Roku and Amazon Firestick are the two streaming sticks thought to be the best streaming sticks after Chromecast, but even between them, one is better than the other. So Which is better, Roku or Firestick
The Roku streaming stick plus is better than the Firestick in a way that the interface between the user and the TV is so simple and let’s you go through their menus easily, unlike in the Fire TV stick. Their difference is that the Roku streaming platform is neutral and allows users to search for a title on their Roku, it gives the user a variety of different streaming services. Compared to the Fire TV stick which only leads the user to an Amazon streaming store.
The best thing about the Amazon fire stick is its ability to load apps, which is favorable for advanced users, and its ability to support Dolby vision. Unlike the Roku stick, which is not that much of a big deal as people with TV’s that support Dolby would not see this as a problem at all.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
It is an electronic device that looks like a flash and had the shape of a flash drive and is plugged into the HDMI port of your TV with the aim of delivering streaming content from the internet to your TV.
This streaming stick enables you to access many streaming video channels, that is, those that need to be paid for and those that require a subscription.
The name is self-explanatory in saying that this is a streaming video electronic device sold by Roku. In particular, this one is most notable due to its smaller size, the smallest actually the company sells.
Some might mistake it for a flash drive, but this is a device that you plug into the HDMI input of a TV, this turns the TV into a smart TV.
This streaming stick is self-contained, and your TV is turned into a smart TV immediately as it adds so many streaming channels to your TV, all those you can think of; Amazon, Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, YouTube and the likes.
There are so many channels in the Roku library, some that you haven’t even heard of.
It is usually sold between 40 to 50 bucks. It also supports 4kHDR and HDR 10. It does not support Dolby Vision, which is not a big deal for people who have TV’s that handle Dolby vision.
It has an improved Wi-Fi receiver range as it was updated to do so. This proves to be useful when your device is placed in a remote corner.
The Roku platform interface also allows one to have an interaction with the TV. The navigation is neutral; it does not matter if one is a beginner or an advanced user; everyone can use it with ease and precision, unlike most streaming sticks, which are complicated.
Getting in the Roku platform, what is required is for you to log in, and you find all your apps and services offered right there.
Another great thing about the Roku stick is that you are also privileged with a free content Roku channel when you get a Roku. It’s proving to be fantastic, and a lot of content is found there.
Roku isn’t stopping there, it’s also making negotiations for rights to Quivi’s content, which is rather a failed streaming service from 2020, but some good content was there, which may now be shown on the Roku streaming stick.
Many would agree that the Roku streaming platform is dubbed as the best because of its platform’s neutrality. This means that you can look up a title on Roku, and it will tell you where you can watch all the streaming services, and their prices are ranked too.
Pros and cons
Pros
It has an improved Wi-Fi receiver range, which proves to be effective when your device is placed in a remote location in the room.
The interface between the TV and the person is just so simple, and one can go through their menus without having to go through Ads like in many sticks.
The Roku platform is neutral and allows you access to many streaming services with the price rankings when you search for a title on their platform. It doesn’t lead you only to their store.
A free content Roku channel which is a great initiative as a lot of content is found there.
Cons
It doesn’t support Dolby vision, which would prove to be a problem to those with TVs that do not support Dolby vision.
It does not support any voice command like Alexa in Firestick and it is more susceptible to getting hot.
Fire TV stick 4k
The Fire TV stick 4k is a small electronic device that is fast, supports Dolby vision, it is affordable and features an advanced remote. This fire stick has an updated version of an Alexa voice remote that has new distinguished tricks.
The remote still comes with a slim look and shape with a circular navigation pad near the top a pinhole microphone for Alexa.
The menu and playback controls are still there, and volume and power buttons are also there.
This stick can control your TV directly, which is much easier and enables you to control your TV’s power and volume without having to pick up a second remote, and you can navigate through the menus or change inputs using this remote.
You can purchase this for less than 50 bucks. This stick supports 4k and HDR 10 Plus and Dolby vision. Amazon products also combine this with Alexa, which can come in handy when you have a home with a lot of Alexa stuff.
Your interaction with the Fire TV interface is actually easy, and someone who is new might easily get the hang of it. The only problem is you will go through a lot of Ads while doing this, and it will only lead you to Amazon content. So if you think of buying or renting something, it will always lead you to an Amazon store.
Its ability to sideload apps makes it very popular, which allows you to get third-party apps that enable you to load software that you wouldn’t normally be able to get, and it’s for advanced users. This is a huge attraction for advanced users.
The huge turn off is it’s habit to always push you towards Amazon content.
Pros and cons
Pros
It supports the Dolby vision in this other streaming sticks do not support like the Roku stick
It has the ability to load side apps, which is a huge attraction for advanced users as it enables them to load software they wouldn’t use normally.
It combines with Alexa which is something fantastic to homes with a lot of Alexa stuff. Alexa is a voice command that enables you to place some commands just by speaking particular code words.
Cons
It lacks neutrality on its platform. When you search for a title on it’s platform, it will always lead you to an Amazon store.
The interface between the person and the person might be okay, but the person has to go through a lot of Ads, which makes this a rather not good interface.
Plus, the interface is not that straight forward.
Conclusion
Just a bit of recap, the Roku streaming stick is an electronic device that looks like a flash drive and has the shape of a flash that plugs into the HDMI port of your TV with the aim of delivering streaming content from the internet to your TV.
This streaming stick enables you to access many streaming video channels, that is, those that need to be paid for and those that require a subscription.
The name is self-explanatory in saying that this is a streaming video electronic device sold by Roku.
This one, in particular, is most notable due to its smaller size, the smaller actually the company sells while the The fire TV stick 4k is a small electronic device that is fast, supports Dolby vision, it is affordable and features an advanced remote.
This fire stick has an updated version of an Alexa voice remote that has new distinguished tricks.
Looking at the different streaming sticks, we have seen that the Roku stick is better than the Amazon fire stick because the interface between the user and the TV is so simple, and let’s go through their menus easily, unlike in the Fire TV stick.
The Roku system platform is also neutral and when you search for a title on your Roku, it gives you a variety of different streaming SEO unlike in the fire TV stick which only leads you to an Amazon store.
Still, the Amazon fire stick’s ability to load apps is an appealing offer for advanced users. And its ability to support Dolby vision also makes the firestick attractive, unlike the Roku stick, which is not that much of a big deal as people with TVs that support Dolby would not see this as a problem at all.
