The Roku Channel vs Pluto TV

TRThe Roku Channel9.1Visit Pluto TV9.0Visit

Higher score TR The Roku Channel #2 in Free Movie Streaming Services 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Try The Roku Channel

vs

Pluto TV #3 in Free Movie Streaming Services 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Pluto TV

• The Roku Channel fits best

  Viewers who want movies plus many live channels

• Pluto TV fits best

  Viewers who prefer live channels and on-demand movies

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Side by side

Feature	TRThe Roku Channel 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Pluto TV 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Free Movie Streaming Services	#3 in Free Movie Streaming Services
Best for	Viewers who want movies plus many live channels	Viewers who prefer live channels and on-demand movies
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat	Email
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features The Roku Channel 0/5 · Pluto TV 0/5
Live movie channels	Not published	Not published
Offline downloads	Not published	Not published
Account required	Not published	Not published
Parental controls	Not published	Not published
Paid upgrade available	Not published	Not published
Specs
Supported platforms	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Free, ad-supported movies and TV shows 500+ live channels alongside on-demand programming Roku Originals and optional Premium Subscriptions	Combines live linear channels with on-demand movies and shows Profiles sync favorite channels and watch lists across devices Available on web, desktop, mobile, and connected devices
Cons	Free viewing includes ads Content availability varies by country Premium subscription availability varies by device and market	Advertising is part of access It is for consumer viewing, not creator live-stream hosting Viewing requires an internet-connected supported device
Our verdict	The Roku Channel brings free, ad-supported movies and television shows together with live channels and Roku Originals. It is suited to viewers who want on-demand entertainment alongside a live-TV lineup, without a subscription for the… Read the review →	Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming television service for viewers who want both live linear channels and on-demand movies and shows. It suits people looking for a consumer viewing service rather than creators or broadcasters… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• The Roku Channel — where it wins

  • Free, ad-supported movies and TV shows
  • 500+ live channels alongside on-demand programming
  • Roku Originals and optional Premium Subscriptions

  Where it doesn't

  • Free viewing includes ads
  • Content availability varies by country
  • Premium subscription availability varies by device and market

• Pluto TV — where it wins

  • Combines live linear channels with on-demand movies and shows
  • Profiles sync favorite channels and watch lists across devices
  • Available on web, desktop, mobile, and connected devices

  Where it doesn't

  • Advertising is part of access
  • It is for consumer viewing, not creator live-stream hosting
  • Viewing requires an internet-connected supported device

• TRThe Roku Channel9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free, ad-supported movie and TV service with 500+ live channels and optional subscriptions.

  Try The Roku ChannelFull verdict →
• Pluto TV9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free, ad-supported service combining live channels with on-demand movies and shows.

  Visit Pluto TVFull verdict →