You might be tempted to choose between an Amazon Fire Stick and a Roku when it comes down to choosing. Both streaming devices can be used to access Netflix, YouTube and Spotify without the need to subscribe to cable. There are many differences between the two streaming devices. This article will help you make an informed decision about Roku vs Fire Stick.
Best for Home Screen Navigation
Roku
Roku may be the best choice for you if the organization is important to you. Roku allows you to arrange all your apps on your home screen just like on your smartphone. You can, for example, place Netflix on the top row if you use Netflix more often than any other app. This will save you time searching for it.
Apart from your apps, you can also see all tabs on the Roku home screen. To browse the featured free tab, you can also go to search for TV shows and movies. You can search by director or actor if you forget the title of a movie.
Fire Stick
Amazon Fire TV offers home screen navigation in a unique way. The Fire Stick allows you to organize your apps. Instead of allowing this, the Fire Stick displays a list of all your most used and recent apps. To access a list of master apps, you can hold down the home key.
Fire Stick displays recommendations below your favorite apps based on what you’ve viewed previously. Fire Stick also displays new movies from Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. The Fire Stick is a great option if you want to keep up with new movies or find movies of any genre.
The Best Remote Control: Fire Stick
Roku TV and Fire TV both have remote controls that can be used to control your TV. This means you don’t need to switch between the TV remote or the streaming device remote.
Roku
Roku’s microphone button allows you to search for movies and then play them with voice commands. Roku has shortcut buttons for many popular channels like Netflix and Disney. These shortcut buttons are very useful, but they can’t be reprogrammed to work with other channels. These buttons are not intended to be used for other channels.
Fire Stick
Although the Fire Stick remote doesn’t have the shortcut buttons found on the Roku remotes, it does have a mute and rewind button. The Fire Stick remote can control any soundbar, unlike Roku which can only control HDMI soundbars.
The Amazon Fire Stick remote feels more comfortable in your hand than the sleek design. It can be difficult to use the Roku remote’s big buttons. The Fire Stick remote connects faster, so you can reach farther away and don’t have to point at the screen.
The Best Voice Control: Fire Stick
It can be a pain to reach for the remote, especially if you are already cozy on your couch or bed. Both Roku and Fire TV Stick let you control your TV using voice commands. It all depends on the voice assistant that you have at home when it comes down to Roku vs Amazon Fire Stick.
Roku
Roku is compatible with Alexa and Google, but it won’t work with Amazon Fire Stick. Roku is better if you already have Google Home smart speakers.
You must say “Roku” every time you ask Google for apps or movies to be played on a Roku. You could, for example, say “Google, open Hulu” or “Google pause Roku.”
Even if you don’t have Alexa or Google, you can still launch apps or search for content with the microphone on your Roku remote. You can also use the Roku mobile application. You can search for different actors or genres of TV, as well as play specific channels. Simply say “Play Happy Feet On The Roku Channel” and Roku will play the film for you.
Fire Stick
Fire Stick, if you already own an Amazon Alexa smart speaker, is the best streaming device. Simply connect Alexa and Fire TV Stick to enjoy all the content you love without having to reach for your remote.
Simply say “Alexa, play Friends” and the Fire Stick will play Friends. You can even rewind the movie by saying “Rewind 20 seconds” on the Fire Stick.
Your Fire Stick can be used to command Alexa for other tasks. You can also use your remote control to control other smart home devices like smart light bulbs. You can also ask Alexa questions about the weather and see the results on your TV. Alexa can also speak to you via your TV speakers. It all depends on which smart speaker you have. The Fire Stick has better voice control.
Roku’s Best Apps
Roku
Roku and Fire Stick allow you to stream TV shows and movies and also let you play video games. Roku lets you play your favorite games with friends, family, or alone. The Games webpage on their website has hundreds of games.
You can also switch to the Applications tab and browse thousands of apps. You will find TV and movie channels as well as movie guides and virtual scenes to use on your TV.
Although Roku does not support as many apps and games like the Fire Stick, it allows you to access The Roku Channel. The Roku Channel is a free app that offers a large selection of ad-supported movies and series. There are many videos for kids and free channels like WealthNation and ABC News. Roku is a great choice if you enjoy movies and shows more than gaming.
Fire Stick
A Fire Stick can be used to watch cable channels like HBO and Cinemax. You also have access to Amazon Originals movies. To enjoy these perks, you will need to be an Amazon Prime member.
Fire Stick has a website that you can use to download apps and games to your TV. Fire Stick is more versatile than Roku and allows you to play more games, some more popular than those on Roku. A Fire Stick might be the best streaming device for you if you are looking to play games.
Private Listening
Roku
Roku has a remote control with a built-in headphone jack that allows you to watch late-night TV or play games while not disturbing others. Simply insert your headphones into the headphone jack and adjust the volume using the buttons on the remote.
Roku’s mobile app is a great alternative to the remote. You just need to plug your headphones into your smartphone. After that, your soundbar will turn off and your headphones will play the audio.
Fire Stick
Private listening can be done with Fire Stick as well, however, Bluetooth headphones are required because the remote does not have a headphone socket. This means that you cannot control the volume using the remote when wearing headphones. And using Bluetooth headphones can cause some audio delays.
Which Stick Should You Buy?
The best streaming device depends on your personal preference. Roku is easier to use than the Fire Stick if you are new to streaming. Roku is a better choice if you want to stream a wide range of TV and movie options, as well as a lot of free content.
