Is Roku free to use once you buy the box?

Yes, free to use, no ongoing rental or subscription fees - just internet, electricity, plus whatever subscription channels you decide to buy like Netflix, Hulu, etc.

However, there are many free streaming channels available on the Roku for news, movies, etc. Many are ad based so if you don't mind an ad every 10-15 minutes, some like PBS and Smithsonian are just free with no ads. In theory, you can watch on your Roku for free forever.

Imagine going from $80/month for satellite/cable to $8 for Roku + Netflix or Hulu. No brainer for me, that's why I cut the cord and canceled my Comcast.

Too bad they don't have a youtube channel...

Just like others have answered after buying a Roku player there is no monthly fee just for owning the box. There are tons of free stuff (we listen to Pandora and TuneIn a lot for music) and there are subscription based services (like Netflix and HuluPlus). It all depends on what you're looking for. Roku was recently surveyed as the most popular streaming player, with the Apple TV coming in second.

Roku has no fees associated with using it. Some of the sites that Roku supports, like Netflix or Hulu Plus, require separate subscription fees while other sites, like YouTube, are free.

Roku does not have a DVR function. It is strictly an internet video streaming device.

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RE:

Is Roku free to use once you buy the box?

I realize you have to pay for internet and Netflix or whatever...but is the box free to use liike a Bluray player that streams, or is it a subscription service to use the Roku? Also, do they have DVR capabilities.

(I tried searching the Roku site but can't find direct answers to those...

Is Roku Free To Use

The Roku box (and any other media player devices - and thee are many) is yours to use free of further charges (except electricity to run it) forever (or until it breaks, or most likely, becomes obsolete). There are no subscription or other fees involved. It is indeed like a Blu-ray player, DVD player, stereo, or other electronics - i.e. Yours.

As you pointed out, there is cost involved if you use the internet (unless you have a free connection), and if you use any paid services such as Netflix, Hulu+, etc.

Media players do not, in themselves, have recording (DVR/PVR) capability, but can be connected to a computer or other way to record.