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A streaming stick is the cheapest way to make an old TV smart again, and the most popular small gift of the holiday season. On Amazon the choice usually comes down to two best sellers with almost the same name: the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. Both stream in 4K, both plug into the back of the TV, and both sell more than 10,000 units a month.
This fall the choice got harder. Amazon released a new Fire TV Stick 4K on September 30, 2026 that runs Vega OS, Amazon's own Linux-based system, instead of Android. It has a smaller app store, cannot install apps from outside that store, and drops Dolby Vision. Its Amazon rating sat at 3.1 stars when we checked. Meanwhile the older Android-based 4K Plus, rated 4.6 stars by more than 115,000 owners, is still on sale. This guide sorts out which stick is which.
I set up and look after the TVs in our house and in the apartments we rent out, and I've been the family's Fire TV and Roku support desk for years. I haven't tested the new 2026 Fire TV Stick myself, so for it I rely on Amazon's developer specifications, independent reviews and owner reviews on Amazon. Where my own experience explains something, I say so.
Quick picks
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6 and Fire OS with the full app store. 4.6 stars from 115,000+ ratings.
Check price on AmazonClean app grid, AirPlay, runs from the TV's USB port. HDR10+ but no Dolby Vision, so it suits Samsung TVs best.
Check price on AmazonFaster processor, 16 GB of storage, Wi-Fi 6E and Ambient art mode. Still runs Fire OS.
Check price on AmazonBuying it as a gift? Streaming sticks are regular Black Friday deals. Add the one you want to your cart or list now, and check the exact name on the listing: "Fire TV Stick 4K Plus" and the new "Fire TV Stick 4K" are different devices with different software.
The 2026 change: Fire OS vs Vega OS
Until 2025 every Fire TV ran Fire OS, a version of Android. That is why almost every streaming app exists for Fire TV, and why people could install apps from outside Amazon's store. In late 2025 Amazon launched the Fire TV Stick 4K Select on Vega OS, its own Linux-based system. In April 2026 a new Fire TV Stick HD followed, and on September 30, 2026 the new Fire TV Stick 4K.
On the screen, Vega OS looks the same as Fire OS. Underneath, three things change:
- Only Amazon's app store. Android apps can't be installed. Amazon's product listings say these sticks block installing apps from outside the store.
- A smaller catalog for now. The big services are there: Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock and more. Smaller apps can be missing. Owners of the 4K Select have reported, for example, that they could not find the Xfinity Stream app, and Tom's Guide found only two VPN apps.
- Less memory. The new 4K and the 4K Select have 1 GB of RAM, against 2 GB in the 4K Plus and 4K Max.
Amazon's AI summary of owner reviews for the new 4K says app compatibility is the most common problem, with some owners unable to download the apps they wanted. If every app you use is a big-name service, Vega OS may never bother you. If you rely on a local TV provider's app, a media-server app or anything niche, stay with a Fire OS stick (4K Plus or 4K Max) or a Roku.
Bottom line: the 4K Plus and 4K Max run Fire OS. The new Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) and the 4K Select run Vega OS. Amazon has committed to software support until December 31, 2030 for the 4K Plus, 4K Max (2nd gen) and 4K Select, according to Android Authority.
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus: side-by-side specs
| Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | Roku Streaming Stick Plus | Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) | Roku Streaming Stick 4K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software | Fire OS 8 (Android 11) | Roku OS | Fire OS 8 (Android 11) | Vega OS | Roku OS |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| HDR10+ and HDR10 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No | Yes | HDMI pass-through only | HDMI pass-through |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5, dual-band | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 with long-range receiver |
| Memory / storage | 2 GB / 8 GB | 1 GB / not listed | 2 GB / 16 GB | 1 GB / 8 GB | not listed |
| Apps from outside the store | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Apple AirPlay | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth headphones | Yes | Phone app instead | Yes | Yes | Phone app instead |
| Power | Wall adapter | TV's USB port | Wall adapter | TV's USB port | USB, adapter in box |
| Amazon rating | 4.6 (115,600+) | 4.6 (10,700+) | 4.6 (83,800+) | 3.1 (400+) | 4.7 (99,300+) |
From Amazon's Fire TV developer specifications, Roku product listings, Tom's Guide and SmartHomeCompared, and the Amazon listing for each model, checked October 23, 2026. Ratings change daily.
Which stick runs which software
Round 1: picture and sound
Both sticks stream in 4K with HDR10 and HDR10+. The difference is Dolby Vision, the HDR format Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV use for many of their shows. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus supports it; the Roku Streaming Stick Plus does not, and Tom's Guide also lists the lack of Dolby Atmos among its drawbacks.
Whether that matters depends on your TV. LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense and Vizio TVs generally support Dolby Vision, so on those TVs the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (or the Roku Streaming Stick 4K) gets more out of the screen. Samsung TVs don't support Dolby Vision at all; they use HDR10+, which both sticks have. On a Samsung TV, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus gives up nothing.
For sound, the 4K Plus sends Dolby Atmos to a compatible soundbar. If you have an Atmos soundbar, that is another point for Fire TV.
Winner: Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, unless your TV is a Samsung or a basic 4K set without Dolby Vision, in which case it's a tie.
Round 2: speed and Wi-Fi
The 4K Plus has twice the memory of the Roku Stick Plus (2 GB against 1 GB) and Wi-Fi 6, which holds up better when many devices share the router. The Roku has Wi-Fi 5. In daily use, both feel quick: the "Customers say" summaries on Amazon describe both as smooth and responsive, and each one has owners saying it is faster than the other brand.
Tom's Guide noted a slow start-up on the Roku Stick Plus, a minute or two from cold, and occasional skips when scrolling. If your TV turns its USB port off when the TV is off, the Roku boots from scratch every time. A small USB wall adapter fixes that.
If your stick sits far from the router, look at the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, whose USB cable has a built-in long-range Wi-Fi receiver, or the Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wi-Fi 6E. If Wi-Fi drops in that room no matter what, the problem is the router; see our best mesh Wi-Fi systems.
Winner: Fire TV Stick 4K Plus on paper. Real-world speed is close.
Round 3: home screen, ads and search
This is where people pick a side. Roku shows a grid of your apps, and you can move them around. It's the stick I set up for older relatives, and many owner reviews say the same: one reviewer bought it for a parent with dementia because the screen and remote are simple. Fire TV puts content first: rows of shows, a big rotating banner and Amazon's own recommendations. Amazon's 2026 software update made the screen cleaner and lets you pin more apps.
Both show ads. Roku has a sponsored banner on the home screen; Fire TV's banners are bigger and some preview automatically. Tom's Guide counted "many ads" on the Roku as well, so neither is ad-free.
For search, Fire TV now has Alexa+: press the voice button and ask in plain words, like "the cooking show with the British judges", and it searches across your apps. Roku voice search handles titles, actors and genres well, and simply lists where each show is streaming.
Winner: Roku for simplicity, Fire TV for finding something new to watch.
Round 4: Alexa, AirPlay and the smart home
If your home runs on Alexa, Fire TV fits right in. You can ask the remote to show the Ring doorbell or a camera on the TV, dim the lights, or check the weather. If you already have an Echo speaker, it can also start shows on the Fire TV.
If your family uses iPhones, Roku has Apple AirPlay: send photos, videos and music from an iPhone straight to the TV. Fire TV has no AirPlay. Roku's Amazon listing also says it works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and Roku's own smart home app, so it doesn't lock you in.
For late-night TV, Fire TV sticks connect to Bluetooth headphones. Roku sticks use "private listening" through the Roku phone app instead: you plug headphones into your phone and the sound comes from there.
Winner: Fire TV for Alexa homes, Roku for iPhone homes.
Round 5: remote, power and travel
Both remotes control TV power and volume, have voice buttons and run on AAA batteries. Roku's remote is simpler; Fire TV's has more shortcut buttons.
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus draws power from the TV's USB port, so there's no wall plug and no cable across the wall. The catch: some TVs can't supply enough power. One owner wrote that it only worked because they still had the power brick from an older Roku, so check that your TV has a USB port, and keep a USB phone charger handy. The new Fire TV Stick 4K (2026) also runs from the TV's USB port. The 4K Plus and 4K Max use the included wall adapter.
Both brands work in hotel rooms and at a relative's house. Roku advertises that you can watch on the go without signing in on someone else's device.
Winner: Roku for a clean setup, Fire TV for a steady power supply.
What owners complain about
Mixed remote reliability, some units that wouldn't connect to Wi-Fi, a few failures after weeks of use, and having to download apps that have their own buttons on the remote. Overall Amazon's summary calls the picture "crystal clear" and setup easy.
Read reviewsMixed Wi-Fi and TV compatibility, some freezing during playback, remote complaints, and the need for a USB power source. Praise centers on smooth 4K HDR and how easy it is for the whole family.
Read reviewsApp compatibility is the top complaint, followed by mixed speed and picture reports. Some owners like the new remote; others don't. Too new for long-term reliability data.
Read reviewsOur summary of Amazon's AI review summaries and recent owner reviews, Tom's Guide reviews and Android Authority reporting, October 2026.
Which stick fits your TV?
Streaming stick picker
Which should you buy?
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
Buy it for an LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense or Vizio 4K TV, for a home with Alexa or Ring, or for anyone who wants every app to just work. It is the Android-based Fire OS stick with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi 6, and Amazon promises software support until 2030. The new Vega OS Fire TV Stick 4K replaces it in Amazon's lineup, so if you want this one, buy it while it's in stock.
Pros: every HDR format; Dolby Atmos; Wi-Fi 6; 2 GB of memory; full Fire OS app store; Alexa+ voice search; Bluetooth headphones.
Cons: busy home screen with ads; no AirPlay; needs a wall plug; being replaced by the Vega OS model.
Roku Streaming Stick Plus
Buy it for a Samsung TV, for an iPhone household, or for a parent or grandparent who just wants the apps on the screen. It has 4K with HDR10+, Apple AirPlay, a simple remote, and it runs from the TV's USB port with no wall plug. On a Samsung TV, its missing Dolby Vision makes no difference.
Pros: simplest home screen; AirPlay; works with Alexa, Google Home and HomeKit; no wall plug on most TVs; easy for the whole family.
Cons: no Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos; Wi-Fi 5; slow start from cold; some TVs need a USB power adapter.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Buy it for a home theater, for cloud gaming, or when the TV is far from a Wi-Fi 6E router. It is the top Fire OS stick: a faster processor, 16 GB of storage (double the 4K Plus), Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision, Atmos and Ambient mode, which shows art when you're not watching.
Pros: fastest Fire TV stick; 16 GB of storage; Wi-Fi 6E; every HDR format; Fire OS.
Cons: costs more; Wi-Fi 6E only helps with a 6E router; same ads as other Fire TV sticks.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Buy it if you want Roku's simple screen and AirPlay on a TV that supports Dolby Vision, or if the TV is far from the router. Unlike the Stick Plus, it has Dolby Vision and Atmos pass-through, and its USB cable includes a long-range Wi-Fi receiver. It's an older model with a 4.7-star rating from more than 99,000 owners.
Pros: Dolby Vision and HDR10+; long-range Wi-Fi receiver; AirPlay; power adapter in the box.
Cons: older (2021) design; no Wi-Fi 6; Roku's home-screen ads.
Roku Streaming Stick HD
Buy it for a bedroom, kitchen or guest-room TV that isn't 4K. It does what the Plus does at 1080p, with the same simple screen and remote, and runs from the TV's USB port.
Pros: simple; AirPlay; no wall plug on most TVs.
Cons: HD only; won't upgrade with a new 4K TV.
What about the new Fire TV Stick 4K (2026)? It's the newest model, but it has half the memory of the 4K Plus, no Dolby Vision and Vega OS. If every app you use is a big name and you like the new remote with its Live TV button, it's fine. For most people, the 4K Plus or 4K Max is the safer gift. Tom's Guide gave the similar Fire TV Stick 4K Select a lukewarm review for the same reasons.
Setup tips for either one
- Use the HDMI extender if it's included. It moves the stick away from the TV's metal back, which helps Wi-Fi, and stops it blocking the next HDMI port.
- Plug into the right HDMI port. On many TVs only some ports support 4K HDR. Look for the one marked HDCP 2.2, 4K or ARC (ARC also lets the remote control a soundbar).
- Give a USB-powered stick enough power. If a Roku keeps restarting or shows a low-power warning, plug it into a USB wall adapter instead of the TV.
- Match the frame rate. On Fire TV, turn on Match Original Frame Rate in the display settings. On Roku, look for the auto-adjust refresh rate option in the display type settings. Movies look smoother.
- Turn off autoplaying previews. Fire TV lets you turn off featured video and audio autoplay in the preferences. Your evenings get quieter.
- Check the router. If streaming buffers in one room only, the stick isn't the problem. Move the router or add a mesh point; our mesh Wi-Fi guide explains how.
Building a smarter living room? See our Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8 comparison, the best smart plugs and our list of budget smart home gifts.
FAQ
Is Roku or Fire Stick better?
Neither is better for everyone. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus has more features: Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6 and twice the memory. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus has a simpler home screen and Apple AirPlay. Choose Fire TV for an Alexa home or a TV with Dolby Vision, and Roku for an iPhone home, a Samsung TV or someone who wants it simple.
What is the difference between the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and the new Fire TV Stick 4K?
The 4K Plus runs Fire OS, based on Android, and has 2 GB of memory, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The new Fire TV Stick 4K, released September 30, 2026, runs Amazon's Vega OS, has 1 GB of memory, no Dolby Vision, and can only install apps from Amazon's store. It does add a new remote and runs from the TV's USB port.
Which Fire TV Sticks run Vega OS?
As of October 2026: the Fire TV Stick 4K (2026), the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and the 2026 Fire TV Stick HD. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and Fire TV Stick 4K Max run Fire OS.
Does the Roku Streaming Stick Plus have Dolby Vision?
No. It supports HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. For Dolby Vision on a Roku stick, choose the Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
Which streaming stick is best for a Samsung TV?
Samsung TVs don't support Dolby Vision, so you won't miss it. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is a good, simple choice; the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is better if you want Dolby Atmos to a soundbar or use Alexa.
Is there a monthly fee for a Fire TV Stick or Roku?
No. The stick itself has no subscription. You pay only for services like Netflix or Disney+. Both have many free, ad-supported channels.
Can a streaming stick work without a wall outlet?
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus, Roku Streaming Stick HD and the new Fire TV Stick 4K are designed to run from the TV's USB port. Some TVs don't give enough power through USB, so keep a USB wall adapter handy. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and 4K Max use their wall adapters.
Related reading
- Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8
- Best mesh Wi-Fi systems
- Best budget smart home gifts
- Best smart plugs
- Leaving home for the holidays: smart home checklist
Sources
- Amazon Developer: Fire TV device specifications
- BGR: The new 4K Amazon Fire TV Stick runs Vega OS
- AndroidTVBox.eu: Fire TV Stick 4K launches on Vega OS without Dolby Vision
- Android Authority: Fire TV Stick HD sideloading warning and support dates
- 9to5Google: Fire TV Stick 4K Plus rename and Vega OS
- Tom's Guide: Roku Streaming Stick Plus review and Fire TV Stick 4K Select review
- Dignited: Roku's 2025 streaming sticks
- SmartHomeCompared: Roku Streaming Stick 4K specifications
- BGR: Why Samsung TVs don't support Dolby Vision
- Product listings, technical details and review summaries on Amazon.com for each model, checked October 23, 2026
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