As we already know, iPad is a powerful device which allows us to do more with that. One of the advantages of this device is that we can use it to watch movies or films whenever and wherever we want. It’s more comfortable for watching movies than on your phone since iPad offers larger display.  But getting movies to the iPad through iTunes can be expensive. So we look for some FREE alternative ways to watch or play movies on iPad/iPad 2 and this article may help you.

IMPORTANT NOTE, if you already own the DVD or Blu-ray, you will find the separate guide on How to Play DVD Movies on iPad or How to Watch Blu-ray Movies on iPad.

Get and watch free movies on iPad/iPad 2 with Boxee

Boxee is a relative newcomer to the field of streaming video on the iPad, but it shoots to the top of the list for some reasons: the ability to stream arbitrary audio and video content from local network and the web with its big Media Manager feature,  the ability to save videos to watch later, and the social media functions that links your Boxee viewing to Facebook, Twitter,  and what’s more, it’s one of the most awesome FREE ways to bring movies, TV shows, photos and music from the web to your iPad.

Get and watch free movies on iPad/iPad 2 with Netflix

Netflix app on iPad 2 does make iPad 2 shines a lot more. There aren’t that many things bad about Netflix app, and most of them contribute to the limited nature of a tablet. A big plus for Netflix app on iPad 2 is that people can stream movies on the go with it. Enjoy the app, because it is FREE. And in the latest version, Netflix has made a number of improvements, like adding star recommendations and removing the status bar while titles are playing.

Get and watch free movies on iPad/iPad 2 with NFB Films

“NFB” stands for National Film Board, a bona fide Canadian treasure. With the NFB Films iPad app you can watch over 1000 movies – documentaries, animations and feature films – FREE on your iPad/iPad 2. You can also store films on your iPad for up to 48 hours to watch when you’re away from a WiFi zone.  And with the release of iOS 4.3, you can now throw the videos (from the app) over to your Apple TV using its new AirPlay feature.

Get and watch free movies on iPad/iPad 2 with Crackle

Crackle for iPad is ad-supported app that streams well-known Hollywood television shows and uncut movies (as well as original content) from Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classic, and TriStar Pictures over 3G or Wi-Fi connections to Apple’s tablet, but the television programming is a bit lacking.  Owned by Sony Pictures, Crackle has a lot of great content, including some great programming produced solely for Crackle.

Get and watch free movies on iPad/iPad 2 with Hulu Plus

The Hulu Plus app takes some flack for both requiring a subscription cost ($7.99 a month) and having commercials within the video playback, but one thing few can argue with is its presentation. Compared to Netflix’s watered down interface, Hulu Plus is quite a dream to use. The app does lack some key features, such as video out support. Enjoy up to 720p HD resolution with multi-bitrate support for the optimal viewing experience for your screen resolution and network connection speed.

Get and watch free movies for iPad/iPad 2 with HBO GO

HBO GO is a new streaming service from HBO. The application is fast and snappy, and provides subscribers with an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad with access to over 1,400 HBO shows directly on their devices. Available at no additional charge for existing HBO subscribers, HBO GO allows users to view programming over either a Wi-Fi or 3G connection, making the entire lineup of HBO shows and movies available while on-the-go.

Get free movies for iPad/iPad 2 with YouTube

The only reason why YouTube isn’t listed first is simply because it comes already installed on the iPad. Using the HTML5 version of the YouTube player, no browser plugins (i.e., Flash) are required to watch videos. Listing it among the best free way for streaming video certainly isn’t going to surprise anyone, nor does anyone need to hunt for it on the app store. But any list of great video apps that doesn’t include YouTube would certainly be lacking.

Overall, the simple fact that the iOS platform can finally stream video is a feature that many users are happy to have. Not only does the iPad applications whet the appetite for this newly acquired feature, but some 3rd-party DVD to iPad converter software (computer-based) and iPad video converter software format the various video to ipad-compatible. Happy watching!