Roku vs. Firestick – Which is Better for Your Home?

You’ve probably heard all about the Roku vs. FireStick debate, which is one of the biggest battles in terms of video streaming devices. While there are other similar devices like Chromecast and Apple TV, the two biggest platforms are Amazon and Roku. 

Unfortunately, many people have trouble choosing between these two devices because of how similar they are to one another. This article will tackle everything you need to know about the differences between the Roku and Firestick, so you can make an informed decision on what device is better for your home. Read on!

Roku vs. Firestick: Which Should You Get?

These are what you need to consider when it comes to choosing between a Roku and a FireStick:

The Hardware Options

From an entry-level point of view, Amazon offers the FireStick TV Lite, which is $30. This provides content access in Full HD but no 4k viewing, or Ultra HD. It also supports HLG, HDR, and HDR 10+ picture standards offer 8GB storage and has a similar quad-core processor the other FireSticks have. The newer version of the FireStick TV Lite now has Alexa integrated into it, along with a microphone, so you can speak to it with just a click of a button!

There is also the FireStick TV, which costs $40. It’s almost the same as the FireStick Lite but has the volume buttons for you to control your sound system or television. It also has Dolby Atmos support. After that, there is the FireStick TV 4K, which offers 4K Ultra HD resolution with support for Dolby Vision for the ultimate movie-watching experience. 

As for Roku, they have the Roku Express for $25, which can stream in HD and comes with a remote without any voice control capabilities. Next up is the Roku Premiere for $35, which has support for HDR and 4K. They aren’t sticks but small boxes that are made to sit under the television.

The higher-end Roku is the Streaming Stick+, which is a stick-shaped device coming in HDR and 4K support with an upgraded remote that has volume buttons, control functionality, and voice search. 

The Amazon FireStick is a bit more expensive by a mere $5, but based on the features it includes, it has more to offer compared to the Roku.  

The Key Features

Amazon FireStick offers its own Prime Video service and comes with Alexa, which you can use to search for things to watch. You can also use Alexa for basic controls, such as playing or pausing content, rewinding and fast-forwarding, and much more. 

Roku offers systems that aren’t attached to just one streaming service. Roku doesn’t have one, making it ‘agnostic’. This means it has a great search system that won’t steer the user to one service over the other. You’ll see search results based on all services from what’s available to you, along with the options to buy, its price, and resolution, among other informative data. 

Roku also has access to almost all video streaming services, which is what gives it the edge over the Amazon FireStick in this factor.

As for its ease of use, Roku may be the easier of the platforms, as you are sent to the home menu where you can see everything you need to get started with streaming. While a bit dated design, the interface is simple and easy to understand.

That said, the FireStick is also easy to use, though it emphasizes more of Amazon Prime content!

Available Content

Amazon claims that its FireStick devices have access to over 20,000 free movies and television shows thanks to services like Tubi TV or IMDB TV. It also has more than 500,000 movies and shows thanks to subscription services.

You will need to be a member of Amazon Prime to access content and purchase or rent new titles. This is why the FireStick is a good option for those who already have a Prime Video membership. Or, you can also jailbreak your FireStick for more access to content. You can learn how to jailbreak FireStick here. 

As for Roku, they don’t sell their content, as they have no specific service under their company. But they are a platform where you can rent or buy movies and shows from other platforms like Apple, Google, and more. They also have access to local streaming and television services, along with subscription sports platforms, along with free and paid content from Spotify and YouTube.

What’s the Better Choice?

Now that you know about the differences between Roku and FireStick, which is the best?

Well, there isn’t any outright winner, since this will all depend on your preferences, budget, and what you’re expecting off your streaming device. 

The Roku is slightly cheaper compared to the FireStick while Amazon provides the Alexa voice assistant for more convenience. Furthermore, Alexa can turn your device into a method of controlling smart home devices.

However, if you have no smart home devices, then you’ll find less value off an Amazon FireStick. Furthermore, if you have no Amazon Prime subscription, then you may want to go for a Roku device for its affordability and access to more content (without bias!).

Wrapping It Up

When you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to stream content from major streaming platforms, then two of the best ones are either Roku or FireStick. While it is a bit confusing, thinking of which to get, doing research will ensure that you have the right one. There is no better device, as this is all up to you and your specific needs and preferences! 

Hopefully, this article gave insight on how the Roku and Firestick differ and the best one you should invest in. If you now decided on what streaming device to invest in, do your research and get the most suitable model to enjoy lots of content!

Do you have questions or want to share your thoughts on what streaming devices to get and what makes them different, comment below. Your comments are much appreciated!