Before getting to know the difference between Chromecast vs Fire Stick, it is must to know what for these devices are. Both Chromecast and Fire stick are devices which can be plugged into TV HDMI Port, so your basic TV become Smart TV.
So, convert your normal TV to smart TV is the only job this device does via casting and inbuilt app, you can do the things which one can do with Smart TV, which would not be possible with normal TV.
Hence, purchase Chromecast or Fire Stick, only if you have normal TV and want to use smart TV features. If you already have a smart TV, don’t look into this.
What is Smart TV?
The TV has the ability to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi/ethernet connection which can offer to play online audio and video streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, etc.., also can make lots of internet things to do.
Chromecast vs Fire Stick
Let see the comparison between Chromecast vs Fire Stick,
| Key Features/Things | Chromecast | Fire Stick |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Amazon | |
| Why Chromecast/Fire Stick? | Screencast the most popular apps which opened on your mobile to TV, so you can watch the same on the big screen. Control using Google Assistant voice commands. Screencast Chrome Browser from laptop to TV. | Plugin Fire Stick to normal TV which converts to a smart TV. We can play a lot of inbuilt online streaming services apps. We can control using Alexa Voice commands using a dedicated remote. |
| How to setup the device? | Plug the Chromecast into TV HDMI Port, Switch the TV input to HDMI port, Install the Google Home App to your mobile/tablet and connect both using verification code. Refer to this to get a detailed setup process. https://widgets.nest.com/chromecast-setup/ | Plug the Fire Stick into TV HDMI Port, Switch the TV input to HDMI port, Using Remote proceed with the setup process and complete it. You need Amazon Account to login and complete the setup. |
| How to control? | We can control using Google Home App which available in Google Play Store. No dedicated remote control. | It comes with Alexa Voice remote control. This remote can be used to control the device. |
| Voice Control | We should connect to the Chromecast device via mobile/tablet Google Home app, then make voice commands. Voice commands works by Google Assistants. Note: We couldn’t directly make voice commands like Fire Stick which has a dedicated Alexa voice remote. | We can do Alexa Voice commands to find, play, and control movies and TV shows using Alexa remote control. |
| User Interface | Everything is done by casting from mobile/tablets, So no interface to control navigation, move to different apps on the TV screen. | It has UI on the TV screen that can show the inbuild apps, recently viewed, and navigation between apps, and search. |
| Connection Port | TV should have HDMI Port to connect with Chromecast. | TV should have HDMI Port to connect with Fire Stick. |
| Power supply | We can use a USB cable that can connect to a TV USB port or Wall Power Outlet. | We can use a USB cable that can connect to a TV USB port or Wall Power Outlet. |
| Supported Apps | Apps are supported via casting feature from Mobile/Tablet to TV. Apps Netflix, Hotstar, YouTube, and other popular online streaming services, and Music Apps like Spotify, Google Music. Only the latest version of the Amazon Prime App supported via casting. Note: All online streaming services require a registered paid accounts for each service. | Lots of Inbuilt dedicated apps supported in Fire TV Stick. Apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, Hulu YouTube, and many online streaming services. Amazon Prime members can get Amazon Prime Video and Music. Note: All online streaming services require a registered paid accounts for each service. |
| Internet Connection (WiFi) | WiFi connection is required always. Not work with Mobile data. But you can connect with a hotspot from a different mobile. Note: All communicating devices like mobile/tablet should connect with the same WiFi or Hotspot network which is connected by Chromecast. | WiFi connection is required always. Not work with Mobile data. But you can connect with a hotspot from a different mobile. Note: All communicating devices like mobile/tablet should connect with the same WiFi or Hotspot network which is connected by Chromecast. |
| Mobile Casting | Mobile casting is the primary feature of Chromecast. | We can cast the mobile screen to Fire Stick. Reference: https://forums.tomsguide.com/faq/how-to-cast-your-mobile-device-screen-on-your-amazon-fire-stick.436045/ |
| Resolution | HD (1080px) | Standard Version HD (1080px) and 4K. Note: 4K supported version cost high. Recommended High-Speed WiFi Internet. |
| Latest Version | Google Chromecast (3rd Generation) | a. Fire TV Stick 4K b. Fire TV Stick HD Video(Dolby Atmos Audio) c. Fire TV Stick Lite HD Video |
| Price | In Flipkart, Rs. 3,399 https://www.flipkart.com/google-chromecast-3-media-streaming-device/p/itmf9fc9hggsyzs5 | In Amazon, Fire TV Stick 4K Version: Rs. 5,999 https://www.amazon.in/dp/B079QQZZJK/ref=pav_title Fire TV Stick HD Version (Dolby Atmos Audio): Rs. 3,999 https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07ZZX5ZSW/ref=pav_title Fire TV Stick Lite HD Version: Rs. 2,999 https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07ZZW86G4/ref=pav_title |
Conclusion
I hope this article helps you to understand the use of Chromecast and Fire Stick and the comparison table which helps to know about each other. Chromecast and Fire Stick both are doing a great job by considering feature and performance-wise since both are made by some big names Google and Amazon respectively.
Chromecast does everything by casting and control things using mobile by installing Google Home App. No remote control and TV interface to control.
On the other hand, Fire Stick does have inbuilt apps that can be controlled by a dedicated remote and have a user interface on the TV screen.
If your home is surrounded by Google Home devices, convenient to control via mobile/tablets choice Chromecast, or you preferred Alexa voice commands and likes to control devices with dedicated remote with inbuild apps with TV user interface for navigations, you should go with Fire Stick.
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