Fire Stick 4K vs Chromecast with Google TV

Firestick is €65 from Currys including delivery.
Chromecast is €68 from the Google Store.

All things being considered, under the hood, they're more or less the same thing an Android TV 4K device - with the Fire Stick having Amazon bloatware on it, and no access to the Play Store, no? Obvs apps can be sideloaded or similar. Chromecast has the regular joe Android TV Play Store?

So, which one should I buy?

pippip

I wouldn't really call them the same thing. The Firestick is an independent device while the Chromecast is really just a connection to transmit a few of your phones apps to the TV. The Chromecast does run the app (say netflix) itself but effectively it's just like transmitting.

I have both, personally the firestick is just easier to use as it has it's own remote. If you can get the 4k version I think it's worth the extra, faster than regular version.

The Chromecast needs to be controlled with a device (phone or tablet). When you say "access to play store", you don't really, all you can do is cast whatever app is on your phone that has chromecast compatibility. So if you're watching something on Netflix and you want to use your phone to surf the net or make a phone call and then want to change Netflix again you have to stop what you're doing and go back into the Netflix app, or wait till your finished your phone call etc.

pippip

pippip wrote: »

I have both, personally the firestick is just easier to use as it has it's own remote.

The Chromecast needs to be controlled with a device (phone or tablet). When you say "access to play store", you don't really, all you can do is cast whatever app is on your phone that has chromecast compatibility.

You’re talking about the old Chromecast I’d say. The Chromecast with Google TV is a bit different.

https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_google_tv

pippip

Yes sorry I was talking about the regular version, didn't realise they had a higher version with Google TV and remote.

Seems the main difference, other than the two app stores is Alexa vs Google Assistant. This is an Assistant household so Chromecast it is

sioda

Have the new Chromecast since Christmas and it's excellent.
Have all my subscriptions Netflix Amazon and Disney plus working fine no buffering. Local casting has been no issue either. Have mine set up with a Logitech harmony remote so can't comment on it.
Used the watch X film via my Google home and it works

lertsnim

Unless you have a UK Amazon Prime account I'd go for the Chromecast with Google TV.

SteM

I have both, the Chromecast with GTV running Wolflauncher and a USB Type C hub gets the most use. Really happy with it.

DopeTech

Chromecast with google tv, no contest.

TheDriver

Cost? I managed to get 4k firesticks for prob 30euro delivered (old PM/PW days) but google yoke seems far more expensive.
For me, everyone in the house has gotten used to the firesticks.
Play store isn't an issue as there's a massive FS following so you'll get the apps you want.
If I was starting afresh, the google one looks better if the price was lower.

Lujan

I got a 4k Firestick a few months ago.
The only thing I don't like is the Prime ads and inability to customise the home screen. I know you can install Wolf Launcher to fix that but am wary due to the lack of storage
I actually need a 2nd streaming stick now and have been trying to decide on another firestick or to get the chromestick.
Is the chrome stick customisable or is the home screen locked like the firestick?

SteM

Lujan wrote: »

I got a 4k Firestick a few months ago.
The only thing I don't like is the Prime ads and inability to customise the home screen. I know you can install Wolf Launcher to fix that but am wary due to the lack of storage
I actually need a 2nd streaming stick now and have been trying to decide on another firestick or to get the chromestick.
Is the chrome stick customisable or is the home screen locked like the firestick?

By chrome stick do you you mean the new chromecast with google tv? If you do then I can confirm the homescreen is not locked, you can install Wolf Launcher for a cleaner experience.

witnessmenow

lertsnim wrote: »

Unless you have a UK Amazon Prime account I'd go for the Chromecast with Google TV.

I don't think Prime Video is any advantage for us (Ireland) with a FireTV, It doesn't work with the native integration of Prime on the fireTV for some inexplicable reason (or at least it doesn't for me and I've seen people with the same problem). I have to use the prime apk on the FireTV to actually use prime video

Lujan

SteM wrote: »

By chrome stick do you you mean the new chromecast with google tv? If you do then I can confirm the homescreen is not locked, you can install Wolf Launcher for a cleaner experience.

Yes, the Chromecast with Google tv.
That's great, I think I might buy that one then
Thank you for letting me know

TheDriver

I see people saying all4 is not on it?
I have a US non prime account on my firestick so get a lot more from Amazon services (even free Vs UK with prime)

SteM

TheDriver wrote: »

I see people saying all4 is not on it?
I have a US non prime account on my firestick so get a lot more from Amazon services (even free Vs UK with prime)

All4 is not on the Chromecast as far as I can tell but I just cast from my phone. Not an issue for that one service.

Feria40

I handy realised that the latest, more expensive Chromecast was different to the old version.

If you have a smart TV with the usual netflix, prime, YouTube etc. installed what are the advantages of this new Chromecast?

Feria40

Feria40 wrote: »

I handy realised that the latest, more expensive Chromecast was different to the old version.

If you have a smart TV with the usual netflix, prime, YouTube etc. installed what are the advantages of this new Chromecast?

It has a user interface, has the play store and comes with a remote. It's got Google cast and Google assistant built in.

lertsnim

witnessmenow wrote: »

I don't think Prime Video is any advantage for us (Ireland) with a FireTV, It doesn't work with the native integration of Prime on the fireTV for some inexplicable reason (or at least it doesn't for me and I've seen people with the same problem). I have to use the prime apk on the FireTV to actually use prime video

Yes. That's why I specified that if they have a UK prime video account.

Johnny Storm

Does anyone know if you can change the DNS settings on ChromeCast with Google TV? Or are Google's own DNS settings baked in?
I know you can change them on Firestick 4K so can use a Smart DNS service.

SteM

Johnny Storm wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can change the DNS settings on ChromeCast with Google TV? Or are Google's own DNS settings baked in?
I know you can change them on Firestick 4K so can use a Smart DNS service.

I looked into this a bit a few weeks ago, they can't be changed as far as I can tell.

GBX

Johnny Storm wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can change the DNS settings on ChromeCast with Google TV? Or are Google's own DNS settings baked in?
I know you can change them on Firestick 4K so can use a Smart DNS service.

https://support.smartdnsproxy.com/article/97-chromecast-setup-for-smart-dns-proxy