Roku Stick in the UK: What It Does Well and Where It Falls Short
A Roku stick is simple, cheap and friendly, but its app store is narrower than rivals. Here is what suits it and what does not.
By IPTV UK Free Editorial3 min read
In this guide
Roku sticks are small, simple and easy to use, and plenty of UK households have one. They are also more limited than people expect. If you are comparing a Roku stick with a Firestick or an Android box, here is an honest look at what each one does best.
What a Roku stick is
It is a small device that plugs into an HDMI port on your television and gives it streaming apps. Roku makes its own operating system, which has a grid of channels on the home screen and a very simple remote. You do not need much technical confidence to use it.
Roku also licenses its software to televisions, so you may see sets sold as Roku TVs. These have the same menus built in.
What it does well
Ease of use. The home screen is clean and the remote has few buttons. It suits people who want to press one thing and watch something.
UK broadcaster apps. iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5 and the main subscription services are available, so everyday television is covered.
Value. Sticks are usually inexpensive. Check the current price rather than trusting a figure from an old article.
Search. Roku's universal search looks across several services for a title, which saves hopping between apps.
Where it falls short
A narrower app store. The Roku Channel Store has far fewer apps than Google Play or the Amazon Appstore, and developers prioritise bigger platforms. Some UK services are missing or slow to update.
Limited sideloading. On a Firestick or an Android box you can install player apps from outside the main store. Roku is much more locked down, which limits what you can run.
Fewer settings. The simplicity that helps beginners frustrates experienced users, who cannot tweak much.
Roku and IPTV
If you are thinking of using an IPTV service, a Roku is not the best choice. The platform has very few IPTV player apps, and installing outside apps is awkward. Households that plan to use an IPTV player usually find a Firestick or an Android or Google TV box much easier. We cover the options on our devices page.
This is not a criticism of Roku. It is built for a different type of viewer, one who wants a polished, simple experience with the main services.
Roku against Firestick
On ease of use, Roku wins by a small margin, though a Firestick is hardly difficult. On app choice, the Firestick is clearly ahead. On installing apps from outside the main store, Roku is very limited while Fire OS allows it. Both carry the UK broadcaster apps, so everyday television works on either.
If you mostly watch the big free broadcaster apps and a couple of subscriptions, either one is fine. If you want the freedom to try new apps, the Firestick or Android box gives you more room.
A worked example
Take a household of four. The parents watch iPlayer and ITVX in the evening, the kids use YouTube and one subscription service, and nobody wants to learn a new menu. A Roku stick suits them perfectly. Now take a single viewer who likes to try new apps, watch from a media server and experiment with settings. That person will find Roku frustrating within a month and be happier with an Android or Fire OS device. Neither choice is wrong. The right one depends on who is holding the remote.
What to check before buying
- Resolution. Match 4K to your TV. A 4K stick on an HD TV is a waste.
- Remote. Some models have a voice remote or TV controls. Read the product page.
- Power. Use the supplied adapter rather than a TV USB port when you can.
- Apps. List the apps you use and confirm each is on Roku.
- WiFi. Look for 5GHz support if your router is far away.
Setting up
Plug the stick in, switch your TV to the right input, join WiFi and sign in with a Roku account. The whole process is quick. Our guide on connecting a Firestick has steps that are nearly identical.
If you already own one
Keep it for the apps it handles well. If you want to try IPTV, a cheap Firestick on a spare HDMI port is the easy fix, and you can request a free trial to test on that stick before you spend more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get IPTV on a Roku?
It is possible in limited ways, but the platform has few player apps. A Firestick or Android box is a smoother route.
Is a Roku stick better than a Firestick?
It depends on what you watch. Roku is simpler. Firestick offers more apps and more freedom.
Do I need a TV licence with a Roku?
Yes if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer. The licence applies to the content, not the device.