With the rising costs of traditional cable TV, many consumers are looking for more affordable options for home entertainment. One popular alternative is Roku, which provides access to thousands of streaming channels. But is Roku actually cheaper than a cable TV subscription? Let’s take a closer look at the costs and benefits of each to find out.
Initial Hardware Costs
One of the biggest upfront costs of using Roku is purchasing the device itself. Roku streaming players range in price from about $30 to $100. The least expensive models provide 1080p HD streaming while the high-end models offer 4K HDR video and faster processors. You’ll also need an internet connection to use Roku, which adds to the startup cost.
With cable TV, there are usually no hardware costs for the cable box. The cable company provides this for free with a paid subscription. However, you may need to pay extra for a DVR to record shows or additional set-top boxes if you want cable in multiple rooms. Setup fees are also common when signing up for cable, which can cost $50 or more.
Winner: Cable TV
While a Roku device only costs between $30-$100, you’ll still need internet service on top of that. Cable TV wins when it comes to initial hardware costs since the company provides the cable box for free. But Roku starts to become more cost effective over time.
Monthly Service Fees
One of the biggest recurring expenses for cable TV customers is the monthly service charge. Costs vary significantly based on your location and package, but the average monthly cable bill is around $85 to $100 for a mid-level package with 100-200+ channels.
Roku doesn’t charge any monthly device fees. You’ll just need to pay for any streaming subscriptions you want. Some popular channels like Netflix or Hulu cost $6 to $15 per month. To get a similar channel lineup as cable, you would probably subscribe to 4-5 streaming services. This can cost around $40 to $60 per month depending on the services.
| Service | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Cable TV | $85-$100 |
| Roku Streaming | $40-$60 |
Winner: Roku
The monthly savings from using Roku compared to cable TV really add up over time. Roku users can save hundreds per year by cutting the cord and paying only for the streaming services they want.
Available Channels and Content
When it comes to the actual entertainment options available, cable TV and Roku both offer pros and cons. With cable TV, you get access to hundreds of live channels all in one place. Popular options like sports, news, and major broadcast networks are included.
Roku also provides thousands of streaming channels. However, you’ll have to subscribe to multiple apps to get the same variety as cable. The actual streaming content is very similar, with many networks like ESPN, CNN, and HGTV available on both Roku and cable. But cable includes more niche live channels.
Winner: Cable TV
Cable TV beats out Roku when it comes to channel variety, number of live options, and convenience of finding content. With cable, you can easily flip between channels and find something to watch. Roku users have to search multiple streaming apps, unless they pay for a streaming provider like YouTube TV.
Accessibility
One advantage of Roku is flexibility and accessibility. You can take Roku devices with you when traveling and easily use them on any TV with an HDMI port. There’s no cable box required. Roku mobile apps also allow streaming on phones or tablets.
With cable TV, you’re much less mobile. Service is tied to your home location and cable box. Streaming options outside of the home are limited unless you pay for TV everywhere apps. And there’s no integrating cable with streaming devices like Roku offers.
Winner: Roku
Roku wins for accessibility thanks to mobile apps, easy portability, and integration with most TVs. Cable TV makes it much harder to take your content on the go.
User Experience
Ease of use is another category where Roku shines. The interface is very intuitive and easy to navigate between apps and channels using the home screen. Search makes finding content simple. And Roku offers personalized recommendations based on viewing history.
Cable TV has improved interfaces with OnDemand features, search, and DVR control. But the channel flipping process can still feel cumbersome. And options like custom recommendations are lacking.
Winner: Roku
Roku’s streamlined approach to aggregating different streaming apps provides a much more user-friendly experience compared to traditional cable TV channel flipping.
Extra Fees and Contracts
Cable TV is notorious for extra fees, surcharges, and contracts. Most cable companies charge regional sports fees, HD fees, broadcast TV fees and more that increase your advertised rate. Equipment rental fees for cable boxes and DVRs also add monthly costs.
Roku allows contract-free subscription. You only pay the base rate for any streaming services without surprise fees. If you want to cancel a streaming service, you can do so immediately without penalties. And there are no long term contracts or early termination fees.
Winner: Roku
Roku wins by allowing simple month-to-month subscriptions with no hidden fees. Cable TV contracts and add-on costs lead to bills that are much higher than advertised.
Internet Data Usage
One hidden cost of streaming with Roku is increased broadband data usage. Streaming video can use 2GB to 5GB per hour for HD video. With typical cable internet plans now having 1TB monthly data caps, streaming large amounts can lead to overage charges.
Watching cable TV has no impact on your home’s internet data usage. All video content is delivered directly over the cable line rather than cable broadband. This helps avoid any risk of expensive overage fees.
Winner: Cable TV
Heavy video streamers need to keep a close eye on broadband data usage with Roku. Cable TV avoids this issue by delivering content independent of your home internet connection.
Picture and Sound Quality
When it comes to audio and video quality, Roku and cable TV both deliver excellent HD content. Streaming quality depends on your internet speed, with a minimum of 3-5 Mbps needed for smooth HD. With a fast connection, streaming can match cable’s HD clarity and 5.1 surround sound.
However, cable may have a slight edge for sports fans and movie buffs. Fast action sports can suffer from more compression artifacts streaming. And cable offers 4K channels that aren’t always available streaming.
Winner: Cable TV
While Roku streaming can match cable TV for quality, cable has some advantages for top-tier picture and sound. Minimal compression plus 4K channels give cable the edge.
Conclusion
When comparing the costs, Roku generally provides more value and lower monthly expenses than traditional cable TV. You can save $40 or more per month by cutting the cord while still accessing tons of great streaming entertainment.
However, cable TV isn’t going totally obsolete anytime soon. Cable still beats streaming when it comes to channel variety, live TV, picture quality, and data usage. Having all content aggregated in one interface is also more convenient than having multiple streaming apps.
For cost-conscious consumers looking to save money, Roku is typically the better option. But cable TV still holds some advantages for simplicity, content selection, and top-tier home entertainment. The choice ultimately comes down to individual viewing preferences and budget.