. Kosmi also supports it through virtual browser technology. Each participant typically needs their own Netflix account for synchronized playback.
Which apps like Rave work on both Android and iOS?
Kast and Discord work on both Android and iOS. Scener has an iOS app only. Teleparty has a beta Android app but no iOS support. Most other alternatives are browser-based and work across mobile devices.
Do watch party apps require everyone to have a streaming subscription?
Usually, yes. Apps like Teleparty, Scener, and SharePlay require each person to have their own subscription. Discord is the exception. One person shares their screen while others watch the stream for free.
What is the best app for long-distance couples to watch movies together?
Watch2Gether and Kosmi are great for long-distance couples. Both offer video chat alongside synchronized playback. Apple users can also use SharePlay through FaceTime for a smooth, integrated experience.
Are there watch together apps with video chat built in?
Kosmi, Scener Premium, and Discord all include video chat. SharePlay runs through FaceTime, so video is automatic. Teleparty Premium also added voice and video chat for subscribers recently.
Can I use these apps on a smart TV?
Most watch party apps don’t run directly on smart TVs. The workaround is casting or mirroring from your phone or laptop. SharePlay lets you AirPlay content to an Apple TV while keeping FaceTime on your phone.
Which Rave alternative supports the most streaming services?
Teleparty Premium covers the widest range. Free tier includes Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon, and HBO Max. Premium adds Crunchyroll, Paramount+, ESPN+, Apple TV+, Fubo, and Sling.
Is Discord good for watching movies together?
Discord works well for casual movie nights. Screen sharing is free, voice chat is excellent, and it runs on every platform. The downside is no true sync. One person streams while others watch with slight delay.
Do any free apps let you watch together without creating an account?
Watch2Gether and Kosmi both let you create rooms and invite friends without signing up. Just share a link. No downloads, no registration. Both are browser-based and completely free for basic use.
Conclusion
Picking the right app from these apps like Rave comes down to how you actually watch content with people. There’s no single best answer.
Teleparty handles browser-based streaming service sync better than most. Discord wins on communication. Kosmi gives you the most flexibility without paying anything. SharePlay is unbeatable if everyone owns Apple devices.
Think about what matters most to your group. Cross-platform support? Video chat while watching? Mobile access? The number of people joining?
Some of these tools work great for a quick virtual movie night with one other person. Others scale to hundreds of viewers for public screenings and community events.
Try two or three from this list. Your group’s habits will tell you which one sticks. The best co-watching app is the one everyone actually uses.
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Over the years, he's worked with a range of clients and contributed to design publications like Design Your Way, Designmodo, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, and Speckyboy, and Slider Revolution among others.
