How Much Does Roku Monthly Fee Cost? (Find Out Everything)

How Much Does Roku Monthly Fee Cost? If you’re thinking about purchasing a Roku, you’re probably a little confused about the pricing. You might be asking yourself the same questions, such as:

How much is Roku? Are the channels open?

Is it necessary for me to sign up for a subscription?

Is it possible to rent a movie on Roku?

This Roku pricing guide aims to provide comprehensive answers to all of your questions. Although Roku is one of the most affordable streaming devices available, there are additional costs to consider when calculating the total cost of using one.

For starters, the price of the device varies greatly, but the majority of the confusion revolves around the actual channel prices. To clear up any confusion, we’ll go over the prices of each Roku device. We’ll also go over the various prices for Roku channels, as well as any subscriptions you may choose.

DOES ROKU CHARGE A MONTHLY FEE?

No, Roku does not charge a monthly subscription fee or an installation fee. There is a one-time fee for your Roku device, which gives you access to a plethora of free content. If you choose to add premium content from apps like Netflix or Disney+, you may be charged a monthly fee.

In addition, Roku will NEVER charge you a “activation fee” or a “account creation fee.” In fact, if you receive an email, phone call, or notification requesting payment for one of these, do not! These are well-known con games.

After purchasing your Roku device, you can use it to access a library of free shows and movies. Then, through Roku’s app store, you can purchase subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Showtime.

WHAT IS ROKU CHANNEL?

The Roku Channel is the company’s in-house streaming service. Roku Channel, like Netflix or Hulu, is simply a library of TV and movie content. Although Roku Channel does offer premium subscriptions, the vast majority of the content in this app is completely free!

(However, as we all know, nothing is truly free; you will have to watch some advertisements, which I believe is a fair trade off.) The app provides access to thousands of free TV shows and movies, as well as over 150 live streaming TV channels (like ABC news).

As previously stated, there are optional premium subscriptions that grant access to streaming services such as Showtime and STARZ. However, before you purchase, check the Roku app to see if there are any free trial periods!

The good news is that if you decide to sign up for multiple premium services, you can manage and pay for all of them with a single bill. Please keep in mind that if you already have access to premium services, you will not be able to access them through the Roku Channel.

You’d have to sign up for them via Roku. Last but not least, you can watch the Roku Channel on your smartphone, laptop, or even your Amazon Firestick if you don’t have a Roku device. Simply search for Roku Channel in the app store of your choice.

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HOW MUCH DOES ROKU COST?

We’ll go over all of the current Roku devices, as well as their prices and features, in this section. From there, you can select a device that meets your requirements (our Roku buyer’s guide covers each device in greater detail).

• Roku Express (Price: $29.00) — This is the cheapest option, but it can only stream up to HD 1080p, not 4K. It includes a Simple remote. It’s great for first-time streamers, second TVs or if you’re on a budget.

• Roku Premiere (Price: $32.50.) — The Premiere may look a little different, but it’s basically the same as the Express except for one detail — it can stream in 4K. (Price: $32.50.)

• Roku Streaming Stick+ (Price: $34.99.) — This is Roku’s most portable device. It’s about the size of a flash drive and plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port. It also has a long-range wireless receiver and includes the Enhanced Voice remote.

• Roku Ultra LT (Price: $79.99.) — The Ultra LT is intended to be a permanent entertainment system. It includes extended wireless and it’s the cheapest Roku with an Ethernet port. You can insert a micro SD for expanded channel storage, and it comes with the Enhanced Voice remote. However, it doesn’t include an HDMI cable.

• Roku Ultra (Price: $69.00.) — This is the 2020 model, the Ultra 4800R. It is the fastest and most powerful option you can get. It includes the best wireless receiver and an Ethernet port. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity and can stream in Dolby Vision, on top of its 4K capability.

• Roku Smart Soundbar (Price: $339.57.) — The Smart Soundbar is a great option if you’re looking to improve your TV’s sound, as this is basically a powerful speaker that has a Roku player built in. It supports Dolby Audio, and has different sound modes and speech clarity options. It also supports Bluetooth and has a USB port for local playback. It comes with the Voice remote.

• Roku Streambar (Price: $99.99) — This is another 2020 model. It’s basically the same as the Smart Soundbar but cheaper and more compact. One main difference, though, is that it doesn’t have a dedicated Ethernet port, but you can use the USB port to connect an Ethernet adapter. Like the Smart Soundbar, you get the Voice remote.

• Roku TV — This is the most expensive way to bag yourself a Roku player, but it could prove worthy if you’re already looking to upgrade your TV. Having a TV with a Roku player built in gives you a unique smart TV experience. It comes with the Simple remote.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHANNELS ON ROKU?

Each and every channel on Roku offers something a bit different. Here are all the different Roku channel types.

• Free channels: These channels provide free access to shows, movies, news, music, and other content. We just discussed one example of a free channel, the Roku Channel, but there are many more. YouTube, Pluto TV, CBS News, and so on.

• Subscription channels: We touched on this briefly as well; you can pay more for access to services such as Netflix, Cinemax, STARZ, and so on. Remember that many of these services provide a 7-day free trial period, which you should absolutely take advantage of.

• Authenticated channels: Also known as “TV Everywhere” channels (covered a bit more below). Based on your existing cable or satellite subscription, these channels provide access to additional, free content.

• Rent/buy channels: As the name suggests, these channels allow you to rent or buy a TV show or movie for a one-time fee without having to sign up for another monthly subscription.

WHAT ARE THE PRICES FOR ROKU CHANNELS?

Roku channel pricing, as previously stated, varies. We’ll go over the fundamentals of the various types of channels and costs you may encounter, but for more in-depth information, see our dedicated piece on Roku channels.

To begin, while Roku refers to them as “Roku TV channels,” they are actually just apps. You can add apps for TV channels and streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video or Netflix on Roku, to your home screen, just like you can with many other devices, such as the Amazon Firestick (also read our Roku vs Firestick comparison).

There are also thousands of channels available (including local channels), which can be found in the Roku Channel Store. The Roku Channel is even its own channel. It includes a lot of ad-supported but free content, as well as some premium content that is optional.

Having both “Roku channels” and “The Roku Channel” is, however, part of the reason things became so perplexing in the first place. The latter is simply a different app.

There are other free channels available, such as network television channels such as FOX News and ABC. Furthermore, there are some free apps with a variety of content available, such as Pluto TV, which has free sports, news, and live TV channels (see our Roku Live TV Zone guide), as well as some on-demand movies and TV shows.

Alternative Video: Is There Any Monthly Fee For Roku?

HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY FOR ROKU CHANNELS?

After that, there’s the paid content, and that can come in the form of a one-off payment or a subscription. For example, you may wish to discontinue your cable or satellite service while still receiving the same channels.

You can do so by subscribing to a service like Hulu, which starts at $5.99 per month, or FuboTV or Sling TV (both of which cost $30 per month). If you prefer to watch movies and TV shows, you might prefer a Netflix or Apple TV subscription, and don’t forget about Disney fans, who might want to sign up for Disney+.

Subscriptions of this type can start as low as $4.99 per month. We have a comprehensive guide if you want to learn how much Disney Plus costs, as well as another if you want to learn how to get Disney Plus for free.

As you can see, after the initial device cost, you could pay nothing and watch some great television. When it comes to the cost of content, it all depends on what you want and, in some cases, what you already have.

Your usage cost is the sum of the costs of any TV channels and streaming platforms you wish to subscribe to. However, keep in mind that you may have subscribed to some of them prior to purchasing a Roku.

WHAT IS THE ROKU APP STORE?

Roku’s Roku streaming devices include their own app store, similar to Apple’s App Store or Google Play. This store allows you to install TV apps such as the Roku Channel app, Netflix, Amazon Prime, VUDU, and others.

Some of these apps require a monthly subscription fee, but many others have completely free content (such as the Roku Channel app, which we discussed above!).

In addition to TV shows and movies, the Roku app store offers a plethora of music streaming apps such as Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio. New apps are constantly being added to this store, so keep an eye on it. If you decide you no longer want to use an app after a while, simply uninstall it!

WHY IS ROKU CHARGING ME?

If you received a bill from Roku, it’s for one of two reasons:

1. You, or a family member, added a premium subscription (like Showtime or STARZ) through The Roku Channel app (this would be a recurring bill).
2. You rented our bought a TV show or movie through Roku (this would be a one-time charge).

Frequently, someone will click on a 7-day free trial of a premium subscription app and then forget to cancel it! After some time has passed, they receive a bill for which they have no explanation. And if you didn’t take advantage of the free premium trial, I’m willing to pose as someone in your home without your knowledge.

And if you didn’t sign up for the free premium trial, I’d be happy to pose as someone in your home without your knowledge.

HOW TO VIEW YOUR ROKU BILL?

Whether you knowingly, or unknowingly, bought a Roku Channel premium, rented a movie through Roku, or opted in to a subscription channel like STARZ or Netflix through Roku, you will get an invoice from Roku that you can check.

All invoices include a description, date of the invoice, invoice number, and total price.

To view your Roku purchase history:

1. Go to my.roku.com 
2. When prompted, sign in to your Roku account
3. Scroll down to the bottom and choose “View your purchase history“
   • Select Content or Products to see different invoice categories
   • Select Details for more information about an invoice

Remember that invoices billed directly by a service, such as STARZ or Netflix, will not appear in your Roku account purchase history. You will need to contact these businesses separately.

The only exception is if you signed up for those services via Roku Channel premium! In that case, those services will be included in your Roku bill.

HOW TO CANCEL A ROKU PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION?

Hopefully, you’ve figured out which Roku premium service is charging you each month. Here’s how to cancel your Roku subscription:

1. On your Roku remote, press the HOME button.
2. Hover your Roku remote over the premium app you want to cancel.
3. On your Roku remote, press the STAR button. This brings up the options menu.
4. When you click on MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION, the renewal date and other options will appear.
5. Select CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION, and you’ll be asked to confirm that you really want to cancel.
6. When prompted, choose CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION once more. Roku will notify you of the cancellation and your last day of access.
7. Click the DONE button.

If there are other subscriptions you want to cancel just repeat the steps above! Check your next credit card statement to make sure the Roku charges were removed.

HOW MUCH DOES ROKU COST IN TOTAL?

The total cost of using a Roku will vary depending on the user. This is due to the fact that you must first choose a device, and they all differ greatly in terms of price and features. Roku devices can range in price from $29 to several thousand dollars.

What you want ultimately determines how much you spend. Aside from the device itself, there are costs associated with specific channels and streaming services. Some channels and services are free, while others require you to subscribe or pay a one-time fee.

Even those that do cost money do not have a set price. It all depends on what you want. On top of that, there are on-demand channels, such as Redbox, that offer a pay-as-you-go option. The initial Redbox account is free; you can then rent or purchase movies as you please.

DO I NEED CABLE TO USE ROKU?

No, a cable or satellite subscription is not required to use Roku streaming devices. Actually, many people decide to purchase a Roku streaming device in order to cut ties with their cable company and save money.

However, if you have cable or satellite, you can still use Roku, and you even have access to some extra channels that non-cable owners do not have.

These are referred to as “TV Everywhere” channels. These channels simply provide additional content to cable subscribers based on the channels they already pay for. For example, if a user subscribes to HGTV through their current cable provider, they may receive additional HGTV content on their Roku device.

IS THERE A MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FEE FOR ROKU?

A Roku does not require a subscription. If anyone tries to sell you such a subscription or a “lifetime Netflix” deal, you’re dealing with a common Roku scam and should stop communicating right away. That’s all there is to it once you’ve paid for your device.

It is entirely up to you whether you add paid channels and subscriptions to your account. However, there are numerous free trials available.

If you already have a subscription, simply add the channel to your Roku home screen and log in. You can also add a credit card or another payment method to your account and manage your Roku subscriptions from there.

CONTACT ROKU SUPPORT

If you’re still having trouble figuring out where your Roku charges are coming from, you can reach out to Roku customer support. Roku also has a great Account, payments & subscriptions support page that can help answer a lot of questions regarding your bill.

CONCLUSION Roku Monthly Fee

Roku does not charge a monthly subscription fee or a fee to rent equipment. You won’t have to spend another dime once you’ve purchased a Roku streaming device.

You can get a ton of great free content by installing the Roku Channel app or similar free streaming apps within the Roku ecosystem (like VUDU). However, The Roku Channel app provides access to premium streaming services such as STARZ and Showtime.

There is a monthly subscription fee for these apps. Roku also allows you to rent or buy a variety of TV shows and movies. If you received a bill from Roku, it was most likely the result of one of these two actions.

FAQs About Roku TV Fee