The users are switching from cable TV and satellite networks to subscription-based apps. Nowadays, streaming devices are more popular, and a lot of variants are available. If you have an ordinary TV, you can easily convert it into a Smart TV by purchasing a streaming device like Roku, Firestick, Google TV. We have already compared Mi Box with Firestick, so in this article, we compared Google TV vs Firestick, and in the end, you will come to decide which device is best for you.
What is Google TV?
Chromecast with Google TV is a new streaming device in the Google lineup. After a string of casting devices, Google finally introduced a streaming device. Google TV is the first device that has its own OS and owns remote control. Previous devices have only the casting feature. Google TV is a complete package of a streaming device and is considered as one of the best alternatives for Firestick.
What is Firestick?
Amazon Firestick is a streaming device that can turn your ordinary TV into a smart TV. All the versions of Firestick are developed by Amazon. Firestick runs on Fire OS, which is very similar to Android OS. Firestick is one of the budget-friendly streaming devices in the market. Let’s look into the detailed comparison between these two devices.
Google TV vs Firestick: Setup
Setting up a Google TV device is a simple but long process. Plug one end of the device into your Smart TV and the other end to the power socket. Now, turn on your TV and select the HDMI option where your device has been plugged in. Then, you need to follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. But, you have to use the Google Home app to complete the setup process.
Firestick setup guide is the simplest of all. Plugin the device to an HDMI port of the TV and turn on the TV and select the correct port where the Firestick device is connected. If you have purchased the device from Amazon, then you will automatically log in to the device with the Amazon account you have purchased. If you bought from a local retailer or other sites, then login manually into your Amazon account and complete the setup.
Google TV vs Firestick: Design
Google TV device is available in three colors, namely Snow, Sky, and Sunrise. The device is roughly elliptical in shape with an HDMI port at one end. On the other end, there will be a micro-USB port for the power supply. It is lightweight and easy to carry as it’s just 6.4 inches in length.
Firestick device is like a pen drive that is 3 times larger in size. It easily fits into a pocket as it is rectangular in shape, unlike Google TV. The plug-and-play feature makes the device more easily accessible. The device is just 3.4 inches in length.
Google TV vs Firestick: Control
Google TV remote has 11 buttons and comes with a Google voice assistant to enable the voice search feature. You can also use the Google TV smartphone app to control the device from your smartphone. A detailed guide thus explaining the remote features is also available on their official website.
Firestick TV remote is like a normal TV remote and has all the required buttons to control the device with ease. It also has a voice search feature powered by Amazon’s own virtual assistant Alexa. You can also control the Firestick using any of the Alexa devices.
Google TV vs Firestick: App Ecosystem
Google TV has its own app store called Play Store. As the device runs on Google-made Android TV OS, you will get most of the Google apps with ease. Apart from installing apps using Play Store, you can also sideload apps using Downloader, File Commander, and ES File Explorer. As the device is new, only a few apps are officially developed for Google TV.
On the other hand, Firestick has its own app store called Amazon App Store to install apps and games. There are a huge number of apps available in the Amazon App Store. Just like Google TV, you can sideload apps on Firestick using Downloader and ES File Explorer. As the Fire OS is similar to Android OS, you can install most of the Android apps on Firestick with ease.
Google TV vs Firestick: Gaming
Google TV is powerful enough to play games like PUBG, Fall Guys, Destiny 2, Assassins Creed, and more high-end games. With the game controller, you can play games on Google TV with ease.
Amazon has made an exclusive game controller for the Firestick device. It supports HD games like Minecraft, Asphalt 8, and NBA. But, gaming in Firestick is not a recommended choice. For high-end games, you will experience lagging issues.
Pricing
Chromecast with Google TV – $49.99
Chromecast with Google TV and Netflix bundle – $89.99 (6 months free Netflix)
Firestick device – $37.99. But there are many variants available which vary with cost.
Related: Comparison between Firestick vs NVIDIA Shield.
Final Verdict
Upon analyzing all the aspects of these two streaming devices, it is clear that Firestick has the edge over Chromecast with Google TV. Ease in the setup process, classy design, and budget-friendly is the major advantage in the Firestick device. Factors like too costly, lack of apps for the device led to the downfall of Chromecast with Google TV.