SOPA Images/Getty Images

Want the Cheapest Streaming Service? Roku's Howdy Is a Fraction of the Price of Top Names

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Jeff Smith | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 5:45 PM ET

Among the newest streaming services to burst onto the scene is Roku’s recently released Howdy. And while the addition of another streaming service isn’t bound to bring an enthusiastic reaction to most, the price of Howdy likely will.

Although Roku's move into the paid streaming service space won't feature the broad range of available selections that the likes of Netflix and Hulu will, it's hard to argue with an ad-free streaming price point of $2.99 per month, as The Hollywood Reporter revealed.

Details of Roku's Howdy Streaming Service

Not surprisingly, the $2.99 price point of Howdy checks in as far and away the lowest price of any ad-free streaming service, well below the likes of Netflix ($18 per month) and Hulu ($19). According to THR, the new Roku service, which launched on Aug. 5, includes nearly 10,000 hours of streaming content.

The report cites content from Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Discovery and FilmRise. There'll also be original Roku content to go with a broad range of well-known titles.

However, Roku's approach is different than that of the biggest names in the streaming game. It's very apparent that many new releases and other films won't be featured, but the company isn't attempting to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Netflix and Hulu; instead, it's offering something unique, as THR highlighted.

“Priced at less than a cup of coffee, Howdy is ad-free and designed to complement, not compete with, premium services,” Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood said in the announcement of the new service.

As Streaming Services Continue an Ever-Increasing Price Run, Roku's Howdy Should Grab Attention

The best bet for viewers is likely to check out the offerings from Roku's Howdy and see if it caters to their viewing needs. Regardless, the company has entered the streaming game at a price point that's so significantly lower than any other, it's hard to ignore.

An in-depth breakdown/timeline of the cost of streaming services from The Verge highlights not only price increases, but also changes being made by companies. This includes HBO Max's focus on cracking down on password-sharing, a hotly debated topic.

Among the other noteworthy additions to the list posted by The Verge are Peacock raising its price by $3 per month, Netflix making the jump to $17.99 per month, a Discovery Plus price increase, and another jump in monthly cost from YouTube TV (back in Dec. 2024).

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: