Google Chromecast is probably one of the best hardware products Google has ever released. I mean, I am still amazed by the things I can do with my tiny Chromecast. The Chromecast remains connected to my TV and I can use my phone to cast anything to it. My favorite use of Chromecast is playing YouTube videos with the help of my Google Home Mini. I mean, I can just yell at my Google Home Mini from across the room and play any video that I want to. It is one of the best accessories I have ever owned. You might be thinking by now, if I am so happy with my Chromecast then why I am writing a Chormecast alternative article? Well, as it happens, there are a couple of reasons for it:
Why Would You Need a Chromecast Alternative?
One of the biggest drawbacks of Google Chromecast is that it does not have any native user interface. This makes the Chromecast a little hard to use for normal users. I mean, first time I got my hands on it, I only used it for playing music and YouTube videos. I also hate that I need my smartphone to cast media from apps like Netflix, HBO NOW, and more. This problem is compounded by the fact that barring the popular apps, not many third-party apps support Chromecast.
It’s been over a year since I have been using Chromecast but because of the above reasons I still mainly use it for playing YouTube videos and songs. The lack of native UI just kills the whole experience as I don’t like to jump between different apps on my phone to see what I want to watch. If you relate with these problems, it’s high time you check out the competition out there. And to help with that search, we have created a list of the 8 best Chromecast alternatives you can use.
Best Chromecast Alternatives You Can Use
1. Amazon Fire TV 4K
I have been using Amazon Fire TV since the original Fire TV Stick ($39.99) came out and I am in love with this product since day one. The Fire TV stick was by far my favorite TV accessory as it converted my normal not-so-smart TV into a smart TV which could be controlled with my voice. Just plug the device into the HDMI port of the TV and you are good to go. The best part is that not only I can use Amazon Prime Video with this but also all the other streaming apps that I normally subscribe to. Since Amazon Fire TV supports its own app store, I can easily download install apps like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and more to watch my favorite media. Unlike Chromecast which requires your phone, the Fire TV 4K has its own user interface which is very easy to navigate and makes it easy to find the shows and movies that I love.
While the Fire TV Stick was good enough, Amazon really knocked it out of the park by releasing the Fire TV 4K which supports 4K media streaming along with HDR and Dolby ATMOS audio. If you ever wanted to create your own home theater system, Fire TV 4K will allow that at a very reasonable price. The Fire TV 4K also brings a brand new quad-core processor which is 40% more powerful than the one on Fire TV Stick. This means that going through its menus is now quicker than ever before and the whole UI just feels a lot more snappier. The Fire TV 4K also brings browsers allowing you to access websites like YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit without any problem. If you are looking for a Chromecast alternative, this is the first thing that you should look at.
Pros:
- Comes with native user interface which is easy to navigate
- You get tons of free content if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber
- Its own App Store
- Supports 4K streaming
- Voice Control with Alexa using remote
Cons:
- No YouTube app
- Can’t control volume or power using the remote
Buy From Amazon: $69.99
2. Roku Streaming Stick+
Another popular streaming device which will give Chromecast a run for its money is the new Roku Streaming Stick+. Just like Chromecast Ultra, the Roku Streaming Stick+ supports 4K HDR streaming and can be used by easily plugging into the HDMI port of your TV. Where Roku Streaming Stick+ outperforms the Chromecast is in the way it delivers content to your TV. Just like it’s with the Amazon Fire TV 4K, the Roku Streaming Stick+ comes with its own interface and doesn’t require your phone to operate.
Another benefit of using the Roku Streaming Stick+ is its remote. Unlike the Amazon Fire TV 4K’s remote which cannot control your TV (Chromecast doesn’t even have a remote), the Roku Streaming Stick+ comes with a remote which can control both the power and volume controls of your TV. This means that you can easily live with just one remote for all your needs. Roku Streaming Stick+ also supports Dolby ATMOS surround sound so if you have a compatible home theater system, you will be happy to know that it will be supported. Roku Streaming Stick+ is a powerful and functional streaming stick and it’s definitely miles better than the Chromecast.
Pros:
- Easy to navigate UI
- Supports all the major streaming services
- Tons of free content to consume
- Can control volume and power of the TV
- Supports Dolby ATMOS surround sound
Cons:
- No voice control support (restricted voice search only)
- Can become a little slow at times
Buy From Amazon: $69.99
3. Amazon Fire TV Cube
Amazon Fire TV Cube is the latest Alexa powered streaming device from Amazon and it is one hell of a product. The Fire TV Cube is for users who want to be able to control not only their TV but also other accessories connected to it, using just their voice. Once you have set up the device, you can use your voice to call on Alexa and control your TV, your gaming console, your blue-ray player, and more. Believe me, once you start using this it will be hard to go back. The best part is that you don’t even need to use the remote that comes with the Fire TV Cube as the Cube supports voice activation just like the Amazon Echo speakers.
Basically, if an Amazon echo and Fire TV 4K had a baby, it will be the Fire TV Cube. You can use the Fire TV Cube to control power and volume on your TV, sound bar, and A/V receiver. Heck, you can even control and change live cable or satellite channels with just your voice. What makes the Fire TV Cube awesome is that it learns with you. It remembers your commands and slowly start recognizing commands and does things faster and better. If you want a one-stop solution for all your TV needs, this is probably the one to get.
Pros:
- Always listening Alexa integration
- Can control TV, sound bar, A/V receiver, blue-ray player, and more
- Can control your cable connection
- Prime Members get access to tons of free content
- Supports 4K, HDR 10, and Dolby ATMOS audio
Cons:
- No YouTube
- No Dolby Vision
Buy From Amazon: $119.99
4. Apple TV 4K
If you price is no restriction for you, you can also check out the new Apple TV 4K which promises to bring 4K Dolby-HDR content to your TV. One of the best things about Apple TV 4K is that it is being powered by the same A10X fusion chipset which is found in the iPad Pro. What this means is that the not only the Apple TV is crazy fast, it also is powerful enough to let you play iOS games without any problem. Apart from the TV-specific features, this is probably the biggest strength of Apple TV. Another good thing about Apple TV 4K is that it comes with built-in 32/64 GB of storage so you can easily download and store movies inside the Apple TV 4K itself.
Another great thing is that since Apple is handling all the content and making direct deals with all the major studios, you get to buy Blu-ray movies at cheaper prices than on any other store. I also love the interface of Apple TV along with its integration of Siri which makes it really easy to find things that I am looking for. I still don’t like the touch remote, however, it’s not as big of a pain when you get used to it. One good thing about Apple TV is that you can cast videos and photos from your iOS devices to Apple TV using AirPlay just like you can with Chromecast. While Apple TV alone is a great product, it makes more sense if you are already an Apple consumer as it performs really well inside the Apple ecosystem. If you like what you read here, definitely check this product out.
Pros:
- Support for 4K video and HDR video with Dolby Vision
- A10x fusion chip is crazy fast
- The most mature App Store of all the platforms
- Siri works everywhere
- You can play games too
Cons:
- Too expensive
- The remote is not intuitive to use and is very fragile
- No support for Dolby Atmos audio
Buy From Amazon: $179.00
5. Roku Ultra
Roku Ultra is to Roku Streaming Stick+ what Amazon Fire TV Cube is to normal Fire Stick TV. What it means is that it is more powerful, has more features, and is overall a better product. I am not again going to recount the difference between the Chromecast and Roku as we have already done that, instead, I would tell you why you should buy the Roku Ultra over the Roku Streaming Stick+ if money is no problem for you. First of all, the Roku Ultra is Roku’s most powerful player, with a quad-core processor and best wireless performance. So, if Roku stick somehow felt a little slower to your, this will solve that problem.
Secondly, Roku Ultra comes with a remote which supports voice search, a feature which is missing in the Streaming Stick+. The remote also brings a lost remote feature which helps you find your remote if you have misplaced it. Roku ultra also comes with an ethernet port which is important if you constantly stream 4K content. While streaming on wireless is not a problem if you have exceptional WiFi, having a wired connection ensures that you will never have to suffer buffering while watching your favorite movies in 4K. It is overall a better product than the Streaming Stick+ and definitely far superior to Chromecast.
Pros:
- Easy to navigate UI
- Supports all the major streaming services
- Tons of free content to consume
- Can control volume and power of the TV
- Supports Dolby ATMOS surround sound
- Headphone jack on the remote allows you to watch TV without making noise
Cons:
- No voice control support (restricted voice search only)
- Dolby Vision is not supported
Buy From Amazon: $89.00
6. Nvidia Shield TV
Nvidia Shield TV is a streaming box for users who love games as much as they love their movies. With Nvidia Shield TV, you can enjoy the ultimate visual experience with 4K HDR quality and the most immersive sound with Dolby ATMOS and DTS-X surround sound pass-through. The Nvidia Shield TV comes with Android Play Store support, allowing users to install apps like YouTube TV, Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and PlayStation Vue giving you access to all your favorite movies, TV shows, and sports channels that want to watch. Just like Chromecast, the Nvidia Shield TV also supports casting media and photos from your Android device to TV which is a nice thing.
When it comes to gaming, the Nvidia Shield TV allows users to use Nvidia GameStream to cast their games from their PC to their TV. If you don’t have a powerful PC rig, you can use the Nvidia GeForce Now cloud gaming service to directly stream and play games on your TV. The NVIDIA Shield TV is a very powerful and versatile product and if you want a device which can handle all your gaming and TV needs, this is definitely worth checking out.
Pros:
- Supports 4K HDR with Dolby ATMOS and DTS-X surround sound
- support for Casting media and photos from your Android device to TV
- Nvidia GameStream support
- Support for Nvidia GeForce Now cloud gaming service
- Remote is bundled in the box
Cons:
- Too expensive
- Controller is sold separately
- GeForce requires additional subscription
Buy From Amazon: $198.79
7. AirTame
While this product is not really competing with the Chromecast, I found this product to be intriguing enough to include on this list. Just like Chromecast allows you to cast media from your phone to your TV, the AirTame allows you to cast from your Windows, Linux, and macOS devices to the TV wirelessly. This product is great for educational and professional purposes as it allows users to wirelessly cast their device’s screens to TV making it far easier to give presentations or lectures. You can even use your iOS and Android devices to cast presentation on the TV using the AirTame’s mobile apps. The stick also allows users to stream to multiple screens. While Chromecast is meant more for fun, the AirTame is meant for work purposes and you should definitely check it out.
Pros:
- Cast directly from various devices including Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Excellent for presentation and lectures
- Stream to multiple screens
Cons:
- Not meant for media consumption
- Have to use AirTame’s app to cast from any device
- Very expensive
Buy From Amazon: $298
8. Apps that Work Like Chromecast
These apps are not necessarily a replacement for your Chromecast as they do require you to have a streaming device like Amazon Fire TV or Chromecast to be connected to your TV (or you can directly plugin your smartphone), however, they do allow you to stream locally stored photos, videos, and more from your phone to your TV. The first such app is AllCast (Free, in-app purchases) which allows users to stream any locally stored media to their TV whether they are using Chromecast, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, or any other DLNA receiver.
Another such app is AirScreen (Free, in-app purchases) which is one of the most advanced multiple wireless transmission protocol receiver for Android. The app allows you to use the local network connection to share screen, video, audio, photos, and more. The best part is that both these apps work with all the major streaming boxes including Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, and more. So, no matter which of the above streaming devices you choose to buy, you will be able to stream your favorite content.
SEE ALSO: How to Delete Voice Recordings from Google Home
Stream Your Favorite Media On TV Using These Chromecast Alternatives
That ends our list of the best Chromecast alternatives that you can buy to stream your favorite media to your TV. Of all the streaming devices mentioned on this list, Amazon Fire TV is my favorite but do let me know which is your favorite Chromecast alternative by writing in the comments section below.
