Although Roku has hundreds of apps to download, I find myself gravitating toward only a handful on a daily basis. These eight apps offer so much entertainment that you’ll rarely seek out content elsewhere.
8
PBS Kids
PBS Kids has been a staple in my house for the better part of 10 years. Both my kids fell in love with it, mostly for the shows like Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Sesame Street, but for the games as well.
When I got my Roku Express, it was one of the first apps I installed. It’s much easier for my youngest son and I to catch up on cartoons on the big screen than it is to squeeze together with a teeny tiny tablet.
Download on Roku: Must be downloaded through a Roku device
7
Amazon Prime
While Amazon Prime has some good original content—Fallout, Good Omens, Secret Level—I like using it to rent movies, outside of streaming. There are so many movies on there, Prime is my way of finding shows or movies I can’t find on other platforms, too. Of course, having Amazon Prime also means I benefit from deals when I shop.
Download on Roku: Prime Video
6
Plex
If there’s one Roku app I cannot live without, it’s the Plex app. Ever since I started running my own Plex server, I’ve had the pleasure of installing it on as many devices as I possibly could. It’s just compatible with so many devices, how could I not? It frees up the need to use my console, which I refrain from using for streaming, and I can move my Roku Express anywhere in the house. My entire media library fits in the palm of my hand—movies, shows, music, you name it.
Download on Roku: Plex
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5
Spotify
Although I prefer owning my own music, I don’t have all the CDs I want, and I use Spotify to fill the gap. Go figure, right? And since I have a decent soundbar for my TV, as opposed to dedicated speakers, I can jam out (and annoy everyone in my house) while I’m cleaning. Also, Spotify has numerous books and podcasts to listen to, like my favorite StarTalk Radio.
Download on Roku: Spotify
4
Netflix
Netflix consistently dishes out original content, like The Fall of the House of Usher, Castlevania, Maniac, and Midnight Mass are just a handful of shows that were a joy to catch up on and why I keep paying for Netflix. Then there are the numerous crime documentaries and kids shows.
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Out of all the streaming services I subscribe to, I come back to Netflix the most. It’s super easy to find something to watch, and new content is added all the time. Plus, the UI is really clean and the most friendly to use on Roku.
Download on Roku: Netflix
3
Pluto TV
I haven’t paid for cable in years, and I’m glad I don’t because plenty of streaming apps have free channels. Pluto TV is my favorite among them, or as I like to call it around the house, my Hell’s Kitchen app.
There’s a lot to like about Pluto TV—a solid library of movies, classic TV shows, a couple news channels, and it’s entirely free. It’s a nice mix of live and pre-recorded content. The ads can be annoying sometimes, but I’m pretty good at zoning them out.
Download for Roku: Pluto TV
2
Crunchyroll
Second to Netflix, I get a lot of hours out of Crunchyroll, given that it’s the largest library of anime. Where else am I going to watch Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Dragon Ball (from original to Daima), and Yu Yu Hakusho for the umpteenth time on the same platform?
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It has some good original series too, like Blade Runner: Black Lotus, though the biggest benefit is the simulcast episodes. Whenever a new episode airs, I can usually catch it soon after. Sometimes, it’s as early as an hour after.
Download on Roku: Crunchyroll
1
Twitch
Twitch is the premier app for watching gaming content. If I want to watch my favorite streamer, I’m not doing it from my desk (I already spread enough time there) or from a tiny screen. I like seeing detail, so it’s much more comfortable to tune in on the big screen.
Download for Roku: Twitch
Eight Roku apps is all it takes to create a constant stream of entertainment that satisfies all my wants, needs, and interests. Most of them are free, too. I’d say that’s a pretty darn good deal.
