Roku itself does not charge a monthly fee to use the device or access its main features
You can buy a Roku device, plug it in, and watch free channels without paying Roku anything monthly. The device connects to your TV and lets you stream content from apps like Pluto TV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel — all without a subscription to Roku itself.
However, the apps and services you watch through Roku may have their own monthly charges. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max all cost money per month, but those payments go to those companies, not to Roku. Roku is the platform that lets you access them, similar to how your TV remote doesn't charge you to watch cable — the cable company does.
The one exception is The Roku Channel, which is Roku's own streaming service. It offers free content with ads, but also has a paid tier called The Roku Channel+ that costs money if you want ad-free viewing and access to premium content.
Key Takeaways
- Roku devices have no monthly fee — you pay once to buy the hardware and then use it free.
- Free channels like Pluto TV, Tubi, and the basic Roku Channel require no subscription to Roku or the channel itself.
- Streaming services you access through Roku (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu) charge their own monthly fees directly to you, not through Roku.
- The Roku Channel+ is Roku's paid tier, but the basic Roku Channel is free with ads.
What happens if you stop using your Roku device
If you own a Roku device and simply stop using it, nothing happens to your account. There is no monthly charge waiting for you, no automatic renewal, and no fee for letting it sit unused. You can turn it off and leave it off indefinitely without owing Roku money.
If you had subscriptions to services like Netflix or Hulu that you accessed through Roku, those subscriptions continue on their own schedule — but again, those charges come from Netflix and Hulu, not from Roku. Stopping use of your Roku device does not cancel those subscriptions automatically.
Paid subscriptions you might add through Roku
Some streaming services let you start a subscription directly through your Roku device. When you do this, the monthly charge appears on your Roku bill or your payment method on file with Roku. Common examples include The Roku Channel+, Paramount+, and Apple TV+.
When you add a subscription this way, you are responsible for canceling it if you no longer want it. Roku does not automatically cancel subscriptions when you stop using your device. You will need to go into your Roku account settings, find the subscription, and remove it yourself — or contact the service directly to cancel.
The advantage of subscribing through Roku is convenience: one bill, one login. The disadvantage is that you have to remember to cancel it yourself, and the process varies depending on which service you subscribed to.
How to check what you are paying for on Roku
Log into your Roku account on the Roku website or through your device settings. Look for a section called "Subscriptions" or "Manage Subscriptions" — the exact name depends on which Roku model you own and when it was made.
This page shows every subscription you have added through Roku, the monthly cost of each one, and the date it renews. If you see a charge you do not recognize, this is where you will find it. You can cancel any subscription from this same page by selecting it and choosing "Cancel Subscription."
If you subscribed to a service outside of Roku — for example, you signed up for Netflix directly on Netflix's website — it will not appear in your Roku subscriptions list. You would need to log into that service's website or app to cancel it.
Roku devices with ads and premium tiers
Roku's home screen and menus display ads, but this is not a paid feature — it is how Roku makes money on free devices. You cannot pay to remove these ads. Some newer Roku models offer a "Premium" tier that removes ads from the home screen and gives you faster performance, but this is optional and separate from the device itself.
If Roku ever introduces a paid home screen tier, you would see it clearly in your account settings as an optional purchase. As of now, the standard Roku experience is free, and ads are part of that experience.
What to do before canceling a Roku subscription
Before you cancel a subscription through Roku, check whether you want to cancel the service entirely or just stop paying through Roku. Some services let you move your subscription to a different payment method — for example, switching from paying through Roku to paying directly through the service's website.
If you cancel through Roku, your access to that service stops immediately. You cannot pause a subscription and come back to it later through Roku — cancellation is final. If you think you might want to use the service again, consider whether it makes sense to keep paying for a month or two rather than canceling and having to re-subscribe later.
Write down the cancellation date and check your next billing statement to confirm the charge is gone. Sometimes subscriptions take a billing cycle to fully process the cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay Roku to use my device?
No. Roku devices have no monthly fee. You buy the device once and use it free forever. The apps and services you access through Roku may charge their own fees, but those go to the app or service, not to Roku.
What if I see a charge from Roku on my credit card?
You likely subscribed to a paid service through Roku, such as The Roku Channel+, Paramount+, or another streaming app. Check your Roku account subscriptions page to see what is active. You can cancel any subscription from that page, and the charge will stop after the current billing period ends.
Can I use Roku without paying for anything?
Yes. You can watch free channels like Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel (with ads), and others without paying Roku or those channels anything. You only pay if you choose to subscribe to premium services like Netflix or Disney+.
If I cancel my Roku subscription, do I lose my device?
You cannot cancel "your Roku subscription" because there is no Roku subscription. If you cancel a service like The Roku Channel+ or Paramount+, you lose access to that service, but your Roku device still works and you can still use free channels. The device itself is yours to keep.
How do I stop all charges from Roku?
Go to your Roku account subscriptions page and cancel any paid services you see listed. After that, Roku will not charge you anything. Free channels will continue to work. If you see a charge after canceling everything, contact Roku support with your billing statement.