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Entertainment · head to head

The Roku Channel vs VLC

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
VLC logo

VLC

Entertainment

The free and open source media player

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; VLC vLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract
  • They diverge on capability: The Roku Channel covers Free ad-supported live channels, VLC covers Media playback.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which The Roku Channel and VLC actually diverge.

Attributes where The Roku Channel and VLC differ
AttributeThe Roku ChannelVLC
Pricing modelFree, ad-supported; individual paid channel add-onsfree
PlatformsRoku, iOS, Android, Web, Fire TV, Apple TVWindows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
FoundedUnknown1998

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 The Roku Channel

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

Only in VLC

  • Media playback
  • Codec support
  • Streaming
  • Conversion
  • Plugins
  • Network streaming
  • DVD playback
  • Open source

What people use each for

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

The Roku Channel

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

VLC

  • Media playbacknot The Roku Channel
  • Video conversionnot The Roku Channel

Where each one falls short

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

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.

VLC

  • VLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract

Pricing, plan by plan

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

VLC

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All codecs
    • No ads
    • Open source

Which should you pick?

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

Choose VLC if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want codec support.
VLC review

Questions people ask

Is The Roku Channel or VLC better?
Neither clearly leads. The Roku Channel starts at Free and VLC at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, The Roku Channel or VLC?
The Roku Channel starts at Free and VLC at Free.
Does The Roku Channel or VLC run on more platforms?
The Roku Channel runs on Roku, iOS, Android, Web, Fire TV, Apple TV. VLC runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use The Roku Channel for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is The Roku Channel best used for?
The Roku Channel is most often used for a cord-cutter who wants free ad-supported background tv without any subscription commitment, someone who wants one or two specific premium channels like starz without a full live tv bundle, a household that already has netflix and hulu and wants free supplementary live channels at no extra cost, someone testing whether they need a full live tv bundle before committing to fubotv or directv stream. Of those, a cord-cutter who wants free ad-supported background tv without any subscription commitment and someone who wants one or two specific premium channels like starz without a full live tv bundle are not what VLC is typically brought in for.
What can The Roku Channel do that VLC cannot?
The Roku Channel covers Free ad-supported live channels, On-demand library, Premium channel add-ons, Cross-platform app. VLC covers Media playback, Codec support, Streaming, Conversion.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

VLC: Is VLC media player free to use?

Yes. VLC is completely free and open source software with no subscription or licensing fees.

Source
The Roku Channel: Does it include sports?

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

VLC: Can VLC be used commercially?

Yes. VLC explicitly states there is no spyware, no ads, and no user tracking. As open-source software under permissive licenses, commercial use is permitted within each license's specific terms.

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.

VLC: Does VLC include all features across all platforms without additional purchase?

Yes. All playback features, codecs, cross-platform compatibility, and customization options are included with no additional purchases required for full functionality on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Source
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