Roku suits people who want a simple streaming stick with lots of free TV and a menu anyone in the family can use. Fire Stick suits Amazon households that want Alexa voice control, smart home cameras on the TV and Prime Video front and centre. If simplicity matters most, plug in a Roku; if your home already runs on Alexa, pick a Fire Stick.
Both plug into the HDMI port on your TV and turn it into a smart TV in a few minutes. Where they differ is what happens after that: the menus, the voice assistant and what else the stick can control. I read Roku's site and players page, Amazon's Fire TV page and both companies' App Store listings.
Roku and Fire Stick at a glance
| Roku | Fire Stick | |
|---|---|---|
| Line-up | Streaming Stick, Stick Plus, Stick 4K, Roku Ultra | Fire TV Stick HD, Fire TV Stick 4K |
| Talking to it | Voice remote with TV controls | Alexa Voice Remote |
| Free TV | The Roku Channel | Not stated on the pages I read |
| Smart home | Not covered on the pages I read | Alexa smart home dashboard with Ring cameras |
| Phone app | Roku Remote with private listening | Fire TV app with search and a keyboard |
| Free plan | Not named | Not stated |
What Roku offers
Roku keeps things simple. Its players page runs from the HD Roku Streaming Stick up to the Streaming Stick 4K with Dolby Vision and Roku Ultra, which adds a backlit, rechargeable Voice Remote Pro and a lost remote finder. Every stick comes with a voice remote that also controls your TV.
Free TV is a big part of the pitch. Roku's site talks about a world of free entertainment through The Roku Channel. Its Roku Remote app turns your phone into a remote with a keyboard and voice search, and private listening lets you plug headphones into your phone so you don't wake the house.
What Fire Stick offers
Amazon's Fire TV page lists two current sticks: the Fire TV Stick HD, which Amazon calls fast, portable and everything you need to start streaming, and the Fire TV Stick 4K. Both come with the Alexa Voice Remote, and Amazon has a new Fire TV Remote with a navigation ring.
The Fire TV home screen gives smart picks and searches across your apps, and lets you jump straight into news and sports. You can also show art and photos when you're not watching, and the Fire TV app adds search, a watchlist and quick setup from your phone.
The smart home difference
This is where the two split. Amazon's Fire TV page shows a smart home dashboard on the TV with camera feeds and event summaries from Alexa+ and Ring, and Alexa on Fire TV controls your lights and other devices. If you've got Ring cameras or Echo speakers, your Fire Stick becomes a control screen for all of them.
Roku's pages put the focus on watching rather than running the house. One small check from Roku's own app listing: voice search works in English in the US, UK and Canada, and The Roku Channel only plays in the mobile app in the US and Mexico.
Who each streaming stick suits
Roku suits families who want a menu nobody gets lost in, people who love free channels, and bedrooms where you'd like private listening through your phone. Fire Stick suits Prime households, homes with Alexa speakers or Ring cameras, and anyone who wants to control the house from the sofa. If you're tidying up your TV apps too, here's how to cancel YouTube TV, and how to set up Spotify on Alexa if you're going down the Fire Stick route.
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My advice on Roku or Fire Stick
Look at what's already in your home. If you've got Echo speakers, Ring cameras or you watch a lot of Prime Video, the Fire Stick fits right in. If you just want to watch your apps and lots of free TV with as little fuss as possible, get a Roku. Go for a 4K model on either side if your TV supports it, since the HD sticks are best kept for older or bedroom TVs.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Roku have free TV?
Yes. Roku's site highlights free entertainment through The Roku Channel.
Does the Fire Stick come with Alexa?
Yes. Amazon's Fire TV page shows both the Fire TV Stick HD and Fire TV Stick 4K with the Alexa Voice Remote.
Can I see my Ring camera on a Fire Stick?
Yes. Amazon's Fire TV page shows a smart home dashboard with camera feeds and event summaries from Alexa+ and Ring.
Can I use my phone as a Roku remote?
Yes. The Roku Remote app turns your phone into a remote with a keyboard, voice search and private listening.
Which Roku has a rechargeable remote?
Roku Ultra. Roku's players page lists a backlit, rechargeable Voice Remote Pro with a lost remote finder.
