As subscription prices for popular services like Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, and Amazon Prime Video continue to rise, Roku owners can take comfort in a robust selection of completely free, ad-supported streaming options. While Roku is best known for its effortless access to premium paid channels, it also delivers an expanding universe of no-cost content that makes this an excellent moment to discover fresh alternatives. Below is our curated list of ten standout free streaming services available on Roku in May 2026—spanning live news and sports, blockbuster movies, and specialized genres—all just a few clicks away.
These services, presented in no particular order, showcase the diversity of free content available. Pluto TV, owned by Paramount, offers hundreds channels and 1,000+ movies and episodes, blending Paramount classics with third-party gems. Local Now has evolved from weather updates to include live channels and PBS streams later this year, while Haystack News and NewsON cater to news junkies with local, national, and live broadcasts. Fawesome boasts thousands of weekly-updated titles across all genres, and The Roku Channel flexes its muscle with originals and growing amount of sports. Tubi, now Fox-owned, added Warner Bros. Discovery hits like old HBO Max shows, while Xumo Play (NBCUniversal) offers hundreds of live channels. FilmRise shines with vast movie and TV libraries, including anime and reality, and Plex surprises with a robust free streaming arm beyond its media management roots.
Top 10 Free Ad-Supported Streaming Services on Roku for March 2025:
- Pluto TV: A Paramount powerhouse with over 100 HD channels and 1,000+ movies and episodes, blending Paramount classics with third-party gems. Add it HERE
- Local Now: Evolved from weather updates to a hub for live channels, movies, and soon, local PBS stations—all free. Add it HERE
- Haystack News: Local, national, and global news plus weather, keeping you informed without an antenna. Add it HERE
- NewsON: Live and on-demand local news from a vast affiliate network, perfect for staying connected. Add it Here
- Fawesome: Thousands of movies and shows across every genre, refreshed weekly for endless variety. Add it Here
- The Roku Channel: Roku’s flagship free service with studio hits, originals, and growing sports like MLB games. Add it HERE
- Tubi: Fox’s gem with Fox programming plus new Warner Bros. Discovery titles, including ex-HBO Max shows. Add it HERE
- Xumo Play: NBCUniversal’s offering with NBC content, 100+ live channels, and on-demand options. Add it HERE
- FilmRise: A massive catalog of movies and shows, from anime to reality, sorted into targeted categories. Add it HERE
- Plex: Beyond media management, Plex offers a hefty free streaming library of films and series. Add it HERE
Have a favorite free service missing from the list? Leave us a comment.
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