### Tired of Ads? You’re Not Alone
If you own a Roku, you may be fed up with the constant barrage of ads every time you boot up your device. Unfortunately, it seems these ads are here to stay. That’s why I’ve chosen to stick with my Apple TV, which offers a much cleaner experience without the ad clutter.
### Roku’s Ad Overload
Roku’s advertising dilemma is well-known. Ads are practically unavoidable within the device’s interface. Just a few months back, they even tested an autoplay ad that plays before you reach the home screen—what a nuisance! In May, they introduced “Pause Ads,” effectively transforming your pause screen into a promotional space. These tactics are just the tip of the iceberg, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be easing up anytime soon.
### Advertising as Their Business Model
Roku’s reliance on advertising is clear. In its Q1 2025 report, the company revealed a $19.3 million loss on hardware but raked in an impressive $464.3 million from ads. This translates to a significant percentage of loss on hardware sales, while their advertising profits surge. Essentially, Roku doesn’t mind selling cheap devices because they make their money through ads.
Their aggressive ad placement is a necessary strategy for survival. Today’s advertisements are often targeted, meaning they rely heavily on your viewing habits and preferences. This data-driven approach isn’t going away anytime soon; if anything, Roku will likely ramp up efforts to maximize ad exposure.
### Apple: A Different Approach to Privacy
In stark contrast, Apple positions privacy as a core value. Whether you trust their claims or not, Apple emphasizes user privacy in many aspects, including how they design the Apple TV. Unlike Roku, Apple’s platform is free from ads. This is largely due to an ongoing conversation about privacy concerns related to targeted advertising.
If ads are tailored to your viewing habits, companies must track and share your data with third parties. Apple, however, chooses to prioritize user privacy over ad revenue, making their devices a popular choice among privacy advocates.
### One-Time Purchase vs. Continuous Ads
While Roku’s low-cost media players rely on ad-generated revenue, Apple employs a different business model. Apple TV units are premium products priced at either $129 or $149. Comparatively, Roku devices start at around $30 and can reach up to $100, especially during sales. Apple emphasizes one-time purchases to cover their costs, allowing them the luxury of operating without being dependent on ads for profitability.
### The Upside of Choosing Apple TV
Opting for an Apple TV means you get a clean, ad-free interface. I don’t have to deal with ads interrupting my viewing experience or cluttering the home screen. The absence of ads not only enhances usability but also improves overall enjoyment.
### Conclusion
In the end, I’m glad I chose the Apple TV over Roku. While Roku may serve budget-conscious users, you often pay a price in terms of long-term user experience. With their increasing advertising strategies, it’s hard to predict just how intrusive their ads will become in the future. If you value a streamlined and ad-free environment, the Apple TV is definitely the way to go.
