Is a streaming stick better than a smart TV's built-in apps?

Usually yes after a couple of years, and the reason is that the television and the software inside it have very different useful lifespans.

The core problem with built-in platforms. A TV is expected to last eight to twelve years. The processor and memory inside it were specified to the cost of a component, not to run software for a decade. Manufacturers also stop issuing updates for a platform long before the panel fails.

The result is predictable: a TV that worked fine at purchase becomes slow, apps stop being updated, some apps are removed entirely when a platform falls out of support, and new services never arrive. The screen is fine; the computer attached to it is obsolete.

Why a streaming stick or box helps:

Cheap to replace. Refreshing a £40 device every few years is trivial compared with replacing a television.

Better hardware for the price, since the whole cost goes into processing rather than being a fraction of a TV's budget.

Longer and more consistent app support, because the platform vendor's business is the platform.

Consistency across rooms — the same interface on every screen.

Fewer ads and less tracking on some platforms, though this varies considerably and several stick platforms are themselves heavily advertising-driven.

Where the built-in apps win:

One remote, one input. Genuinely convenient, and the reason many people never use the stick they bought.

Some TV features only work through the built-in player — certain HDR modes, motion handling or picture presets may be applied differently to an external source.

Broadcast integration, with catch-up services in the programme guide.

What to check on a stick: support for the HDR format your TV uses (Dolby Vision or HDR10+), the codecs your services need (AV1 increasingly), and whether the apps you actually use are available.

Smart TV privacy is worth noting separately — many collect viewing data by default.