Here’s What You Should Buy Amazon Fire Stick vs. Roku
A streaming device allows an application to receive data and deliver it to the user as a steady stream of converted audio or video. This is done, for example, by connecting your TV to the Internet so you can watch a movie, play the top 40 hits, or listen to a top-rated podcast on your device.
Streaming technology comes in different forms. They can be built in the smart TV or gaming device such as new versions of Xbox and PlayStation. You can also use a separate streaming device such as the amazon fire tv stick vs Roku to view content. Simply plugging a streaming device into an HDMI port on your television will allow you to play movies, tv shows, news, live events, game, and more.
Comparing Roku vs Firestick
Roku vs. Firestick, how do they compare? If you’re shopping for a streaming device, you’ve probably come across one or both of these options. The Fire TV Stick 4K was released by Amazon in 2018, which is an upgraded version of the previous model. Along with the 4K streaming feature, the device now comes with an Alexa Voice remote control. Roku, on the other hand, released the fourth generation of its players in 2015 to match the market’s demand for inexpensive streaming devices.
It has several versions of the device that vary in size, power, price, and more. While the most popular Roku choice is Streaming Stick+, there are cheaper options that can still provide an enjoyable streaming experience.
Amazon Fire Stick vs. Roku: Controls
All Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices ship with dedicated remote control. Both Amazon controls support Alexa. If you want to control your Roku with your voice, you will need to buy a Roku Premiere +, Roku Streaming Stick, or Roku Streaming Stick +. Both devices also have an accompanying remote control smartphone app. Lastly, if you have an Amazon Echo speaker, you can sync it with your Fire TV Stick and use it to control your content.
Amazon Fire Stick vs. Roku: Interface
Visually, the Amazon platform is more modern and feels more polished. However, critics have argued that it pushes Amazon’s own content too aggressively. It’s a valid viewpoint. You’ll only see one row of your own apps at the top of the screen. And if you have too many installed, you’ll need to scroll all the way to the right and click on View All to see them. The rest of the home screen real estate is taken up by content from Amazon Prime Video. Even if you don’t subscribe to the service, you will still see it.
Roku’s interface is more customizable. All your channels are displayed in a scrollable list. If you install third-party add-ons, you can even place your channels into groups for easier navigation. On the downside, Roku’s menus and visuals are dated. They badly need a refresh.
The Roku Streaming Stick comes with a minimal remote that’s basically just arrow keys and a few media streaming service shortcuts including Hulu and Netflix, but you can use the Roku app for iOS and Android so your phone or tablet can be used to surf channels instead. The Roku Streaming Stick is by far the simplest choice on this list, for better or for worse. Your home screen can quickly fill up with channels if you consume a lot of media, and filtering and sorting can be annoying. Not every app follows the same design guidelines, so the experience from service to service can be uneven.
Services like Netflix allow you to go to a website and punch in a shortcode to authorize the device to your account, while others force you to navigate an on-screen keyboard to log in and start watching. Once you’ve logged in, the Roku Streaming Stick remembers your account details so you shouldn’t have to repeat the process. Plus, you can use your voice to search for your favorite movies and TV shows. The Roku Streaming Stick is available to purchase on Amazon.com.
