Roku Coupons & Promo Codes for May 2025

If you're looking to dive into the world of streaming shows, movies, and live TV without needing a tech degree, you've definitely come across Roku. It's become a household name, often celebrated as one of the most popular streaming platforms in the US, and for good reason. Whether it's one of their compact streaming players, a super portable stick that tucks neatly behind your TV, or a smart television with Roku's operating system built right in, these devices are designed to make connecting your TV to online entertainment simple and user-friendly for pretty much everyone.

What makes the Roku experience so widely loved is its straightforward approach. The interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, helping you quickly find and launch your favorite apps – or "channels" as Roku calls them. And speaking of channels, you'll find just about everything you could want, from the biggest names like Netflix, Disney Plus, Max, and Hulu, to thousands of other apps covering news, sports, music, niche interests, and even lots of free content. Plus, Roku's software is always improving through automatic updates, adding new features and channels to keep your streaming setup feeling fresh.

While getting a Roku device is your initial step into this streaming universe, the real ongoing cost often lies in the various streaming subscriptions you might choose to add on. That's where DealNews steps in! We're here to help you cut through the clutter, understand the pricing landscape, and most importantly, uncover the latest deals and smart strategies to save money on all the great streaming services available to watch on your Roku. Let's get started!

This Year's Roku Pricing

So, you know Roku can get you streaming. But what's the price of entry, and what will you actually pay? The good news is, Roku devices are known for being pretty budget-friendly to begin with, and once you own one, there's no monthly fee just for having the device or using the basic platform.

Roku's main costs boil down to the initial hardware purchase and then any subscriptions you choose to add for premium streaming services. Here's a peek at the different Roku player series you'll typically find, giving you a sense of the starting investment:

Beyond these players and sticks, remember that Roku also partners with various TV manufacturers to embed their software directly into smart TVs. These Roku TVs offer the full Roku experience without needing an extra device, and they come in a whole range of sizes and price points, from super affordable to higher-end models. The exact prices for all Roku hardware can bounce around a bit, especially when retailers trot out juicy deals during sale events, which is always a prime time to snag one for less than retail.

The Roku Channel

Every single Roku streaming player and Roku TV comes pre-loaded with Roku's very own streaming app, cleverly named The Roku Channel. Think of this as a built-in treasure chest of free entertainment, completely supported by ads (kind of like old-school TV, but way cooler). It’s constantly updated with a rotating selection of on-demand movies and TV show seasons from various studios.

But the real showstopper is its Live TV section, which features over 500 streaming channels covering everything from breaking news and weather to quirky lifestyle content, sports snippets, and even exclusive, award-winning Roku Originals like Weird: The Al Yankovic Story or Die Hart. All this goodness? Absolutely free to watch right out of the box.

Free Channels via Roku Channel Store

The free fun doesn't stop with The Roku Channel, either. Your Roku device grants you access to the Roku Channel Store, which is essentially a bustling app store for your TV. Here, you can browse and download thousands of additional apps (Roku's "channels") to your home screen. Many of these are completely free to install and watch, also relying on ads to keep the lights on.

You'll find major players in the free streaming space like Pluto TV (great for replicating that live channel surfing feel), Tubi (stacked with movies and TV), Freevee (Amazon's free service with originals), Crackle, the ever-present YouTube, plus tons of apps for news, music, and every niche interest under the sun. Just hit "Add Channel" and you're good to stream without spending a dime.

Roku Express

The Roku Express series serves as your friendly neighborhood entry point into the streaming world, perfect for anyone new to the game or looking for a simple, affordable way to add smart capabilities to a secondary TV. While the basic Roku Express model sticks to reliable 1080p HD, the Roku Express 4K Plus bumps things up to crisp 4K resolution and often includes a voice remote for easy searching. These are typically small boxes that sit near your TV, connecting via HDMI. They're widely available and consistently the most budget-conscious option in the lineup.

Roku Streaming Stick

If you prefer a cleaner setup or need something more portable, the Roku Streaming Stick series is likely your jam. These devices are designed to plug directly into your TV's HDMI port, hiding neatly out of sight – perfect for wall-mounted TVs or tossing in your bag for travel. Models in this line, like the popular Roku Streaming Stick 4K, deliver stunning 4K picture quality and often boast upgraded features like enhanced Wi-Fi for a smoother streaming experience. They usually come bundled with a voice remote that can also control your TV's power and volume, making them a fantastic mid-range choice.

Roku Ultra

For the ultimate streaming power user or home theater aficionado, there's the Roku Ultra. This is Roku's top-tier player, a more robust box that sits proudly in your entertainment center. It's built for speed with a zippier processor and loaded with features like support for cinematic Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio. It's also the go-to if you prefer a rock-solid wired connection, as it includes an Ethernet port alongside top-of-the-line Wi-Fi.

The Ultra typically comes with Roku's most advanced remote, often featuring a rechargeable battery, a headphone jack for private listening, and a handy lost remote finder. It's the premium experience for those who want it all.

Roku Streambar Series

Looking to kill two birds with one stone – improve your TV's sound and add powerful streaming capabilities? Enter the Roku Streambar series. These clever devices combine a soundbar with a built-in 4K Roku streaming player. It's a convenient way to upgrade the audio on an older or less-than-impressive TV while instantly turning it into a full-fledged smart TV with access to all your favorite apps. There are different models, including the compact Streambar SE, offering varying levels of audio performance, and you can often expand the system by adding Roku's wireless subwoofer or speakers later on.

Free Trials of Premium Streaming Services

Once you've explored the vast landscape of free content, your Roku device is also your easy access point to pretty much every major premium streaming service out there, from Netflix and Max to Paramount Plus and Apple TV. And the great news for deal seekers? Roku frequently teams up with these services to offer free trials! This means you can often test-drive a subscription – usually for 7 to 30 days – by signing up directly through The Roku Channel app or your Roku account. It’s a perfect, no-commitment way to binge that one show you've been curious about or see if a service's full library is worth adding to your monthly entertainment budget before you pay a cent.

Pricing in Previous Years

While the streaming services themselves are where you'll find the most frequent subscription deals, it's still helpful to know how Roku's hardware prices have stacked up over time. Understanding the historical pricing can give you a benchmark for what a "good deal" looks like when you see a Roku player or stick on sale. Roku devices are generally known for offering solid value, and they often see nice price drops, especially around big shopping events.

Take a look back at the typical pricing and some key moments for popular Roku players over the last few years:

As you can see from the table, the base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs) for Roku players have stayed remarkably competitive, only creeping up slightly in recent years while often adding new features. This consistent value is part of why Roku remains so popular.

However, the real takeaway for a DealNews reader is that these prices frequently dip below MSRP during major sales seasons. Think Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day – those are prime opportunities to snag a Streaming Stick 4K or even an Ultra at a significant discount. Keeping an eye on these periods, and of course, checking DealNews regularly, is key to getting the best price on the hardware itself.

What to Watch on Roku This Year

One of the real joys of using a Roku device is unlocking a universe of entertainment. Forget flipping through limited cable channels; with Roku, your TV becomes a portal to virtually everything that's streaming right now. Whether you're a movie buff, a TV show addict, a live sports fanatic, or someone just looking for something fun for the kids, the sheer amount of content available through the thousands of apps (or "channels") in the Roku Channel Store is truly impressive.

From the moment you plug in your Roku, you have instant access to The Roku Channel, a fantastic hub loaded with thousands of free, ad-supported movies, TV episodes, and a sprawling guide to over 500 live streaming channels. This includes news, weather, sports highlights, and even acclaimed Roku Originals you won't find anywhere else. Here's a tiny taste of what you'll find:

• ABC News Live: Get 24/7 live news coverage directly within The Roku Channel's live TV guide, keeping you up-to-date on national and world events.
• Paramount Movies: A dedicated channel often found in the live guide, offering a curated selection of films from the Paramount library, perfect for movie buffs.
• Crime Thrillers: Dive into a genre-specific stream constantly playing crime dramas, mysteries, and thrilling films and TV shows.
• Baywatch Channel: Yes, you read that right! You can often find channels dedicated entirely to classic, popular shows like Baywatch, letting you binge episodes 24/7.
• Moonbug Kids: A great example of the free children's content available, featuring popular animated shows and characters for the younger viewers.
• WeatherNation: Stay ahead of the forecast with this channel providing continuous weather updates and reporting.

Beyond that built-in value, your Roku device is the perfect place to access all the major premium streaming players you hear about. You can easily add and manage subscriptions for giants like Netflix, Max, Disney Plus (home to all things Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, plus great family content), Hulu (with its vast library and live TV options), Amazon Prime Video (packed with originals and included for Prime members), and Paramount Plus (great for live sports on CBS and iconic shows).

The beauty is that your Roku brings all these diverse content sources together in one simple interface. You can browse popular categories, search across multiple services to find exactly where a movie or show is playing, and customize your home screen with your most-watched apps. This year continues to bring exciting new releases across all these platforms, from buzzy original series to major film premieres and live events. And with DealNews in your corner, we'll help you navigate the costs, pointing you toward free trials, bundles, and other smart ways to enjoy this wealth of entertainment without overpaying.

How to Save the Most on Roku

Getting started with a Roku device is just the first step; the smart shopping continues in the world of streaming services and subscriptions. Luckily for savvy viewers like us, there are plenty of ways to get maximum value and enjoy a massive amount of content without draining your wallet dry. It's all about knowing where to look and being a little strategic with your viewing habits.

Dive into Free Content

Remember that huge library of stuff we talked about earlier? It's your first and most reliable way to save! Every Roku device comes loaded with The Roku Channel, which is bursting with thousands of free movies and TV shows on-demand, plus hundreds of free live TV channels covering everything from news and sports snippets to niche interests and exclusive Roku Originals. Beyond that, the Roku Channel Store is home to a bounty of other completely free, ad-supported apps like Pluto TV, Tubi, Freevee, and Crackle, adding even more thousands of free titles to your watchlist without needing any subscription whatsoever.

7-Day Free Trial of AMC Plus

If you're curious about diving into worlds like The Walking Dead or catching acclaimed series such as Mad Men or Interview with the Vampire, AMC Plus is a service often worth trying. Roku frequently makes it easy to sample AMC Plus with a free trial, typically lasting for 7 days, though you might occasionally spot longer promotional periods up to 30 days. Signing up for the trial through your Roku device or account gives you full access to their library for that period, letting you see if their mix of content is for you before the regular monthly cost kicks in.

7-Day Free Trial for Starz

For fans of hit shows like Outlander and the Power Book series, or those who appreciate a solid movie library, Starz is another premium service that frequently offers free trials through the Roku platform. Commonly available for 7 days, these trials provide a great opportunity to binge a specific series you've heard about or explore their film selection to see if it aligns with your tastes before committing to their typical monthly subscription fee.

7-Day Free Trial with Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is home to a wide array of content from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, and the Paramount Pictures vault, plus compelling originals and live sports. Via The Roku Channel, you can often find offers for a free trial bundle of Paramount Plus, usually lasting 7 days. This lets you sample their vast library, which includes everything from Yellowjackets and Elsbeth to NFL games on CBS, helping you decide if one of their paid plans (which have different tiers) is the right fit after the trial period.

7-Day Free Trial of MGM Plus

Formerly known as Epix, MGM Plus focuses on premium original series, often featuring titles like Godfather of Harlem or From, alongside a curated selection of movies. If this mix sounds appealing, look out for the frequent 7-day free trial offers available through Roku. It's a quick and easy way to explore their content lineup and see if it suits your viewing preferences before the standard monthly cost applies.

Keep an Eye Out for Hardware Deals

While the bigger savings often come from managing subscriptions, don't pay full price for the Roku device itself if you can help it. Roku players, sticks, and even Roku TVs frequently go on sale throughout the year, especially during major retail events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day. Checking DealNews regularly for Roku hardware deals is the best way to catch one of these discounts when they pop up and save a chunk on the initial purchase price.

Explore Certified Refurbished Roku Devices

For an even deeper discount on the hardware, consider checking out Roku's official Certified Refurbished program, usually found on their website. These are pre-owned devices that Roku has put through a rigorous inspection, testing, and restoration process to ensure they work like new, and they typically come with a warranty for peace of mind. Opting for a refurbished unit can offer significant savings compared to buying a brand-new model, making it a smart choice if you're comfortable with a previously owned device.

Connect an Antenna to Your Roku TV

If you've opted for a Roku TV (that's the smart TV with the Roku operating system built-in), you've got an extra trick up your sleeve for free content: over-the-air broadcasts! By simply connecting an inexpensive HDTV antenna to your Roku TV, you can pull in local network channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS in high definition, absolutely free. The Roku TV interface seamlessly integrates these local channels into its guide alongside your streaming apps, giving you that live TV experience without a cable or live streaming subscription.

Bundle Services and Watch for Partnerships

Sometimes the best way to save on premium streaming is to bundle services together. While you might not always sign up for these bundles directly through Roku (like the popular Disney Plus/Hulu/ESPN Plus combo), you'll certainly watch them on your Roku device, and these bundles often provide a lower overall monthly cost than subscribing to each service individually. Also, keep an eye out for promotions where purchasing a Roku device might come with an extended free trial or discount offer for a specific streaming service – check the box or product description closely!

Master Subscription Management

This is perhaps the most crucial saving strategy for paid services on Roku. Your Roku account makes it relatively easy to see and manage any subscriptions you've signed up for directly through the platform. Get in the habit of reviewing your subscriptions regularly and cancel any services you're not actively using before their renewal date to avoid unwanted charges. Some services even allow you to "pause" your subscription for a month or two if you'll be away or busy, another clever way to save cash without fully canceling.

Roku Alternatives and How They Compare

While Roku holds a strong spot in the streaming world, especially for its user-friendly approach and value, it's helpful to know who else is playing in this sandbox. The streaming device market offers several compelling alternatives, each with its own flavor and ecosystem. Choosing the right one often comes down to what features matter most to you, whether you're tied into a specific tech brand, and of course, your budget.

Here’s a quick comparison of key players alongside popular Roku devices to help you see how they stack up:

Looking at the landscape, Roku stands out for its famously simple interface – a grid of apps that's straightforward for anyone to navigate, without heavily pushing content from one specific service. This "neutral" approach is a big plus for many users who subscribe to a mix of services, though you will encounter ads on the home screen.

Amazon Fire TV is a strong contender, especially if you're an Amazon Prime member or use Alexa extensively, offering lots of devices at competitive prices, but its interface can feel more focused on selling or promoting Amazon content. Google TV focuses more on personalized content discovery and integrates tightly with Google's services and smart home ecosystem, while Apple TV offers a premium, ad-light experience that's ideal if you're already invested in the Apple world, albeit at a higher price point.

Ultimately, while all these platforms get you to the same major streaming apps, Roku's balance of ease, wide app support, and the built-in value of The Roku Channel make it a perennial favorite for many looking for a no-fuss streaming solution, even with a few minor drawbacks depending on the specific model.

How to Cancel Subscriptions Through Roku

Alright, you've explored The Roku Channel (all that free stuff!), maybe snagged a few free trials for premium services like Max or Starz, and now it's time to decide what stays and what goes. Staying on top of your subscriptions is key to saving money, and if you signed up for a service directly through your Roku device or account, managing or canceling it is thankfully a pretty simple process.

Here are the steps to cancel a subscription that's being billed through your Roku account:

1. Head to the Roku Website: Open up a web browser on your computer or phone and go to the official Roku account site: my.roku.com. Sign in using the email address and password associated with your Roku account. This is the account you used to set up your Roku device.
2. Find Your Subscriptions: Once logged in, look for the section labeled "Manage your subscriptions" or simply click on the "Subscriptions" link. You'll see a list of any premium subscriptions that are currently being billed directly through your Roku account.
3. Select the Subscription to Cancel: Find the streaming service you want to stop paying for in the list. Click on "Manage subscription" or a similar option next to it. Roku will guide you through the cancellation process, likely asking you to confirm your decision. Complete the steps to finalize the cancellation.
4. Confirm Status: After canceling, the status of that subscription on your "Manage your subscriptions" page should update to show that it's canceled and will expire at the end of your current billing cycle (or free trial period). It's a good idea to also check your email for a confirmation message from Roku verifying that the subscription has been canceled. Keep this email for your records!

A super important point to remember is that you absolutely must cancel a free trial before its end date if you don't want to be automatically charged for the first paid month. Mark your calendar as soon as you sign up! Also, keep in mind that this cancellation process through the website primarily works for subscriptions you initiated directly through the Roku platform.

If you subscribed to a service like Disney Plus, Hulu, or Sling TV before getting your Roku, or signed up for it directly through that service's own website or app (even if you sometimes see billing info on Roku), you'll likely need to manage and cancel that subscription directly with that specific streaming service provider, not through your Roku account page. When in doubt, check where the original billing confirmation came from!

Other Roku Terms to Consider This Year

As you get comfortable with your Roku device and explore the vast world of streaming, there are a few other practical things worth keeping in mind to ensure the smoothest experience and maximize your value. First off, remember that your Roku device needs a stable internet connection to do its magic – usually via Wi-Fi, though some higher-end models like the Roku Ultra offer an Ethernet port for a wired connection. While the Roku platform itself doesn't have monthly fees, the cost of your home internet service is a necessary expense, and heavy streaming, especially in 4K, can use a good chunk of data, so be mindful if your plan has data caps.

Another key point is that you'll need a Roku account to activate your device, access features, add channels, and manage any subscriptions. This account is your central hub, and it's where you'll handle your profile and payment methods if you choose to subscribe to premium services through Roku. It's also important to know that Roku devices receive automatic software updates. These happen in the background and are necessary to keep your device running smoothly, add new features, maintain compatibility with streaming services, and ensure security, so there's no need to manually update or worry about falling behind.

Finally, while The Roku Channel and many other apps offer fantastic free content, it's worth noting that the Roku platform does display advertising, particularly within the free content and sometimes on the home screen itself. This is how those free services and the platform are often supported. Also, while the focus here is primarily on streaming players and the content you watch on them, Roku's ecosystem includes other products like Smart Home devices (cameras, doorbells) and audio accessories (soundbars, wireless speakers) that integrate with the Roku system, potentially expanding your setup down the line. For full details on usage, privacy, and terms, it's always a good idea to review Roku's official terms and policies on their website. There's separate documents that cover user accounts and the devices themselves.

Why Should I Trust DealNews?

In a world overflowing with streaming options and constantly changing prices, finding real value can feel like a quest. That's where DealNews comes in. We're a dedicated team of deal hunters and savvy shoppers, not just reporting on prices, but actively researching, verifying, and highlighting the best discounts and promotions available.

Our goal is simple: to help you save money without compromising on the entertainment you love. We cut through the clutter, flag the genuinely good offers, and provide context and advice – like understanding historical pricing or knowing how to use free trials wisely – so you can make informed decisions. You can trust DealNews because our focus is always on delivering verified savings directly to you, helping you stream smarter and keep more cash in your pocket.