Google TV vs. Roku: Which Is the Better Streamer?

If you pit the two streaming giants head-to-head, which comes out on top? Google has its search and personalization prowess. Roku has its Swiss-like brand neutrality. Both are available preinstalled in TVs , projectors and have standalone streaming devices . Both have external hardware to add their flavor of streaming to any display with HDMI.

There are actually some significant differences between the services. So which do you choose? Let's take a look at the different hardware — the Google TV Streamer and various Roku sticks — their interfaces, as well as other, less obvious aspects like smart home compatibility and which will sell your personal data (spoiler: both). For the most part, this guide looks at the streaming device hardware, although aspects like the interface, app availability and so on, will be the same on TVs and projectors that come with Google TV or Roku preinstalled.

Hardware

Both Google TV and Roku are the operating systems for a wide variety of TVs and projectors. Given how easy and inexpensive streaming devices are, the included streaming service shouldn't be a huge factor in your purchasing decision.

Also read: Apple TV 4K vs. Roku: What's the Best Streaming Platform?

On the streaming device side, there's only one Google option: The Google TV Streamer for $150. It has an HDMI 2.1 output, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and can output 4K HDR, including Dolby Vision, as well as Dolby Atmos. It's powered via USB. There's a button on the back that helps you find the remote, which is convenient. It's not the "dongle" design of Google's previous streamer, the Chromecast. Instead, it's designed to sit on a TV stand or table.

Roku has three dongle options and a standalone unit similar to the Google TV Streamer. The company also offers a soundbar with its OS built in. The Roku Streaming Stick base model is only $40 but can't do 4K. For $20 more, the Streaming Stick Plus can do 4K and HDR, but not Dolby Vision. For it's new price of $80 (up from $60) the Streaming Stick 4K adds Dolby Vision. Unless money is tight, it's likely worth getting the 4K version. Even if your current TV can't do Dolby Vision, your next TV might.

The standalone Roku Ultra box, also subject to a 50% price hike , adds a rechargeable backlit remote and a button on the main unit to find said remote. Like the other Roku devices, it's powered via USB, but unlike the others, it can also stream local media via a separate USB port. Unlike the dongles, it can do Dolby Atmos, important if you have a higher-end soundbar or a receiver with speakers. It also has an Ethernet connection, which can help free up some bandwidth on your home's Wi-Fi or get you a more stable connection to the internet if the Roku is far from your Wi-Fi router.

You can connect your headphones to the Roku Ultra and the Google TV Streamer over Bluetooth, bypassing your TV's speakers. If you want to combine a Roku streamer with better sound than your TV, Roku's Streambar SE is a compact soundbar that runs Roku OS.

Most people won't need to worry about the storage space on their streaming device. All have enough space for the number of apps most people use. If everyone in your family likes their own apps in addition to the main ones (Netflix, Disney Plus and so on), then it's probably best to avoid the base Streaming Stick as it only has 512 megabytes of storage. The other Rokus have 4 gigabytes. The Google TV Streamer has even more at 32 GB.

Remote

Both Roku and Google remote controls are lozenge-shaped and have microphones so you can search using your voice. The Roku remotes have dedicated playback controls, but only the Roku Ultra's remote is backlit. The Ultra's remote is also rechargeable, while the others require replaceable batteries (as of this writing, AAAs).

Both remotes will also control the volume with most TVs and soundbars. Both Roku and Google TV devices can also be controlled with a phone or tablet.

Interface

Broadly speaking, both interfaces are easy to use and can get you right to the app you want quickly. With Roku, the screen has had some recent upgrades, but it still works in roughly the same way. Apps are arranged in a three-to-five-wide grid that is as tall as however many apps you install. There is space on the right side of the screen for an ad.

Google TV, on the other hand, has a more horizontal interface. There's a single row at the bottom of the screen for your apps. Above that are shows and movies Google thinks you'd watch based on your interests and apps you have installed. The entire top of the screen is generally an ad. Roku technically has a section with content it thinks you'll be interested in watching, but between the two I've found Google to be more accurate judging my interests. Not sure that's a good thing, and your mileage may vary.

Roku has some rather whimsical wallpapers and screen savers built in, with more you can download. The Google TV can directly access your Google Photos account and use those pictures as a screensaver.

A/V capabilities

The Google TV Streamer and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Ultra can output 4K HDR up to and including Dolby Vision. If your TV lacks HDR or even 4K, it will output whatever resolution your TV can handle.

On the audio side, all can output non-Atmos surround sound and stereo. Only the Roku Ultra and the Google TV Streamer can output Dolby Atmos. So if you have a high-end soundbar or multispeaker system, it's worth spending more to get one of these over the less-expensive streaming sticks. In all cases, the audio is only available via HDMI. None of these streamers has an optical audio output.

The Roku Ultra and Google TV Streamer let you connect Bluetooth headphones so you can listen to your program's audio without disturbing others.

Smart home controls

Roku devices are generally "brand agnostic" in that they'll work with just about everything. That includes Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, Google Home and Roku's own Roku Smart Home. This is likely one of the main reasons they're so popular. They'll work with anything.

The Google TV Streamer will work with Google Home, obviously. It's also compatible with the Matter standard, so it should work with other Matter-compatible gear. At the moment, this generally means that it won't connect directly with Alexa or Apple smart home gear. While there are workarounds available, that's well beyond the scope of this guide. Generally speaking, though, if smart home integration is a major consideration for you, you're better off getting a product that works with your network right out of the box.

App library

Both Roku and Google will have all the major streaming apps, like Netflix, HBO, Disney Plus and so on. If you watch a less common app, non-English or non-American programming, for instance, both platforms will probably have it, but not always. Best to check before you buy. There can also be more random missing apps. For instance, while both services have an Apple TV app, only Roku has an Apple Music app. This can also change over time as these companies make deals, let others lapse and so on.

Roku might have apps from smaller developers, but Google TV lets you sideload apps that aren't available on the Google Play Store. The vast majority of people reading this won't ever need to do this, but the option is there for more advanced users.

Basically, each will have a few options the other won't. But for most people, both will have everything you're looking for.

Price

We largely covered this in the hardware section, but the cheapest option is the Roku Streaming Stick at $40. It can't stream in 4K, though, only up to 1080p, so unless you're connecting to a small or older TV, you're better off spending a little more and getting the Streaming Stick Plus. If your TV is capable of Dolby Vision, the $80 Streaming Stick 4K can do that.

The Roku Ultra and Google TV Streamer offer a few more features, most notably wired internet. While both list for $150, if you're a Google One subscriber, you get 10% back on purchases from the Google store.

Selling your data

One of the reasons many TVs and streaming devices are so inexpensive is that they monitor what you watch and sell that info to advertisers. This is one of the reasons people seek out "dumb" TVs . In reality, just about any device connected to the internet does this to some degree. Some are worse than others. Roku, specifically, is rather notorious for selling everything it can possibly glean from your viewing habits. Google is, well, Google. Selling your info is their business.

The better option here largely comes down to whether or not you care, and (if you do) how you feel about these two companies. It's worth noting that the Fox Corporation (aka Fox News, Fox Sports and so on) owns Roku. So you can include how you feel about that company compared to Google in your calculations.

Also read: Using AI to Vibe Code Your TV Is Stupid

Which should you buy?

If you're on a budget: Roku Streaming Stick HD
If you want the cheapest 4K HDR: Roku Streaming Stick Plus
If you want the cheapest Dolby Vision: Roku Streaming Stick 4K
If you want all the bells and whistles, including Dolby Atmos and a wired internet connection: Roku Ultra or Google TV Streamer .

If you're looking for the option with all the features, it comes down to whether you're fully enmeshed in the Google ecosystem. If so, Google TV will know what you want and show you potential options you might not have considered. Roku, on the other hand, will work with just about everything, so if you have non-Google smart home gear you want to work with your streamer, Roku is the better option.

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