Roku app on detective shows

Elementary is free on Roku right now, all seven seasons, no login gymnastics. That kicked off a rewatch and reminded us how much detective and procedural TV is scattered across free streaming apps. The best apps for streaming detective shows on Roku pull from ad-supported catalogs that get overlooked because they don’t push billboards.

We picked eight apps that our Roku setup actually earns its keep with. Some are Roku-native, others are cross-platform apps we side-load from the Play Store on Android and cast, and one or two we pair with a subscription. Every one has a working free path.

What to look for in a detective-show streaming app

Detective TV runs long. Seven-season procedurals, ten-year franchises, and imports from the BBC, ITV, and Nordic public broadcasters. When we test a streaming app for this genre, we look for:

Quick comparison

App Best for Free plan Rating
The Roku Channel Free detective classics Yes, ad-supported 4.5
Tubi Deep back catalog Yes, ad-supported 4.6
Pluto TV Live “murder mystery” channels Yes, ad-supported 4.4
Amazon Freevee Free Bosch and spinoffs Yes, ad-supported 4.3
Peacock NBC procedural back catalog Free tier and premium 4.2
Crackle Curated crime and mystery films Yes, ad-supported 4.1
PBS Masterpiece Poirot, Miss Marple, Sherlock Free tier with limits 4.6
BritBox UK detective canon Paid 4.5

1. The Roku Channel, best for detective classics free

The Roku Channel is the reason to keep a Roku plugged in even if you use another box for premium subscriptions. Elementary landed here in September and it joins Columbo, Perry Mason, and a rotating Poirot library. The Roku Channel for detective streaming works because the catalog leans specifically into procedural back catalog rather than chasing new hits.

Where it falls short: Ad breaks are longer than Tubi’s, and titles rotate quarterly so a show you started may not be there in three months.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku devices, iOS, Android, web

Bottom line: First app to install on a Roku. If you like Elementary, Perry Mason is right next to it.

2. Tubi, best for deep back catalog

Tubi carries more mid-tier detective shows than any other free app. Diagnosis Murder, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, Rosemary and Thyme, and about a dozen imports we hadn’t heard of. Tubi for detective streaming rewards browsing more than searching, so we scroll the “Mystery” hub weekly.

Where it falls short: Some series are missing a season or two, and ads sometimes hit twice back to back on the free tier.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, web, smart TVs

Bottom line: The single best free app for grazing across obscure and mid-tier detective series.

3. Pluto TV, best for live mystery channels

Pluto TV runs 24/7 themed channels, and its Unsolved Mysteries and Forensic Files channels rotate through episodes without a queue. Pluto TV for detective viewing is the closest thing to leaving cable news on in the background, minus the news.

Where it falls short: Nothing is on-demand on the live-channel side, so you land in the middle of episodes. The on-demand catalog is thinner than Tubi’s.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, web, smart TVs

Bottom line: Great for background viewing. Not the app to marathon a specific series with.

4. Amazon Freevee, best for Bosch and spinoffs

Amazon Freevee is where Bosch: Legacy and its spinoffs live for free after their original Prime Video run. Amazon Freevee for detective content also carries older Law & Order seasons and a rotating docu-crime shelf. It’s fully integrated with the Prime Video app on some Roku setups.

Where it falls short: The Freevee app was folded into Prime Video in 2024. On Roku that transition is smooth, but on some smart TVs the standalone app is now gone.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, web

Bottom line: Install for Bosch, stay for the classic Law & Order runs.

5. Peacock, best for NBC procedural back catalog

Peacock carries the largest single archive of NBC procedurals: Law & Order (all franchises), Columbo, Monk, and Psych. Peacock for detective streaming is the go-to if you grew up on NBC’s Wednesday night lineup and want it all in one place.

Where it falls short: The free tier dropped most current-season NBC content in 2023. Detective back catalog stays free, current-season procedurals now require the paid plan.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, web

Bottom line: Get the paid plan if you want Monk in HD. The free tier still carries plenty for casual viewing.

6. Crackle, best for curated crime films

Crackle rotates a small but curated selection of neo-noir and detective films. Crackle for detective viewing shines on cinema more than TV, and its “Crime Time” curated shelf tends to feature genuine picks (Michael Mann, David Fincher, Nordic noir imports) rather than filler.

Where it falls short: The TV catalog is thin. Ad breaks are on the long side, and Roku’s search doesn’t always index Crackle’s titles reliably.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, web

Bottom line: Keep it around for the monthly crime-film pick, not for series binging.

7. PBS Masterpiece, best for Poirot and Miss Marple

PBS Masterpiece carries the Poirot, Miss Marple, and Sherlock (BBC) canons legally and in good print quality. PBS Masterpiece for classic detective streaming is our default when we want the definitive British procedural experience without pirating.

Where it falls short: The free PBS app tier caps how many episodes you can watch per month. Masterpiece Prime Video add-on is the smoother experience.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, web

Bottom line: The paid tier is a bargain if you want the entire Poirot run in one place.

8. BritBox, best for the UK detective canon

BritBox is the paid pick when the free apps have exhausted their catalogs. Line of Duty, Vera, Death in Paradise, Shetland, and Inspector Morse all live here in full. BritBox for detective streaming is genre-focused enough that the catalog feels curated rather than sprawling.

Where it falls short: Not free. And BritBox’s app on Roku has had connectivity issues after firmware updates over the past year that a re-install has always fixed.

Pricing:

Platforms: Roku, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV, web

Bottom line: Worth it for anyone who reads Ian Rankin or Val McDermid. Skip if you only occasionally dip into UK crime.

How to pick the right one

If you’re new to the genre and want to start free: The Roku Channel for Elementary and Perry Mason, then Tubi to graze.

If you want live “always on” detective content: Pluto TV in the background.

If you already pay for Prime: Amazon Freevee is built in and gives you Bosch.

If you grew up on NBC procedurals: Peacock paid gets you the full Monk / Columbo / Law & Order library.

If you want the definitive UK canon: BritBox paid, no substitutes.

If you love classic Agatha Christie adaptations: PBS Masterpiece paid tier via Prime Video Channels.

FAQ

What is the best free detective streaming app for Roku? The Roku Channel and Tubi together cover most of the free detective catalog. Elementary is on Roku Channel now, and Tubi has the deeper back catalog for lesser-known procedurals.

Where can I watch Elementary for free? The Roku Channel currently streams all seven seasons of Elementary for free with ads. Availability rotates so verify before starting a rewatch.

Are old Poirot episodes on Roku? Yes, on PBS Masterpiece and rotating on The Roku Channel. The PBS Masterpiece Prime Video add-on carries the full canon reliably.

Which app has the most Law & Order episodes? Peacock has the full franchise, though the free tier is limited. Amazon Freevee carries older seasons for free with ads.

Can I watch British detective shows for free on Roku? The Roku Channel and Tubi have a small rotating UK detective catalog for free. For the canon (Line of Duty, Vera, Death in Paradise), BritBox is the paid option.

Do these apps support closed captions? Yes, all eight support closed captions and the Roku system-wide caption settings apply to each of them.