7 Best Roku Apps You Must Have Installed

After years of tweaking my own setup for movies, live TV, kids’ shows, and party games, these are the best Roku apps worth installing.

7 best Roku apps: At a glance

1. Volley Games

What it does: Volley Games turns your Roku into a voice‑controlled games hub with trivia, game shows, and karaoke that run through your TV.​

Who it’s for: Families and friend groups who want quick, inclusive party games without consoles or extra controllers.​

On my Roku, I go for Volley Games when people are over, and would rather play trivia and quiz games than Mario Party. We grab the Roku Voice Remote, launch a game like Jeopardy! or Song Quiz, and start rounds of shout-out-loud fun. The host uses the remote to navigate and buzz in, while everyone else shouts out their answers into the remote or a paired smartphone.

Key features

• Voice‑controlled trivia, quiz, and karaoke through the Roku remote
• Officially licensed game shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune on TV
• Short, replayable rounds built for groups and family nights​

Pros

• No extra hardware, which makes it perfect for spontaneous game nights
• Works with a wide range of ages, from grandparents to teens
• Short rounds and tight scoring keep everyone engaged

Cons

• Needs a stable internet connection; lag can affect timing in fast‑paced games

Pricing

Download the Volley app on Roku and start your 7‑day free trial, then continue with a $12.99/month subscription.​

Bottom line

Volley Games earns its place among the best Roku apps because it turns your TV into an instant party starter.

2. The Roku Channel

What it does: The Roku Channel bundles free on‑demand movies, TV shows, kids’ content, and a full live TV guide into one place, with optional premium add‑ons.​

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants instant free entertainment and a “just turn it on” TV experience without juggling logins or paid subscriptions.​

On every new Roku I set up, The Roku Channel is one of the first tiles I make sure lives in the top row. When I don’t know what I’m in the mood for, I open it, check the live guide, and usually land on a movie or background show in under a minute.​

Key features

• Free, ad-supported movies and TV in one central hub
• Live TV guide with always‑on themed channels
• Optional premium add‑ons managed under a single Roku account

Pros

• Zero cost to start watching, with quick access from the home screen
• Great “background TV” when you just want something on without scrolling through multiple apps
• Simple layout; easy for less tech‑savvy family members to use

Cons

• Ads run during shows and movies, which some people hate, even if the content is free
• The library rotates, so movies you liked can disappear over time

Pricing

Free with ads for all core content. Premium channels are optional, each with its own subscription price and free trial rules.​

Bottom line

The Roku Channel hits that sweet spot between free, easy, and “good enough” for movie night when nobody wants to decide on a specific service.​

3. YouTube

What it does: YouTube brings user‑generated videos, live streams, music, and long‑form content to Roku, plus easy casting from your phone or laptop.​​

Who it’s for: Viewers who watch a lot of creators, tutorials, music videos, or niche content that you simply cannot get on traditional TV apps.​

On my Roku, YouTube is the app I open most for quick how‑tos, tech reviews, background music, or niche sports recaps. I also use it whenever someone wants to cast a clip from their phone straight to the TV.​

Key features

• Casting from phones, tablets, and laptops with one tap
• Huge library of creator videos, music, and live streams
• Subscriptions and playlists that sync across all devices

Pros

• Great for shared watching of random clips, music videos, and creator content
• Works like a universal buffer between phones and the TV, so anyone can cast and “queue” the next video
• Free to use with ads; optional Premium removes ads and adds background play, depending on plan

Cons

• Recommended feed can get noisy or distracting, especially for kids
• Ads can feel frequent unless you pay for Premium

Pricing

Free with ads. YouTube Premium is a monthly subscription that removes ads and adds extras like background audio and offline mobile downloads.​ There are other optional plans, such as Premium Family. You'll need to decide which one works best for your unique situation.

Bottom line

YouTube earns its place among the best Roku apps because it covers everything from serious research to silly group viewing. The option for mobile casting makes it feel like a shared remote for the whole room.​​

4. Netflix

What it does: Netflix delivers a massive on‑demand library of series, films, stand‑up, and documentaries, plus some of the most talked-about originals.​

Who it’s for: Binge‑watchers and families who want a reliable catalog of big‑name shows and new releases without hunting through multiple smaller apps.​

Whenever someone at my place asks, “What should we watch tonight?” the conversation usually starts with, “What’s on Netflix?” because it’s the easiest place to land on something everyone will tolerate.​

Key features

• Large catalog of series, films, and originals
• Individual profiles with personalized recommendations
• Strong kids’ section with parental controls

Pros

• Feels like the default home for long‑form TV watching
• Constant stream of new originals and specials
• Secure kid profiles and content controls for families

Cons

• Subscription costs keep creeping up
• Some tiers now limit simultaneous streams or video quality
• The library rotates, so favorite shows can disappear with little warning

Pricing

Several monthly plans with different quality and sharing rules; all require a paid subscription.​

Bottom line

If you watch a lot of series, Netflix remains one of the best Roku apps to justify paying for, simply because it anchors so many households’ nightly viewing habits.​

5. Tubi

What it does: Tubi offers one of the largest free, ad‑supported libraries of movies and shows, often with surprisingly deep cuts and older favorites.​

Who it’s for: Viewers who want to stretch their budget with free content, especially genre fans who don’t mind a few ads in exchange for variety.​

People in cord‑cutting communities rave about Tubi because it punches way above its weight for a totally free app. I use it when I want something offbeat or nostalgic and don’t want to commit to another subscription.​

Key features

• 100% free, ad-supported movies and TV shows
• Deep genre rows for horror, action, anime, and more
• No login required to start watching

Pros

• Completely free to install and watch, supported by ads
• Strong selection praised repeatedly by cord‑cutting Reddit users
• Great “second stop” when The Roku Channel doesn’t have what you want

Cons

• Ad breaks can feel frequent on some titles
• The interface is fine, but not as polished as big paid services

Pricing

100% free with ads; no paid tier required.​

Bottom line

If you’re building a budget‑friendly setup, Tubi is one of the best Roku apps you can add. It’s stacked with content that feels too good to be free.​

6. Pluto TV

What it does: Pluto TV recreates the feel of flipping through cable channels using free, ad‑supported, always‑on streams.​

Who it’s for: People who like to channel‑surf or leave something running in the background without worrying about specific episodes.​

On nights when nobody wants to choose anything, I open Pluto, jump into a genre channel like true crime, sitcoms, classic cartoons, and just let it run.

Key features

• 24/7 live channels that feel like traditional cable
• Easy on-screen guide for quick channel surfing
• Mix of live channels plus some on‑demand titles

Pros

• Free with a ton of variety for casual viewing
• Great for background noise or dropping into a show mid‑episode
• Good mix of mainstream and niche channels

Cons

• Can’t always start a program from the beginning on live channels
• Ads are frequent, similar to traditional cable breaks

Pricing

Free with ads; no account required to start (but some channels may prompt you to create a free account).​

Bottom line

Pluto TV belongs on any list of the best Roku apps because it restores the old channel‑surfing experience for free. This is exactly what many new cord‑cutters miss about the old cable days.

7. Plex

What it does: Plex streams your own downloaded media from a server and adds a layer of free ad‑supported channels and on‑demand content.​

Who it’s for: Power users with a personal library of movies or shows, and anyone who wants a “one app” feel that mixes owned content with free streaming.​

When I’ve ripped old discs or saved legal downloads, Plex is how I get them onto the big screen with nice artwork, summaries, and watch progress. The extra free channels and movies are a bonus I use when I don’t feel like managing files.​

Key features

• Streams your own movie and TV library in a Netflix‑style UI
• Adds free ad-supported channels and on‑demand content
• Syncs watch progress across Roku, phones, and other devices

Pros

• Gives you complete control over your own collection
• Adds legitimate free streaming options on top, so one app does a lot
• Highly customizable for tech‑savvy users

Cons

• Requires some setup, especially if you host your own server
• Overkill if you only stream from big-name services

Pricing

Core features are free for local streaming. Optional Plex Pass ($6.99/month) adds remote access, downloads, and advanced controls.​

Bottom line

Plex is one of the best Roku apps if you want your own media to feel as easy to stream as Netflix or Tubi. It’s also great if you like the idea of bonus free channels in the same interface.​

Which Roku apps should you choose?

For gaming, the Roku app you should choose is Volley Games. In fact, I think it stands alone as the only party games app worth adding to the top row. You get more than enough voice-enabled trivia, game show energy, and song-centric fun to become the party game host everyone raves about.

If you want a simple, powerful setup, then start with The Roku Channel, YouTube, and one premium service like Netflix. You can then layer in Tubi and Pluto TV for extra free options. Add Plex only if you have your own media library and want it easily accessible on Roku.​

For most people, this small stack covers 90% of real‑world use for movies, shows, live TV, background channels, personal files, and party games. You get everything you need without overwhelming your home screen with clutter.

Volley Games: The definitive party game app on Roku

Volley Games stands out among the best Roku apps because it turns your TV into an instant party hub using only your voice and the remote you already own. When you want fast, low-friction game nights without consoles or controllers, Volley delivers.

Volley focuses on social, voice-powered games built around formats people already love. Open the app, pick a game, and start playing. No reading manuals, no button memorization, just shout your answers into your Roku remote and watch the scores climb.

With Volley Games on Roku, you can dive into:

• Jeopardy! brings the classic quiz show home with voice-controlled answering and automatic scoring for solo or group play.
• Wheel of Fortune lets you spin the wheel and solve word puzzles with the same rhythm and suspense as the real show.
• Song Quiz tests your music knowledge across decades and genres in fast-paced, voice-powered rounds.
• 20 Questions brings the classic guessing game to life with endless question battles.
• Guess the Emoji will have your whole family racing to decode visual puzzles.
• Karaoke scores your singing on lyrical accuracy and pitch perfection using your remote as a mic.

Download the Volley app on Roku and start your 7-day free trial to unlock the full lineup of voice-powered party games.

FAQs

How do I download the Volley Games app on Roku?

You can download the Volley Games app on Roku by opening the Channel Store, searching “Volley Games,” selecting the app, and choosing Add channel. I move it into my first row so game night is always front and center.

Why is Volley Games one of the best Roku apps for parties?

Volley Games is one of the best Roku apps for parties because everything runs through your voice remote. I can launch Jeopardy! or Song Quiz in seconds and let everyone shout answers using the remote or paired smartphones, right from the couch. No extra controllers needed. 

Can I play Volley Games on Roku without buying extra gear?

Yes, you can play Volley Games on Roku without buying extra gear because it works with your existing Roku box and Voice Remote. Sometimes I pair Bluetooth headphones or a soundbar, but the core games play perfectly fine with just the TV setup.

Is there a free way to see if Volley Games fits my family?

Yes, there's a free way to see if Volley Games fits your family: start the 7-day free trial inside the app on Roku. I used that trial week to run a full family game night with Jeopardy!, Song Quiz, and Karaoke before I committed to a subscription.