Amazon Firestick vs Roku Streaming Stick +
In this article, we will be giving you detailed information regarding Firestick vs Roku.
When it comes to small and cheap streaming devices, the market is dominated by 2 names. Amazon and Roku.
These 2 have dominated the industry, and not even Google’s Chromecast can make a dent in their supremacy in the streaming realm.
Both are cost-effective, cheap, and highly versatile. So how can you choose between the two?
In this Firestick vs Roku guide, we have an in-depth look at 11 different categories picking a winner for each and seeing who comes out on top.
Specifications
Feature |
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K |
Roku Streaming Stick + |
Size |
3.4” x 1.2” x 0.5” | 3.7” x 0.8” x 0.5” |
Weight |
32g | 32g |
Processor |
Quad-Core ARM 1.7 GHz with 1GB RAM | Quad-Core with 512MB RAM |
Remote |
Yes | Yes + Controller |
Storage |
8 GB Internal + Cloud for Amazon bought media | 256MB |
Picture Quality |
1080p | 4K HDR |
Supported Audio |
Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
Voice |
Amazon Alexa | Roku Voice Assist |
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Price
Both Amazon and Roku have pursued the same strategy of offering low-cost consumer devices which come in at $50-60 or less.
In terms of price, the Fire Stick tends to come in slightly cheaper than the Roku. But both often have giveaways with more expensive items, good brand integration with lots of other brands, and an aggressive pricing strategy which has made them numbers 1 and 2.
But you are going to get a lot of bang for your buck with both devices.
Winner: Draw
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Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Reviews
Based on Amazon:
Roku Streaming Stick +: 4.3/5 with 1,100+ reviews
Amazon Fire Stick: 4.7/5 with 7,000+ reviews
The Firestick was always going to have the most reviews on Amazon, it’s a parent. And of course, it is heavily pushed and marketed by Amazon as a top search term if anyone searches for a streaming device.
That hasn’t stopped Roku from still selling heavily through Amazon.
The reviews are most helpful when we look at the worst reviews and the most helpful of them. With people upvoting ideas that they agree with.
The Firestick had quite a lot of less bad reviews of 1- and 2-star ratings, as well as a much better rating overall. Though both scored over 4.
The Firestick had only 6% of its ratings as 1 and 2 stars, with the biggest reported problems being:
- Poorly constructed remote control which is difficult to put batteries in
- Connectivity issues with the Amazon Echo
- A basic interface that can be confusing
Roku faired worse, with 11% of its reviews at 1 star and 4% at 2 stars, with the biggest problems being:
- Devices failing after a few months and then being charged shipping to send it back under warranty
- Having to sign up countless times for different streaming services
- The locked nature of their operating system
- Geo-Blocking, make sure to check services are available in your country before ordering a Roku
Amazon comes out on top as the clear winner when it comes to customer satisfaction and reviews.
Winner: Amazon
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Operating System
The Amazon Firestick runs on Android Oreo 8.0 and runs its own system through Amazon TV.
The interface is basic, and you will need to sideload the application, plus not have access to the Google Play Store. An inconvenience but at least it has a workaround.
Roku has its own proprietary operating system. Now on Roku OS 7.0. This is a completely closed system, which means you cannot download and install 3rd party applications.
Great if you want to take advantage of the 5,000+ channels as opposed to the Firesticks 3,000+. Not so good if you want to do anything else with it.
The Roku interface is a cleaner layout and is nicer to interact with and use.
We call it a draw, as Amazon wins for using third-party software, but Roku wins for the ease of use of its OS.
Winner: Draw
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Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Hardware
First, Roku is frustrating when it comes to finding out the technical specifications of its device. It doesn’t list the processor or cores that it has which makes a pound-for-pound comparison hard. As a technical user, we found this suspicious and irritating.
The devices seem similar and have the same number of ports, 1 for USB and 1 for HDMI.
But the Firestick delivers much bigger RAM and storage, what you get with the Roku is laughable, and again part of having a closed system. They don’t want you to store stuff on the device. They want you to stream
But this means the Roku is not as flexible when it comes to processing a high graphics load, thus it’s more prone to freeze or stall.
The new Streaming Stick + promised a WIFI extender to increase range up to 4 times from your router. But it doesn’t make up for woefully small specs and a lack of transparency on the device.
Winner: Amazon
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Performance
Both devices perform well, and there is a negligible difference between them.
The Streaming Stick + is designed to stream 4K and HD just like the newer Amazon Firestick 4K, and the reduced RAM seems to make no difference to actual streaming.
Both feature Dolby Surround Sound and Atmos as standard.
Winner: Draw
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Storage
The Roku doesn’t have any storage, and it doesn’t even have a native browser, unlike Amazon Firestick where you can use Facebook and play some simple games.
Roku is a missile fixed on course for streaming and nothing else. You don’t even have the option to download content. Which is a shame. Though for someone just wanting to stream the amount of storage should make no difference.
The 8GB that Amazon gives isn’t massive, but at least you could download a film or 2 to watch offline.
Winner: Amazon
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Speed
Both are fast and responsive considering the price tag. Amazon Firestick used to have an advantage with Alexa, but the newest version of Roku now has voice control.
Both do exactly what they say on the tin and do it well
Winner: Draw
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Voice Control
Though Roku has introduced voice control, Alexa still wins. With a wider range of commands and a more sophisticated AI, not to mention more data points.
Roku is catching up, but only Google is in any position to defy Alexa’s dominance when it comes to voice control
Winner: Amazon
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Sound
Both devices run Dolby Atmos. But Roku has a sneaky trick up its sleeve. Like the Nvidia Shield, you can plug your headphones into the remote and watch TV quietly while the kids sleep.
A nice touch.
Winner: Roku
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Accessories
Both devices come with a remote, though Roku does have the major streamers buttons on the remote.
That’s fine for Netflix, but I wouldn’t want Hulu and Sling on my remote.
The problem with pre-defined buttons is that it assumes you are using that service, plus the button is useless for anything else.
We find Amazon’s remote to be much simpler and to the point, placing instead the emphasis on using Alexa instead.
Winner: Amazon
Firestick vs Roku in Terms of Kodi Compatibility
Amazon Firestick may be frustrating in that you need to sideload applications, but at least you can. It’s not too much fuss to get Kodi up and running on your Fire Stick. Even though you don’t want to overload it with too many add ons or big builds over 250MB.
On Roku, you can’t use Kodi at all. You could cast an Android device to Roku, but for us, this is just more gaffe than it’s worth. Considering most Smart TVs you can cast directly to them anyway.
Winner: Amazon
Firestick vs Roku Final Score
Amazon:8.5
Roku: 7.5
Best VPN For Firestick And Roku
Whichever device you like to use for streaming, you should always protect your privacy. Firestick and Roku are both great devices but they are also both prone to trackers. The best thing you can do is to use a Virtual Private Network that will help you destroy geo-restrictions while having peace of mind that there will be no one monitoring your every move.
Surfshark VPN is the best VPN you can use with both Firestick and Roku. It has great security ability and speed for streaming. You don’t have to worry about your ISP throttling your internet whenever you are watching some high-definition videos on these two devices.
Here are some of the best Surfshark VPN features:
- 3200+ servers all over the world
- Bypass Geo-restrictions
- Gives you an additional wall of protection from your ISP
- Allows you to access content from other countries
- Protects your online privacy
- Keeps your data and files from harmful malware with its very own Surfshark Antivirus software
- Your connections and data will be kept encrypted and anonymous
- No log policy
- Makes your internet speed faster
- Gives easy access and downloads from different torrent sites without being caught.
- Prevents Firestick Buffering and Kodi Buffering
To learn more, read our Surfshark VPN review.
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Our Overall Winner and Final Thoughts
On the face of it, it doesn’t seem like there is much to choose between the two, but they could not be more different.
In short, Roku offers a great closed system that is fixated on doing one thing and doing it well. Namely, get a Roku stick if you just want access to the most TV channels and streaming services that you can. And you don’t care about storage, Kodi, internet explorer, games, or anything apart from streaming. Roku is great at that.
But, if like us you want a bit of variability and would like the choice of browsing online from your device or downloading Kodi and getting some cool add-ons, or God forbid, downloading something you have paid for onto your device then Amazon wins.
Personally, we found Roku to be really, really limited. Plus, the slew of bad reviews about it breaking after a few months. To have so little RAM and storage is just a poor show, and there are glaring hallmarks of cutting corners when it comes to the device.
You would pay less for more by buying the Amazon Fire Stick. Roku may be great for grandma, but for anyone who is even a little tech-savvy, save your money.
We really don’t understand the appeal that Roku has and why it has gone on to be so successful.
