10 Best Chromecast Alternatives in 2025
Times are changing, and unlike traditional Chromecast, which depends on a smartphone for content casting, there are other alternatives available that may help you switch from Google Chromecast in 2025.
Instead of a perplexing list of alternatives that keeps you baffled until the end, we have gathered the 10 most-used Google Chromecast alternatives in 2025, which will fill up every desire you have regarding the streaming devices.
What to Look for in a Google Chromecast Alternative
If you have a grasp on the following key features, then you can find the perfect alternative for Chromecast in 2025:
- High-definition, including HD, 4K, and HDR
- Availability of apps
- Compatibility with smartphones
- Portable
- Easy to set up
- Voice assistance available
- Great value for price
Let’s see if our picked ones could match those criteria.
10 Best Options to Replace Google Chromecast in 2025
If you have been using Google Chromecast for a while now and are considering switching, here are some of the best alternatives that can not only elevate your streaming experience but also offer state-of-the-art features.
1. Roku Streaming Stick 4K (Best Compact Device for 4K Streaming)
Newly introduced streaming devices are compact and offer great performance. One of the names is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, which provides a 4K HDR streaming experience with a sleek design. This is for streaming enthusiasts who travel regularly or have limited space available on their TV.
What makes the Roku Streaming Stick 4K the best Google Chromecast alternative? Well, it has a 4K HDR along with support for Dolby Vision. It’s slim, lightning-fast, and won’t bother you while packing. With Roku smart home integration, you can stream free Roku channels and other content.
The device, however, does not support Ethernet, which means you must have a blazing-fast internet speed to stream 4K content.
Price: $49
2. Roku Streaming Stick Plus (Affordable and Incredibly Smart Streaming Device)
If you are considering replacing Google Chromecast with a smart device but also have a tight budget, Roku Streaming Stick Plus is the best option available that supports 4K at 60fps with HDR10/10+. What’s truly remarkable about this device is that it features Roku smart home compatibility and, for the first time, offers backdrop features to add mystical visuals while the screen is left idle.
There’s a remote control, too, that operates with batteries. However, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus lacks Dolby Vision and Atmos, and may pose some issues when fitting all HDMI ports.
Price: $39.99
3. Google TV Streaming Box (Most Intelligent Google Streaming Device to this Day)
Let’s admit it, Google provides an ecosystem that blends with us all right away! If you are addicted to the same ecosystem, perhaps the Google TV Streaming Box is just right for you. It gives you an advanced smart home integration feature, along with personalized content with double the power of Gemini AI. Looking at the home dashboard, you will see it’s smartly designed with controls on-screen.
The modern design offers better features, including the amazing 4K UHD with Dolby Vision and Atmos. You can integrate the device with other apps with the Live TV Integration via YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Philo.
One of the trade-offs is the chunkier design, which may not be to the taste of fans of slim streaming devices.
Price: $99
4. Apple TV 4K (Upgraded Streaming for Apple Users)
Get ready to dive into the ultra-modern Apple ecosystem with Apple TV 4K, which offers quality, speed, and minimal design in a single package. You will find some finest upgrades in this Apple TV model, such as:
- A15 Bionic chip for lightning-fast speed
- Support for HDR10+ and Thread-enabled smart home control (Utilizes Thread networking protocol to control smart devices in a much faster and energy-efficient manner.
- Remote control charges with a Type-C cable and tunes with Siri.
- tvOS makes it one of the neatest and elegant-looking interfaces
If you are looking for Ethernet support on Apple TV 4K, well, it has it, but you have to buy the Ethernet port at an extra price.
Price: $129
5. Fire TV Stick 4K Max
If “Speed” is your only preference while choosing the best Google Chromecast alternative, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is the one you are looking for! It has a Wi-Fi 6E built-in and smart-home compatibility in a reasonable price.
So what makes Fire TV Stick 4K Max as the best Google Chromecast alternative in 2025? Well, Wi-Fi 6E ensures streaming without any lag, the device is built to offer speedy app loading and transitions, which many users notice. Another feature is that it works with Alexa and other major apps you use on a daily basis, plus it’s compact enough to hide behind the TV.
Price: $35-$40
6. Xiaomi TV Stick 4K ( Chic Version of Chromecast on a Budget)
Clearly the easiest streaming device to use, Xiaomi TV Stick 4K offers users a highly compatible design that even fits in your wallet and adds a mesmerizing touch to your 4K streaming experience – all this comes without spending too much money.
The device operates 4K streaming with its high-powered 2GB RAM and quad-core processor. There is a voice-enabled remote control with a Google TV interface, with some built-in apps, such as Chromecast-like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and more.
One of the highly endorsed features of Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is that it comes as a travel-friendly dongle that you can plug and play in any HDMI-supported device. One of the drawback is the delayed firmware updates that bug some users.
Price: $50-$70
7. Sky Stream (Best for Live TV Enthusiasts)
Fans of traditional broadcast streaming from the UK and Europe are going to love this! Sky Stream is a hybrid device that offers a mixture of premium live TV, which is accessible through modern streaming apps. You can have live TV and on-demand content with this, and the best part is full access to Netflix, Disney+, Sky, NOW, and BBC iPlayer.
You’ll be surprised to see the intricately designed UI with responsive voice search. In a nutshell, it’s a compact, modern design with a sleek remote that feels really good. One of the things readers should know about Sky Stream is that it is the best Google Chromecast alternative in 2025, which is particularly designed for the UK and EU markets. The device also has very less options for indie apps than other Android and Roku devices, and that is the fact!
Price: $50-$55
8. onn 4K Plus Google TV Box
This is your budget-friendly Google Chromecast alternative right there! 4k Plus Google TV Box is the name of quality at an affordable price. There is a 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision which you may not find even in streaming devices under $100 budget. You can find versatile options from Google, like the Google TV interface, casting, voice search, and Assistant.
What’s more? Onn 4K Plus Google TV Box boasts the power of a quad-core processor with improved RAM, the device also includes a voice remote and USB-C charging capability. On the downside, some users reported lags during firmware updates, and no Ethernet support makes it less ideal for professional users.
Price:$29.98
9. NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (When You are a Gamer as well as a Streamer)
We all know some people who are ardent gamers who also like to stream their own or other people’s content. NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is a high-end streaming device that offers the same features as a desktop. To make it simpler, it’s an upgrade for Google Chromecast so you can fulfill your gaming needs.
The key features involved:
- AI-enhanced 4K upscaling for miraculously vibrant HD-to-4K conversion.
- Users can access GeForce NOW, Steam Link, and emulators for retro gaming.
- Regular updates from NVIDIA
- Seamless integration with NAS systems and hosts a local Plex Media Server.
With all these things in mind, know that NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is quite expensive and may be a bit more for you if you do not belong to the professional gaming or streaming.
Price:$197
10. Tivo Stream 4K (2024 Edition)
For all the Tivo fans! This is an upgrade in terms of performance and design! Tivo Stream 4K blends with UI similar to Chromecast with Tivo’s content and Android TV availability. You can experience a clean and minimal Android TV interface with Tivo’s content in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos support.
Speaking of the upgrades in design, the Tivo remote has no ergonomic design with a built-in voice assistant option available and customizable shortcuts. There is also support for a wide array of apps for streaming like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Sling.
With Tivo’s overflowing recommendations, the interface can sometimes feel a bit cluttered. Another important thing to know is that Tivo Stream 4K comes with not so many updates like the ones you get with Amazon and Google.
Price:$35
Does a VPN Improve Streaming
ISP throttling is the major reason behind frequent lag and buffering during streaming. You can blame your Internet Service Provider for reducing the internet efficiency so users cannot consume too much of their bandwidth.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) like Ivacy VPN is remarkably useful in these scenarios and helps you by reducing buffering and enabling full-fledged streaming without a break. In addition to this, using a VPN does help streamers by allowing them to access geo-restricted content and services while keeping them anonymous at all times.
Conclusion
After Chromecast being phased out, there is a staggering number of streaming devices available, each of which offers different streaming preferences and needs. Whether you are looking for the Google Chromecast alternative in a restricted budget, or looking for a streaming device ideal for gaming and streaming, we have got your covered with out 10 best alternatives that provides seamless integration of some amazing features, built to last, and eco-system you’ll find attached to that best firs your streaming needs and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chromecast?
Chromecast is a streaming device (dongle-shaped) that offers multiple functions by connecting to your TV’s HDMI port. There are many versions of Chromecast available, most of which are outdated in 2025.
What is Chromecast used for?
Chromecast is used to transform an ordinary TV into a smart TV via internet-based features dedicated for streaming. You can also connect it to your other streaming devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.
What is the Best Alternative to Chromecast?
The best alternative to Chromecast is what best suits your needs. If you want a budget-friendly alternative to Chromecast, then the Tivo Streaming 4K device is best for you. If you are not bound to your budget and want an alternative to Chromecast with a sophisticated UI, Apple TV 4K is the one. Similarly, every streaming need has dedicated streaming devices available nowadays.
What is the best VPN for Chromecast?
There are many VPN ideal for streaming on Chromecast, while Ivacy VPN offers the best value for money, it also comes with other security and privacy features that further enhance your streaming experience.
Can I install a VPN on my Chromecast?
Although Chromecast does not support a VPN directly, you can, however, use its functionalities on Chromecast by connecting it to your router. Many routers in 2025 do support VPNs that help you connect your Chromecast to the VPN and claim online anonymity.
