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Media & Entertainment · head to head

Roku vs Apple TV+

Roku logo

Roku

Media & Entertainment

Streaming made simple

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple TV+ logo

Apple TV+

Media & Entertainment

Original stories from the most creative minds

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Roku has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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); Apple TV+ standalone subscription costs 12.99 USD per month after a 7 day free trial, with no lower priced tier
  • They diverge on capability: Roku covers Streaming aggregation, Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Roku and Apple TV+ differ
AttributeRokuApple TV+
Starting priceFree$9.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsRoku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, AndroidIos, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web
Founded20022019

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Media & 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 Roku

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

Only in Apple TV+

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

Both cover

  • Smart-tv support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Roku

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

Apple TV+

  • Original content streamingnot Roku
  • Family entertainmentnot Roku

Where each one falls short

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

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)

Apple TV+

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Roku

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

Apple TV+

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

Is Roku or Apple TV+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Roku starts at Free and Apple TV+ at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Roku or Apple TV+?
Roku has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Roku and $9.99/month for Apple TV+.
Does Roku or Apple TV+ run on more platforms?
Roku runs on Roku-devices, Smart-tv, Ios, Android. Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
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 Roku best used for?
Roku is most often used for tv streaming, content discovery, free entertainment. Of those, tv streaming and content discovery are not what Apple TV+ is typically brought in for.
What can Roku do that Apple TV+ cannot?
Roku covers Streaming aggregation, Free content, Voice search, Private listening. Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. Both handle Smart-tv support, Ios support.
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