Roku is giving its low-cost, ad-free streaming service Howdy a bigger push with the launch of a standalone mobile app. Announced Tuesday, the new Howdy app is now available in the U.S. on both iOS and Android, making it easier for subscribers to watch on the go without needing a Roku device.
Howdy first launched in August 2025 and is positioned as an affordable alternative for viewers who want to avoid ads without paying premium streaming prices. At $2.99 per month, it’s currently the cheapest ad-free streaming subscription on the market. Roku has emphasized that Howdy is meant to complement bigger streaming platforms rather than go head-to-head with them, offering a budget-friendly way to access recognizable movies and TV series.
The service includes nearly 10,000 hours of content sourced from Roku’s entertainment partners, including Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, Disney Entertainment, Warner Bros. Discovery, and FilmRise, along with select Roku Original titles. The catalog spans a wide range of genres, mixing modern favorites with comfort-viewing staples. Viewers can find titles such as A Haunting in Venice, Ice Age, Weeds, and Kids in the Hall, alongside rom-coms, medical dramas, ’90s comedies, classics, and more.
Roku says the mobile app launch is part of expanding Howdy beyond its own platform. Gil Fuchsberg, Roku’s president of Subscriptions, Partnerships and Corporate Development, said the goal is to make premium, ad-free entertainment more affordable and accessible, and that bringing Howdy to iOS and Android helps Roku reach more viewers with the service’s value-focused approach.
The timing also highlights Roku’s broader distribution strategy. The company recently announced that Howdy is now available through Prime Video, marking the service’s first major expansion outside the Roku ecosystem. That move follows other Roku initiatives aimed at strengthening its position across connected TV and streaming.
Howdy joins Roku’s larger streaming lineup that includes The Roku Channel, its free ad-supported streaming service. Roku says The Roku Channel is the most popular FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) service, ahead of rivals like Tubi and Pluto TV, with more than 125 million people using the platform daily.
The Howdy push comes as Roku continues investing in subscriptions and streaming. The company recently bought Frndly TV for $185 million, adding a service known for live TV, on-demand content, and cloud DVR features. Roku also reported strong financial momentum in its 2025 fourth-quarter earnings, posting net income of $80.5 million, and has indicated more streaming bundles are on the way.
With a $2.99 monthly price tag, a growing content library, and now a dedicated mobile app, Howdy is shaping up to be one of the most accessible ways to get ad-free streaming entertainment—whether you’re watching at home or on your phone while traveling.
