Roku vs Google TV | Who’s Got the BEST Streamer?

Yes Craig takes on the question of whether Roku or Google TV reigns supreme in a head-to-head matchup, all while (mostly) taking the devices OUT of the equation. Does Roku’s simplicity make it the best? Or is it Google TV’s recommendation algorithm? Whether you’re a Roku or Chromecast fan, you’ll have something to cheer for in this lineup.

0:00 - Roku vs Google TV
1:05 - Neutrality and Search
2:03 - Ease of use
2:54 - Recommendations
3:43 - Apps
4:25 - Parental controls
5:40 - Sideloading
6:32 - Remote
7:53 - Ads
8:41 - Reliability

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[pepe]

As a developer who worked on both Roku and Android TV, I can tell you Roku came a long way in making their OS more stable. I know because I fixed many of the"screen freeze" issues for Roku. As a pure-play, Roku still the winner hands down. We will have to see if this remain true in the coming year or two. You are right, I too wish fewer licensing dramas with Roku. But hey its a juggle out there.

[derekvallem]

Thanks for the review. I own both the chromecast with google tv and a Roku streaming stick plus and agree with your points except for the remotes. I don’t care for the chromecast remote- too small and slippery. I upgraded my Roku remote to the Voice Remote Pro which gives you hands-free voice control, a headphone jack, a lost remote finder and it’s rechargeable so no more batteries. The only thing I can’t do that I wish I could is remap the shortcut buttons like you can with the chromecast remote.

[MatthewKeys]

This is a good review, but for the layman, it's worth noting a few important points:

1.) The brands "Chromecast" and "Google TV' are used interchangeably in the video, but it should be noted that the specific device being reviewed here is the "Chromecast with Google TV." It is not the simple Chromecast dongle or the Chromecast Ultra device. If you buy a Chromecast or a Chromecast Ultra, you are NOT going to get the Google TV interface or the remote control.

2.) "Google TV" is also the name of a new user interface for the Android TV operating system, which runs on top of the Chromecast with Google TV device. Google TV is making its way to other Android TV devices, including Sony TV sets, the Onn TV streamers and the Nvidia Shield, which will function in many of the same ways as this device.

3.) It wasn't clear to me which Roku device was being reviewed, and I get the point of the video was not to review hardware, but since the remotes *were* reviewed, it would have been an important thing to note for this reason: Roku's streaming sticks and the Roku Ultra all use infrared-Bluetooth hybrid remotes, while the cheaper box devices use infrared remotes. The Bluetooth-capable remotes have an advantage, since users don't have to point the remote at the device. The Chromecast with Google TV's remote is, by default, an infrared-Bluetooth hybrid remote.

4.) On the ads segment, it should have been pointed out that the Chromecast with Google TV comes with an "apps-only" mode. While that does disable the Google Assistant, it also disables all ads and tracking on the Google TV interface. The Roku doesn't have a comparable feature.

5.) It bums me out to hear the reviewer has had problems with some Android TV apps locking up on him. I've been using the Chromecast with Google TV for more than a year, and I've never experienced this problem — but I use it for what the device was intended for: Streaming TV. I don't have utility apps or VPNs or anything like that, even though the device is capable of doing it, and I don't install pirate TV apps or sketchy third-party software to "unlock" programs that I know I have to pay for. Since the apps I install come from well-known software developers, I know them to be reliable. I've never had the device reboot unexpectedly and never had freezing video. I would say the reviewer's experience is specific to however he's using the device and not a common problem on Chromecast with Google TV hardware.

6.) The Chromecast with Google TV's hardware is limited by its lackluster on-board storage — just 8GB, of which the operating system takes nearly half of that space. That leaves just 4 GBs for apps, some of which are developed to cache content in a way that hogs space. That limits most people to around 15 big-name apps; the Roku doesn't seem to have this problem. The Roku Ultra also offers the ability to install more apps when a micro SD card is installed; the Chromecast with Google TV doesn't offer a comparable feature.

7.) Taking into mind point number 6, the Roku and Chromecast with Google TV are different devices for different people. The Chromecast with Google TV is, at its very foundation, still a Chromecast — it was designed with the idea in mind that people will still stream content from phones and tablets, while giving people the flexibility to install some of their most-used apps on the device itself and control it with a remote control. Roku devices, on the other hand, are intended to be used as a person's primary streaming device for those who really don't want to use their phones or tablets at all (though you can with Airplay supported on some devices and Roku Cast available for developers to implement — most have not).

[TuPhonezFree]

Good review. I have both and whats crazy is I have my Chromecast Google TV connected to my Roku Hisense TV. Lol But I feel Google Chromecast TV User interface is just cooler. I dont like going from app to app just to find something I like watching, let alone scrolling through TV channel guides of channels I dont watch. Lol. So I give usability to Google TV and still has a better app selection as well.

[kenyattaclay]

I love the Chromecast w/ Google TV. To me it’s much better than Roku mostly because of the reconditions and I can use it to control my smart features. However I have taken all of my Chromecast devices off of my TVs because their storage is WAY too small. You can only have a few apps and as soon as one does an update you get a message about not enough storage. I know you can add storage but by the time you spend money to get what you need for that you might as well get the $100 Roku. Even though I love the Google TV I won’t use it until buy any more until they add more onboard storage.

[bigbadjohnpesek]

I have a roku TV with an android box hooked to it. I have the best of both worlds. I can watch pretty much anything I want including live TV.

[Budda_F]

I wish you would have compared features like private listening and phone remote experiences.

[purealaeh]

I've been using the higher end Rokus for the past few years but a few months ago. DTS doesnt't come up on my AV receiver anymore. I decided to buy a Chromecast with Google TV to try and it does output DTS. Both are connected to my AV receiver. There is audio difference as far as I can tell and this is why I'm moving to Chromecast.

[colleenoconnor]

Thanks for the nice review, that said GET ROKU! I have TCL roku and TCL google. The roku has additional streaming channels at the end of my antenna channel list. Roku pauses live antenna tv seamlessly (using a flash drive) so you can grab a coffee and not miss a thing. Google has this feature that is very poorly thought out. You have to scroll three screens to set it up and everytime you change the channel do it again. It is super glitchy. I have called tcl to get walked through a tv reset because of other glitches (only got my bluetooth headset to setup once and it doesn't recognize the flash drive half the time etc.), it has issues. I'm stuck with the google tv I bought from best buy because my 15 day window to return is slammed shut. Hope google works this out.

[angelaholmes]

I really love the roku I have both the streaming stick and the roku box 💖💝

[kyler]

I would have loved if you went a tiny bit further in the apps category. I have found that although an app might be available for a service like YouTube or Twitch, it may be missing some features (e.g. cannot actually log into the Twitch app and show the channels you follow or participate in a chat). That might help break the tie for me. All in all, this was really helpful though thanks!

[eaglerockzproductions]

I've had Roku for years and it wasn't until the other day I decided to make the jump from Roku to Google TV. Hands down the best decision ever made. I got a Philips 4K Google TV from Walmart and it's amazing. Definitely worth the $200.

[TheBmanrd]

Chromecast with Google TV it has 8 gigs of storage just like the fire tv stick. I have the same 7 streaming apps installed on both. On Chromecast with Google TV I have 4.4 gigs of storage left and on the fire tv stick I have 2 gigs of storage left. So in my experience the Chromecast with Google TV manages storage better.

[wade]

I actually prefer Roku. Texture remote isn't slippery buttons are clicker. More buttons and Roku doesn't have the video playback stutter that the chrome cast has. You don't see ads on Roku unless you go all the way right. Leave settings showing and no ads. Roku seems faster to start up apps I use like Paramount and Prime

[COLOGAL]

I should know this answer, but I do not. A TV which includes "Google TV" is it the same as connecting a Chromecast device to a TV, e.g. to an un-smart TV? I love my ROKU and am debating if I want to buy an additional small TV with the Google TV within. Thanks for any responses. Very informative video. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[Jaybroney]

I have the same freezing issue with my Google device, which is an AT&T TV streaming box. It seems that a couple of times a week it does exactly what you’re describing and I’m not 100% sure it’s not related to some sort of updates that are being installed but they are forced on you rather than allowing you to decide when to do them similar to some other company I think they’re called Microsoft? anyway by and large I found the Roku player to be slightly better in reliability but what’s funny is the apps I tend to have the most trouble with our Google apps such as YouTube or YouTube TV to name a couple. G, I wonder where that is. Great video.

[joeruffolo]

I think you need 11 criteria to make sure there is no tie - and number 11 has to be price - I cant believe you can choose one over the other when one costs twice as much (at least in Canada).

[bradleyknight]

I have had a Roku TV for many years. It has served me well and I like it, there are some things I wish for different though. There is only a power button. No other button. A friend broke my remote and at the time I did not have Wi-Fi. I have purchased three sound bars and none of them will connect to my Roku TV. Some streaming apps on my Roku TV Play with a very quiet volume and when a ad comes on it is so loud it rattles the windows. When you call Roku they tell you to adjust the sound settings in apps, some content comes to the TV as surround sound or something like that. The majority of streaming apps do not have a way to adjust the audio output other than language and captions. I was thinking about purchasing a smart TV and I had a few questions I'm currently scouring YouTube to see if they can find answers. For instance can you install Google Play games on a smart TV? How many buttons does a smart TV come with? What can / can't a Roku / Smart TV do that the other can / can't. Can the Smart TV do any nifty things like "smart TV do a barrel roll"?

[michealkinney]

I was debating what TV to go with and Roku TV vs Google TV was the only deciding factor (everything, including brand was the same). And I've heard the same thing about freezing and have experienced it as you mentioned but you had me at Sideloading. I think Roku is more "stable" but Google TV is more flexible and I don't want to be personally be restricted (I do wonder why something with so much development still has so many bugs, but I guess that's about Google itself; a lot of things they make never really seem to get out of beta and not 100% polished). Thanks!

[jamesjordan]

good video, thanks. ive bought a new google tv, with a Roku tile already on it. do i need a sperate Roku device, or just a Roku remote? and if i cut the cord to cable, does Roku have local channels by chance?