If you’re looking for a new tablet, you’ve likely come across two kinds: the Fire tablet, and the Android tablet. And while both of them are somewhat similar, there are distinct differences that may make one a much better choice for you than the other.

So, what’s the difference between a Fire tablet and an Android tablet? Let’s find out.

What Is an Android Tablet and a Fire Tablet?

Using a tablet

The term “Android tablet” can refer to a whole range of devices. This is because all kinds of tablet manufacturers can build a tablet that runs Android on it. When shopping, you’ll likely find Android tablets from Samsung, Lenovo, and Huawei, to name a few.

Because lots of manufacturers create Android tablets, they all come with unique hardware and software specifications that you’ll need to compare and contrast before picking the one you want. Some will have more cameras than others, some will have beefier processors, and even the screen size can change between manufacturers.

On the other hand, you have the Fire tablet, previously known as the “Kindle Fire.” Unlike Android tablets, the Fire tablet is made solely by Amazon and produced as part of the Fire range. As such, when finding the perfect Fire tablet for you, all you need to do is look down the range until you find the one that matches your needs best.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Your Amazon Fire Tablet

Some people call a Fire tablet an Android tablet because it runs a modified version of the Android operating system. However, it's heavily modified to be its own standalone product, called “Fire OS.” And as we’re about to explore, that one change makes all the difference.

What Is the Difference Between the Fire Tablet and an Android Tablet?

Now that we know what each tablet is, let’s compare the two and see which is best for you.

Android Tablet vs Fire Tablet Apps

Apps on a tablet

Before we get into the nitty-gritty between the two tablets, we need to cover one thing that may make or break a deal with you:

The Fire tablet does not have native access to the Google Play app store or any third-party browsers like Chrome or Firefox.

You can install the Google Play app store to your Fire tablet, so it's not a total loss. However, if you’re expecting your new tablet to have the Google Play app out of the box, or you prefer to have a device that supports Google’s app store natively, the Fire tablet range is not your best bet.

Related: How to Install Google Play Store on Fire OS (Amazon Fire Tablets)

If you opt to miss the Google Play app store, you’ll be using Amazon’s own Fire app range. As such, if you want to use a specific app on your tablet, you should take the time to check the Amazon Fire app store and see if it’s there before buying one.

For example, at the time of writing, WhatsApp is not on the official Amazon Fire app store. If you want to use WhatsApp on a Fire tablet, you'll need to download, install, and update it manually.

In a similar vein, the Fire tablet doesn't carry any third-party browsers, but some workarounds let you install Chrome or Firefox on it. Again, it’s not officially supported, so you’ll need to dive into the Fire's settings to get them running on Amazon’s device.

If you choose not to do this, you’ll instead use Amazon’s single offering for browsers: the Silk browser. This may be fine for casual users, but if you want to sync up your Chrome profiles or get the latest features from the best browsers, you may be left disappointed with Silk.

Related: How to Make Your Amazon Fire Tablet Look Like Stock Android

Android Tablet vs Fire Tablet Products

When it comes to buying the perfect tablet, you can’t go wrong with shopping for Android. That’s because there are so many manufacturers, each with their own devices to choose from. Some will aim for luxury, while others more appeal to those on a budget.

However, you’ll find that Fire tablets come in at very affordable price points. If you don’t intend to install a bunch of apps on your new tablet, and you just want something that plays music on the go or lets you watch movies wherever you are, a Fire tablet will let you do that for less.

Android Tablet vs Fire Tablet Jailbreaking

Fortunately, if you want to jailbreak your device, you can do so on both Android and Fire. Some Fire owners even jailbreak their devices and install Android on them instead!

Related: Is Jailbreaking a Device Illegal?

Which Is Better? Android or Fire Tablets?

It’s not possible to declare one side a winner for every single use case. However, you can identify a clear winner depending on your needs from your tablet.

Do you want something cheap? Something that can play videos, stream music, and let you browse the web without many bells and whistles? Then a Fire tablet may just be what you need. It’s powerful, affordable, and does the basics very well.

If you do crave some third-party apps, it's not too hard to download and install them onto your Fire tablet. It won't nearly be as convenient or easy as the Google app store method, but it does mean you can install one or two special case apps that you can't live without.

However, as soon as you introduce even a little complexity into the mix, then the Android tablet is the clear winner. Want to pick out the tablet with the perfect camera? Want the full gamut of popular apps on the app store? Need a beefy processor to play the best mobile games? Then shopping for Android tablets will give you the freedom you crave.

Also, Android devices are your best choice if you’re deep in an ecosystem already. Are all of your bookmarks on Chrome? Got all your passwords saved on Bitlocker? Is your Google Calendar getting a lot of use? Then getting an Android tablet will allow you to reconnect with your data without needing to install any workarounds.

A Tale of Two Tablets

Android and Fire tablets share some similarities, but when you break them down to their cores, they end up being two completely different beasts. Now you know the difference between the two and, more importantly, which one is best for you and your needs.