Roku Channel Store. the place to install channels, apps, and games for your Roku streaming device. There are more than 5,000 titles available on the Roku Channel Store. We picked the best and must-have apps for Roku. Being one of the best streaming devices, you need to install apps and channels in addition to the pre-installed apps to get the maximum potential from your Roku. What is the use of buying the streaming device without the best streaming apps, check the apps below, and install the ones that you need.
The apps and channels mentioned here are based on common preferences. Individual preferences may vary. Like you may have a Netflix subscription on your smartphone, so Netflix on Roku is a must-have one for you. If you don’t have Amazon Prime subscription, there is no need to install the app on Roku. Based on your preference, pick the apps.
Best Roku Channels
Below are the best Roku channels and apps which you might give a try:
- The Roku Channel
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Apple TV
- Disney Plus
- Hotstar
- Hulu
- ESPN+
- Google Play Movies & TV
- HBO Now
- BBC iPlayer
- Crunchyroll
- Pluto TV
- YouTube
- Red Bull TV
- Tubi TV
- TED
- Spotify
- Pandora
- Plex
- Twitch
- PBS Kids
- Newsy
- TWiT TV
- Beachbody On Demand
- World Street Food
The Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is one of the must-have channels on Roku streaming devices. It is specially made for Roku streaming devices and developed by Roku itself. You can install the app for free. In the app, you will get the latest movies, TV shows, 24/7 live news, and other on-demand contents. The live news is limited to the US and Canada only. In the app, you can also add streaming subscriptions from platforms like HBO, CINEMAX, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and EPIX.
Netflix
Netflix is the best streaming app and most used around the world. The movies and TV shows available on Netflix are huge, you will always have something new to watch. Apart from its original shows, it also has some evergreen movies from Hollywood and other languages. For other language titles, you can add subtitles in the native language and in English. The subscription starts at $8.99 per month. Netflix is one of the best channels for Roku streaming devices.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime Video, developed by the e-commerce giant, Amazon. The best thing about Amazon Prime Video is that it doesn’t have an independent subscription plan. With the Amazon Prime subscription, you will get access to Amazon Prime Video in addition to Amazon Prime privileges on the e-commerce site. Like, Amazon Prime Video is also available in many countries. The subscription starts at $8.99 per month, the same as Netflix. In Amazon Prime Video, you will find a lot of third-party titles rather than its original titles.
Apple TV
Apple TV is one of the new subscription-based streaming platforms. The best thing about Apple TV is that you will get a one-year free subscription if you buy any Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The subscription starts at $4.99 per month. Sometimes, it is also called the Apple TV+. In the Apple TV, you will see a lot of the latest movies, TV shows, and Apple Originals. Like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV has more third-party titles. It is one of the best Roku channels.
Disney Plus
Disney Plus is also the new streaming platform like Apple TV, launched in November 2019. The contents in the Disney Plus are from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The app has a lot of animation movies that are made for kids. The subscription starts from $6.99 per month and it is one of the cheapest streaming platforms. The platform is available in 19 countries including the USA and UK.
Hotstar
Hotstar is one of the best apps for Roku, but it is available only in four countries, USA, UK, India, and Sri Lanka. It is the best platform to get live matches from any sports event. The subscription starts at $9.99 per month. In the app, you will get the latest movies and TV shows, in addition to the Original titles. When compared to other streaming platforms, Hotstar has a minimal number of movies and TV shows, but the access to live sports is the standout thing in Hotstar.
Hulu
Hulu is an all-round streaming app. It has separate plans for movies and TV shows, movies and TV shows with no ads, live tv with movies and TV shows, live TV with movies and TV shows with no ads. You can pick the one that suits your budget and needs. The subscription starts at $5.99 per month. Considering the starting subscription price, Hulu is the cheapest streaming platform that you can get for your Roku. But there are some limitations on Hulu with older Roku models, you can access only the basic plan.
ESPN+
If you want a perfect sports streaming app on your Roku, ESPN is the best app for you. With the app, you will get all the live sports events that are happening around the world. In addition to that, it also has Original shows that are related to sports and sports person biographies. The platform is only available in the United States. You can’t access the platform outside the USA. The subscription starts at $4.99 per month. By considering other streaming platforms, ESPN+ is the cheapest but with limited movies and TV shows.
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Play Movies & TV is the perfect place to watch standalone movies and TV shows. In the app, you can buy or rent the movie that you need to watch. It works great for those people who wish you to watch selected movies and TV shows. There is no monthly or yearly subscription, all you need to do is to buy or rent the movie and watch it. The best thing about Google Play Movies & TV is that you can buy the title on your Android smartphone and watch them on your Roku if both device are using the same Google account, cross-platform support is the standout thing.
HBO NOW
HBO is one of the oldest TV providers in the USA. With the HBO NOW app, you can get access to all the HBO movies and TV shows on your Roku. The subscription starts at $14.99 per month. Their new streaming platform, HBO MAX is yet to be released for Roku devices. You can also use HBO GO, it is a TV anywhere app. You can use your TV provider credentials to access the HBO GO app without any additional subscription. Like Netflix, HBO NOW has an ocean of titles to watch.
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is one of the best channels for the Roku streaming device. In the app, you will get access to movies, TV shows, documentaries, live & on-demand contents, and more. If you want, you can also download titles to view them in offline mode. BBC iPlayer has a yearly subscription of £ 147. Like Netflix, you can find a lot of movies and TV shows on the BBC iPlayer. It has titles in different genres like Drama, Comedy, Documentaries, Entertainment, Family Favorites, and more.
Crunchyroll
If you are a fan of anime TV shows, Crunchyroll is the best app for your Roku. The platform is available in eight languages including English and Spanish. Crunchyroll is one of the best anime sources in the world. In the platform, you can find most of the anime shows that ever produced. In addition to that, Crunchyroll also has Drama series from Korean and other languages. You can use the platform for free with ads. To get ad-free streaming, the subscription cost is $7.99 per month with a 14-day free trial.
Pluto TV
Need a free app to watch movies and TV shows, Pluto TV is the best choice for you. In the app, you can watch thousands of movies and TV shows for free without any subscription or any registration. In addition to movies and TV shows, Pluto TV also has 250+ channels to watch on-demand videos. Pluto TV has one limitation, it is available only in the USA, Europe, Puerto Rico, and Latin America. It is one of the fewest of the streaming platforms that are available for free.
YouTube
This app doesn’t need any introduction. YouTube is one of the most used video-sharing platforms in the world. On YouTube, you can find videos and clips about everything you need. You can watch tutorial videos about software, learn a new skill, or even start your own YouTube channel and earn money. YouTube is not only the best app for Roku but also the best app for any smart device. It also has a live and on-demand streaming platform, YouTube TV, available only in the USA.
Red Bull TV
Are you a sports fan? If yes, then the Red Bull TV is the best sports app for your Roku. In the app, you will get access to live competitions, athlete’s interviews, behind the scene clips, and all the sports events happening around the world. Apart from that, you can also watch movies and TV shows that are related to sports and sportspersons. The best thing about the Red Bull TV is that you can get all these without any ads and any subscription. The app is completely available for free.
Tubi TV
Tubi TV is more similar to Pluto TV but has only movies and TV shows. It is one of the best channels for Roku to watch movies and TV shows for free. Like YouTube, Tubi TV is available in most of the countries. You can get titles from studios like Paramount, Lionsgate, MGM, STARZ, and more. Recently, on March 17, 2020, Fox Corporation acquired the platform for $440 million. You can find movies from genres like Action, Horror, Crime, Comedy, Documentary, and more.
TED
TED is one of the best video platforms to watch success stories from entrepreneurs and business peoples. A lot of famous and successful peoples like Bil Gates, Steve Jobs, Adam Driver, Simon Sinek, and more. It is one of the best Roku apps. The app is available for free. You can find TED talks from all topics like science, motivational, time management, startup ideas, and technology. The app has no geo-restriction and is available on most of the countries.
Spotify
If you need a perfect music app independent of your location, Spotify is the best app for you. Spotify is a Sweden based music streaming platform that is available in most of the countries. In the app, you can find music and songs from various languages like English, Spanish, and your regional language. Apart from music, it also has podcasts to listen to. In the app, you can create your own playlist with your favorite songs. The subscription starts $9.99 per month. The Spotify app for Roku is available on the Roku Channel Store which makes it easy to get it on your device.
Pandora
Pandora is similar to Spotify but available only in the USA. It is one of the oldest music streaming platforms, launched in January 2020. If you are a USA resident, you can choose the Pandora app instead of the Spotify app. In the app, you will get access to more than millions of songs, podcasts, and live radio. The subscription starts at $4.99 per month which is cheaper than Spotify. Pandora is one of the best channels for Roku.
Plex
Plex is a different kind of streaming platform. It has both a server-based and a media player-based app. In Roku, you can install the media player app. with the server app, you can add movies and TV shows into your Plex account. When you use the same Plex account on your Roku media player app, you will get access to all the contents on the server app. It is like managing your own streaming platform with only your favorite content. Apart from that, Plex also has free movies and TV shows to watch.
Twitch
Twitch, the perfect platform for gamers. It is like YouTube but with videos only on gaming. In the app, you will find gameplay videos about games like Fortnite, PUBG, Clash of Clans, and other popular games. Most of the game reviewers and pro gamers will update their gameplay and will discuss the game tactics. With that, as a newbie gamer, you can improve your gaming skills and plans. In Twitch, you can also live-stream your gameplay with ease. Twitch is available for free.
PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the best kids app for Roku. The contents available in the app are curated for kids like Sesame Street, SUPER WHY, and more. The app is only available in the USA and for free without any subscription. New videos and shows are added every week. If you have a kid in your home, PBS KIDS is the must-have app for you. The app won the Parent’s Choice Recommended Award Winner in 2017 and 2013.
Newsy
If you want to know what happening around you, Newsy is the best app for you. In the app, you will all the news around you and events around the world. The best thing about Newsy is that all the old news are stored in the archives, allowing you to know everything about the event. Apart from news, it also has documentary videos about the trending topics in the world. You can download the app for free.
TWiT TV
To all the tech geeks, TWiT (This Week in Tech) is specially made for you. It is a podcast network channel where you can find stories and reviews about all the new tech things. In the app, you can find tech-related shows like All About Android, Before you buy, Mac break Weekly, The Social Hour, Windows Weekly, and more. The app has won the People’s Choice Podcast Awards in Technology category in 2005, 2008, and 2010. It is one of the best apps for Roku.
Beachbody On Demand
Beachbody On Demand is a fitness app. In the app, you will get access to world-class workouts and diet plans for your health & fitness. You can pick workouts from over 1400 exercises from different categories like Strength, Cardio, Yoga, Core, and more. You can download the app for free but to access the workouts and nutrition plans, you need to pay the subscription. The subscription starts at $38.87 for three months. The app has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 in the Roku Channel Store.
World Street Food
Developed by AWG Media, it is one of the best channels for Roku. In the app, you can find food and recipes from all over the world. You can filter the food from cities, countries, and regions. All the ingredients and recipes that are needed will be mentioned, with that you can prepare your food in a healthy way. Country foods like Japanese cuisine, Indian cuisine, and other country’s native foods are available in the app. With World Street Food, you will learn to cook all the country’s native food with ease. The app is available for free.
These are the best channels for Roku. Install any of these apps that you need and explore new things on your Roku. The Roku Channel Store is constantly adding new apps and channels. Check the Just Added section on the Roku Channel Store to get news apps and channels. Share your favorite Roku app in the comments below.