Roku’s $3 premium ad-free streamer lastly has an app

Again in 2025 Roku quietly launched Howdy, an ad-free retro-focused streaming service that did not have lots of content material, however did not have any adverts both, and solely price $3 per thirty days. And whereas I wasn’t initially all that impressed with Howdy, Roku has been making some large investments within the service, adding content from Disney, HBO and more in recent weeks, with more moderen films like A Star is Born, Paddington, and A Haunting in Venice now out there on the service.

Nevertheless, should you do not personal a Roku TV, the service has been a little bit laborious to entry, because it had solely been out there through a browser. Thankfully, in the present day the parents at Roku launched a cellular app for Howdy on each iOS and Android that may deliver the streamer to your favourite cellular gadget.

That is positively excellent news for the service and can go a great distance in the direction of making it extra accessible for many who are occupied with subscribing, however want to watch it in locations exterior the Roku TV dwelling display screen or a pc’s browser.

Howdy nonetheless has a number of limitations, however it’s getting higher

4K streaming could be good, at the very least for a number of titles

Howdy did not really feel like a completed product at launch, however as Roku continues investing within the up-and-coming streamer, it’s ultimately beginning to really feel like one thing that may very well be price $3 a month to stream. Nevertheless, my largest gripe with the service continues to be its lack of 4K content material. Whereas I do not anticipate mountains from a price range streaming possibility, it might be good if even a number of titles have been provided in 4K.

Howdy additionally must proceed to develop its library. Even with the addition of some Disney, WD, and HBO titles, the service as a complete nonetheless feels a bit stale and it’ll want one thing to maintain customers subscribed past only a month or two.

Credit score: Roku / Pocket-lint

Whereas the service most likely will not ever really compete with Netflix, HBO Max or Disney+, giving Howdy its personal app goes a great distance in the direction of making it really feel extra full. My hope is that Roku continues to put money into making Howdy a robust platform for budget-minded customers, as I do suppose there’s area for one thing in between Pluto TV and Netflix.