Roku is our favorite streaming OS because it has just about every streaming app there is, and the setup is hassle-free. You don’t have to be technologically savvy to figure it out. Roku also isn’t made by one of the major tech companies. Even though it has moved to include home security in its lineup, the company survives on how well its streaming device platform performs.
Chromecast used to eschew an interface altogether, but more recent versions have Google TV built in. Though casting is no longer its main draw, these devices are excellent at letting you send web pages or other content directly from your smartphone (it’s easiest on an Android phone), which is quite handy. You can also do this with Apple TV’s AirPlay 2 functionality, but you need an iOS or macOS device. Chromecasts are officially being discontinued though you’ll still see some around at various retailers. Going forward, Google will be focusing its efforts on Google TV and products like the Google TV Streamer.
Google TV, formerly called Android TV, is Google’s current streaming OS. It’s been around for years, but it nailed the experience in 2020. With its newest Google TV Streamer 4K, we stopped seeing the bugs and problems that used to plague the platform, and it includes basically every streaming app out there, as well as YouTube and Spotify. You can still cast just as easily as like on the original Chromecast dongles.
Amazon Fire TV is geared toward those who really enjoy Amazon’s ecosystem, and it will quickly point you to its content. It also has a great voice interface. Unfortunately, it sometimes feels like an ad for Amazon stuff more than a diverse ecosystem of apps and content. If you buy or rent a lot of movies from Amazon and subscribe to Prime, the Fire TV is appealing. If not, go with a Roku.
Apple TV has a slick interface and Apple’s usual gloss. The company wasn’t updating its models or its interface all that often, but we’ve seen improvements over the last few years. If you have a house full of Apple stuff and enjoy AirPlay, you may as well complete your collection.
