Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
Updated October 25, 2026 • By Bilal Zouheir
AGMTW score, out of 10
Roku's free catalog, broader than Pluto and better organised.
Value for money5.0
Free, and broad enough for casual viewing.
Free, so nothing can beat it on price. Weighed against what it carries (content 0/10), that comes to 5.0 on value.
Content quality0
None of the 20 most-watched cable channels.
Carries none of the 20 most-watched cable channels in our channel listings.
Apps and devices6.0
Serviceable app, on 3 of the 12 major devices.
Rated 4.66 on iPhone and 4.72 on Android. Works on 3 of 12 devices.
Streaming quality7.5
1080p, stereo; no 4K at any price.
Base plan streams in 1080p.
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.
The Roku Channel carries 36+ channels, including ABC News Live, Architectural Digest, Bein Sports XTRA, BINGE TV, Bloomberg Quicktake, Bon Appétit, and more.
The Roku Channel was created as a perk for Roku device users, but because of that perk that this streaming service shot up the rankings of the most watched streaming service in the United States. Since its launch in 2017, the Roku Channel has expanded to other countries, acquired original content libraries, and added premium subscriptions.
If you already have a Roku device, you probably already enjoy the Roku Channel. Those without can still enjoy the Roku Channel even without a device or an account, but we would say that an account is helpful if you want to mix and match other premium subscriptions without having to subscribe to a pricier base plan.
All the reasons to enjoy free, ad-supported streaming services apply here, but we would say you can maximize The Roku Channel as a one-stop-shop for managing multiple subscriptions.
Does The Roku Channel have a free trial?
The Roku Channel does not currently offer a free trial.
What channels does The Roku Channel include?
The Roku Channel carries 36 channels, including ABC News Live, Architectural Digest, Bein Sports XTRA, BINGE TV, Bloomberg Quicktake, and more.
What devices support The Roku Channel?
The Roku Channel is available on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Samsung TV.
Can I cancel The Roku Channel anytime?
The Roku Channel is a month-to-month subscription with no long-term contract. You can cancel at any time without penalty.
Is The Roku Channel worth it?
All the reasons to enjoy free, ad-supported streaming services apply here, but we would say you can maximize The Roku Channel as a one-stop-shop for managing multiple subscriptions.
Five criteria, each scored out of 10. The overall score is their weighted average: content 50%, value 20%, apps 20%, streaming quality 10%. Live TV packages are also scored on customization and add-ons (20%), with the other four scaled to 40%, 16%, 16% and 8%.
Value for money
0The most expensive service of its kind.
10The cheapest service of its kind, with full content.
Content quality
0None of the 20 most-watched cable channels, or nothing from our recommended list.
10All 20 channels, or the deepest catalog of titles we recommend.
Apps and devices
0A one-star app that runs on none of the 12 major devices.
10Five-star apps on all 12 major devices.
Streaming quality
0Below 720p.
104K on the plan we price.
Customization and add-ons
0A live TV package with no add-on packs to build on.
10Eight or more add-on packs at $15 a month or less.