So, what would you pick? Which streaming device would work well for your needs? This list is here to find out, using a number of examples and situations that could impact your final purchase. Here is a list to showcase the Fire TV stick vs Google Chromecast.
Like simplicity? Get a Chromecast
Both the Fire TV Stick and the Chromecast have sleek, easy to use interfaces, however, Chromecast takes the cake in this. Because everything is controlled on your phone, everything is already familiar. Connecting to a Chromecast is simple, especially if you use top streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube.
This is a godsend for people who can stand to see their rooms full of unused remotes laying around. Some TVs are even able to control play/pause features on Chromecasts, though this isn’t a ubiquitous feature.
Want more variety? Get a Fire TV Stick
While there are a lot of apps that support Chromecast, there are a few that lack such support. Smaller, more niche services may not have Chromecast support as of now, and many new ones do not have casting features out of the gate. Worse still is that there is no shortage of streaming apps that are absolute garbage on Chromecast. This is especially true for apps that require cable subscriptions, where the feature is sometimes slapped on as an afterthought. This can lead to infuriating situations where the app randomly disconnects from the Chromecast, while content is still playing (seriously, why does this happen?).
If you plan on streaming content other than Netflix and Hulu, a Fire TV Stick is a safe bet. New services usually launch first on Fire TV Stick (and Roku) first, and because the apps are stored on the device, there’s no threat of syncing issues between your phone and device. This also means you don’t need to jam your phone’s storage full of apps, freeing up precious space.
Prefer Ethernet? Get a Chromecast
Wireless internet standards are faster and more reliable than ever before. Plus, with all the wires needed to hook up the latest entertainment center, being able to do without one more is a welcome relief. Still, there are a lot of customers out there who prefer to use Ethernet for streaming, because it is more reliable than Wi-Fi and is less likely to have its signal interrupted by other appliances.
While both devices have Ethernet adapters, Chromecasts are the only ones that come with an adapter right out of the box. It’s built into the power brick and can allow viewers to seamlessly hook it up to a nearby router for a faster, seamless connection.
Want lots of power? Get a Fire TV Stick
Google doesn’t publish the tech specs of the Chromecast Ultra, however, when it comes to what’s under the hood, it’s safe to assume that Chromecast doesn’t have much to show. Because all the content is transmitted from a phone or other device, the Chromecast defers much of the power to the source of said content.
All of this translates to faster load times, less buffering, video streams that maintain their peak resolution, and the ability to store hundreds of apps at a time.
Have friends over a lot? Get a Chromecast
One of the best parts about Chromecast is the ability for friends on your network to connect their devices up to the screen, so that they can share their favorite movies, TV shows, photos or whatnot, all from their phone, laptop or smart device.
While this is technically possible on Fire TV Stick, the process is a lot less simple. Chromecast even has a guest mode option, allowing friends and family to connect to a device using an on-screen pin, without needing to connect to the host’s network.
Travel much? Get a Fire TV Stick
One of the best parts about streaming sticks is the ability to take them anywhere. While smartphones and tablets are the go-to options for many travelers, nothing beats watching your favorite shows on a larger screen. That is why many Chromecast and Fire TV Stick owners like to take their devices to hotels and B&Bs, so they can catch up on their favorite shows and watch movies without needing to hunch over their handset.
That said, Fire TV Stick has a clear advantage when it comes to travel. All you need to do is plug it in, log into the host’s network, and boom, you’re done. With Chromecast, the process is a bit more complicated. Because no user data is stored on the Chromecast, switching to a new network forces you to set up your Chromecast from scratch.
Want to surf the web from your TV? Get a Fire TV Stick
It’s worth mentioning that the desktop version of Google Chrome has the ability to be mirrored onto a Chromecast. Still, the feature isn’t available on mobile versions of the browser, and casting web content can still be tricky to those who aren’t avid Chrome users. Thankfully, all Fire TV Sticks come with a built-in web browser, that allows users to surf the web right from the comfort of their couch.
Want more personalization? Get a Chromecast
Dashboards are a menial aspect that most consumers probably won’t consider when buying a new device. However, if personalization is important to you, Chromecasts might be the way to go. In addition to a number of custom themes, you can even connect your Chromecast to your Google Photos, so it displays your favorite pictures when it’s not in use.
Compare that to the Fire TV Stick, where dashboard customization is almost nonexistent, aside from assigning your apps based on priority.
On a budget? Get a Fire TV Stick
Love gaming? Get a Chromecast (maybe)
Both the Fire TV Stick and Chromecast offer the ability to play games. On Fire TV Stick, the selection of games you have is a mix of classics and mobile games, like Candy Crush, the original Sonic the Hedgehog, and most of the PS2 era Grand Theft Auto games. On the flipside, Chromecast has one feature that gamers should pay attention to Stadia.
Now, we know that Stadia’s launch hasn’t been the smoothest. In fact, you could go ahead and say that the launch of Google’s streaming service was a bit of a mess. Technical issues abounded, features were missing (some of them still are as of this writing), and some people didn’t get their pre-orders.
