The average American household now spends over $61 per month on streaming services — and that number keeps climbing. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+... the bills add up fast. Before you know it, you're spending nearly as much on streaming as you used to spend on cable TV, which kind of defeats the whole point of cutting the cord.
Here's the good news: you can replace most or all of your paid streaming subscriptions with completely free alternatives on Roku. This guide walks you through exactly how to do it, service by service.
Step 1: Audit What You Actually Watch
Before canceling anything, spend one week tracking what you actually watch on each paid service. Most people discover they're paying for 3-4 streaming services but only actively using 1-2 of them. The others are "just in case" subscriptions that rarely get used.
Make a list of the specific shows and movies you watch regularly on each service. This will help you identify which subscriptions are genuinely valuable and which ones you can replace with free alternatives.
Step 2: Replace Netflix with Tubi + Plex
Netflix's basic plan costs $7-17 per month depending on the tier. For most viewers, the combination of Tubi and Plex can replace the majority of what they watch on Netflix.
Tubi has over 50,000 movies and TV shows — a larger library than Netflix. While it doesn't have Netflix Originals, it has a massive catalog of movies and TV series that covers most viewing needs. Plex adds another layer with thousands of additional titles, a strong documentary selection, and 500+ free live channels.
The main thing you'll miss from Netflix is its original programming — shows like Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game are Netflix exclusives. If those shows are why you subscribe, Netflix may be worth keeping. But if you're mostly watching movies and older TV shows, Tubi and Plex are excellent free replacements.
Step 3: Replace Hulu with The Roku Channel + Network Apps
Hulu's main appeal is current-season TV shows from major networks. The good news is that most major networks offer their own free apps on Roku that provide the same content.
- ABC shows: Use the free ABC app — episodes available next day
- NBC shows: Use the free NBC app or Peacock's free tier
- CBS shows: Use the free CBS app or Paramount+'s free content
- Fox shows: Use the free Fox app
The Roku Channel also aggregates content from multiple networks and adds its own original programming. Between the network apps and The Roku Channel, you can access most of what Hulu offers for free.
Step 4: Replace Cable News with Free News Apps
If you're paying for a cable or streaming package primarily for news, you can replace it entirely with free options. CBS News on Roku streams 24/7 live news at no cost. Pluto TV carries CBS News, NBC News Now, Bloomberg TV, Sky News, and dozens of other news channels. YouTube has live news streams from every major network.
For local news specifically, most local TV stations have their own free apps, and many local affiliates stream live on YouTube. The free tier of Peacock includes NBC News content and live NBC News streams.
Step 5: Replace Disney+ for Kids Content
Disney+ is one of the harder subscriptions to replace if you have young children, since it has exclusive access to Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars content. However, there are free alternatives for kids content that can supplement or replace it depending on your children's ages.
Tubi has a substantial kids section with hundreds of family-friendly movies and shows. Pluto TV has dedicated kids channels running 24/7. YouTube has an enormous amount of free kids content, and the separate YouTube Kids app provides a safer, curated experience for younger children. PBS Kids has a free Roku app with educational programming from Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger, and other beloved shows.
Step 6: Replace HBO Max with Tubi's Premium Selection
HBO Max (now Max) is one of the most expensive streaming services, but also one of the most content-rich. Replacing it entirely is difficult if you're a fan of HBO Originals like The Last of Us, Succession, or House of the Dragon. However, Tubi has a surprisingly strong selection of HBO catalog content — older HBO series and movies that have cycled off the Max platform.
For movies specifically, Tubi's library often includes many of the same films available on Max, just with a delay. If you can wait for movies to cycle to free services, you can save significantly.
The Math: How Much You Can Save
| Service | Monthly Cost | Free Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix Standard | $15.49 | Tubi + Plex |
| Hulu (ad-supported) | $7.99 | Network apps + Roku Channel |
| Disney+ | $7.99 | Tubi Kids + PBS Kids + YouTube |
| HBO Max | $15.99 | Tubi + Freevee |
| Paramount+ | $5.99 | Pluto TV (Paramount-owned) |
| Total Savings | $53.45/month | $0 |
That's over $640 per year you could be keeping in your pocket. Even if you keep one or two subscriptions for must-have exclusive content, switching most of your viewing to free apps can save hundreds of dollars annually.
The Trade-offs to Expect
Switching to free streaming isn't without trade-offs, and it's worth being honest about them:
Ads: Free streaming services are ad-supported. You'll see roughly 4-6 minutes of ads per hour, compared to zero on paid services. This is the main trade-off, and for many people it's a deal-breaker. For others, it's a reasonable price to pay for free content.
No exclusive originals: Netflix Originals, HBO Originals, and Disney Originals are not available on free services. If specific exclusive shows are why you subscribe, you'll need to keep those subscriptions or wait until the shows eventually become available elsewhere.
Content rotation: Free services rotate their libraries more frequently than paid services. A movie available on Tubi today may not be there in three months. This is a minor inconvenience but worth knowing about.
Interface quality: Free streaming apps generally have less polished interfaces than paid services. Tubi and Plex are exceptions — they're quite well-designed — but some free apps feel dated.
Getting Started Today
The best approach is to start adding free apps to your Roku and spending a week or two exploring them before canceling any paid subscriptions. You may be surprised by how much quality content is available for free. Once you've established your free streaming routine, you can make informed decisions about which paid subscriptions are truly worth keeping.
Start with Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel — those three alone provide more content than most people can watch in a lifetime. Add Plex for a more premium experience, then layer in the network apps for current-season TV. By the time you're done, you may find you don't need any paid subscriptions at all.