Chromecast is still actively sold and supported, but Google has shifted its focus to newer streaming devices and built-in casting features

Google still manufactures and sells Chromecast, but it is no longer the centerpiece of their streaming strategy. The original Chromecast (the small dongle you plug into an HDMI port) remains available, though Google has not released a new version since 2018. Meanwhile, Google has pushed harder into Google TV, which is their full operating system that powers larger streaming boxes and comes built into many televisions and third-party devices.

If you own an older Chromecast, it still works. Google continues to push software updates, and the device can still cast video, music, and photos from your phone or computer to your TV. The question is not whether it works — it does — but whether it makes sense to buy one now, or whether you should consider the alternatives that have become available since Chromecast's peak.

Key Takeaways

  • Google still sells the original Chromecast dongle and releases updates for it, so existing devices remain functional and supported.
  • Google TV (a full operating system) has largely replaced Chromecast as Google's main streaming product, offering more features and built-in apps.
  • Chromecast works best if you already own a smart TV or streaming device and want a straightforward way to send content from your phone, rather than as your primary streaming box.
  • Competitors like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV now offer more features, faster performance, and better app selection than the basic Chromecast dongle.
  • If your TV already has Google TV built in or you use a Google TV box, you have casting built into the system and do not need a separate Chromecast device.

What Chromecast does and does not do

The standard Chromecast is a casting receiver, not a streaming box. You plug it into your TV's HDMI port, connect it to Wi-Fi, and then use your phone, tablet, or computer to send video to it. Apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+ have a cast button built in. You tap it, pick your Chromecast, and the content plays on your TV while your phone becomes a remote control.

What Chromecast does not do is sit on your TV and show you a menu of apps to choose from. It has no remote control of its own. It does not have a home screen. You cannot browse Netflix on your TV screen the way you can with a Roku or Fire TV box — you browse on your phone and cast what you want. For people who like this workflow, Chromecast is straightforward and fast. For people who want to pick up a remote and flip through channels on their TV, it feels limited.

How Chromecast compares to Google TV

Google TV is Google's answer to Roku and Fire TV. It is a full operating system with a home screen, app icons, recommendations, and a remote control. Google TV comes built into many newer televisions (Samsung, Sony, TCL, and others sell Google TV models), and it also comes in standalone boxes like the Google TV Streamer, which Google released in 2024.

If you buy a TV with Google TV built in, or if you buy a Google TV box, you already have casting built into the system. You do not need a separate Chromecast dongle. Google TV does everything Chromecast does, plus it gives you a full menu of apps, a remote, and a home screen. For most people buying a new streaming device, Google TV is the better choice than the basic Chromecast dongle.

When the basic Chromecast still makes sense

The original Chromecast is cheapest option if you have an older TV without smart features and want to add casting to it. If your TV has an HDMI port and you are comfortable casting from your phone, a Chromecast dongle costs less than a full streaming box and takes up less space. It also works well if you already own a streaming device (like a Roku or Fire TV box) but want the option to cast from your phone without switching inputs.

Chromecast is also still useful for people who cast frequently and like the simplicity of the casting workflow. If you spend most of your time sending content from your phone to your TV rather than browsing apps on the TV itself, the basic Chromecast is fast and reliable. It has no menus to navigate, no ads on a home screen, and no bloat.

Competitors have caught up on price and features

When Chromecast launched in 2013, it was the cheapest way to add streaming to a TV. That is no longer true. A basic Roku Express or Amazon Fire TV Stick now costs about the same as a Chromecast, and both offer a full operating system with apps, a remote, and a home screen. A Roku or Fire TV box also supports casting, so you get both options — you can cast from your phone or use the remote to browse apps.

If you are buying a new device and have the budget, a Roku, Fire TV, or Google TV box gives you more flexibility than a basic Chromecast. You can cast when you want to, but you also have a remote and a home screen for times when you want to browse. The tradeoff is that these devices have more features, which means more menus and sometimes more ads on the home screen.

Software support and updates

Google continues to release updates for the original Chromecast, so the device is not abandoned. However, the updates are usually small improvements and security patches rather than major new features. The last significant hardware update was the Chromecast with Google TV in 2020, which added a remote and a home screen — essentially turning it into a Google TV box.

If you own an older Chromecast, you can expect it to keep working and receiving updates for several more years. Google has not announced an end-of-life date. However, if you are deciding whether to buy one now, keep in mind that Google is investing more in Google TV and other products, so Chromecast is not where their focus is.

The real question: casting or streaming?

The decision comes down to how you watch TV. If you spend most of your time casting from your phone — sending YouTube videos, TikToks, or music to your TV — then Chromecast is still a solid choice. It is straightforward, cheap, and does that job well. If you want to pick up a remote, browse a menu of apps, and choose what to watch on your TV screen, then a Roku, Fire TV, or Google TV box is a better fit.

For most people buying a new device, a full streaming box offers more value because it does both. You get casting when you want it, plus a remote and apps when you want those instead. The price difference is small enough that the extra features are worth it for most households.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chromecast still work with Netflix and YouTube?

Yes. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Disney+, and most other major streaming apps still have the cast button built in. When you tap cast, you can send the content to any Chromecast on your network. The feature works the same way it always has.

Will Google stop supporting Chromecast?

Google has not announced an end-of-life date for Chromecast. The company continues to release updates and security patches. However, Google's main focus has shifted to Google TV, so Chromecast is not receiving major new features.

Can I use Chromecast if my TV already has Google TV built in?

You can, but you do not need to. Google TV has casting built in, so you can cast from your phone to a Google TV TV without a separate Chromecast device. A separate Chromecast would be redundant.

Is Chromecast cheaper than Roku or Fire TV?

Prices are similar — all three cost between $30 and $50 for the basic model. Roku and Fire TV offer more features (a remote, a home screen, and apps) at roughly the same price, so they offer better value for most people.

What should I buy if I want to replace my old Chromecast?

If you want casting only, buy another Chromecast. If you want casting plus a remote and apps, buy a Roku Express, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Google TV Streamer. All three are widely available and cost about the same.