A Roku TV is an excellent entry point into the streaming world. Roku TVs are competitively priced and give you access to a vast library of streaming apps that open up a world of entertainment. You can, of course, use the most popular Roku TV apps like YouTube and Netflix, but stopping there would mean missing out. Roku’s App Store is filled with options—Tubi, Pluto TV, Kanopy, Plex, and Roku’s own Roku Channel—each offering something unique.
If you browse through the Roku App Store, you’ll find an impressive range of free streaming apps covering everything from blockbuster movies and live TV to documentaries and original series. As long as there’s enough storage on your Roku TV, there’s no reason not to experiment and see what catches your attention. Here are a few must-try apps to start with.
The Roku Channel
Initially created to aggregate content from other streaming services, Roku has since launched its own robust platform: The Roku Channel. With your Roku login, you can instantly access an extensive, curated selection of on-demand and live content.
In the U.S. and Canada, The Roku Channel includes 24/7 live news from major networks such as Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC, along with a growing lineup of Roku Originals you won’t find anywhere else—like Emeril Cooks, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and the Emmy-winning Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. You can also link subscriptions from premium apps like Paramount+, Discovery+, and MGM+ so that all your content lives conveniently in one place.
Tubi
Not every great show or film has been locked behind paid streaming services. Tubi hosts a wide-ranging, ad-supported library that’s completely free to watch. Its offerings include classics like The Godfather and Child’s Play alongside TV favorites such as The Twilight Zone and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?.
Beyond on-demand viewing, Tubi features live channels covering news, sports, and a variety of genres including comedy, documentaries, and kids’ programming. No account is needed, but signing up lets you save shows to a personal watchlist.
Pluto TV
If you miss the familiar rhythm of scheduled television, Pluto TV recreates that traditional TV experience with over 250 live channels. Its lineup covers everything from classic sitcoms and news to true crime and kids’ shows, with dedicated channels for staples like Cheers, Frasier, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Pluto TV also offers a rotating on-demand collection that includes popular titles such as Grease, Top Gun, and NCIS. Additionally, it caters to global audiences with dubbed and subtitled versions of foreign-language shows and films, even featuring niche collections like Japanese tokusatsu favorites Ultraman and Kamen Rider.
Kanopy
Libraries may seem like relics of the past, but they’ve embraced the digital age in surprising ways. Partnered with public libraries and universities, Kanopy lets you stream for free using a library card or university login.
Kanopy’s catalog spans acclaimed international and independent films like Memento, The Truman Show, Parasite, and Ringu. Its ad-free viewing and curated collections make it an excellent option for both cinephiles and families. The Kanopy Kids section, for instance, provides educational and age-appropriate programming without commercials or hidden fees.
Plex
The streaming landscape can feel fragmented, with shows scattered across different platforms. Plex aims to simplify your viewing by unifying access to all your favorite content. In addition to its own ad-supported library of live and on-demand titles—including hits like Mars Attacks and Pulp Fiction—Plex integrates with other major services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
It tracks what’s available across platforms and helps you keep a single watchlist, so you can jump straight into a movie or show without hunting across different apps. Plex also supports watch parties with synced playback and allows you to stream your own media files, such as recordings or downloaded movies.
