Nowadays, people are moving towards streaming devices by ditching their traditional cable TVs as it is more cost-effective and gives you a lot of other benefits. There are many streaming devices available these days; however, today I’m going to compare two top options i.e., Roku vs Chromecast, and show you which is the better option.
If you are confused between these two streaming devices, you’ll know which would suit you in a few minutes. Let’s get started.
Roku vs Chromecast: A Detailed Comparison
This detailed comparison will show you the difference between Roku and Chromecast and help you pick the right one. I have divided this comparison into multiple sections for better understanding.
1. Cost:
The first thing people look at while buying a streaming device like Roku or a Chromecast is its pricing. Not everyone wants to spend a lot of money on this.
Let’s compare the products of these brands to get a better idea.
Cheapest Roku option i.e. Roku Express= $24.99
The most expensive Roku option i.e., Roku Streaming Stick 4K+= $69.99
Cheapest Chromecast option i.e., Chromecast HD Version= $29.99
The most expensive Chromecast option, i.e., Chromecast 4K version= $49.99
The cheaper model of Chromecast is slightly costlier than Roku. Roku Express might be the right fit if you don’t want to spend extra money to get the cheapest option.
The most expensive models of both brands have a difference of $20. Of course, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ will offer you better features and great value for money. If you are okay with missing out on some features for $20, you can opt for the Chromecast 4K version, and you’ll have no problem with that.
2. User Interface (UI):
One of the biggest differences between a Roku device and a Chromecast is their User Interface (UI). Roku has a clean User Interface (UI) on Roku OS. You’ll find options like Store, Settings, etc., and the best is that you can easily search for anything you want.
On the other hand, Chromecast runs on Google TV and has everything in one place without any confusion. Using the User Interface on Chromecast is also pretty easy. Apart from using Chromecast to stream your favorite movies, TV shows, or anything else, you can also use this device to cast your phone to a Smart TV, which is pretty useful.
Another thing I would like to mention about Chromecast is that you can control the Chromecast device via the Google Home app, which is officially available on Android and iOS devices.
Overall, both of these devices have good User Interface (UI), but If you ask me which is better, Roku or Chromecast, in terms of UI, I would pick Roku over Chromecast.
4. Connections:
Both Roku and Chromecast devices support HDMI ports, and you can plug these devices into your Smart TV to stream anything you want without much trouble. If you own the pre-2018 Roku Express+ device, it supports composite A/V ports. If you have an older TV in your home, this Roku device might help you stream on that.
However, the newer versions of Roku Express+ models aren’t equipped with this feature. If you want to use Roku in composite A/V ports, you’ll have to purchase the older model and, to be precise, the pre-2018 Roku Express+, or else you won’t be able to stream on those composite A/V ports.
Lastly, I want to mention that you don’t have to worry about the compatibility of any of these two streaming devices, as most Smart TVs currently support HDMI.
5. Picture Quality:
The next important thing you should consider while choosing between Roku and Chromecast is the streaming quality and capabilities. No one would like to watch a movie or a TV show with low quality in 2023.
Out of 4 Roku devices, one doesn’t support 4K, i.e., The Basic Roku Express, but it supports HD, i.e., 1080P quality. On the other hand, only the 4k version of Chromecast supports the 4k video quality, while the other doesn’t.
You must remember a couple of things before choosing Roku vs Chromecast regarding picture quality.
First, you must ask yourself, do you need the 4K content? If you don’t know, let me remind you that streaming platforms like Netflix charge a little extra for the 4K content.
For example, the standard monthly plan costs you about $15.49 per month, whereas the 4K plan will cost you about $19.99. If you are willing to pay a little for the 4K content, that’s perfectly fine, or else you’ll be okay with 1080P.
You must also know whether your Smart TV supports the 4K content. Only a handful of them support the 4K content, which is expensive. If your Smart TV doesn’t support 4K video quality, there is no point in purchasing a 4K streaming device, whether it is a Roku or a Chromecast.
Can you have Roku and Chromecast on the same TV?
Many people question whether they can use both Roku and Chromecast on their Smart TV, and If you want a straightforward answer, the answer is YES. Using a Roku and a Chromecast on the same TV is perfectly possible.
But you must understand that you can only use both of these streaming devices If you have at least two HDMI ports that are currently not in use.
Even though both streaming devices can be used on the same TV, they can’t be used simultaneously. You must switch the input source to watch different content from these two streaming devices. I hope you understand my point.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, the Roku app is officially on Google TV devices. You can enjoy the ad-free version of the Roku app on any of the Google TV devices without any interruptions. The best part is that you don’t have to pay anything for using the app.
The older versions of Chromecast don’t come with a remote. However, the latest version of the Chromecast does come with a remote. If you need a physical remote to use Chromecast, you may consider buying the latest Chromecast.
Yes, you can use the Google Home app to use Chromecast from your iPhone. However, you won’t be able to cast all the apps from your iPhone using this app.
Absolutely, Yes. Chromecast does work perfectly fine with most Roku TVs without any issues.
Both Roku and Firestick have their pros and cons. Still, I would rate Firestick as slightly higher than Roku as the basic option of Firestick, i.e., Fire TV Stick Lite, is cheaper than Roku’s basic device and offers premium features like voice commands in the remote.
But you also won’t go wrong by picking Roku as it has a clean UI, advanced features, and many other benefits similar to Firestick.
Conclusion:
If you are confused between Roku vs Chromecast and don’t know which one to opt for, don’t worry; you are not alone. Many people face the same problem, so I have published this article to clear the air for people like you.
I hope you may have found this post quite useful. If you have any other doubts, let me know in the comments below, and I’ll talk to you soon. Thanks.
Since 2014 I have been writing about tech and helping others to fix tech issues related to Android, Windows, iOS, Chromebook, and more.
I love to help others to fix any technical issues they might be facing.
