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Apple TV+ vs Roku

Apple TV+ logo

Apple TV+

Software

Original stories from the most creative minds

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Roku logo

Roku

Software

Streaming made simple

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Roku has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple TV+ standalone subscription costs 12.99 USD per month after a 7 day free trial, with no lower priced tier; Roku roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)
  • They diverge on capability: Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, Roku covers Streaming aggregation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple TV+ and Roku actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple TV+ and Roku differ
AttributeApple TV+Roku
Starting price$9.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, WebRoku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android
Founded20192002

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple TV+

  • Apple Originals
  • 4K HDR
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Family sharing
  • Downloads
  • Apple devices
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles

Only in Roku

  • Streaming aggregation
  • Free content
  • Voice search
  • Private listening
  • All major streaming apps
  • Smart home
  • PIN protection
  • Parental controls

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Smart-tv support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple TV+

  • Original content streamingnot Roku
  • Family entertainmentnot Roku

Roku

  • TV streamingnot Apple TV+
  • Content discoverynot Apple TV+
  • Free entertainmentnot Apple TV+

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple TV+

  • Standalone subscription costs 12.99 USD per month after a 7 day free trial, with no lower priced tier

Roku

  • Roku takes a 20 percent cut of all revenue channel publishers receive through Roku Pay (purchases, subscriptions, ads), paying out the remaining 80 percent no later than 60 days after the end of the month the payment was received, with non-US partners restricted to PayPal or wire transfer (ACH/direct deposit is US-only) and bank fees applying to wire and ACH payouts (archived developer documentation, 2 May 2021)

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple TV+

$9.99/month
  • Apple TV+$9.99/month
    • All originals
    • 4K HDR
    • 6 family members

Roku

Free
  • FreeFree
    • The Roku Channel
    • Free content
    • Ad-supported

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple TV+ if

  • You need apple originals.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
  • You also want 4k hdr.
Apple TV+ review

Choose Roku if

  • You need streaming aggregation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
  • You also want free content.
Roku review

Questions people ask

Is Apple TV+ or Roku better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple TV+ starts at $9.99/month and Roku at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple TV+ or Roku?
Roku has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $9.99/month for Apple TV+ and Free for Roku.
Does Apple TV+ or Roku run on more platforms?
Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web. Roku runs on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android.
Can I use Roku for free?
Yes. Roku has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Apple TV+ starts at $9.99/month.
What is Apple TV+ best used for?
Apple TV+ is most often used for original content streaming, family entertainment. Of those, original content streaming and family entertainment are not what Roku is typically brought in for.
What can Apple TV+ do that Roku cannot?
Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. Roku covers Streaming aggregation, Free content, Voice search, Private listening. Both handle Ios support, Smart-tv support.
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