Roku itself is free, but some channels and features cost money
You do not need a subscription to use a Roku device or to watch free channels like Pluto TV, Tubi, or the Roku Channel's free tier. The device works out of the box once you connect it to your TV and internet. However, if you want to watch services like Netflix, Disney+, or HBO Max through Roku, you pay those services directly — not Roku. Roku is the box that lets you access them, not the gatekeeper charging you to do so.
The confusion usually comes from the fact that Roku offers both free and paid content in the same place. You can scroll through your home screen and find free movies next to paid ones. Roku itself takes no cut from free channels and no subscription fee from you. What you pay for depends entirely on what you choose to watch.
Key Takeaways
- Roku devices have no subscription fee — you buy the hardware once and use it indefinitely without paying Roku anything monthly.
- Free channels like Pluto TV, Tubi, Roku Channel (free tier), and YouTube work without any payment to anyone.
- Paid services like Netflix and Disney+ require subscriptions to those companies, not to Roku — you set up and pay those accounts separately.
- Some Roku devices offer premium channel bundles through the Roku Channel, but these are optional add-ons, not required to use the device.
What costs nothing on Roku
The Roku Channel itself is free to use. It includes a library of movies and TV shows you can watch without paying anything. Roku makes money from ads shown during these free programs, not from charging you. You create a free Roku account to use the device, and that account costs nothing.
Beyond the Roku Channel, dozens of free apps work on Roku: Pluto TV (live TV and on-demand shows), Tubi (movies and series), Peacock Free (NBC shows and movies), Freevee (Amazon's free service), and YouTube. These services show ads but charge you nothing. If you already have a cable login from your internet provider, you can use apps like ESPN+ or Hulu to watch some content for free with that login — Roku just provides the screen.
What you pay for through other services
Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Apple TV+, and similar services have their own subscription fees. You pay them directly, not through Roku. When you open Netflix on your Roku, you are using your existing Netflix account. If you do not have one, you create it and pay Netflix — Roku is just the device showing you the picture.
Some services offer free tiers with ads (like Peacock Free or Hulu with ads) and paid tiers without ads. The choice is yours. Roku does not bundle these or force you into any tier. You manage your subscriptions to each service separately, through each service's own website or app.
Roku Channel premium add-ons and bundles
The Roku Channel offers optional premium channels you can add — things like Starz, Showtime, or Paramount+. These are not required. If you want Paramount+, you can subscribe to it directly through Paramount's website for the same price, or you can add it through the Roku Channel. Either way, you pay Paramount, not Roku. The Roku Channel just offers the convenience of managing multiple subscriptions in one place.
Roku occasionally bundles some of these premium channels at a discount if you subscribe through the Roku Channel. For example, you might see an offer to add three channels for a lower combined price than paying each separately. These bundles are optional — you can ignore them entirely and use only free channels, or subscribe to services directly without using Roku's bundling feature.
Roku devices and hardware costs
You do pay once to buy the Roku device itself. Roku makes several models: the Roku Streaming Stick (around $50), the Roku Ultra (around $100), and cheaper options like the Roku Express (around $30). This is a one-time hardware purchase, not a subscription. Once you own it, there is no monthly fee to Roku for using it.
If your TV has Roku built in (called Roku TV), you do not buy a separate device — the TV itself is the Roku. Again, no subscription to Roku. You pay for the TV once, and Roku's software is included.
How Roku makes money without charging you
Roku profits from advertising on free channels and from taking a small percentage when you subscribe to paid services through their platform. You do not see this transaction — it happens between Roku and the service provider. Your cost to Netflix or Disney+ is the same whether you subscribe through Roku or directly through their website.
This is why Roku can afford to let you use the device and the Roku Channel for free. The ads you see on free channels and the services you pay for generate Roku's revenue. You are not paying Roku a subscription; you are paying the services you actually watch.
What happens if you do not subscribe to anything
You can own a Roku device and never pay for a single subscription. Watch free channels like Pluto TV, Tubi, and the Roku Channel's free library indefinitely. You will see ads, but that is the trade-off for free content. Many people use Roku this way and are perfectly happy with the selection available.
If you already pay for Netflix, Disney+, or other services through your phone or computer, you can use those same accounts on Roku at no extra cost. The subscription you already have works on the Roku device too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay Roku a monthly fee to use my device?
No. Roku charges nothing monthly. You pay once for the hardware, then use it forever without any subscription to Roku. Free channels work without paying anyone.
If I subscribe to Netflix, do I pay Netflix or Roku?
You pay Netflix directly. Roku is just the device showing you Netflix's picture. Your Netflix subscription works the same on Roku as it does on your phone or computer — same price, same content, same login.
Can I watch anything on Roku without paying for subscriptions?
Yes. Pluto TV, Tubi, Roku Channel (free tier), YouTube, and Peacock Free all offer hours of free content with ads. Many people use only these and never pay for anything beyond the initial Roku device purchase.
What is the Roku Channel, and does it cost money?
The Roku Channel is Roku's own streaming service with free movies and shows supported by ads. The free tier costs nothing. Premium add-ons like Starz or Showtime are optional and cost extra, but you do not have to use them.
If I see a show on Roku that costs money, who do I pay?
It depends on the show. If it is a rental or purchase through a service like Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video, you pay that service. If it is part of a subscription service like Netflix, you pay that service. Roku is never the one charging you for individual shows.