Best Alternatives to Chromecast: Comparison and Prices

Many of the televisions we have at home are already Smart TV. But it is not always enough or sometimes we want to send our screen from the mobile or tablet to the TV. For example, to watch a video on the big screen or a series. For this, the Google Chromecast was born, a device similar to a pendrive but that can be connected to the TV so that we duplicate the screen to see what we want. And it is not the only one, there are many alternatives to Chromecast and increasingly complete.

If you are thinking of making your usual television smart or simply want to have something cheap and that does not take up space, there are many options in the market that will be useful and are a good idea to watch the best Netflix series, to listen to music, to show photos …

chromecast

What is a Chromecast?

Google launched its Chromecast as a device that allowed us to send content from the mobile phone to television, regardless of whether it was “smart” or not. It is a device that connects through an HDMI port and allows you to watch in large format any TV series, movie, games, applications or programs we want. It is small, barely occupies space, it is very easy to handle …

From the first to today, Google has already launched its third generation of Chromecast, more advanced and compatible with iOS and Android, with computers or tablets to send all content. In addition, it is also compatible with voice control and one of its advantages is that it is quite affordable and its price does not exceed 50 euros. But it is not the only one, there are alternatives to Chromecast with which we can also send content to television and even allow us many more options such as playing with a Bluetooth controller, etc.

How does it work?

The operation of Google Chromecast is very simple. Simply connect it to the HDMI port of the TV and the plug with the power cord. Once on TV, you will only have to link it with the WiFi connection of your home, office or the place where you are going to use it. You don’t need anything else and you can control it and send content from Android devices, mobile phones or tablets, from iOS or from the Google Chrome browser of any device you have.

Which enables?

Some of the most frequent uses of Google Chromecast and for which it is worth using it or looking for an alternative are to play videos, music … Some of the most common uses are:

  • Listen to music from your television, taking advantage of the external speakers you have and connecting it to your Spotify lists or YouTube videos.
  • Watch series and movies or videos from Netflix, HBO, YouTube …
  • There are many games compatible with Chromecast and you can play on your television as if you had a console at home and with all your friends.
  • Show your best photos . If your friends have gone home to see the photographs of your wedding or your vacation, you will not have to be all together around the computer or tablet screen because you can put them on TV.
  • Follow tutorials, recipes, sports videos …
  • Triumphs at parties. You can put music, video clips, games and even ride one at your parties with compatible applications like Musixmatch and that will allow you to make it work without more devices.
  • Listen to radio programs with applications such as iVoox or TuneIN Radio that you can send to TV to enjoy a better volume than on your mobile.

Top alternatives to Google Chromecast

Amazon Fire TV

The Amazon stick is one of the best alternatives to Chromecast that allows us to connect through the HDMI port or through the USB port of the TV. What this device does is that it gives us access to applications or games without having to have Smart TV by default on home television. For example, you can access streaming video applications such as HBO, Netflix, YouTube, DAZN, Atresplayer, RTVE on demand, Movistar + … It also allows access to all kinds of compatible games or applications such as Facebook, for example.

Another of the main advantages of the Fire TV Stick is that it has Alexa and a large number of compatible voice functions such as checking the weather information, controlling the lights, playing streaming music or the possibility of accessing any website or enjoying Alexa skills or compatible applications that promise to turn your home into a digital home. It is easy to configure and use for all audiences, it is affordable (does not exceed 40 euros on Amazon) and in addition, Amazon Prime members have access to movies and television series directly from the stick through Prime Originals series, Programs, movies.

Amazon Fire Stick TV 4K

ATETION Dongle

If what you are looking for is something very simple and cheap that allows us to send content from the phone or tablet to television, the WiFi Display TV Dongle from ATETION is an option for less than 18 euros. Compatible with Android and iOS, it allows us to send any content we want to see over Wi-Fi, making it one of the best cheap alternatives to Chromecast if you just want to duplicate the screen . It has support for 1080p resolution and you can use it to watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO …

ATETION Dongle

Roku Streaming Stick

The Roku stick is quite similar to that of Amazon or Google, with an HDMI connection and that allows us to broadcast video content on the TV through the Internet. It is compatible with virtually any television thanks to its HDMI connection and does not require it to be modern or have USB. In addition, it is convenient to transport anywhere and it is one of the most popular options in the United States but not so much in Spain.

The device has a remote control so that we can send content remotely and also has its own Android app store. It allows us to send content from the mobile phone but also access the many available applications, like the rest of the options in this list.

Roku

Leelbox Dongle HDMI

Leelbox’s HDMI Dongle is virtually identical to Google Chromecast if, for some reason, you don’t want to buy the original. It is compatible with Android, iOS, Mac or Windows and allows us to send the screen to the TV to see any image in large format. You do not need to install anything to start using it or you can download the free application for Android or iOS, it is cheap and small and hardly takes up space. If you are looking for a fairly similar alternative but not the most recommended of this list.

leelbox

Xiaomi Mi Box S

The Xiaomi Mi Box can probably be one of the best alternatives to Chromecast if you are looking for the most complete or the most versatile. The Xiaomi device has Android TV as an operating system and not only allows the same as Chromecast but also allows much more. For example, we can send content to the TV from our smartphone but it also has a remote control that will allow us to use the applications installed on it, such as Netflix. We can access all kinds of apps and we can even connect a video game console via Bluetooth to play games compatible with the Xiaomi Box.

Beyond the possibility of making our TV “smart” , the Xiaomi Mi Box allows quality in what we see: it has 4K and HDR video playback and has Dolby and DTS audio that will improve the experience when we watch any video. In addition, the command has built-in Googel voice assistant that will make control of all content much easier. It also has a large internal memory in which we can install all kinds of applications and make the most of it. The closest thing to turning television into a computer.

alternativas a Chromecast - xiaomi mi box s

Raspberry

One of the many uses we can give a Raspberry Pi or any alternative of Raspberry Pi is to use it as Chromecast. You may find differences between one or the other or it may not be practical if you need something simple to install without complications. But if you like to try and you are able to do it, it is a good idea with which you can send content from the mobile phone but you can also give it many more uses as you need at all times.

alternativas a Chromecast- raspberry pi 4 placa


Apple TV

Fans of the Apple brand have one of the best alternatives for Chromecast: Apple TV. It is not only a device with which we can send content from the mobile to the TV but it is, as well as that of Xiaomi, a multimedia center with all kinds of applications available with which we will make any TV smart. In addition, each family member can create their own user to have their own content, recommendations … For example, we can access applications such as HBO or Netflix but there are also others of the company and we can directly access the App Store to download them.

Inside, the Apple TV has 32 GB or 64 GB of storage depending on the model, has a comfortable remote control and is compatible with video in 4K HDR resolution and has Dolby Atmos sound. Through the remote control, you can ask Siri what you want without having to look for it: ask him to put a series on you, to open a specific game, to activate subtitles. Also, another of its advantages is the compatibility with the Apple Arcade games service. The only drawback of Apple TV is its price, from 199 for the 32 GB model and with a cost much higher than the rest of Chromecast alternatives on this list.

Apple TV - Mejores alternativas a Chromecast


Nvidia Shield TV

One of the most complete if you are looking to send content to television and turn it into an entertainment center is the Nvidia Shield TV. It is not exactly cheap but it is perfect if you like to play, since you will get all the entails of a console but with Android operating system and with applications such as Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime Video or Movistar + with which you can see all the movies and series that you want But another of the advantages and differences of the Nvidia Shield is that we can send content from our PC to play all the games we want and can play content with 4K resolution.

Gaming fans have one of the best alternatives to Chromecast in Nvidia thanks to the GeForce GTX traffic card or the possibility of streaming with GeForce Now. You can play more than 200 different games. Another advantage is that it has a remote control and you can also bet on a version (with a higher price) that will include a video game controller . Both controls are compatible with voice recognition system so handling them will be simple and for the whole family but also one of the most complete, most powerful options, with more possibilities and, without a doubt, the best for players.

alternativas a Chromecast - Nvidia Shield TV