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Roku vs Chromecast: Two Very Different Beasts

Comparison of Roku and Chromecast: Channels\Apps | Features | Costs | User interface | Ease of Installation | and more…
roku vs google chromecast
Updated: 29th Jul 2020
Published: 24th Jul 2020
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By Rohan Tandon

Rohan is a passionate tech journalist with a degree in English literature. He's worked as a commissi Read More...

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. Quick Roku vs. Chromecast Comparison

2. Overview of Roku Devices

3. Overview of Google Chromecast Devices

4. Comparison of Roku & Google Chromecast Devices

5. Verdict: Roku or Chromecast?

6. FAQs

 

Quick Roku vs. Chromecast Comparison

Roku

Chromecast

Installation

HDMI Port + Power Outlet

HDMI Port + Power Outlet + Google Home App

Ultra HD

✓

✓ 

HDR

HDR10

Dolby Vision

Dolby Atmos Audio

✓

✓

Search

Manual + Voice

Manual + Voice

Operating System

✓

x

Remote Control

✓

x

Smartphone Control

✓

✓

Screen Casting

✓

✓

Voice Control

Remote + App + Amazon Alexa + Google Home

App + Google Home

Stadia Support

x

✓

Private Listening

✓

x

Free Headphones

✓

x

Cost

£29.99/ £39.99/ £49.99/ £79.99

$29.99/ $69

Roku and Chromecast are two of the best streaming devices available, both vying for attention with impressive arrays of features. Over the years, both devices have gone through several generations, improving capabilities to reflect the latest standards.

At Smart Home News, we’ve thoroughly vetted and reviewed all the currently available Roku and Chromecast devices. So, which streaming device should you purchase — Roku or Chromecast? Read on and find out!

What is Roku? Overview of Roku Devices

Roku is one of the most popular entrants in the world of streaming devices and was one of the earliest. Roku prides itself on being unbiased and simple. You plug the device into your TV, connect to the internet, and voila! You have hundreds of streaming channels and apps at your fingertips.

As of writing, Roku has released a total of eight generations of streaming devices since its inception. However, Roku currently has four active streaming devices — Roku Express, Roku Premiere, Roku Streaming Stick+, and Roku Ultra.

Roku Express

roku express

Roku Express is a budget-friendly entry streaming device. While it provides Full HD video playback and all the essential streaming features, it doesn’t provide voice control, increased accessibility, or 4K HDR support.

Roku Premiere

roku premiere

Roku Premiere has all the same features as the Roku Express, but with one significant improvement — 4K HDR support. As such, Roku Premiere is ideal for those who want the greatest video capabilities with bare-bones features.

Roku Streaming Stick+

roku streaming stick+

Roku Streaming Stick+ goes one step beyond Roku Premiere by adding enhanced accessibility features to its remote. In addition to 4K HDR support, Streaming Stick+ has the latest smart TV features, including a remote with voice control.

Roku Ultra

roku ultra

Roku Ultra is the most advanced Roku streaming device because it comes with advanced remote control. It is equipped with personalized shortcut buttons and complementary JBL headphones for private listening.

Pros & Cons of Roku Devices

Pros

  • Extremely affordable.
  • Easy installation.
  • Strong compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
  • Impressive smartphone app.
  • Great operating system.
  • Remote control doubles as a TV remote.
  • Brilliant content library.
  • The Roku Channel offers free content.
  • Private listening is available.

Cons

  • Doesn’t look great.
  • The Roku OS has advertisements.
  • It provides a maximum of HDR10 support.
  • Not great for gaming purposes.

 

What is Google Chromecast? Overview of Chromecast Devices

Google Chromecast is a small device that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and serves two purposes — casting from your phone or computer and streaming media. Unlike most streaming devices that have a built-in interface or OS, the Chromecast only functions through your smartphone or computer. You can select the media to play on your phone or computer and cast it to your TV. You can also use your phone or computer as a remote to play streaming media on your TV.

Chromecast

google chromecast

Chromecast is a basic budget-friendly streaming device with 1080p video playback capability. If you’re looking for the cheapest means of casting media from your phone or streaming devices, the regular Chromecast is suitable for you.

Chromecast Ultra

google chromecast ultra

Chromecast Ultra improves on the regular Chromecast in two key aspects — 4K HDR content and Stadia support. Google’s Chromecast Ultra allows you to watch 4K HDR content on compatible TVs. You can also connect to Google’s cloud gaming service, Google Stadia.

Pros & Cons of Chromecast Devices

Pros

  • Extremely affordable.
  • Easy installation.
  • Feature-heavy smartphone app.
  • Your smartphone serves as the remote control.
  • Compatible with Google Stadia for gaming.
  • Brilliant screen casting features.
  • Supports Dolby Vision HDR.

Cons

  • Only compatible with Google Home — not Alexa or Siri.
  • Doesn’t work independently of smartphones.
  • There’s no user interface for the TV.
  • Can’t access private listening.

Comparison of Roku and Chromecast Smart TVs

Now that you have a brief understanding of the various Roku and Google Chromecast devices available, let’s see how they stack up against each other.

Roku vs. Chromecast Installation

Roku

Installing a Roku is a piece of cake. You simply have to connect the Roku device to your TV, connect the TV to the internet, set up your Roku account, and get started!

All Roku streaming devices connect to your TV’s HDMI port and a separate outlet for power. You can connect the device to the TV’s USB port for power if it provides at least five volts of power. However, some older TVs don’t provide sufficient power, which means you may have to connect the streaming device to a separate power outlet via the wall adapter and USB extension cord that comes with the package.

After connecting Roku to your TV, turn your TV on, connect it to the WiFi network, and start the Roku setup. The process is pretty straightforward — follow the on-screen prompts and you’ll be set up in no time!

Chromecast

Setting up a Chromecast is also insanely easy. You have to connect the Chromecast to your TV’s HDMI port and USB outlet if the TV has enough power. If not, you can connect it to an external power outlet via the USB cord and wall adapter.

After connecting the Chromecast to your TV and a power outlet, you have to connect it to the WiFi network and download the Google Home app. You can only control the Google Chromecast through your phone or computer, so the Google Home app is crucial.

Winner (Installation): Roku

Both Roku and Chromecast are incredibly easy to install. Furthermore, up until a certain point, both of them have the same installation steps. You have to connect both the devices to your TV’s HDMI port and power outlet. In both cases, you can use the TV’s USB outlet if it has sufficient power or external power supply if it doesn’t.

But Roku and Chromecast’s installation processes diverge at a crucial juncture — one that’s representative of the two device’s primary difference.

After connecting the Roku to your TV, you can access Roku on your TV without any other devices. However, the Google Chromecast doesn’t come with a built-in OS, so you can only control it from your computer or smartphone. As such, you have to download the Google Home app and control it through your smartphone.

Roku comes out ahead because it allows you to use the Roku device as a part of your existing TV, not as an external appendage.

Roku vs. Chromecast Content Quality

Roku

  • HD: Depending on the Roku streaming device, you can get support for anything between 1080p to Ultra HD 4K content. However, you’ll also need a 4K TV to access 4K content.
  • HDR: The latest Roku devices come with HDR support, though they only extend to HDR10 standard and not Dolby Vision.
  • Audio: Roku devices support Dolby Atmos audio, currently the most advanced audio standard.

Chromecast

  • HD: The regular Chromecast supports 1080p video playback while Chromecast Ultra supports up to 4K Ultra HD playback. However, to access 4K content, you also need a 4K-compatible TV, app, and media.
  • HDR: Chromecast Ultra supports HDR content, going as high as Dolby Vision support.
  • Audio: Chromecast devices support Dolby Atmos audio, currently the most advanced audio standard.

Winner (Content Quality): Chromecast

The lower end Roku and Chromecast devices support up to 1080p videos with no HDR support, and all Roku and Chromecast devices support Dolby Audio — currently the best audio standard available.

However, where Roku and Chromecast diverge is in their advanced visual capabilities. While both Roku and Chromecast provide Ultra HD 4K HDR support, Roku maxes out at HDR10 while Chromecast goes all the way to Dolby Vision, currently the gold-standard in HDR capabilities.

HDR10 supports 4,000 nits peak brightness, with a target of 1,000 nits, and 10-bit color depth. Dolby Vision, in comparison, supports 10,000 nits peak brightness, with a target of 4,000 nits, and 12-bit color depth.

How much difference does that make? A whole lot. Dolby Vision videos have a sharper color palette, more natural colors, greater color contrasts, and greater brilliance than HDR10.

But there’s one caveat — as of now, you’ll be hard-pressed to find TVs and digital media that go as far as Dolby Vision. To access HDR Dolby Vision media, you’ll need the Chromecast Ultra, an Ultra HD Dolby Vision TV, a Dolby Vision-compatible app, and a Dolby Vision-based media. This means that, currently, Dolby Vision’s utility is somewhat limited.

As such, you can go for Chromecast Ultra’s Dolby Vision capabilities if you want a future-proofed device.

Roku vs. Chromecast OS Interface

Roku

Roku is a traditional user interfaced-based streaming device, which means it comes with a built-in operating system — Roku OS. As such, once you install Roku, you access Roku’s internal operating system, complete with a menu, search items, apps, and other features.

Roku has an extremely clean and minimalistic user interface. All the menu items are lightweight, allowing your Roku OS to load fast even under weak internet connections. The menu features movies, shows, and apps in a systematic manner.

You can also customize the menu items to prioritize those that you prefer, and even follow specific movies, shows, directors, etc., so you get notified whenever new content comes out relating to those items. Roku OS also includes an Up Next section that displays all the upcoming episodes from shows you’re currently watching.

roku user interface

Chromecast

Chromecast isn’t a traditional streaming device with a built-in operating system and storage. Instead, Chromecast is a casting device.

As such, Chromecast doesn’t have a user interface to speak of — no menu items, search bars, or any of the other features available on other streaming devices. Instead, you have to play content on the Chromecast web or mobile platforms and cast it to your TV.

Winner (OS Interface): Roku

Roku and Chromecast are worlds apart when it comes to operating systems. After all, Roku has an OS, while Chromecast doesn’t have an internal user interface.

This means that Roku comes with a robust series of menus and applications, while Chromecast can only be controlled through a smartphone. If you prefer having access to all the apps and features on your TV instead of outsourcing those functions to your phone, you’ll prefer Roku.

Roku vs. Chromecast Remote Control

Roku

Roku comes with remote control. Furthermore, the more advanced Roku devices have smarter remote controls, though you can always purchase an advanced remote separately and connect it to any of your Roku devices.

The Roku remote is relatively old-fashioned, with large clunky buttons that don’t look very attractive. It does, however, double as a TV remote, which means you can use the same remote for your TV and your Roku — at least for the basic functions of changing the volume or turning the power on/off.

The advanced remote controls (available with Streaming Stick+ and Ultra) also include a microphone button. This allows you to hold down the microphone button to navigate the Roku menu with voice search.

All Roku remote controls feature four shortcut buttons for apps like Netflix and other popular streaming services. The exact buttons included with the remote control may differ. As such, you can go to these channels and apps directly with a single button.

Roku Ultra comes with the most advanced shortcuts — two personalized shortcut buttons. As such, you can set those buttons to execute complex commands — such as finding content from a specific director or a specific app. Other Roku devices, however, don’t have customizable shortcut buttons.

One of the Roku remote’s greatest features is private listening. The advanced Roku remotes come with a headphone jack in the remote. As such, you can connect your headphones to the remote control and listen to the TV through your headphones, ideal for those who want to be considerate of their neighbors. In fact, Roku Ultra also provides complimentary JBL headphones for remote control.

The latest Roku remote control also includes a remote finder feature. If you trigger the remote finder feature on your Roku device, your remote control will release a beeping sound that helps you to find it.

Chromecast

Chromecast doesn’t come with remote control. As such, it doesn’t have any of the features the Roku remote control has, such as remote finder, microphone, shortcut buttons, etc.

Google has long argued that your phone is the most powerful and only remote you need. To that end, you’re supposed to treat your smartphone as a remote control.

However, if you’re desperate to use a traditional remote control, you may have one option. All modern TVs come with an HDMI-CEC feature that you can access through your TV’s settings, generally under the ‘external device’ section.

You can enable this feature and pair your Chromecast device to your TV’s existing remote control. As such, you’ll be able to use your TV’s remote control for basic things like play/pause content, fast forward, rewind, etc.

However, not all TVs have this feature, and it will be far more convenient to use your smartphone as a remote control, as Google wants you to.

Winner (Remote Control): Roku

Roku wins because Roku has a dedicated remote control while the Chromecast doesn’t.

Sure, you can convert your TV’s remote into a Chromecast remote by using your TV’s built-in HDMI-CEC feature. But that feature isn’t available in all TVs, and you still won’t get access to the diversity of features available in the Roku remote.

Roku vs. Chromecast App

Roku

In addition to the traditional remote control, you can also use Roku’s smartphone app as a second remote. You can seamlessly connect all of your Roku devices to your smartphone app, using it to control the media, playback, and all other features.

The Roku app also allows you to search for content using the phone’s keypad instead of the clunky TV keypad. You can also use the Roku trackpad to navigate between the menu items.

One of the Roku app’s most important features is private listening. You can activate private listening and connect your headphones to the smartphone, either with or without a wire, to listen to your TV through your headphones. If it’s late at night, this feature allows you to listen to content without disturbing others. As mentioned previously, Roku Ultra also comes with complementary JBL headphones that you can use for private listening.

Roku’s smartphone app also acts as a mirroring tool. You can play content from your smartphone or tablet and cast it to your TV. This feature allows you to play media from your phone or web browser. It also allows you to cast your home videos and photos to your screen.

You can download the Roku app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

roku smartphone app

Chromecast

The smartphone app is where the Chromecast truly shines. After all, the entire Chromecast ecosystem is based on the Google Home interface. You have to control your Google Chromecast through your Google Home app. As such, the Chromecast functions as a streaming device and a casting device.

As a casting device, you can cast content — such as home videos, photo galleries, and even a web browser — from your phone or computer to your TV. This allows you to watch everything on your TV. Not just streaming media, but everything — including home videos and videos on other websites!

As a streaming device, you can play Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or any other streaming platform on your phone and send it to your Chromecast. While streaming, however, the app doesn’t play the content on your phone and cast it to the TV because that would take up too much bandwidth and battery.

Instead, the phone simply acts like a remote, signaling to the Chromecast device that it should pull up the relevant streaming platform from the internet. Once the Chromecast pulls up the relevant streaming platform, you can navigate all the content on your screen and play it on your TV. However, you will still have to use your smartphone as a remote.

Even though Google Home is a pretty robust smartphone app, it doesn’t have all the features you may be accustomed to from traditional streaming devices. For example, Chromecast doesn’t have a private listening feature to let you listen to your TV through headphones.

You can download the Google Home app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

google chromecast app casting device

Winner (App): Chromecast

Chromecast has a better smartphone app. Considering the entire Google Chromecast ecosystem is based on the app’s functionality, it kinda has to be the best.

Google Home allows you to access a wide range of features and play content from any platform at all. Furthermore, you can easily cast your phone’s screen on your TV. Even though Roku has casting and mirroring features, it’s nowhere near as robust as Google Home.

Google Home also comes ahead in its casting feature because it integrates well with all other Google products, such as Google Chrome, Google Photos, etc. All of these platforms automatically link to your Google Home, providing a far greater degree of control while casting than with Roku.

The Roku app does have some features that the Google Home lacks. Most significantly, the Roku app has a private listening feature, while Google Chromecast has no such feature anywhere, including the Google Home app.

However, private listening isn’t integral to your streaming and TV-viewing experience. Casting, however, can be central to your viewing experience. So, when we stack the two against each other, Chromecast comes ahead with a more functional smartphone app.

Roku vs. Chromecast Voice Control

Roku

Roku allows you to access voice control through multiple sources — remote control, smartphone app, or voice assistants.

As mentioned previously, the advanced Roku remote controls come with a microphone button. You can tap that button to give voice commands. The smartphone app comes with a similar microphone button for voice commands.

Roku devices are compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices. As such, you can pair your Roku to an external voice assistant, and then provide commands, such as “Hey Google, open Netflix on Roku.”

Using voice assistants allows you to control the Roku platform without physically accessing a remote or a smartphone since voice assistants have a wake word.

Chromecast

Google Chromecast is fairly limited in its voice controls. Since it doesn’t have a remote control, you can’t use the remote's microphone. You can, however, use the microphone button in the Google Home app to control your Google Chromecast.

Furthermore, since Google has its own smart speaker and smart assistant, you’re also limited in terms of voice assistant compatibilities. Google Chromecast only connects to other Google Assistants, such as the Google Home and Google Home Mini smart speakers.

Once you’ve paired your Chromecast to your Google Assistant device, you can control your Chromecast through voice commands.

Winner (Voice Control): Roku

Roku provides voice control through various avenues — smartphone, remote control, or voice assistant.

Furthermore, Roku offers better voice controls because it’s not loyal to any single platform. As such, Roku seamlessly pairs with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices. Compared to that, Google Chromecast only pairs with Google Assistant devices.

google chromecast voice assistant

Roku vs. Chromecast Ease of Use

Roku

Roku can be controlled through various streamlined methods — Roku remote control, TV remote control, smartphone app, or voice assistants. Furthermore, Roku has an integrated OS that liberates it from your smartphone app, allowing you to use it like a regular TV.

Chromecast

Chromecast is limited in its controls because you can only access it through Google voice assistants or the Google Home smartphone app. You don’t have a remote control. Furthermore, Chromecast is inextricably linked to your smartphone.

Winner (Ease of Use): Roku

Roku is far easier to use because it gives you several options.

If you want to use Roku like a traditional TV with remote control, you have that option. If you prefer using your smartphone app as a remote control, you have that option as well. Roku doesn’t want to transform your viewing habits.

Chromecast, in comparison, is a lot more rigid. Google forces you into a modern age in which your smartphone is the only universal remote, and a smartphone app is the only interface you need. As such, the Chromecast serves as an extension of your smartphone rather than an independent device. Basically, you can’t use Chromecast as an independent TV.

Personally, I prefer a device that leaves the options up to me rather than instructing how I should be doing things. Furthermore, Chromecast could be a nightmare for those who are technologically challenged because the Google Home app is used for so many different purposes that they’ll find it impossible to simply navigate the TV.

Roku vs. Chromecast Apps & Channels

Roku

  • Streaming Apps: Roku provides apps for most of the popular streaming platforms, like Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Pandora, Sling TV, Google Play TV, PlayStation Vue, YouTube, and many more.
  • Cable TV Apps: There are approximately 8,000 cable TV channels and apps on Roku, both for free TV channels, like ABC and NBC, and for premium cable networks like HBO.
  • 4K Content Apps: Roku’s 4K content apps include Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, CuriosityStream, Smithsonian Earth, Vudu, Apple TV, FandangoNOW, etc. The Roku interface has a special menu for 4K content.
  • Games: Roku has a wide range of video games, such as Escape, Jeopardy, Checkers, etc.
  • The Roku Channel: The Roku Channel is ideal for those who want to watch movies and TV shows without paying for them. The Roku Channel is an ad-based service in which you have to watch ads between movies instead of actively paying for them. While you may not get the latest blockbusters, you still have plenty of great TV shows, movies, and kids’ programs.

roku channels and apps

Chromecast

  • Streaming Apps: Chromecast gives you access to most of the popular streaming platforms, such as Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube, YouTube Music, Google Play Music, Netflix, Spotify, and many others.
  • Cable TV Apps: Chromecast also has built-in support for various cable tvs channels, such as Fox, NBC, NHL, CBS, and many others. Since Chromecast allows you to cast videos, you simply have to download the cable TV’s app to your phone and cast it to your TV.
  • 4K Content Apps: Google’s Home app doesn’t have a dedicated menu for 4K content. However, you can watch 4K content from any streaming app with 4K content, if you have the Chromecast Ultra and a 4K-compatible TV.
  • Games: Chromecast offers a wide range of video games, such as Twitch, Angry Birds, Monopoly, and many more. However, Chromecast’s greatest feature in relation to games is its compatibility with Stadia. Google Stadia is a subscription service with which you get access to some stunning high-definition and HDR video games with compelling storylines. Stadia games are far more sophisticated than traditional video games on streaming devices. If you have a Stadia controller, you can use your Chromecast to access all of these advanced games.
  • Free Channels: Chromecast doesn’t have a dedicated channel or app for free content. However, you can download other apps that provide free content, and cast them to your TV. In fact, you can also access The Roku Channel on your Google Chrome browser and access that on your TV through the Chromecast.

chromecast channels and apps

Winner (Apps & Channels): Chromecast

When it comes to content, both Roku and Chromecast are brilliant, and I’m hard-pressed to call either of them better than the other. However, if we’re splitting hairs, I believe I’d say Chromecast has more options.

Both Roku and Chromecast have access to a wide range of apps, compatible with all the popular streaming platforms and cable TV channels. With Roku, you’ll have to download the relevant app on your Roku OS. With Chromecast, you’ll have to download the app to your smartphone.

However, Chromecast has a far more robust screen casting feature than Roku. As such, even if a particular channel or platform doesn’t have a dedicated app for Roku or smartphones, you can still access it through the Chrome browser and cast it to your TV. The same can’t be said for Roku.

The greatest advantage that Chromecast has over Roku, however, is its compatibility with Stadia, Google’s video game subscription service. If you have a Stadia controller, Chromecast gives you access to professional video games that are far superior to Roku’s fairly basic video game offerings.

Roku vs. Chromecast Support

Roku

Roku has a strong repository and knowledge base. The knowledge base has information on installing and setting up your device, account and billing issues, and troubleshooting issues. You can also contact live support for immediate help.

Chromecast

Chromecast has a really well-arranged repository of helpful troubleshooting information, guides, etc. However, contacting Google Chromecast support is a lot more challenging, and you don’t have access to live chat.

Winner (Support): Roku

Roku is meant solely for its streaming device. As such, you get access to specialized live support and better attention.

Compared to that, Google has its fingers in way too many pies which make it hard for you to reach its customer support — you have to really pore through the knowledge base to find an option to contact support.

Roku vs. Chromecast Cost

Roku

  • Roku Express: £29.99
  • Roku Premiere: £39.99
  • Roku Streaming Stick+: £49.99
  • Roku Ultra: £79.99

Chromecast

  • Chromecast: $29.99
  • Chromecast Ultra: $69

Winner (Cost): Roku

At the lower end, the Roku and Chromecast devices with 1080p video playback are priced similarly.

At the upper end, however, Chromecast Ultra’s price is similar to Streaming Stick+ and Ultra. All of these are high-end devices with a wide range of advanced features and 4K video playback.

However, Roku also has a mid-ranged product — Roku Premiere — for those who want 4K video playback without the additional smart features or remote. Chromecast, however, doesn’t have any such mid-range products.

As such, you have more options when it comes to the Roku and Chromecast devices. However, the difference is minimal and shouldn’t make a significant difference in your consideration.

Verdict: Roku or Chromecast?

Roku and Chromecast are worlds apart. As such, deciding which device you should buy depends heavily on personal preferences, much more so than most other competing streaming devices.

Roku is a traditional streaming device with a built-in operating system. As such, you can use your remote control to access channels and apps on your TV, much like regular TV. However, if you want, you can also use your smartphone app or voice assistants for control. You have all those choices in your hands.

Chromecast, however, strips you of these choices. Chromecast doesn’t have an integrated operating system and relies completely on third-party devices, like your computer, voice assistant, or smartphone app. As such, you can only control your Chromecast through your smartphone.

Having said that, Chromecast has the most effective mirroring and casting features among all streaming devices. Chromecast allows you to cast your Google Chrome browser, Google photos, home videos, photo galleries, and so much more to your TV.

In short, deciding whether you should get Roku or Chromecast is a matter of personal preference. I prefer Roku because I can use it as a traditional TV, and it’s the most convenient option for those who want a device primarily to stream media. Chromecast would be better suited for those who have a strong need to cast their phones frequently.

Furthermore, Chromecast is also equipped with Dolby Vision HDR support. You probably won’t have much use for Dolby Vision currently, but its presence future-proofs your Chromecast. When Dolby Vision content becomes more standardized, you won’t have to upgrade your streaming device if you have Chromecast.

So, go ahead and make your decision.

What do you prefer? Are you comfortable always controlling your TV with your smartphone? Or are you more of a traditionalist, finding comfort in the presence of a dedicated remote control with an on-screen interface?

Winner (Overall): TIE - It really does matter what you are looking for. These devices are very different. 

 

 

FAQs About Roku and Chromecast Devices

Do you need a VPN with your streaming devices?

Most streaming platforms and devices actively discourage the use of VPNs because they can be used to hoodwink the streaming platform by bypassing geographical content restrictions. As such, most streaming platforms don’t work with active VPNs.

Can you jailbreak Roku or Chromecast?

Jailbreaking is a process with which you can modify a device, such as your Chromecast or Roku, to bypass restrictions. Roku uses a closed operating system, so it’s jailbreak-proof. Chromecast, in comparison, can be jailbroken using third-party tools like Kodi and CRowns Lite.

How much do Roku and Chromecast cost per month?

Neither Roku nor Chromecast has a built-in subscription model. You have to pay once for the device, and that’s it. However, you may have to pay for subscriptions to streaming platforms that you use within these devices, such as Netflix and Prime. If you don’t want to pay for subscriptions, you can access other free, ad-revenue based apps and channels, like The Roku Channel.

Can you use Roku and Chromecast on the same TV?

You can connect both the Roku and the Chromecast to the same TV using different HDMI ports, but you’ll need to access the two separately.

How do I connect Chromecast to Roku?

Both Chromecast and Roku are input sources. As such, you can’t access the Roku interface or OS within Chromecast, or vice versa. However, you can access The Roku Channel through the web browser and cast it to your TV.

What is the primary difference between Roku and Chromecast?

The primary difference between Roku and Chromecast is in their core functionality. Roku works with a built-in operating system that you can navigate on your TV. Chromecast, however, doesn’t have internal storage or operating system, so you can only access it through your smartphone’s interface.

Can I use Roku to cast like Chromecast?

The Roku smartphone app has a mirroring feature, allowing you to mirror your phone on your TV. However, if you want to cast like Chromecast, you’ll need to install third-party applications like Miracast or DIAL (Discovery and Launch), allowing you to cast certain media platforms. However, the support for these third-party applications is limited, and you don’t get Chromecast’s wide accessibility with casting.

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