Why I ditched Roku for the Apple TV

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If you’re willing to pay a premium, the Apple TV is the perfect streaming device for iPhone owners

Why I ditched Roku for the Apple TV
(Image credit: Future)

Update: Things have changed, so here's why I'm ditching my Apple TV for Roku.

The Apple TV 4K seems crazy expensive at $179, and on the surface it doesn't really offer a lot more than cheaper competitors. Yet I noticed that I was starting to use it a lot more a few months ago, as I stopped using my Roku Ultra. 

Don't get me wrong. I like the Roku Ultra a lot. I bought one for my parents for Christmas last year. But once I freed its HDMI cable in my rat's nest of cords behind my TV, and put that cord into my Apple TV 4K, I have never really looked back. Both are on our list of best streaming devices — heck, the Roku Ultra is ranked higher — but for me, personally, I've made my choice.

My change of habit was enabled by the fact that as the editor in charge of streaming devices at Tom's Guide, and during quarantine I've basically collected all of the major streaming devices behind my TV, so I can test and compare.

But my decision to start using the Apple TV 4K more, though, is more about how most of these devices do a lot of the same things — and it's the few ways they stand out that can push you to use one over the other. Let's dig in:

It started off with HBO Max, how did it end up like this?

The Harley Quinn animated show is amazing, and it's also the reason why the HDMI plug left my Roku Ultra in the first place.

With the exception of those who subscribe to the DC Universe service (where that show started), I don't know how many people will be able to see the animated antics of Ms. Quinn. And you should, the series delivers an excellently hilarious angle on criminal affairs in Gotham as Harley teams Poison Ivy to ruffle Batman's feathers while she tries to get into the Legion of Doom. HBO Max also is the exclusive home of the West Wing reunion, the Witches remake, and it's getting the Justice League Snyder Cut in 2021.

HBO Max

(Image credit: HBO)

You can't, though, if your only streaming device is a Roku. That's because Harley Quinn is on HBO Max now, and HBO Max launched without a Roku app (or a Fire TV one either) and it's still not on there. And HBO's remaining Roku app doesn't support logging in with your cable subscription, so I couldn't use that if I wanted. 

Apple TV has the perks of the Apple ecosystem

When I want to turn on a streaming device and watch something other than HBO Max, the Apple TV wins again because I own an iPhone. A simple downward swipe from the top right corner of my iPhone's lock screen gives me a Remote button, which then allows me to turn the Apple TV (and my TV, too), on and the Remote app comes up so I can find the apps and such I want.

apple music

(Image credit: Apple)

While I try and keep my iPhone away from myself when I'm watching good TV (live-tweeting bad TV, such as WWE Monday Night Raw, is only natural), that's not always the case. When it's time to make lunch, and I amble into my living room/kitchen, it's much easier to pull my phone out of my pocket than it is to go hunting for a remote. 

And I'm always looking to watch YouTube during lunch, as I'm not one of those folks who can watch videos while they work (that's taking multitasking a bit too far). So that pattern became the norm, and the Apple TV continued to become my dominant streaming device.

Yes, I could turn on my Roku from the Roku app, but Apple doesn't give you the ability to customize the Control Center screen where the Apple TV button is. I really wish it would, though.

The integrations don't stop with just the iPhone. The Apple TV app brings Apple TV Plus to other devices, but Apple Arcade games are not on any other device than the Apple TV. Plus, the upcoming Apple Fitness Plus service is also going to be exclusive to Apple's hardware, inside of the Fitness app. That includes Apple Watch integration for sending your personal activity (heart rate, calories burned and more, to your TV screen as you work out). 

I'm sticking with the Apple TV — but it needs to change

If I didn't review streaming devices for a living, I probably wouldn't have made this leap. The Apple TV 4K is a hefty $179, that's $80 more than the Roku Ultra, and $129 more than popular 4K streaming devices like the Roku Streaming Stick Plus and the new Chromecast with Google TV.

But with access to all of the above, I'm probably going to keep using the Apple TV 4K (though I am excited to get one of the new Chromecasts in to try out). It's got everything I want (save for a Japanese pro wrestling streaming service that only supports Fire TV and Chromecast), and it's the easiest to use, no matter what's going on. 

But if Apple wants to really take TV seriously, it'll take more than making great shows like Ted Lasso (a topic for another article): Apple needs a more affordable streaming device. Because until then, the Apple TV will just be for those with deep pockets.

Henry T. Casey
Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • cossno
    I owned most of them ROKU, Apple TV, FireTV, Shield TV.
    Roku I dropped years ago in favor of the FireTV, then dropped the FireTV in favor of the Shield TV.
    My Apple TV has been the most idling one of the four. As most Apple product there are too limited and not opened enough. And yes I also own most Apple products. There is almost no Apps on Apple TV. One would assume that you could download mist of the apps available from the apps store, but that is not the case.
    And I now have Shield TV is every room! Best choice ever! They are not cheap but they beat all other products outthere.

    Forgot to mention that I also had chromecast but never really use it.
    Reply
  • dinkhall
    I had a Roku a few years back, that is until the Apple TV came out. I loved the Apple TV, but then the Apple TV 4K came out and I went for that. That 4K device lasted about a year. I figured I'd take it to the Apple Store for repair ... NOPE! They want to charge $149 to repair!! Mind you, I still love the device, but I have a Samsung TV and all the streaming services I use come with this Smart TV. All the Apple TV was, was an added layer that I didn't need.
    ModelOut-of-warranty feeApple TV 4K 32 GB$ 149Apple TV 4K 64 GB$ 149Apple TV (4th generation) 32 GB$ 119Apple TV (4th generation) 64 GB$ 119Apple TV (3rd generation)$ 49
    Reply
  • mejustsayin
    cossno said:
    I owned most of them ROKU, Apple TV, FireTV, Shield TV.
    Roku I dropped years ago in favor of the FireTV, then dropped the FireTV in favor of the Shield TV.
    My Apple TV has been the most idling one of the four. As most Apple product there are too limited and not opened enough. And yes I also own most Apple products. There is almost no Apps on Apple TV. One would assume that you could download mist of the apps available from the apps store, but that is not the case.
    And I now have Shield TV is every room! Best choice ever! They are not cheap but they beat all other products outthere.
    Forgot to mention that I also had chromecast but never really use it.


    I have a computer on every tv and I think that beats the Shield TV :-)
    Reply
  • Sokratesagogo
    But if Airplay is coming to Roku devices later their year (Mac Rumours link) => Apple TV app 2 Roku
    Reply
  • Roku User
    The Apple TV remote is a complete no go lose for me. Haven't seen a viable 3rd party one yet. Tried Harmony and gave up quickly. Not that the Roku remote isn't without annoyances-- no mute or volume control and I wish I could disable the stupid Netflix and other buttons--my dogs bump the remote and change channels all the time. The HBO Max issue is overblown. I use the old HBO app and it still works. I use a tablet and cast to my TV in the rare instance the added Max services have something viable to watch.
    Reply