Short version: pick Tubi if you want to choose exactly what to watch, Pluto TV if you’d rather flip through live channels, and The Roku Channel if you own a Roku device and want free originals. All three are free, legal and ad-supported—most people end up using two of them.
These are the three biggest free streaming apps in the US, and they look similar on the surface. They work very differently, though, and the right one depends on how you like to watch.
Side-by-side comparison
| Tubi | Pluto TV | The Roku Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Fox Corporation | Paramount | Roku |
| Main style | On-demand library | Live channels + on-demand | On-demand + live channels |
| Account required | No | No | Optional |
| Original content | Some Tubi Originals | Few | Roku Originals |
| Best device | Any | Smart TVs | Roku |
| Price | Free | Free | Free |
Library size and variety
Tubi wins. Its on-demand catalog is the largest of any free service, with especially deep horror, action, thriller, anime and international sections. Pluto TV’s on-demand side is smaller because it focuses on live channels. The Roku Channel sits in between and rotates a set of titles in and out each month.
Live TV and “lean-back” watching
Pluto TV wins. Its guide has hundreds of channels arranged like cable: movie channels by genre, single-franchise channels, classic TV, news and sports highlights. You open the app and something is already playing. The Roku Channel also has a solid live guide; Tubi offers some live news and sports channels but is built for on-demand.
Ads
All three run short commercial breaks. Tubi is often praised for a lighter ad load than cable. Ad breaks on live channels (Pluto TV, Roku) follow the channel’s schedule, so they can feel more like traditional TV. None of them let you pay to remove ads.
Apps and devices
Tubi and Pluto TV are available almost everywhere: web browsers, iPhone and Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung, LG and Vizio TVs, and game consoles. The Roku Channel is built into every Roku device and is also available on the web and some other platforms, but it’s at its best on Roku.
Which one should you use?
- Movie lovers who know what they want: Tubi.
- Channel surfers and background watchers: Pluto TV.
- Roku owners: The Roku Channel is already on your home screen—use it alongside Tubi.
- Ad-haters: try your library’s Kanopy or Hoopla instead.
Want the full list of free options, including Plex, Xumo Play and the Internet Archive? See our guide to the best free legal movie streaming sites.
FAQ
Is Tubi better than Pluto TV?
For picking specific movies, yes—Tubi’s on-demand library is much bigger. For live, always-on channels, Pluto TV is better.
Are Tubi and Pluto TV legal?
Yes. Both are owned by major media companies (Fox and Paramount) and license every title they show.
Do I need a Roku to watch The Roku Channel?
No. You can watch it in a web browser and on some other devices, though the experience is best on Roku hardware.
Last updated: October 13, 2026.