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Apple TV+ vs The Roku Channel

Apple TV+ logo

Apple TV+

Entertainment

Original stories from the most creative minds

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Roku Channel logo

The Roku Channel

Entertainment

Free ad-supported streaming from Roku, with an optional paid live TV add-on layer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple TV+ bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch; The Roku Channel the free tier does not include major broadcast network live feeds or sports in most markets, so it does not replace a bundle like fuboTV or DirecTV Stream for live sports or local news.
  • They diverge on capability: Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, The Roku Channel covers Free ad-supported live channels.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple TV+ and The Roku Channel differ
AttributeApple TV+The Roku Channel
Pricing modelsubscriptionFree, ad-supported; individual paid channel add-ons
PlatformsIos, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, WebRoku, iOS, Android, Web, Fire TV, Apple TV
Founded2019Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

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 The Roku Channel

  • Free ad-supported live channels
  • On-demand library
  • Premium channel add-ons
  • Cross-platform app
  • No Roku hardware required
  • Unified billing

What people use each for

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

Apple TV+

  • Streaming exclusive TV shows and moviesnot The Roku Channel
  • Sports viewing (Friday Night Baseball, upcoming MLS and Formula 1 content)not The Roku Channel
  • Ad-free entertainmentnot The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel

  • A cord-cutter who wants free ad-supported background TV without any subscription commitmentnot Apple TV+
  • Someone who wants one or two specific premium channels like Starz without a full live TV bundlenot Apple TV+
  • A household that already has Netflix and Hulu and wants free supplementary live channels at no extra costnot Apple TV+
  • Someone testing whether they need a full live TV bundle before committing to fuboTV or DirecTV Streamnot Apple TV+

Where each one falls short

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

Apple TV+

  • Bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch
  • Only 3 months free with Apple TV 4K hardware purchase, not a standalone free option

The Roku Channel

  • The free tier does not include major broadcast network live feeds or sports in most markets, so it does not replace a bundle like fuboTV or DirecTV Stream for live sports or local news.
  • Assembling several premium add-ons individually can add up to a similar or higher monthly cost than a bundled live TV service, without the same single unified guide.
  • It depends on advertising to stay free, so the on-demand and live library carries ad breaks that paid competitors without ads do not have on certain content.
  • Channel and content availability shifts fairly often as licensing deals change, so a title or channel available one month may not be the next.
  • It is most tightly integrated with Roku hardware; the experience on other platforms, while functional, is a secondary product to Roku hardware itself.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple TV+

Free
  • Standard$12.99/month
    • 7-day free trial
    • Hundreds of exclusive shows and movies
    • New releases every week
  • Apple TV Plus with Peacock Bundle$14.99/month
    • Apple TV Plus (Premium tier)
    • Peacock Premium or Premium Plus
    • Save over 30% vs individual subscriptions

The Roku Channel

Free
  • The Roku ChannelFree
    • Free live linear channels
    • Free ad-supported on-demand library
    • No sports or major broadcast network feeds included
  • Premium add-ons$undefined/month
    • Individually priced channels such as Starz or Showtime
    • Sports and news bundles priced separately
    • Billed per add-on, not as one package

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple TV+ if

  • You need apple originals.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
  • You also want 4k hdr.
Apple TV+ review

Choose The Roku Channel if

  • You need free ad-supported live channels.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Roku, iOS, Android, Web, Fire TV, Apple TV.
  • You also want on-demand library.
The Roku Channel review

Questions people ask

Is Apple TV+ or The Roku Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple TV+ starts at Free and The Roku Channel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple TV+ or The Roku Channel?
Apple TV+ starts at Free and The Roku Channel at Free.
Does Apple TV+ or The Roku Channel run on more platforms?
Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web. The Roku Channel runs on Roku, iOS, Android, Web, Fire TV, Apple TV.
Can I use Apple TV+ for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apple TV+ best used for?
Apple TV+ is most often used for streaming exclusive tv shows and movies, sports viewing (friday night baseball, upcoming mls and formula 1 content), ad-free entertainment. Of those, streaming exclusive tv shows and movies and sports viewing (friday night baseball, upcoming mls and formula 1 content) are not what The Roku Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Apple TV+ do that The Roku Channel cannot?
Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. The Roku Channel covers Free ad-supported live channels, On-demand library, Premium channel add-ons, Cross-platform app.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple TV+: How much does Apple TV Plus cost?

Apple TV Plus costs $12.99 per month after a 7-day free trial. The bundle with Peacock starts at $14.99 per month for combined access, saving over 30% compared to individual subscriptions.

Source
The Roku Channel: Is The Roku Channel the same as owning a Roku device?

No, Roku the device platform is a separate product; The Roku Channel is the free content service that runs on it and elsewhere.

Apple TV+: Does Apple TV Plus offer a free trial?

Yes, Apple TV Plus includes a 7-day free trial before the $12.99 monthly subscription begins. The trial does not require a credit card. The bundle with Peacock offers no free trial or discounted introductory offers.

Source
The Roku Channel: Does it include sports?

Not in the free tier; sports are available only through separately priced add-on subscriptions.

Apple TV+: Can I share my Apple TV Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, Apple TV Plus lets you share your subscription with up to five family members for free through Apple's family sharing feature, allowing multiple household members to watch on different devices simultaneously.

Source
The Roku Channel: Do I need Roku hardware to use it?

No, the app is also available on iOS, Android, Fire TV and other platforms.

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