{"id":1563,"date":"2019-07-09T02:09:23","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T02:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tekhattan.com\/?p=1563"},"modified":"2021-05-02T22:44:48","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T02:44:48","slug":"roku-vs-firestick-vs-chromecast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tekie.com\/blog\/hardware\/roku-vs-firestick-vs-chromecast\/","title":{"rendered":"Roku vs Firestick vs Chromecast"},"content":{"rendered":"

Streaming devices are all the rage in recent years. I remember when the Chromecast first\u00a0came out. Everybody wanted to get one.<\/p>\n

The Chromecast allowed you to stream video from your phone or laptop right to the television. While the Chromecast may have been\u00a0one of the first streaming devices to the market, the device is no facing increasing\u00a0competition.<\/p>\n

The Firestick, Chromecast, and Roku all have\u00a0their advantages and disadvantages. In all honesty, one is not better than the other. Instead, the Roku will be best for some while the Fire Stick is the best choice for others. For somebody looking for simplicity<\/p>\n

However,\u00a0there is one fatal drawback to both the Fire Stick and Choromecast that is not present on the Roku. If you care about using Google Services on your streaming device, that is not possible on the Firestick. Likewise, if you’d like to enjoy Amazon Prime Video, that is not possible on the Chromecast. In other words, if you want a truly open streaming device, with more apps\u00a0available, the Roku is your best option.<\/p>\n

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Without further ado, let’s take a look at our comparison of the Roku vs Firestick vs Chromecast<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Roku vs Firestick vs Chromecast – Basic Comparison Chart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specification Compared<\/th>\nRoku<\/th>\nFirestick<\/th>\nChromecast<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Best Use<\/strong><\/td>\nAll around power house<\/td>\nAmazon Prime Video<\/td>\nScreen mirroring (Android)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Feature Rating<\/strong><\/td>\n\"5<\/td>\n\"2<\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Value Rating<\/strong><\/td>\n\"5<\/td>\n\"3<\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price Point<\/strong><\/td>\n$39 – $99<\/td>\n$38 to $114<\/td>\n$35 to $69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Some may wonder why the Chromecast and Firestick have received such low ratings. It’s simple, these devices restrict consumer choice.<\/p>\n

Instead of trying to reinvent home entertainment for the benefit of the consumer, Google and Amazon have been busy trying to keep each other off their respective platforms.<\/p>\n

The Roku allows full consumer choice. Roku does not directly sell content. Instead, the company focuses on building quality hardware. Roku allows content from Google, Amazon, Netflix, and even Xfinity. Yes, you can replace your Xfinity set top box with a Roku device (although you still need to pay for a minimum of one set top box from the cable company).<\/p>\n

There has been some chatter about Amazon and Google ending the content war and allowing content on each other’s video devices. However, that may never happen. Even if it does, who’s to say that they will not resume their battles.<\/p>\n

Everyone’s motive varies, but one of the primary reasons of getting\u00a0 a digital stream box is to “cut the cord” and stop allowing the cable companies to monopolize entertainment. What Google and Amazon are doing with their respective streaming devices is no different than the cable companies.<\/p>\n

Roku Apps Available (Streaming and Live TV)<\/h2>\n

The Roku has the best selection of apps among the streaming devices by far. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Roku is not selling content directly. The company instead has decided to focus on providing the best consumer experience. We have compiled a list of Roku apps<\/strong> below<\/p>\n

Streaming Video Roku Apps<\/h3>\n

The Roku has all the streaming apps available that you will ever need. Check out the list below:<\/p>\n