In recent years, there’s been a huge rise in people buying and using streaming sticks in their homes. It allows people to watch Netflix and other streaming services on the big screen instead of exclusively watching on their computer or tablet. There are a variety of different brands and types of streaming devices out there, so looking to buy one can get complicated if you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for.

Two popular streaming devices on the market are the Roku streaming devices and the Chromecast streaming devices. Luckily for people looking to buy one of these, both of them are pretty similar. They’ve both got a variety of content that can be streamed onto your TV with them, both are easy to set up, and both have great picture quality on your TV.

So, which of these streaming devices is right for you? Keep reading to find out.

Price

The first thing to consider when picking up a streaming stick is the price. After paying the one-time fee to buy the device, the only fees that you’ll have come from any paid services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ that you choose to sign up for. There’s no monthly fee to have these devices and they cost nothing to set up.

The Chromecast has two different options: the Chromecast that has 1080p video, Wi-Fi connectivity, and costs $35. Or, they also sell a Chromecast Ultra that costs $69, but has 4k video and an optional Ethernet port. Meanwhile, the Roku has a variety of options that range from $29.99 to $99.99 and all stream in at least 1080p.

Models

If you’re looking to just grab a device and take it home, then the Chromecast is definitely the way to go. Since there are only two options and the main difference is that the Chromecast Ultra can stream in 4k, it’s easy to grab the one that will work best for your TV’s resolution and take it home.

But, if you want to really look at the tech specs for each model, then the Roku might be the device for you. Roku has a variety of different streaming devices that have different features. The cheapest device is the Roku Express that $29.99, connects to your TV through HDMI, uses Wi-Fi connectivity, and has a simple remote. The most expensive is the $99.99 Roku Ultra. It has an optional Ethernet port, a voice-controlled remote, 4k streaming, and expandable memory through an SD card slot.

Connectivity

Both Roku and Chromecast connect to the Internet through your home’s Wi-Fi and both of them have models that can be hooked up through an Ethernet port if you’re looking for a more stable connection. Because they both stream content over the Internet, they’re both solid choices for anyone looking to watch Netflix on their TV.

When it comes to actually connecting your device to your TV, they both work in the same way: through the HDMI port. If you have an older TV that doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can buy an external adapter or you can pick up the Roku Express+ which is the only device that can be connected through composite A/V ports.

Setup

Both the Roku and Chromecast have really simple setup processes. The first time you plug your Roku into your TV, you’ll be guided through the process. You’ll have to set up an account with Roku and you’ll need to either link a credit card or PayPal account, but you can remove it later or put a PIN on purchases to stop anyone in your house from making purchases.

The Chromecast has a similarly simple setup process. After you plug it in and turn your TV onto the right input channel, you’ll get a message telling you to grab your mobile device or tablet and download the Google Home app. Then, once you find the option on the app to set up a new device, the app will guide you through the setup and connection process.

Controls

The Roku comes with a remote that has all the buttons you’ll need, including play and pause buttons and even some dedicated buttons to different channels. If you opt for one of the higher-end Rokus, it even has a voice search button. Along with the remote, the Roku has a mobile app that allows you to control the device.

The Chromecast is slightly different in that it doesn’t exactly have a traditional remote. Everything is controlled through your mobile device or tablet and the Google Home app. Instead of navigating to a channel on the TV screen the way you would with a Roku, you open the app on your mobile device and then cast it to your Chromecast. This can be a drain on the batteries of mobile devices, which is something to keep in mind.

Interface

The Roku’s interface is similar to what you’d see on a mobile device or tablet. There are tiles for every channel that you’ve chosen to add to your Roku and there’s a menu on the side where you can see your feed if you’ve chosen to follow a show or movie, stores where you can buy or rent shows and movies, a search, and other menus.

As we mentioned with the remote, there’s not necessarily an interface on the Chromecast. Instead of having all your channels on the screen to choose from, you use your Google Home app and the apps on your tablet or mobile device and then cast them to your TV.

Content

If you’re looking to get a streaming device so you can watch your favorite shows and movies like Stranger Things and The Walking Dead while lounging on the couch, you’d be fine with either of these devices. They both offer support for a wide variety of different channels, meaning that just about anything you might want to watch is available. There’s a variety of paid subscription apps as well as completely free ones.

Smart Home Control

Because the Chromecast is a Google device and it uses the Google Home app, it’s already completely built into the suite of other Google Home devices. If you’re working on getting your home into the 21st century and you’ve got a lot of other smart devices, the Chromecast will work perfectly.

Unfortunately, the same can’t quite be said for the Roku. Although the Roku Ultra has a voice-controlled remote and you can use the voice controls in the app, the devices don’t have the same smart home support as the Chromecast.

What Does Roku Do Best?

If you’re someone that wants to browse for new things to watch on your TV and have all the apps right there and ready for you, you’ll definitely want to go for a Roku. If you prefer having a remote in your hand and don’t want to rely on your tablet or mobile device, these devices are the best bet. These devices are also best for people that can’t miss out on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and want a huge variety of channels.

What Does Chromecast Do Best?

If you’re someone that has a lot of other smart home devices and you want everything to be connected, the Chromecast is the one to buy. If you don’t mind that it doesn’t have a traditional interface and relies completely on casting what’s on your phone or tablet, then this device is the best option for casting right from these devices to your TV. The Chromecast is also an excellent option for settings like classrooms where you want information from your phone to be put directly on the big screen.

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