Google TV costs between $30 and $99 depending on the device you choose

Google TV is software, not a single product with one price. You buy it bundled into a device — usually a Chromecast dongle, a streaming box, or a TV set that has Google TV built in. The cheapest entry point is the Google Chromecast with Google TV, which sells for around $30 to $40 at major retailers. The most expensive standalone Google TV device is the Google TV Streamer, which costs $99. If you buy a television with Google TV already installed, you pay the TV's price, not a separate Google TV fee.

You do not pay a monthly subscription to use Google TV itself. The software is free once you own the hardware. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu charge their own fees, but those are separate from Google TV and you would pay them regardless of which streaming device you use.

Key Takeaways

  • The Google Chromecast with Google TV dongle costs $30 to $40 and is the cheapest way to add Google TV to an existing television.
  • The Google TV Streamer, a larger box with more processing power, costs $99 and works better for homes with multiple rooms or older televisions.
  • Many television manufacturers including Sony, TCL, and Hisense sell TVs with Google TV built in, so you do not pay extra for the software.
  • Prices vary slightly by retailer and sales; Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart often run promotions that lower the advertised price.

Google Chromecast with Google TV: The Budget Option

The Google Chromecast with Google TV is a small dongle about the size of a thumb drive that plugs into your television's HDMI port. It costs $30 to $40 at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart. This is the cheapest way to add Google TV to a television you already own.

The dongle comes with a remote control and connects to your home Wi-Fi network. It streams video from apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and others. The device works on any television with an HDMI port, including older models. If your TV is more than five or six years old, this dongle is usually your only option for adding Google TV, since older TVs do not have the software built in.

The Chromecast with Google TV does not require a subscription to Google or any monthly fee. You pay once for the hardware, then use whatever streaming services you already subscribe to. The remote uses two AA batteries, which are not included in the box.

Google TV Streamer: The Larger Box Option

The Google TV Streamer is a larger device that costs $99. It is a box about the size of a deck of cards that sits near your television rather than plugging directly into the HDMI port. It connects to your TV via an HDMI cable and to power via a USB-C adapter.

The Streamer has more processing power than the Chromecast dongle and is designed for homes with multiple televisions or for people who want faster performance. It also includes a remote with a built-in Google Assistant button, so you can search for shows and control smart home devices by voice. The remote uses a rechargeable battery that charges via USB-C, so you do not need to buy batteries.

The Streamer works on any television with an HDMI port, just like the Chromecast dongle. The main difference is speed and the ability to control other smart home devices. If you have a newer television with Google TV already built in, you do not need the Streamer unless you want faster performance or smart home control.

Televisions with Google TV Built In

Many television manufacturers sell TVs with Google TV already installed. Brands include Sony, TCL, Hisense, and others. When you buy one of these TVs, you do not pay extra for Google TV — it is included in the television's price. A 55-inch TV with Google TV built in might cost $300 to $600, depending on the brand and picture quality, but that is the TV's price, not a separate charge for the software.

If you are buying a new television anyway, a model with Google TV built in saves you the $30 to $99 you would spend on a separate device. The software is the same whether it is built into the TV or running on a dongle. The difference is convenience: you do not need to plug in an extra device or manage another remote control.

Where Prices Vary and When to Buy

The official retail price for the Chromecast with Google TV is $39.99, and for the Google TV Streamer it is $99.99. However, prices at Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and Target sometimes drop during sales events like Black Friday, back-to-school promotions, or holiday sales. You may find the Chromecast for $25 to $30 during these periods.

Prices also vary slightly by region and seller. Some retailers charge shipping, while others offer free shipping on orders above a certain amount. If you have a membership like Amazon Prime or Best Buy's My Best Buy, you may see different prices than a customer without a membership.

Refurbished or open-box Chromecast devices sometimes sell for $20 to $25 at retailers like Best Buy. These are devices that were returned or used as display models. They come with a warranty and work the same as new devices, but they cost less upfront.

What You Do Not Pay For

Google TV itself is free software. You do not pay a monthly subscription to use it, and Google does not charge you to access the Google TV interface or to search for shows. You only pay for the hardware device that runs the software.

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and others charge their own monthly fees, but those fees are not part of Google TV. You would pay those fees whether you use Google TV, a Roku, an Apple TV, or any other streaming device. Google TV straightforward gives you a way to access those services on your television without adding any cost of its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay a monthly fee to use Google TV?

No. Google TV is free software. You pay once for the hardware device, then use it without any monthly charges. Streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ charge their own fees, but those are separate from Google TV.

Is the Google TV Streamer worth the extra $60 over the Chromecast dongle?

It depends on your needs. The Streamer is faster and better for controlling smart home devices. If you have an older TV, a slower internet connection, or multiple televisions, the Streamer may be worth it. If you have a newer TV or just want to watch streaming apps, the cheaper Chromecast dongle does the same job.

Can I use Google TV on a television that already has it built in?

Yes, but you do not need to. If your TV already has Google TV, plugging in a Chromecast or Streamer will give you a second Google TV interface. Most people just use the one built into the TV. You might add a separate device if the built-in version is slow or outdated.

What is the difference between Google TV and Android TV?

Google TV is the newer software. Android TV is older and less common now. Google TV has a better interface for finding shows and a more powerful search feature. If you are buying a new device, choose Google TV. Android TV devices are cheaper but harder to find.

Do I need a Google account to use Google TV?

Yes. You need a Google account to set up Google TV and sign into your streaming apps. The account is free to create. Google uses it to remember your preferences and show you personalized recommendations.