Overall Findings: What’s the Point of an Apple TV or Fire Stick?
Additionally, both devices offer easy setup and intuitive interfaces, so you can quickly jump in and start watching Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming apps. But even with so many similarities, there are some differences that set the Apple TV and Fire Stick apart.
Specs: Fire TV Stick Has Slight Edge in Video, but Apple TV Has Better Audio
Apple TV does have an advantage when it comes to storage, as you get either 32GB or 64GB compared to 8GB for the standard Fire Sticks and 16GB with the Fire TV Cube. However, it’s debatable whether this extra storage space is worth the cost, as the only real benefit is a slight performance boost thanks to the way Apple TV caches data.
Out-of-the-Box Experience: Smooth Setup for Both Devices
The Apple TV and Fire TV Stick are both “plug-and-play” devices, meaning you don’t need any additional hardware besides an internet connection and HDMI-compatible TV. Neither device requires you to register a code first—you’ll just need to enter your Wi-Fi password to get started. In terms of physical design, the Fire TV Stick is small enough to be tucked behind your TV, which could be beneficial if your home theatre space is already crowded. Of course, it’s a different story if you opt for the Fire TV Cube, which is a bit bigger than the Apple TV. Speaking of the Apple TV, it’s small enough to fit comfortably into any entertainment setup and also includes an ethernet port if you’d prefer a wired connection for more consistent speeds. Just make sure you have a spare HDMI cable handy, as Apple TV devices don’t come with one.
Channels and Apps: Thousands to Choose From
Although Apple has a reputation for saddling developers with stricter requirements to publish on its App Store, you’ll find more than 15,000 apps on Apple’s tvOS according to research firm 42matters. This is actually more than you’ll find on Fire TV Stick, which offers approximately 12,700 apps. Apple TV used to have an advantage when it comes to app availability, as both HBO Max and Peacock were unavailable on Fire TV Stick at launch. However, both of these services have since been added, which puts Apple TV and Fire TV Stick on par in terms of high-profile content availability.
Features: Apple TV and Fire Stick Both Offer Robust Entertainment Hubs
While the Apple TV and Fire TV Stick are primarily video streaming devices, both offer a wide range of additional features to serve as one-stop entertainment shops.
Final Verdict: Is Fire Stick as Good as Apple TV?
Based on its affordability and feature set, the Fire TV Stick is the overall winner but you really can’t go wrong with either device.
