50 Best Streaming Services on Roku

Sling Orange is for all cord-cutters who wish to save money, but it's especially for sports fans who watch ESPN channels as well as households that watch the Disney Channel.

Sling Blue has one of the best price-quality ratios for cord-cutters. For only $45.99, you get access to big networks like AMC, Bravo, TBS, National Geographic, and NBC. This package from sling makes the most sense for cord-cutters who don't watch ESPN or the Disney Channel, which are included in the "Sling Orange" offer.

DirecTV Stream’s cordless TV packages are pretty much the same as their cable counterparts. There’s Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier, which are known to be some of the most expensive but complete plans out there. If you already have an account with DirecTV Stream and want to access it on your Roku device, you can actually do so using the Roku app, which serves as a control center of sorts. On your app, go to Apps on Roku, download DirecTV Stream, and add it to one of your channels. You should be able to watch DirecTV Stream on Roku after logging in with your DirecTV account details, but make sure your Roku device is upgraded to software version 9.4+. Otherwise, you might encounter some playback issues.

As one of the more affordable and customizable live TV providers out there, it’s no surprise that Sling TV is a popular choice among cordcutters. Depending on what you prefer, you can choose between Sling Orange (family friendly content) or Blue (more news and sports), each for $40/month, or you can combine the two plans for $55/month and select add-ons ala carte. If you own a Roku device, it’s possible that Sling TV already comes pre-loaded on the homepage since many Roku users are also on Sling. But if it’s not, then you can simply download Sling on the Roku store and add it to your lineup of channels. You might be asked for your Roku PIN and Sling credentials in the process. Some Sling users have reported that Sling occasionally crashes on Roku, but an upgrade or refresh usually does the trick.

If you already have other streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Philo is the perfect option to get access to Live TV without spending too much money. At $28, it has an offer that beats much more expensive services. Plus, in terms of the channel lineup, it has a little bit for everyone, from news channels like BBC World News to the Discovery Channel, to Nickelodeon and Vice.

Fubo is a live TV streaming service that offers up to 300 channels across three plans: Pro ($75/month), Elite ($85/month), and Premier ($95/month). The channels cover entertainment, news, and sports, but the latter is its specialty, so you’ll find plenty of local channels that cover everything from national leagues to college matches. Crucially, however, Fubo is missing Turner channels like TNT and TBS and A&E channels like History and Lifetime. But if you’re fine with its lineup, then you’ll be happy to know Fubo is compatible with most media players, including all models of Roku. You can download Fubo and either log in with your Fubo credentials or create an account and opt for In-App Billing so you can pay for Fubo along with your other subscription through Roku.

Hulu with Live TV is a comprehensive live TV package that comes with more than 80 live channels, including major local networks like ABC and NBC and sports channels like ESPN and CBS Sports. Plans start at $83/month, but Hulu with Live TV has a range of add-ons you can purchase. You can download the Hulu app on Roku to start watching on your Roku device and log in with your Hulu credentials if you already have an account. If you don’t, you can sign up through Roku, where you will be billed, but note that add-ons can only be managed directly on Hulu.com. If you’re on a basic tier, you’ll also want to update your plan on Hulu rather than Roku to enjoy bundle inclusions like Disney+ and ESPN+, which should come at no additional cost with Hulu with Live TV.

Great for kids: There’s no shortage of content for younger audiences, with all the major Disney hits a click away. 

New theatrical releases: Although sometimes you have to pay an extra fee (usually of up to $30), a great perk of Disney Plus is Premier Access, which makes theatrical releases immediately available to stream on the platform.

Exclusive releases: Since it’s Disney, the catalog of popular TV shows and movies that you can't find anywhere else is huge. 

The app: The Disney Plus app is so well-designed that in 2020, Apple named it the Apple TV App of the Year, and voted the best app of 2020 by Google Play users.

Paramount Plus is a video-on-demand service that replaced its predecessor, CBS All Access, and is currently available in the US, Canada, and parts of Latin America.  Subscribers used to also have the option to bundle the service with Showtime, but ever since the Paramount-Showtime merger in June 2023, the latter is now only available to "Paramount + SHOWTIME" subscribers. To its credit, standalone Paramount+ still has 40,000 episodes and movies to its name, plus live feeds on NFL on CBS and the UEFA Champions League.

Solid selection of comedies. You can get access to shows like 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and Downton Abbey, to name a few. Live TV: With the premium service, you can get live sports (e.g. Premier League) and news on top of the on-demand platform.

If you're a fan of TV shows, then Hulu has a lot to offer, with a pretty comprehensive list of popular shows from major networks, including classic sitcoms, as well as children's programs like Sesame Street. Hulu is also acclaimed for its ace original programming, with hit shows from comedies like The Mindy Project to dystopian dramas like Handmaid's Tale.

Original programming: While Starz doesn't have as many original shows and movies as Netflix or HBO, it does produce some acclaimed entertainment, including movies like Ash Evil Dead and shows such as American Gods, Power, to name but a few.

Sharing devices: Starz lets you have four simultaneous streams per account, for about $7 less than Netflix's most expensive Premium plan which allows the same.

Frndly TV is an affordable live TV streaming service that gives you access to more than 40 live channels for just $8/month. The reason it’s cheaper than others is that its lineup consists mostly of Hallmark and Lifetime channels, with no sports, news, or local networks to speak of. If you’re fine with that, then Frndly TV comes as a great entertainment cable alternative that you can watch on most major streaming devices, including all Roku players. On the Roku app, simply search for Frndly TV on the channel store and add it to your homepage lineup if it’s not there already. Once you sign in with your credentials (or sign up through Roku) then you can start watching Frndly on the platform.

Price: Apple TV+ is great value for money compared to just about every streaming service out there, in terms of both quality of the programming and service. Offline downloads and 4K streaming: Although you have to pay for the service, Paramount+ offers premium subscribers offline downloads, as well as 4K streaming for select titles.

DirecTV is known for its comprehensive but pricey live TV packages, but now it's offering something a little more accessible in the form of MyFree DirecTV. DirecTV's newest service is completely free (they don't even ask for your credit card details) and airs channels like Dove TV, Tastemade, Moviesphere, Live Tennis, Sports Grid, Design TV, Court TV, and more. You don't have to be a DirecTV customer to access it, but you do need to create an account using an email address and download the DirecTV app on your preferred device. The app works fine on major streaming devices, including mobiles and TVs powered by Android and Apple. For now, MyFree DirecTV has a total of 70 free channels, but it's announced more channels are on the way as it finalizes partnerships with studios like A&E, Fox, and Lionsgate.

The "MySports" package from DirecTV is the cheapest way to combine ESPN, ESPN+, Fox Sports, ABC, TNT, and NBC. It's the sports bundle that we could have only dreamed of in the past, especially considering that DirecTV is widely considered to have the best picture quality out of every cord-cutting service.

Dubbed "The Free Netflix," Tubi is one of the best options for streaming quality movies and TV shows online. The completely free, ad-supported service has one of the most extensive title lineups, plus it's compatible with most devices, making it an extremely popular option for cord-cutters. Though it has been noted to have a less than stellar resolution, most viewers don't mind due to its easy interface, constantly updated library, and of course free titles. Parents will also be glad to know that the service has parental control features.

The range of choice: Unlike other streaming sites, Prime gives you the option to watch shows that aren't available on-demand, by “renting” them for a short time or “purchasing” the media to rewatch at will. You have to pay extra for it, of course, but the option is there.

Convenience: Prime Video is available worldwide (except for Mainland China, Iran, North Korea, and Syria). And let's face it, Jeff Bezos is a trillionaire for a reason – for many, on-demand video is an added perk to the larger retail service, including free next-day delivery.

Offline content: Prime lets you download up to 25 titles to devices like your phone and tablet.

High-quality original programming: With Netflix, you'll have access to their critically acclaimed Original shows, such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, as well as their big-budget docu-series like Making a Murderer, all of which you can't access on other streaming platforms.

User experience: The UI is pretty much perfect across the board. There are also perks like having different viewer profiles when sharing the account. Parental controls are also centralized.

Offline downloads on mobile: If you want to watch a movie or show on the go, Netflix gives you the option to download videos on your device for offline viewing.

The algorithm: Netflix has one of the smartest algorithms in the streaming landscape, so the personalized recommendations are usually on-point.

Hand-picked curation: The types of movies that are curated by Mubi tend to be especially niche, even more so than the Criterion Collection. Rather than by category, movies are tagged with descriptors such as Adaptations, Debuts, New Auteurs, etc. Community features: Mubi has two sections made for their subscriber community of movie buffs to interact: The Feed and the Notebook. The Feed is a list of user reviews and social media posts, while The Notebook includes reviews and commentary from Mubi staff and other contributors. You also get a profile page on which you can list all of your movie ratings. Offline downloads: You can stream the Mubi catalog 1080p and download on mobile devices at any time.

Programming: The breadth of shows and movies justifies the higher price of Max. As of the pandemic, the platform has also begun to release new movies originally intended for the big screen. It even includes podcasts.

YouTube TV has more than a hundred channels including local, entertainment, and sports networks. If you’re a fan of the latter, then you might already know that YouTube TV is also the exclusive home of the NFL Sunday Ticket. That’s why at $73/month, it’s a favorite among cord-cutters, especially since you can play it on almost all streaming devices including all Roku models (best to keep them updated, though). YouTube TV’s clean interface coupled with Roku’s minimalistic design make quite the match, just remember to download “YouTube TV” from the channel store if it’s not pre-installed yet, not “YouTube” or “YouTube Premium” if you want to watch live TV.

For the first time, Apple TV+, Peacock, and the usually deal-shy Netflix are partnering to create an affordable bundle exclusively available to Xfinity customers. Called the Xfinity StreamSaver, the bundle combines Peacock and Netflix's ad-supported plans with Apple TV+ for just $15/month, which is 30% less than the actual price of subscribing to them individually. Of course, each platform has its own set of popular originals, from Ted Lasso to The Traitors to Bridgerton, but this bundle is also a plus for live sports fans who'll get access to MLB on Apple TV+, Premier League and Big Ten on Peacock, and starting 2025, WWE and NFL on Netflix. You might have to cancel your current subscription to Peacock to enjoy this bundle, but you're free to use your login credentials for AppleTV+ and Netflix. And if you want more live TV options, you can also look to Xfinity's NOW TV StreamSaver bundle for $30/month.

The Roku Channel can't replace Netflix or a cord-cutting service like Sling, but it's a nice added bonus if you already have a Roku device. The selection of live channels is limited, but there's something for everyone, including news, sports, and entertainment. It has a nice mix of free on-demand movies (ad-supported of course) that range from indie hidden gems to blockbuster classics. And thanks to a multi-year deal, The Roku Channel will air a weekly Sunday MLB game for free, indefinitely. 

In response to the growing popularity of free streaming services like Tubi, Xumo, and Pluto, Sling TV has come up with Sling TV Freestream, an ad-supported version of its live TV and on-demand streaming service. Compared to its paid tier, Freestream has fewer channels and premium titles, but with more than 200 live channels and on-demand content to boot, it's certainly worth giving a try—you don't even need to sign up for an account to start watching. Notable channels in Freestream include AMC+, Comedy Central, Discovery, TBS, Cartoon Network & Adult Swim, and major news broadcasters like CBS and ABC. Sling TV has been at the forefront of live TV for years, but it breaks new ground with Freestream, a platform designed to both entertain and entice users to upgrade to their meatier packages. Recently, Freestream also added free DVR.

Niche programming: Since it’s curated by human horror aficionados, Shudder covers an impressive range of hidden gems and higher-quality titles. 

Well-curated: Through the platform you can access Shudder TV, which is a 24/7 live stream of chilling content in case you can’t decide on what to watch.

Now TV is the new cable alternative from Comcast (owner of Xfinity). For $20/month, you get over 40 live channels, 20 hours of DVR, and watch on up to three devices. You also get Peacock Premium included. And of course, no minimum commitment and you can cancel anytime. 

To get it, you have to first subscribe or already be a subscriber to Xfinity internet. You can then add it at checkout. 

At $20, it is one of the cheapest cord-cutting services out there, especially considering the channels that it offers. 

Sling TV has always been the affordable live TV option, but in case you're looking for something more premium, you'll be happy to know that the platform is now offering Max as an add-on for $17/month, on top of your base Sling TV subscription. That would mean $57/month if you're a Sling Orange user, but for Blue and Orange + Blue users, Sling offers discounted packages: you can get Sling Blue with Max for just $51.99/month, or Sling Blue + Orange with Max for just $66.99/month, saving you $5/month. These bundles are perfect if you want to combine the accessibility of local news and sports coverage with the entertainment value of a heavyweight streamer like Max. It comes with HBO shows like Game of Thrones and Succession; WB classics like Friends and the Big Bang Theory; blockbusters like Harry Potter and Barbie; and of course, on-demand content from sister channels like HGTV, TLC, CNN, and TCM. If you purchase the Sling + Max bundle, you'll also have access to the following HBO channels: HBO East, HBO West, HBO 2, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Latino, HBO Zone, and HBO Comedy. Lastly, you can access the Max app separately using your Sling credentials.

Kanopy is an on-demand streaming service that schools and public libraries all around the US offer students and members for free. All you have to do is enter the details of your participating institution and you can start watching as you please. Because of the academic nature of the platform, Kanopy makes sure it streams only the most essential and important content available, which could mean hard-hitting films like Moonlight, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Lady Bird, Dogtooh, Memento, and Howard's End for certain viewers, or The Adventures of Paddington, Richard Scarry, and The Monster Math Squad for even other, younger viewers. There are also storybooks, documentaries, and educational programs available to watch as Kanopy makes sure to cater to every learner regardless of leaning or age.

It doesn't offer the ESPN channels but it has a lot of on-demand content and is a good way to watch some sports live. Namely: UFC events, many soccer leagues (such as LaLiga and Bundesliga), Golf, Tennis, and MLB. For the price, ESPN+ is worth at least a try if you are a fan of any of these sports.