Is Roku or Firestick Better? Everything You Need to Know

If you're in the market for a brand-new streaming player, you've probably already gone through many options, like the Roku and Amazon Firestick.

But it can be quite confusing at first glance, so today, we're diving deep and comparing the Roku vs Firestick to see which one comes out on top. We'll go over their features and the differences so you can make an informed purchase.

1A Brief Overview of Roku and Firestick

What Is Roku?

Roku is a streaming player that can connect to your TV to access the internet, streaming apps, live sports, TV channels, and more. They also have Roku TVs which are smart TVs that have Roku OS built-in.

Similar to other streaming players, all you need to do is connect the Roku Stick to your TV's HDMI port and connect it to a power source. Then, connect to the internet, make a Roku account, and you're good to go.

As per Roku, their devices have access to over '150,000+ movies and TV episodes' so you're set in terms of content. Roku also has exclusive Roku apps and shows you can't find on other streaming players.

What Is Firestick?

The Firestick is Amazon's streaming player that's home to a variety of apps, channels, and content. Similar to Roku, Amazon also has both streaming players and smart TVs that utilize their Fire OS platform.

Firesticks also plug into your TV's HDMI port and are connected to a USB power cable. You then connect the stick to the internet, log in to your Amazon account, and you're ready to start streaming and enjoying content.

Amazon also has a fantastic roster of apps and content to stream. Plus, Fire OS is based on Android, which gives it distinct advantages over Roku's closed-off OS.

2What's the Difference between Roku and Firestick?

Now we'll dive into the difference between Roku and Firestick to get a better sense of what each has to offer. Keep in mind that it isn't as simple as asking 'Is Firestick better than Roku?' because it also depends on your personal preferences.

User Interface

The user interface is a major difference between the two streaming players.

Roku uses Roku OS that features a neat, almost 'too' simplistic UI design with a home screen that shows you all your apps and the various categories to check out like live TV, the streaming store, settings, etc.

The design language is simple without giving you too much on-screen to overwhelm you.

Amazon Firestick on the other hand goes for the more 'modern' approach, plastering you with all its content. This includes shows to watch, apps to download, ads, and more. There's a lot going on in the Firestick's UI but it's a more familiar UI since it mimics platforms like Google TV or Netflix.

Another major takeaway is that Firestick is based on Android.

This means you're getting a lot more flexibility in terms of the apps you download and what you can do. You can sideload 3rd party apps that you don't find on Amazon's app store and you have more customization options.

Not to mention Firestick also supports cloud gaming platforms like Amazon Luna. You can even sideload the Xbox Game Pass to your Firestick, something Roku still cannot do in 2023.

Voice Control

Both the Firestick and Roku come with built-in voice control for the newer versions of the streaming player.

Roku uses its own voice assistant that can do most tasks on your remote. You can turn your TV on/off, fast forward, search for a show, open apps, change settings, and do other basic tasks.

However, only the Roku Voice Remote Pro comes with hands-free voice commands.

You can also pair your Roku with other voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa to open up your ecosystem across devices. But otherwise, the Roku voice assistant is pretty 'simple'.

The Amazon Firestick however comes with Amazon Alexa, arguably one of the best voice assistants out there. This is a big plus if you're already invested in the Amazon ecosystem.

Alexa is a comprehensive and powerful assistant that can do almost anything you ask. It's definitely 'smarter' than Roku's offerings and it works well with other Amazon Alexa enabled devices in your home.

Content Selection

In terms of content selection, both Firestick and Roku are filled with great content and streaming apps.

Roku however, has a slight advantage because it provides users with a plentiful selection of free live TV channels to watch. The included live TV channels have a great variety of movies, news, sports, and more.

Roku also has a great selection of Roku-exclusive apps and shows you can't find on the Firestick. The caveat is since Roku is a closed system that doesn't allow sideloading, you're stuck with the apps that Roku allows on their app store.

Amazon Firestick also has a solid selection of apps and content to watch. It doesn't have access to free live TV channels like Roku, but it makes up for it by having a plentiful app store.

Plus, Firestick can also sideload apps which means you can watch and stream content from almost any app you'd need.

Performance and Streaming Quality

When it comes to performance and streaming quality, there isn't much distinguishing between the two. Both Firestick and Roku have models that feature 4K resolutions.

The high-end models of the Firestick and Roku also support Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR so you're getting the best in terms of audio and visual quality.

However, there are a few slight differences when it comes to performance.

The highest-end Amazon Firestick 4K Max features a quad-core processor, 16GB storage, and 2GB RAM. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K also has a quad-core processor, but it's paired with a lesser 1GB RAM capacity.

How much this affects performance is uncertain, but it does suggest the Firestick 4K Max has smoother & faster load times.

Price

Similar to performance, price is another area where both the Roku and Firestick are similar. Both brands have multiple options at varying price points:

As you can tell, both have similar price points for models in the same category. However, Amazon frequently has sales on their Firestick lineup where you can get the streaming players for far cheaper than the normal retail price.

Roku also has sales on their site, but they're far less often than Amazon's lineup.

3Roku VS Firestick - How to Choose

4Is Roku or Firestick Better?

Now, to answer the big question; which is better, Roku or Firestick? Simply put, both are incredibly capable streaming players with only slight differences distinguishing them.

One main area where the Amazon Firestick may fare better is in terms of overall app selection and versatility. The Amazon Firestick has a stacked app store and is based on Android so you can sideload apps and customize them to your liking.

On the other hand, the Roku is the top choice when it comes to simplicity.

Roku streaming players don't overcomplicate things and it gives you the essentials. It has a plentiful selection of apps to stream and watch content and provides it in a minimalist, non-intrusive manner.

The Roku's home screen is cleaner and less cluttered than Amazon's Firestick which is a big plus, especially for people who aren't as tech-savvy and don't require the intricacies of Amazon Firestick and Android.

Overall though, Amazon Firestick is the better solution because it can do a lot more than the Roku in terms of sideloading and customization. Not to mention the Firestick also has cloud gaming support which the Roku just can't do right now.

5Bonus: Wireless Screen Mirroring Tool - AirDroid Cast

Whether you have a Roku or Firestick, sometimes you just need a convenient way to screencast to your TV. In that case, we'd recommend the all-in-one screencasting solution: AirDroid Cast!

AirDroid Cast is a fully-fledged screen mirroring tool that has a ton of exclusive features. Here's a brief overview of AirDroid Cast's features to get you better acquainted:

Here's a quick guide to mirroring your smartphone screen to your TV:

6People Also Ask about Roku & Firestick

Can you use a Firestick on a Roku TV?

Yes, you can use a Firestick on a Roku TV.

Is the Roku channel free on Firestick?

Yes, you can add the Roku Channel for free on Firestick. You'll need to download the Roku Channel app on your Firestick.

Can you use Roku and Firestick on the same TV?

Yes, you can use a Roku and Firestick on the same TV if they're connected to two separate HDMI ports. Alternatively, if you have a Fire TV or Roku TV, you can connect a Firestick or Roku streaming player to enjoy both platforms.

How to fix Firestick not working on Roku TV?

If your Firestick isn't working on your Roku TV, there might be a problem with your HDMI ports. Try connecting another device to the HDMI ports and see if it works. Otherwise, try connecting the Firestick to another display to see if it works.

Also, make sure your Firestick is connected properly to a power source via a micro USB cable.

7Summary

We've reached the end of our debate on whether to choose Roku or Firestick and we hope you have a better understanding of what both have to offer. In truth, both Roku and Firestick are equally capable and it's only a matter of small differences.

But if all you need the streaming player for is to watch Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+, both will work just fine.