One of the gifts I received for Christmas was a Roku. Some of you may be thinking “what the heck is Roku?” A Roku is a digital media player that allows you to access internet streamed video services through your television. It’s essentially a box you hook up to your TV that has ‘channels’ you can subscribe to.
Roku has quite a few free channels as well as channels you need to pay for such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, and more. Roku syncs all these channels and makes it easy to browse content from each channel.
Is Roku a Good Cable Alternative?
Roku is not a subscription service, but a one-time purchase that serves as a way to access content, or ‘channels’ from various media outlets. It gives you access to multiple subscription services and acts as a one-stop shop for those services, or channels as Roku likes to refer to them.
Unfortunately I think people initially misinterpret Roku as a way to access free content that is on par with cable. It’s simply not true. With that being said, even if you do subscribe to the paid channels Roku is far cheaper than cable. If you realize you will not have as many channels with the Roku and are okay with it, Roku has the potential to save you money.
Here are a few of the things I do not like about Roku:
- Free Channels – The free channels that are offered through Roku are pretty pathetic. There is very little content available that is free. There are some channels such as History & A&E that seem like they have potential…until you realize that to access content you need a cable subscription from a participating cable provider. What a joke! Zero benefit, and even less for me because my cable provider is not a participating provider.
When I was first reviewing the Roku I added a bunch of free channels from the channel store. As I went through each free channel one-by-one, I found that the content that media companies were making available on Roku was limited and in some instances outdated. I deleted almost all of the free channels from ‘My Channels.’ The only one I really use now is Crackle, which has free movies and TV shows. Problem is the selection is thin and they play ads every ten minutes or so.
- Sports – If you like sports you won’t find it on Roku. While there are some sports channels, comparing them to what cable offers simply is not an apples to apples comparison. The Roku sports channels primarily only offer highlights, not live coverage of games. If you watch a lot of sports on cable the Roku is not a good alternative to your cable subscription.
There are two exceptions: Roku does offer MLB TV and NHL GameCenter (both requiring paid subscription). You can watch every MLB and NHL game if you fork over the cash. Unfortunately for fans like me who primarily like to watch football and basketball, you won’t find much benefit on Roku at this time.
- Lack of favorite shows/channels – There are quite a few shows that I like to watch that are not offered on any channels on Roku. For example, I really like to watch shows from HGTV such as House Hunters, Property Brothers, etc. The only way I’m going to be able to watch those shows is through a cable subscription.
What are the benefits of Roku?
If you are going to make the most of what Roku has to offer you are going to have to pay monthly subscription fees. As I said already, content on the free channels is very limited.
Three things I recommend subscribing to are:
- Netflix ($7.99/month) – Netflix is best-known for it’s DVD rental service through the mail for a flat monthly rate. They’ve stepped into the 21st century, though, and now have a fairly large selection of movies and TV shows available for streaming online.
One thing I liked about their TV show selection is that for many shows, such as Mad Men, they have all the previous seasons available. Netflix offers a 1-month free trial.
One negative about Netflix – While they do offer many previous seasons, they seriously lack newer episodes of TV shows. For example, Mad Men Season 6 is already on DVD but is not available on Netflix. They have Parks and Rec but not the most recent episodes. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but provides little value when you can get these older seasons for free at the library.
- Hulu Plus ($7.99/month) – I primarily watch TV shows instead of movies, so one thing I really like about Hulu Plus is that they have many of the shows I like to watch: Community, Modern Family, Parenthood, Parks and Recreation, Family Guy, and more. I also like how they have many current and new TV shows available. For many shows they have the most recent season or episodes available, which is definitely a plus because one of the biggest benefits of cable is being able to DVR new episodes. Hulu Plus offers a 1-week free trial.
Two negatives about Hulu Plus – The user interface loads slow and they have commercials.
- Amazon Prime ($99/year) – I initially subscribed to Amazon Prime because of their free 2-day shipping. Having access to their 40,000+ movies and TV episodes was an added bonus. They also have started to create their own original TV shows. I checked out one of the shows, Betas, about a start-up company in San Francisco and ended up watching the entire season in a few days. Amazon Prime offers a 1-month free trial.
One negative about Amazon Prime – If you are just looking for content included in Prime, you will have to deal with seeing tons of DVDs and TV shows in their user interface that you have to pay for.
You do not need a Roku to access content from these three services, but it makes it easier to access content directly on your TV. If you want to make the most out of your Roku, I would recommend purchasing Netflix, Hulu Plus, or Amazon Prime.
The Verdict: While I do not think the Roku is a replacement for cable, I do think it can be a beneficial tool, especially when combined with a Netflix, Amazon Prime, and/or Hulu Plus subscription.
Check out some of our favorite personal finance resources:
Are you getting the best credit card rewards? Check out the top cash back credit card offers (updated daily)
Make extra money: 15 ways to make money from your computer
Get the First Chapter Free!
Join our online community and get the first chapter of the book Student Loan Solution absolutely FREE!
I wonder if you need a Roku if you have a newer TV that connects to WiFi. We can access Amazon Prime and Netflix (well, we don’t subscribe but we had a 30 day trial for a while) through our TV, so I’m guessing that means we wouldn’t need a Roku?
colormefrugalIt depends on your preferences, I suppose. I think most smart TVs do have the apps built into them so you don’t need a Roku. At the same time, they may lack some of the channels that are available on Roku. I guess you’d have to test them out individually to decide.
My husband and I use the PS3 to stream everything a Roku would. It is fine, but sometimes we run a little light on shows to watch and god forbid the internet go down. One thing I think you didn’t mention was the price of the internet needs to be factored in. For example, if internet + netflix etc… is only marginally less expensive than cable there really isn’t much of a point to not having cable.
Mrs Snarkfinance Ah yes, Playstation and Xbox would work for streaming as well, but if you don’t play games hopefully no one buys one just to stream! Having internet + netflix and hulu plus, for example, would still be cheaper than cable, but I definitely think that the value of the Roku and streaming channels is placed too highly by people. It really can’t replace cable or even compete with all the content available on cable.
Thanks for the information, DC. I’ve started hearing more and more about Roku so this was helpful. Sounds like Roku doesn’t offer much content yet but maybe they will grow and add more. Like you, If they had some HGTV content, I would be much more interested.
BudgetforMoreHGTV is a killer for me, as well as sports. I watch a lot of college sports as well as NBA on cable, so it definitely is no comparison.
Good Review DC. We have two Roku boxes and we love them. It basically converts your TV into a Smart TV and we decided to buy it rather than pay the higher price for a Smart TV. We use it a lot to listen to music via Pandora. My husband added some speakers to the system and it works great. We have a Smart TV as well in another room but we like the Roku interface better. BTW, I didn’t know Hulu Plus has commercials!
Raquel@Practical CentsI do actually have a smart TV but I don’t like the interface at all. The speakers are a great idea! I have a Spotify subscription so it would be smart to add some speakers to our setup and be able to listen to music easily.
Hulu Plus does have ads but I’m still liking it more and more than the other options. It has all the newest episodes/seasons of shows that are currently on TV, so it is pretty easy to catch up if you missed a few weeks/months.
Good breakdown DC! We would love to do something like this, but the lack of HBO and football would kill it for us. I had the misconception that a Roku would give you access to a number of different channels like cable would, so thanks for clearing that up. It sounds like it wouldn’t be much in terms of an upgrade from our Smart TV so probably wouldn’t be for us.
FrugalRulesThe Roku DOES have channels, but there’s nothing on them! It was really a let-down when I was testing it out. What it does have is potential for more free channels/content if the right content provider get on board. The lack of college football, basketball, and some other cable channels I like makes it a lot less valuable to me.
I’ve read posts from several bloggers who dumped cable in favor of other solutions – including some that use Roku. The problem for me is that each of the people that “successfully” dumped cable had to piece together their solution using several platforms. it seemed complicated, and difficult to manage. Maybe I’m just willing to pay for the convenience of cable and having all my choices through one interface…but I’m keeping my cable, and I give it a big ol’ hug each and every day. LOL.
DebtChroniclesRoku is more of a window into each program/offering, and it does work to an extent. What I dislike though is the lack of college football and some of the channels I watch on cable. I think it has some value, but definitely no replacement for cable.
I was thinking about Roku or Boxee, but then realized what you said. I already have an Xbox 360 that gives me access to my Netflix and Amazon subscriptions. I don’t want to pay any more, so I will just stick with what I got.
DebtRoundUpThat’s probably the best choice for you. Roku is just an aggregator and while I do like the user interface they’ve created, I think Roku has quite a ways to go before it can be deemed a viable replacement for cable.
Insightful post! I had no clue what this was when I read the title but your information has now made it clear. It sounds like a nice alternative to having only internet subscriptions on your laptop or having full blown cable – it’s a decent middle of the road option!
decisivedollarDefinitely. It has it’s value and it’s place. If I was trying to cut everything out of my budget I possibly could, I would probably forgo cable for Roku and a couple subscriptions. With that being said, it’s no 1:1 comparison to cable. There’s a reason cable costs what it does!
I haven’t used a Roku but I have heard they are very handy. We got a great deal on a TV that already had internet access so we didn’t need to get one. Plenty enough for me.
DebtandtheGirlI actually have internet access on my TV as well :0 I don’t like the user interface, though, and wanted to test out the Roku to write this post : )
Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems like I can get the same sort of functionality out of my computer, connected to my tv (wirelessly or wired). Is there any additional functionality Roku gives? (Honest question….just not familiar whether this is worth the investment.)
DonebyFortyRoku has free channels with content, but like I said they are currently pretty lacking. I like the user interface they have, but yes you could stream all of it through your laptop. I personally use my laptop while watching TV so it wouldn’t work for me.
When my sister was no longer able to watch TV through her internet cable provider (without paying an arm and a leg), I suggested that she buy a Roku. Sure, she could have gotten an antenna, but she is someone who is busy and get watch her shows at a set time. So she subscribes to Aereo (which has the ability to record TV shows) and watch it at her own leisure. She needs the Roku to watch TV programs via Aereo. I might be looking into it in the future. You can’t watch Youtube on Roku right? My sister was wondering about that…and it didn’t seem like it was compatible.
Andrew LivingRichCheaply Good question, I did not see Youtube as an option on Roku. Google must be asking for more money than Roku is willing to pay to have that as an option ;) I guess for that you’d have to use a good old laptop.
If you have a recent-model laptop, it probably has a HDMI port. If so, just go to Radio Shack, but a $5 HDMI cable, and plug your laptop into your TV. Voila! Streaming internet over your TV. This is how my hubbie and I watch Netflix, Google Play movies, and other internet movies on our tv. Super cheap and it works great. The only inconvenience is that you have to control it with the laptop, not the remote.
alicesibley919Definitely a viable solution! My counter-argument? Rarely, if ever, am I NOT using my laptop while I’m watching TV. I always have it on while I’m working on the blog and other things, so this wouldn’t work for me unless I had an extra laptop.
Thanks for the review David! Do you know if this is similar/different/better than Apple tv? One of my goals this year is to remove cable from the budget and someone told me to get Apple tv as part of that strategy.
blonde_financeI have not tried out Apple TV, but I would assume it would be comparable to Roku. Best of luck finding a viable solution to replacing cable! Be sure to blog about it.
I think I was at Target staring at the Roku box asking the same questions you just answered. Unfortunately I think most of the things I would get out of this would be available through my blu-ray player. I can’t wait until cable just streams live over the Internet and you don’t really need a subscription anymore.
MyMoneyDesignI think that Roku is definitely a step towards what we will see more so in the future with various subscription options and the ability to pick and choose what content you want to stream. It’s crazy that it’s all through WiFi, too.
Thanks for the review, DC. I see so many people talking bout Roku but I wasn’t 100% sure how it worked. We still have cable and while I can’t say that I love the cost, we don’t plan on cutting cable at this time. Like you, my husband likes to watch sports and overall as a family we watch enough TV to keep it. I might feel differently if we rarely watched TV or needed to cut back.
ShannonRyan I hear you, Shannon. My wife and I both watch a lot of TV and it’s what we do for fun at the end of the day, so I don’t see us getting rid of cable anytime soon. With that being said, there certainly are other options out there that are going to give cable a run for it’s money…eventually.
Great review! TV really isn’t a priority for me; I think I would be okay with a Hulu+ subscription as I miss half the shows we watch as it is! Watching TV is more of an afterthought for us at the end of the day to just unwind. I don’t think a cable bill is worth it, but it would be handy to have at least one subscription.
JourneytoSavingI like college football and some other sports that really aren’t available except on cable. I wish there were subscriptions for each sport/league where you could pick and choose. Maybe one day?
So cool! I had no idea stuff like this existed.
I’ve heard of these but really didn’t know their purpose, so thanks for the review. Seems like I am able to do many of these things already without the benefit of this player. We stream Netflix, A. Prime and MLB through our PS3.
Brian @ Luke1428Nice, PS3 works well. I was confused about the Roku until recently hence why I was excited to test it out.
Hmm.. I’ve actually never heard of a Roku and the needing cable to watch some channels seems like it renders the device somewhat useless..
Suburban FinanceI think it has potential, but that’s just it: potential implies future value, not current.
I love our Roku, but you could do the same thing with a number of devices that you may already have. I also believe you can watch HGTV and Property Brothers on the HGTV website, although I haven’t looked in a while. Also, I think the History channel on Roku has some actual shows. It seems Jim was watching that one where they flip cars, but I could be mistaken about the channel. Since we cancelled out Dish TV, I have not missed much at all. We have Netflix, Amazon Prime, and an antenna which gets all the network channels, so we see any sports that aren’t on ESPN. However, I would have never cancelled the satellite when we were without a kid. That was part of our entertainment and we watched lots of stuff. With a small child, you just don’t have that time or you want don’t want to spend as much free time watching TV.
Eyesonthedollar I checked last night and found that you can watch House Hunters on Amazon Prime! The most recent seasons you’d have to pay per episode, but there were like 55 seasons that were on Prime.
EyesonthedollarWoohoo! Good to know! Now I’m curious about House Hunters International and Property Brothers…anyway thanks for checking. I agree, though, that if I had a kid I would have FAR less time to watch TV and follow sports.
I love Roku! I pay for netflix an my friend pays for hulu plus so…you do that math. :) BTW you can watch HH on Hulu online. I watch almost every day at lunch. You do not need hulu plus for that.
I picked up a Roku 2XD at Goodwill for $10, and it was seriously one of the best finds. We have Netflix and Hulu Plus, and it’s awesome for watching those. But you’re right, the free channels are junk. Like you, I got super excited about them, but the only channels I actually have now are the two I just mentioned, and video poker. Definitely worth it if you don’t mind having limited TV. Don’t know if I would have paid $80 for it though. That’s the only thing I can say that is slightly negative.
Hmmm.. seems simpler and cheaper to use an HDMI and stream the Netflix, Hulu, etc through the computer.
brokeandbeauBut then how do you blog while watching TV?!? : )
Well I use a HDMI, Have a Roku and out of interest bought the ChromeCast. I also stream from Plex and MediaFire. The Roku LT is only 39.99 on amazon right now and it works great and makes it much easier. Alot of older TV and Computers just dont have a HDMI. But none can replace the cable where I live because we have to have at least a plan above the basic in order to have internet, so unless you can stream off your phone service, you will have to have cable. Some phones also charge for MB used as well as cable companies, lol – it all depends on what you have and what you need! I love the Roku and think it is the best bet honestly and Netflix is well worth the money if you love movies, plus childrens are great. Amazon is pushing up second for me though I use Amazon alot for buying it makes it worth paying their fees for yearly movies as well to get free shipping. ChromeCast right now is lacking in apps. I am not thrilled with Chromecast but wait and see what they do.
I forgot to mention many BluRay Players now have Streaming, check around because they all offer something different and some as low as 69.00 – I dont have one of these yet…lol
The sports piece is the only thing holding me back from Roku at this point. For now I’ll stick to calling and negotiating the heck out of my Dish bill every few months.
I definitely had no idea what a Roku was. I read the whole post and said to Eric, “honey have you heard of this thing called ‘Roku’?” He was shocked I didn’t know what it was. Apparently I live under a rock lol. bf says is already streaming TV wirelessly to our bedroom somehow with our regular cable provider and I didn’t even know it. Can you tell how tech savvy I am-wink
I have always wanted to get a Roku but I could not see the value for it since I have a long hidden HDMI cable running from my computer to the TV….oldschool way. I might get one someday though.With that said I still have my cable because of sports.
So I have to have a cable subscription can I sign up for the cheapest monthly or isnt as simple as that?
uspattys for Roku you just buy the Roku and there is no fees after that unless you want netflix or something, they have tons of free channels like Crackle, if you search the internet there are sites which give you all the codes available, just put in your search Roku Codes and there are tons more channels not listed. You must have internet access. Amazon sells Roku or you can buy them from their store and find discounts on the internet
MaryMWithrow uspattys What Mary said!
hahahaha of course roku replace cable all.you need to.do ia download the pay channel called pix. pix give you live tv, 1000 of brand new movies and show is like 23 dollar a month the best hidden secret in roku
DC @ Young Adult Money Andrew LivingRichCheaply You can watch YouTube on Roku.
I’ve been using a Roku box as a replacement for cable for about 2.5 years. It is absolutely a viable alternative! Last year, I did buy a Mohu leaf antenna so I can watch live TV – I got it to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and I have used it exactly three times (two parades and the news one day). There are actually a LOT of free channels on Roku! Looking at my channel list now, I have:
Pandora
YouTube
NBC News
Spotify
Smithsonian Channel
Lifetime
PBS
Roku Media Player (plays audio, video, and photos from my home network)
NBC
Home Channel
I do subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime. I already had Amazon for the free shipping. We only watch a couple of things on Hulu, but it’s inexpensive enough that I like having the option. We almost always turn to Netflix. I work from home, and watch a LOT of TV, and I think it would be years before I ran out of stuff to watch! I do occasionally pay for a movie or TV show from Amazon (my husband and daughter wanted the new season of Doctor Who, and my daughter and I picked a Halloween movie that wasn’t free). I can justify that, though, because we pay so little overall!
I bought a Roku stick for a second TV in my house, too. A smart TV would do the same thing, but it’s a lot more expensive (and I’ve heard mixed things about the interface). I could connect my computer to the TV, but I use my computer for other things… purchasing an additional computer to connect to the TV would be expensive. I know the PS3 (and probably others) allow access to streaming services, but again, that is a much more expensive solution.
Overall, I think there have only been THREE things that I wanted to watch that I couldn’t get on the Roku. The Macy’s parade was one, but that’s free on broadcast TV. Dr. Who was another, and it’s available for purchase on Amazon. Downton Abbey was the third, and I don’t remember what I did but I know I saw it!
The information about Roku was very helpful, Thank you.