
Roku Express: What Are They and How Much Do They Cost?įirst, let’s start with the basics on what these devices can do and the level of investment they require. Similarities Between Google Chromecast and Roku Express.Differences Between Google Chromecast and Roku Express.Roku Express: What Are They and How Much Do They Cost? I hope that some of the experiences I’m able to share will help you with your decision. For the purposes of this review, I purchased both the Google Chromecast and the Roku Express and set them up as streaming devices on my home television. In this article, Team Clark will help guide you through understanding the intricacies of each device so that you can make an informed purchasing decision. Due to this stark contrast in user experience, it is important that you know what you’re getting yourself into before making a purchase.

However, the functionality of the two is actually quite a bit different.
#Roku vs chromecast tv#
In the end, however, the broader range of computers that can mirror Chrome to your TV means Chromecast takes a slight edge.If you’re in the market for a value streaming device, chances are pretty good that the Google Chromecast and the Roku Express are products under serious consideration.īoth are incredibly popular devices for people who have cut the cord from their cable provider. This one’s really close to a tie: Slinging your current browser tab to your TV is a great Chromecast feature being able to use Amazon’s tablets with the Fire TV line is a great addition, and Roku has some interesting stuff in the works, too.
#Roku vs chromecast android#
The Fire TV Stick works with certain iOS apps and Android devices, as well as with Amazon’s line of tablets.
#Roku vs chromecast windows#
Roku works with certain iOS apps and Android devices and has beta computer and mobile screen mirroring features that are just getting off the ground for Windows 8.1, Windows Phone and Android. Not that Amazon’s and Roku’s interfaces are overly complicated in any way - there’s really no bad interface for this category - there’s just something elegant about the Chromecast’s simplicity.Ĭhromecast works with certain iOS and Android devices and Google’s Chrome web browser on various computers. There’s no need to learn a new interface. You use the same apps you always use and, provided they have a Chromecast button, simply tap it to start playback on your TV. I’m going to throw a curve ball here and say that the Chromecast’s utter lack of an interface makes it the best interface. Amazon also packs a better Wi-Fi chip than the Chromecast, though it’s on par with the Roku. Amazon needs more storage because of its emphasis on games and apps that can be loaded onto the Fire TV Stick, though: Storage isn’t really an issue on the other two sticks.

The Chromecast has two gigabytes of storage the Roku has 256 megabytes. On paper, the Fire TV Stick handily bests its competitors, with double the processing cores, double the RAM and eight gigabytes of storage. The Fire TV’s $40 game controller works with the Fire TV stick, too. Since the launch of the Fire TV box earlier this year, the company has done a good job porting games over, with the current tally sitting somewhere north of 200. And if there’s not an officially supported channel on Roku, chances are good that there’s an unofficial version that you can manually connect to the device.Īmazon takes the cake here. Roku, on the other hand, has been around forever relative to its competitors and supports just about everything. Notable omissions: Amazon’s stick doesn’t support HBO Go and Google’s stick doesn’t support Amazon content. If you’re going for quality over quantity, all three sticks support just about every major streaming service.
