Key Difference – Chromecast vs Fire Stick vs Roku
Chromecast, Fire Stick and Roku are streaming sticks, which are a better alternative to powerful set top boxes when it comes to the cost. But sometimes these tinny devices can perform the same task as its larger brethren. Chrome casting is an aging device but is solid and worth considering. Roku and Fire TV have also gone recent makeovers and doing on adding features and boosting power. The key difference between Chromecast, Fire Stick and Roku is the price difference and the features that these devices possess. Let us take a closer look at this device and see what they have to offer.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Chromecast
3. What is Fire Stick
4. What is Roku
5. Side by Side Comparison – Chromecast vs Fire Stick vs Roku in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Chromecast?
Chromecast is an adapter used for media streaming. It is a product of Google that allows the user to pay online for digital content such as music and videos. The adapter is like a dongle that is plugged into the HDMI of a TV. A USB port can be used to power the device. A mobile app can be used on a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or desktop as a TV remote. After the initiation of the stream, it is not essential to keep the app open, since the device can be operated or used for other purposes.
Figure 01: Chromecast plugged into TV
Chromecast can be used to stream a variety of content for sources that include YouTube, Hulu Plus, Netflix, movies, music, and the chrome browser.
Chrome cast is competing with other streaming media like Firestick and Roku.
What is Fire Stick?
The Amazon Firestick is a device that can be plugged on to your TV’s HDMI port. The device can be used to stream content across Wi fi such as YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, HBO, Pandora and many more. A remote control will accompany the device that can work with its buttons or voice commands. The latest version also supports Alexa Virtual Assistant.
Figure 02: Fire Stick
It can turn any TV into a smart TV by plugging the small device into your TV’s HDMI port. The device was introduced in 2014, and it’s main competitors include Google Chrome Cast and Roku. All these devices are a new breed of streaming TV sticks used to watch movies and TV shows from online sources. Besides using the stick to watch movies and TV shows, it can be used to play games and for voice control using Alexa virtual assistant. Apps can also be used to support and customize Firestick and enhance its ability to what the owner wants to get done. Amazon also produces Fire TV, which is an Android TV box that costs more because it has better hardware.
What is Roku?
There are many new internet streaming devices for viewing TV and listening to music. One of the most popular of these devices is Roku. Roku is an electronic device that can be used to stream media like movies, shows and music over the internet to your TV. The device will not require much setup and connects to the internet as with your PC.
Figure 03: Roku Box with Remote
Roku comes incorporated with an operating system that allows to manage and access streaming content.
There are three types of Roku devices:
Roku Box
This is a standalone box that connects to the internet using the ethernet or Wi-fi from the broadband router. The Roku device through the home theater device or TV via HDMI.
Roku Streaming Stick
Roku streaming stick uses a compact stick that is slightly bigger than a USB flash drive. This stick has to be plugged into an HDMI port. The stick has a built-in Wi-fi connection to connect to your broadband router.
Roku TV
The Roku TV is an all in one solution. It does not require a stick or an external Box. The operating system will be built into your TV. The TV will directly connect to the ethernet connection or broadband router. Many TV brands like Sharp, Hitachi, Hisense and TCL offer Roku TV inline. Roku TV supports many TV sizes and 720p, 1080p and 4K Ultra HD resolutions.
What is the Difference Between Chromecast Fire Stick and Roku?
Chromecast vs Fire Stick vs Roku |
|
| Chromecast | Chromecast is an adapter used for media streaming which is a product of Google. |
| Fire Stick | The Firestick or Amazon Firestick is a device that can be plugged on to your TV’s HDMI port. |
| Roku | Roku is one of the new internet streaming devices for viewing TV and listening to music. |
| Price | |
| Chromecast | 35 dollars (as at Dec 2017) |
| Fire Stick | 99 dollars (as at Dec 2017) |
| Roku | 49-99 dollars (as at Dec 2017) |
| Form Factor | |
| Chromecast | Stick |
| Fire Stick | Box |
| Roku | Stick or Box |
| Video Apps | |
| Chromecast | YouTube, HBO, Go, Netflix, Hulu Plus |
| Fire Stick | Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Showtime anywhere, Vimeo |
| Roku | Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, M-Go, Showtime anytime, Disney Channel, Time Warner cable, Red box, PBS |
| Operating Method | |
| Cheromecast | App only |
| Fire Stick | App, remote, voice search |
| Roku | App and remote |
| Sports Apps | |
| Chromecast | None |
| Fire Stick | NBA League Pass, Watch ESPN |
| Roku | NBA league pass, Watch ESPN, MLB.TV, Major League Soccer, Game centre |
| Music Apps | |
| Chromecast | Google Play, Songza, Rhaspsody, Vevo, Pandora, Rdio |
| Fire Stick | Vevo, Pandora |
| Roku | Pandora, Quello, Spotify, iHeartradio |
| HDMI | |
| Chromecast | Yes |
| Fire Stick | Yes |
| Roku | Yes |
| Memory | |
| Chromecast | 512 MB |
| Fire Stick | 2GB |
| Roku | Stream stik supports 256 MB, Box could support 512 MB |
| Photo, Video and Music Sharing | |
| Chromecast | Photo wall, Plex, Real player |
| Fire Stick | Amazon cloud, Plex |
| Roku | Plex, Aircastlive |
| Games | |
| Chromecast | Playable through tablet or phone |
| Fire Stick | Games can be played through additional remote controller, or through the phone or tablet |
| Roku | Games are playable through the remote |
| Cool Features | |
| Chromeast | Low price, Ability to cast web pages to TV, you can pull up a Youtube video and play it on your screen. |
| Fire Stick | Comes with a built-in game library with great control. Voce search is a great feature to navigate the content library. |
| Roku | Remote that comes with earphones, Large app library to stream from. |
| Limitations | |
| Chromecast | No remote to control the device |
| Fire Stick | Does not support HBO Go |
| Roku | HBO Go is not available with some of the carriers. You cannot watch content on the PC or tablet. It can be only on your TV. |
Summary – Chromecast vs Fire Stick vs Roku
If we compare the three streaming sticks, Chromecast, Fire Stick and Roku, Roku comes up on top. Roku comes with an excellent echo system and manageable price points. It has an attractive interface and search features that provide the user with exceptional satisfaction.
If you use your phone, computer or tablet regularly, Chromecast will be ideal for you. If you are an Amazon prime partner, The Fire TV stick will be ideal for you. The decisions will be up to you according to what you use and prefer most. This can be described as the difference between Chromecast, Fire Stick and Roku.
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Image Courtesy:
1.’Chromecast plugged into TV’ By TAKA@P.P.R.S (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’Fire-TV Stick and Remote’ (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
3.’Roku XDS with Remote’ By Mattnad – Own work, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia