Roku itself does not charge a monthly fee to use the device or access its main features
When you buy a Roku device — whether it's a Roku stick, box, or TV with Roku built in — you own it outright. There is no subscription required to turn it on, use the home screen, or connect to the internet. Roku makes money from advertising and from taking a cut when you buy channels, not from charging you a monthly bill just to own the hardware.
What you pay for depends on what you want to watch. The streaming services themselves — Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Apple TV+ — charge their own monthly fees, and you pay those directly to those companies, not to Roku. Roku is the device that lets you access them, the same way a TV remote lets you change channels.
Key Takeaways
- Roku devices have no monthly fee to own or use; you pay once when you buy the hardware.
- Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ charge their own monthly fees, which you pay directly to them, not to Roku.
- Some channels on Roku are free with ads, while others require a paid subscription to the service itself.
- Roku's home screen shows ads for movies and shows, but this does not cost you anything extra.
- If you see a charge from Roku on your credit card statement, it is usually from purchasing a movie or show, not a subscription fee.
Where the confusion comes from
Roku's home screen displays ads and promotional content for movies, shows, and channels. Because you see advertising on the device, many people assume they are paying for an ad-free experience or that a subscription removes the ads. Neither is true. The ads are part of the free service Roku provides to get you to the channels you want.
You may also see a charge on your credit card statement from Roku if you have purchased a movie or TV episode through the Roku Channel, which is Roku's own streaming service. That charge is for the purchase itself, not a monthly subscription. The Roku Channel does offer a paid subscription tier with some content included, but it is optional — you can use Roku without ever subscribing to it.
What costs money and what does not
| What You Want to Do | Does It Cost? | Who You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Own and use a Roku device | No (one-time hardware cost only) | N/A |
| Access free channels like Pluto TV, Tubi, or Freevee | No | N/A |
| Watch Netflix, Disney+, or other paid streaming services | Yes, monthly | Netflix, Disney+, etc. (not Roku) |
| Buy a single movie or episode through Roku Channel | Yes, per purchase | Roku |
| Subscribe to Roku Channel Premium | Yes, monthly | Roku |
| Use Roku's home screen and menus | No | N/A |
Understanding the Roku Channel and its subscription option
The Roku Channel is Roku's own streaming service, separate from the device itself. It offers a mix of free content with ads and a paid subscription tier. If you subscribe to Roku Channel Premium, you pay Roku a monthly fee — currently around $5.99 per month, though this varies by region and changes over time. This subscription gives you access to certain movies and shows without ads.
You do not need to subscribe to Roku Channel Premium to use your Roku device. Many people never touch the Roku Channel at all and use their device only to access other services like Netflix or YouTube. The Roku Channel is just one option among hundreds of channels available on the device.
How to check if you are being charged
If you want to know whether Roku is charging you anything, check your credit card or bank statement for charges from "Roku" or "The Roku Channel." Look at the last 30 to 90 days. If you see a charge, log into your Roku account on the Roku website and go to the Billing section to see what you are being charged for.
Most charges will be either a purchase you made (a movie or episode) or a subscription to Roku Channel Premium. If you do not recognize a charge, you can cancel any Roku Channel subscription from the same Billing page. Canceling a subscription stops future charges but does not refund past ones.
Free channels and ad-supported streaming
Roku has hundreds of free channels that do not require any payment or subscription. These include Pluto TV, Tubi, Freevee, Peacock Free, YouTube, and many others. These channels show ads, which is how they stay free. Watching ads is the trade-off for not paying a subscription fee.
Some services, like Peacock and Hulu, offer both a free tier with ads and a paid tier without ads. You choose which one you want. Roku does not control these decisions — each service sets its own pricing and ad model.
What happens if you do not pay a Roku subscription
If you have a Roku Channel Premium subscription and stop paying, your access to that subscription ends. You can still use your Roku device normally. You can still access free channels, and you can still use any other paid services you subscribe to directly (like Netflix). The only thing that stops working is access to the content that was included in your Roku Channel Premium subscription.
Roku does not lock you out of the device or charge you late fees if you cancel a subscription. The subscription is optional, and canceling it has no effect on your ability to use the device itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Roku without paying anything at all?
Yes. You can own a Roku device and use it indefinitely without paying any monthly fees. You can watch free channels with ads, use YouTube, and access any paid services you already subscribe to elsewhere. The only cost is the device itself when you buy it.
Why does Roku show ads on the home screen?
Roku makes money from advertising and from taking a percentage of purchases made through the device. The ads you see on the home screen are how Roku stays in business without charging you a monthly fee. You cannot turn off these ads, but they do not cost you anything extra.
If I subscribe to Netflix, do I also have to pay Roku?
No. You pay Netflix directly for your Netflix subscription. Roku is just the device that lets you watch Netflix. You do not pay Roku anything for this. The same is true for Disney+, Hulu, Max, and any other streaming service.
What is the difference between Roku Channel and other channels?
Roku Channel is Roku's own streaming service. Other channels like Netflix or Disney+ are services from other companies that you can access through your Roku device. Roku Channel is optional; the others are not required either, but if you want to watch them, you subscribe to them directly.
If I see a charge from Roku, what does it mean?
It usually means you purchased a movie or episode through Roku Channel, or you have an active subscription to Roku Channel Premium. Check your Roku account billing page to see the details. If you do not recognize the charge, you can cancel any active subscriptions from that same page.