Streaming is a popular way to pass the time all around the world. Naturally, if you’re going to spend so much time in front of a screen, you’re going to want the best streaming device. There are many out there, such as Google Chromecast, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. In this post, we’ll specifically break down the latter two in a Roku vs FireStick comparison.
Roku Overview:
Roku has been around since 2002, though it didn’t release a streaming box until 2008, under Netflix. The company then made a name for itself as one of the premier streaming boxes of the late 2000s.Its current best model is the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, a receiver that supports wireless 4K HDR video streaming, assuming your internet.
Fire TV Stick Features:
Let me offer a small disclaimer for the Fire TV Stick: While you can use it for most of the same applications as Roku, the Fire Stick device tends to prioritize Amazon content. This, of course, is because the company wants you to use its service before any other.
Roku vs FireStick Interface:
While the feature set clearly leans toward Roku, it’s time to compare these two devices regarding their interfaces.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus Interface:
The interface on the Roku is fairly streamlined. Right when you log in, you’ve got a basic streaming homepage detailing your different inputs, streaming apps, and more. From here, you can also head to the Featured Free page, store pages, search, or your Roku’s settings.What’s nice about the Roku interface compared to the FireStick’s is the Roku’s doesn’t feel like the platform is trying to sell you a service.
Which is Better?
The better option depends on your situation. If you’re not reliant on any service and you simply want to stream from Hulu, Netflix, and other apps unbothered, Roku is your best option.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Overview:
Amazon broke into the streaming game in 2014 with its Amazon Fire TV model. While it still comes in the form of a set box, we’ll be focusing on its Fire TV Stick 4K version.To use the Fire TV Stick 4k to its full potential, you’ll need the following:4K HD Television: Your TV should have support for 4K (Ultra HD) and HDR.Decent Internet Speeds: If your internet can’t keep up with 4K streaming, you can’t take full advantage of the FireStick picture quality.
4K HD Television:
After plugging in your Fire TV Stick 4K, you’ll want to log in to your Amazon account so you can get streaming.The remote, which supports voice commands in addition to its traditional buttons, is even backward compatible with older Fire TV Stick models.
Decent Internet Speeds:
your internet can’t keep up with 4K streaming, you can’t take full advantage of the FireStick picture quality.