Apple and Amazon have both updated their set top boxes that offer streaming video content. With many improvements made to both devices, buyers might be torn between which one to buy.

Both the latest Apple TV and the Amazon Fire TV 4K were updated for 2015, and while they look very similar, they have different features and benefits, Pocket Lint reports.

Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV both come in small black boxes designed to be put near other television accessories like the DVD player and speakers. The Apple TV has rounded corners and takes up less space than the Amazon Fire TV's square box. 

For the remote, Amazon kept its Fire TV controller relatively unchanged. The Fire TV remote control has seven buttons, a directional pad and a select button in the middle of the directional pad. The button on the top is for access to the microphone for voice control. Amazon Fire TV also offers the option for an external game controller that is just like a regular video game controller.

Apple TV changed its remote control with six buttons and a clickable touchpad that works similar to the MacBook's trackpad. Apple TV also features a button that allows users to use voice control. The Apple TV has added several sensors that makes it act more like a video game controller and allows for some gaming.

Amazon Fire TV has the advantage of Apple TV when it comes to screen resolution. Amazon Fire TV is able to display 4K video at 2,160 pixels. Apple TV is only able to play video up to 1,080 pixel resolution.

Amazon Fire TV uses a 2 GHz quad-core processor from MediaTek along with Power VR GX6250 600 MHz graphics. Apple TV uses Apple's own A8 processor. With the capability of playing 4K video, Amazon Fire TV's specs are a little better than the Apple TV, but most users will not notice much of a change.

Both set top boxes offer their own variety of content. Apple TV allows users to download apps through the app store to gain more content. They can download apps from Disney Channel, ESPN, Netflix, YouTube and many others. For Fire TV, users can also download apps like Hulu, WatchESPN and Bloomberg TV. For now, Apple TV offers a bigger variety of TV shows and movies through its service. Amazon Fire TV is better for users who want to play games as well as watch shows and movies. 

The Fire TV set top box is $100 and it features 4K video. Apple TV is $150, but with no 4K video. If 4K video is a definite need, get the Fire TV, otherwise stick with the Apple TV.