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For U.S. Roku viewers, the best free starting points are The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi and Xumo Play for broad entertainment; ABC News Live, CBS News and NewsON for news; and PBS Kids for children’s programming. Sports apps such as FIFA+ and beIN SPORTS XTRA offer selected events, highlights or analysis—not a free pass to every major-league game.
On Roku, “channel” usually means an app or service. Most free services are supported by ads, and a free app may still offer paid add-ons or require a TV-provider login for some programs. The 21 options below have useful free content, but catalogs, app availability and local coverage change. Last checked: August 2026.
What “free” means on Roku
Roku’s store uses “channel” for what many other platforms call an app. A service can have free programming without making every title in its app free. Check the program’s label and any sign-in prompt before watching.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Free with ads: No subscription payment for the free catalog, but you’ll see commercials.
- Free app: The download costs nothing; rentals, purchases or subscriptions may still be offered.
- Free with an account: Viewing costs nothing, but the service may ask you to register.
- TV-provider required: The app is free to install, but some viewing requires cable, satellite or live-TV credentials.
The Roku Channel is a Roku-owned streaming service, not the name for every free Roku app. It combines a free, ad-supported library with live streams and optional premium subscriptions. Roku currently advertises 500+ free live channels, but lineups and counts change; see Roku’s live TV page and Roku Support for current details. A result in Roku Search is not necessarily free.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Quick comparison
| App or service | Best for | Live streams | On-demand | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Roku Channel | All-round free viewing | Yes | Yes | Ads; optional paid subscriptions |
| Pluto TV | Channel surfing | Yes | Yes | Lineup varies by market |
| Tubi | Movies and TV library | Not its main draw | Yes | Ads; titles rotate |
| Xumo Play | Live channels and on-demand | Yes | Yes | Availability varies |
| FilmRise | Catalog movies and TV | Some channel programming | Yes | Catalog changes |
| Fawesome | Genre and international browsing | Yes | Yes | Catalog figures are provider claims |
| Plex | Free streaming and personal media | Yes | Yes | Some features are paid |
| FilmRise for Her | Romance and feel-good titles | Some programming | Yes | Niche companion app |
| ABC News Live | National news | Yes | Clips | Not all ABC programming is free |
| CBS News | News and breaking coverage | Yes | Clips | Not full CBS network access |
| NBC News | News coverage and clips | Yes | Yes | Some network/local access may require authentication |
| FOX Weather | Weather coverage | Yes | Video | Not a substitute for all local forecasts |
| NewsON | Local news | Where available | Clips and recent coverage | Station and market dependent |
| Haystack News | Personalized news feed | News streams | Yes | Aggregator, not one newsroom |
| WeatherNation | Continuous weather programming | Yes | Video | Local detail may be limited |
| FIFA+ | Soccer content | Selected events | Highlights and archive | Rights vary by competition and country |
| beIN SPORTS XTRA | Sports news and selected events | Selected programming | Highlights | Not the full paid beIN package |
| Sports Illustrated | Sports news and analysis | Roku live programming may vary | Video | Check the current guide |
| ACC Digital Network | ACC-focused coverage | Selected programming | Highlights and interviews | Not a general sports package |
| PBS Kids | Children’s programming | Some live/local availability | Yes | Catalog can depend on station distribution |
| Solvren Kids | Cartoons and kid-focused streams | Yes | Yes | Parents should review content and controls |
Best free Roku destinations for most households
1. The Roku Channel
Start here for a broad mix of free ad-supported movies, TV, Roku Originals, children’s programming and live channels spanning news, weather, entertainment and sports. Roku describes the service as offering thousands of free movies and shows alongside 500+ live channels. The catalog changes, and optional premium subscriptions sit alongside the free material, so check that a title is marked free before selecting it. Roku’s service overview and its Channel Store listing explain the mix.
2. Pluto TV
Pluto TV suits viewers who like turning on a channel and seeing what is playing, with themed live streams and an on-demand section. It is free with ads. Channel names, schedules and titles can change with licensing and location, so treat it as a flexible alternative to cable-style browsing rather than a fixed lineup. Check Pluto TV for current service information.
3. Tubi
Tubi is a strong first install for on-demand movies and television, including catalog titles, documentaries, anime and genre collections. Its main appeal is browsing and choosing a title, not replacing a conventional live-TV schedule. It is ad-supported, and titles rotate by market. See Tubi’s service for availability.
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Xumo Play combines free ad-supported live channels with on-demand movies and shows. It is another useful option if you want to move between scheduled programming and choosing a title. The exact channel lineup can differ by device, location and distribution partner. Xumo’s site has current service information.
Free movies and TV
5. FilmRise
FilmRise focuses on free catalog films, classic television, crime, documentaries and series. Its Roku listing advertises more than 10,000 hours of programming and says no subscription or login is required for the app; regard the number as FilmRise’s estimate, not a permanent audited count. The lineup can change. See the Roku listing or FilmRise.
6. Fawesome
Fawesome offers free on-demand browsing across genres, including Spanish-language programming, as well as live channels. Its Roku listing claims 150,000+ movies and TV shows and hundreds of live channels. Those are the service’s own catalog claims; the selection may change and should not be treated as an independently audited count. See the Roku listing or Fawesome.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
7. Plex
Plex brings together free ad-supported movies, TV and live channels with tools for organizing and streaming your own legally owned media. That makes it useful if you want one app for both a free streaming catalog and a personal library. Some Plex features are paid, and the free catalog varies by country. Visit Plex for current details.
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8. FilmRise for Her
This niche FilmRise app focuses on romance, feel-good dramas, women-centered movies and selected true-crime programming. Its Roku listing says no login, credit card or subscription is required. It can complement the main FilmRise app, but most viewers should start with broader services first. See the Roku listing.
Free news and weather
9. ABC News Live
Use ABC News Live for free rolling national news and updates. The dedicated ABC app and ABC News Live streams surfaced within The Roku Channel may offer different experiences. Free news access does not mean every ABC network show or local broadcast is included; some programming may require a participating TV provider. See ABC’s free-viewing information.
10. CBS News
CBS News offers free live news coverage and video clips, including breaking-news programming. It is distinct from full access to CBS entertainment shows or every local CBS broadcast. Check CBS News Live for its current offering.
11. NBC News
NBC News is useful for news clips and live news programming. Do not assume the app includes every local NBC station or all network programs without authentication; access depends on the content and distribution arrangement. See NBC News NOW.
12. FOX Weather
FOX Weather provides free weather forecasts, video and severe-weather coverage. It can add useful context, but it is not guaranteed to provide the most relevant local forecast in every area. For warnings, also check local authorities and NOAA’s National Weather Service. Visit FOX Weather.
Rank #3
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
13. NewsON
NewsON offers local-news clips and live or recently broadcast coverage from participating stations. Whether your station is included depends on your market, so this is a useful option to check—not a guarantee of every local newscast. Visit NewsON.
14. Haystack News
Haystack News builds a personalized feed from multiple news publishers, with local, national and international coverage. It helps you browse across sources, but it is an aggregator, not a single newsroom or a replacement for checking a specific outlet. See Haystack News.
15. WeatherNation
WeatherNation is a free, continuous weather channel for forecast and weather-news programming. For neighborhood-level conditions and alerts, compare it with a local station or government source. Visit WeatherNation.
Free sports: useful, but not every game
16. FIFA+
FIFA+ is a good free destination for soccer highlights, documentaries, archive material and selected live matches or competitions. Availability depends on competition rights and territory; a free app does not mean every major match is included. Check the FIFA+ schedule before planning to watch.
17. beIN SPORTS XTRA
beIN SPORTS XTRA offers free sports news, analysis, highlights and selected live programming. It is not the full paid beIN SPORTS package, and a particular match may not be on the free channel. Check the schedule at beIN SPORTS.
18. Sports Illustrated
Roku’s live-TV lineup has included Sports Illustrated programming focused on sports news, analysis and interviews. Because live-channel offerings can change, look for it in Roku’s current live-channel guide rather than assuming a specific schedule or event is available.
Rank #4
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
19. ACC Digital Network
The ACC Digital Network is for Atlantic Coast Conference coverage, including news, highlights, interviews and selected event-related programming. It is a conference-focused option, not a substitute for a general sports network, regional sports network or paid live-TV package. See ACC Digital Network.
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Across these sports apps, expect highlights, studio coverage, documentaries, niche competitions or selected games—not complete access to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college sports or regional sports schedules. Rights change quickly, so check the app’s schedule for the specific event you want.
Free children’s and family programming
20. PBS Kids
PBS Kids is the best first choice here for younger children: its programming is made for kids and emphasizes educational entertainment. The exact catalog and local availability can depend on PBS station distribution. Start at PBS Kids, and review parental controls and playback settings on your device.
21. Solvren Kids
Solvren Kids offers cartoons, children’s shows and kid-focused live channels. Its Roku listing claims hundreds of hours of free children’s content. That description does not establish that it has the same editorial standards as PBS Kids, so parents should preview the content, ads and navigation before leaving it with a child. See the Roku listing.
General free-TV services may mix age groups, show ads and make recommendations based on viewing. For younger children, choose a dedicated kids’ app where possible, supervise searches and autoplay, and check each provider’s privacy and parental-control settings.
How to add a free Roku app
- Press Home on your Roku remote.
- Open Streaming Store or Store (the label varies by interface), then go to apps or search.
- Search for the exact service name and select its official listing.
- Choose Add app, wait for installation, then select Go to app or launch it from Home.
Roku’s instructions use the path Home → Streaming Store → Apps; labels can vary by device and software version. You can also confirm availability through the official Roku Channel Store. A Roku account is generally needed to activate and manage a Roku device. An individual app may have its own account requirement, but many do not.
Best Value
- Streaming made easy: Roku Express lets you stream free, live and premium TV over the Internet—right to your TV. It’s perfect for new users, secondary TVs and easy gifting—but powerful enough for seasoned pros
- Quick and easy setup: Just plug it into your TV with the included High Speed HDMI Cable and connect to the internet to get started
- Tons of power, tons of fun: Compact and power-packed, you’ll stream your favorites with ease; from movies and series on Apple TV, Prime Video, Netflix, The Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime and Google Play to cable alternatives like Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation Vue, enjoy the most talked about TV across free and paid channels
- Low cost, no extra fees: For under $30, Roku Express streaming device includes a High Speed HDMI Cable—and there’s no monthly equipment fee; with access to free TV on hundreds of channels, there’s plenty to stream without spending extra
- Simple remote: Incredibly easy to use, this remote features shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels
Find free movies without installing every app
If your Home screen offers Free or Featured Free, browse there, select a title and follow the prompt. Roku may open the app that supplies it or ask you to install that app. Check the title’s viewing terms rather than assuming everything shown in search is free. See Roku’s guide to free movies and TV.
Browse live channels
Open The Roku Channel or the Live TV section, choose Live TV, then browse the guide by time or category. On compatible Roku TVs, antenna channels may appear alongside free streaming channels. Roku’s TV guide instructions explain the guide and antenna integration. Streaming channels are scheduled streams; their playback, restart and on-demand options depend on the service.
What free Roku apps can—and can’t—replace
Free apps can reduce reliance on cable for casual movies, classic shows, news clips, some live news, children’s programming and niche sports. They generally do not provide every local broadcast station, full major-league sports coverage, regional sports networks, premium cable channels, every current-season network episode or comprehensive DVR functionality.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor local ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS broadcasts, an HDTV antenna may be more dependable than a streaming app if your home gets reception. Roku TVs can combine antenna and streaming listings in the Live TV guide; a separate Roku streaming player does not itself receive over-the-air broadcasts. An antenna’s results vary with location, terrain, buildings and antenna placement. See Roku’s antenna-TV guidance.
Roku players add Roku software to a television; a Roku TV has the platform built in. Menus, antenna integration and app availability can vary by model, software, account country and service rights. The Roku Channel is also available on some non-Roku devices and platforms; see Roku Support for supported options.
Good free setups by household
- General viewing: The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi and Xumo Play.
- Movies: Tubi for broad on-demand browsing; add FilmRise, Fawesome or Plex for more catalogs and different niches.
- Local news: Try NewsON for participating stations, add national news apps, and consider an antenna for local broadcasts if reception is suitable.
- Young children: Start with PBS Kids; preview Solvren Kids and use device-level parental settings.
- Sports on a $0 budget: Check FIFA+, beIN SPORTS XTRA, Sports Illustrated, ACC Digital Network and free sports channels in The Roku Channel for the specific event or highlights you want.
There is no need to install all 21. Choose a few that fit your viewing habits, then recheck the Roku Store or service schedule when an app disappears or a title moves. Free streaming is usually ad-supported, and privacy, account and advertising practices differ by provider; consult each service’s policy rather than assuming they are alike.
If an app is missing or won’t play
- Confirm the Roku is online, then search the exact official app name in the Channel Store.
- Check that the app is offered in your account’s country; not every service is available in every region.
- Restart the Roku and install any available software update.
- If viewing stops at a sign-in screen, determine whether it requests a free app account or TV-provider authentication; those are different requirements.
- Check whether the app has been renamed, merged or removed. The official Channel Store is the right place to confirm current availability.
A US-focused list cannot guarantee that every app, live channel or title is available to viewers abroad. Licensing, local station participation, device support and Roku account region all matter. Avoid unofficial channel installers or instructions to bypass regional rights restrictions.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
