This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
The Roku Ultra is one of our favorite streaming devices, and rightfully so with clear and crisp 4K video quality and integration with several smart home platforms. That said, the familiar, straightforward Roku interface may be a pro or con, depending on your preferences. On the other hand, the Apple TV 4K has gotten better and better in recent years, and tvOS looks as slick as ever. Right now, it’s our pick for the best streaming device for Apple users.
There are many differences between the two platforms, one of which is the cost: $100 versus $129 (or $149). But it’s not as simple as picking the cheaper model. There are some valid reasons to save yourself some cash with a Roku Ultra or to spend a little extra and get the Apple TV 4K.
The Roku Ultra and Apple TV 4K each offer their own streaming lineup with a wide range of popular streaming services such as Max, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu (all the big hitters are on both). Additionally, each is capable of streaming in 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. That means the streaming experience should more or less be identical. So, aside from emerging smart home standards, each is relatively the same when it comes to future-proofing on formats.
Apple TV 4K vs. Roku Ultra at a glance
Faster and packed with a wider variety of apps, the Apple TV 4K may cost more than the Roku Ultra, but Apple users will prefer its experience.
With its more neutral and simple pattern, Roku offers a straightforward way to stream than Apple is pushing.
Quick comparison
| Software | tvOS |
|---|---|
| Processor | A15 Bionic |
| Ports | HDMI, Ethernet (128GB model only) and power |
| Visual standards | HDR and Dolby Vision |
| Audio standards | Dolby Atmos |
| Remote | Siri Remote with USB-C |
| Size and weight | 1.2 x 3.7 x 3.7 in., 0.5 lb. |
| Software | Roku OS |
|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core processor |
| Ports | HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet and power |
| Visual standards | HDR and Dolby Vision |
| Audio standards | Dolby Atmos and DTS Digital Surround |
| Remote | Roku Voice Remote Pro |
| Size and weight | 1.0 x 4.9 x 5 in., 0.4 lb. |
The Apple TV 4K is much faster
Both the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra cost you a pretty penny, but Apple’s offer comes with a speedier engine under the hood. This may not be a big deal when you’re just trying to watch your favorite show for the umpteenth time, but Apple will load your apps significantly faster.
I timed how long it took both devices to load Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, YouTube and Paramount+, and I wasn’t entirely surprised by the results. The Apple TV 4K took four out of five rounds, with only a two-second margin of defeat on Paramount+.
|
|
Apple TV 4K
|
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | 4 seconds |
| Hulu | 7 seconds |
| Max | 7 seconds |
| YouTube | 3 seconds |
| Paramount+ | 12 seconds |
|
|
Roku Ultra
|
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | 10 seconds |
| Hulu | 12 seconds |
| Max | 13 seconds |
| YouTube | 11 seconds |
| Paramount+ | 10 seconds |
The YouTube app load time is the most glaring of differentials here and something I’ve always noticed when using Roku devices. It’s the only example I can think of where I’ve felt annoyed in everyday usage.
TL;DR: The Apple TV 4K shaves seconds off your favorite app load times.
The Roku Ultra is more affordable
The Roku Ultra is normally $100, but if you’re patient, you can find it on sale for as low as $69. Meanwhile, the Apple TV 4K starts at $129 with its entry-level model. Unfortunately, that 64GB version doesn’t include an Ethernet port for hard-wired connections, which might be a big annoyance in houses with tons of wireless connections or difficulties. Adding an Ethernet port will cost you another $20. Both the Roku Ultra and the Apple TV 4K may be more expensive than the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, but their performance is faster and their interfaces are better.
TL;DR: The Roku Ultra is at least $29 cheaper, and that goes up to $49 if you need an Ethernet port.
The Apple TV 4K is best for those in the Apple ecosystem
The Apple TV closely integrates with all your other Apple devices. Its remote is super easy to access from the iPhone lock screen, as you can access it from the Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner) after enabling it in Settings. You can AirPlay your Mac’s screen or a video on your iPhone to the TV.
While the Roku Ultra offers a headphone jack and its own app for private listening, it’s incredibly easy to connect AirPods to the Apple TV. You just take them out near your TV and click the TV button on the remote.
Own an Apple Watch? Your Apple Fitness+ workouts on the Apple TV 4K can integrate your live workout metrics on the screen as you sweat it out.
Also, if you’re an Apple One subscriber, you might want the Apple TV 4K to put the iCloud Photo, Apple Music, Apple Arcade and (naturally) Apple TV+ services on the biggest screen in your home. You can connect a PS5 or Xbox controller to your Apple TV to play Apple Arcade games, stream your favorite playlists from Apple Music and present your photo albums on your TV too. Even if you don’t subscribe to Apple One and you only pay for and use one of the services listed above, the Apple TV gives you access to all Apple services without any fuss.
One of the lesser advertised aspects of having an Apple TV in your home is that it doubles as a HomeKit router. That means if you have a HomeKit-enabled lock, thermostat or camera, you’ll be able to access and control the devices while away from home. Even if you only have a couple of HomeKit devices in your home right now, an Apple TV makes sense as the next piece of the puzzle to result in a completely connected and accessible smart home.
TL;DR: Integrations with the iPhone, as well as Apple services, make the Apple TV 4K perfect for Apple customers.
The Roku Ultra supports more smart home platforms
Unlike the Apple TV 4K that only works with Apple’s HomeKit platform, the Roku Ultra is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s AirPlay 2/HomeKit smart home platforms. That means you’re covered regardless of which smart home ecosystem you’re currently invested in. Roku even offers its own lineup of smart home products, including the Roku Video Doorbell.
You can use Alexa to do things like turn the Ultra on or off or tell Alexa what you want to watch. The same can be said for Google Assistant, while AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support means you can use Siri to control what’s on your TV.
That said, the 128GB Apple TV 4K that costs $149 includes support for the future-facing Matter smart home standard and Thread networking technology. The Roku Ultra supports neither.
TL;DR: The Roku Ultra isn’t confined to the Apple ecosystem.
The Roku Ultra’s voice control is slightly easier to use
Both the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra remotes offer voice control buttons, which help you summon Apple’s Siri and Roku’s system of commands. But what if your remote isn’t nearby?
The Roku Ultra includes its Voice Remote Pro, which is always listening (which you can easily disable), so you can just say, “Hey Roku, where’s my remote?” Then a sound-effect plays off the remote and you’ll be able to track it down.
TL;DR: Apple’s remote may let you summon Siri, but the Roku Ultra remote lets you go hands-off.
Both help you find your lost remote
That said, both of these streaming boxes can solve the case of the missing remote control. In addition to the voice control command, Roku Ultra has a button on the side that you can press when your remote has gone missing and the remote will start playing a sound to help you locate it. As we can all attest to, streaming box remotes are some of the smallest and easiest gadgets to lose on a daily (hourly?) basis.
The remotes that came with the current Apple TV 4K (and the 2021 model that preceded it) also offer similar functionality, thanks to the Find My ecosystem. Just open the virtual remote on your iPhone, tap the Apple TV icon at the top of the screen and then select the Find button. You’ll then start “tracking” your remote’s location with a series of blips that intensify as you get closer.
TL;DR: Buy one of these boxes, and you’ll never lose your remote for long.
Apple’s tvOS offers much more than streaming
If you’re buying your streaming device just for sports, shows, movies and YouTube, well, then feel free to rock with the Roku. That said, Apple’s streaming box offers more than just binge-watching, thanks to the likes of Apple Arcade games and fitness programs such as Equinox+ and Apple Fitness.
TL;DR: If you want more than Netflix and its ilk, Apple lets you turn your TV into a more capable screen.
Roku makes it easier to find free TV
Those tired of paying too much for TV might side with the Roku Ultra, as it’s the platform that places free TV everywhere you look. I never made it a priority to watch these channels, but the Live TV and Roku Channel tiles on the home screen help surface programming that only requires you to sit through ads.
That said, scrolling through Roku’s free live-TV guide, I didn’t find anything I was particularly interested in. Tons of true crime and live news (mostly pertaining to nauseating trials) get prominent placement, and then you have “marathon” channels that let you consume a never-ending supply of shows such as “Little House on the Prairie,” “Baywatch” and “Bob the Builder.”
The Apple TV 4K only has free TV apps you can get elsewhere, such as Amazon Freevee, Tubi and Pluto.
TL;DR: Roku’s all about streaming without paying.
Bottom line
You shouldn’t base your decision between the Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra on streaming quality or services, as the two are pretty comparable in that department. Instead, you should choose based on the types of compatible products already in your home, how much you want to spend and whether or not you want to do more than just stream.