Streaming Devices / Google TV Streamer (4K) vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Google TV Streamer (4K) vs Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
Wins overall by 2.0 points
Quick Verdict
A 2.0-point gap makes the Google TV Streamer (4K) the straightforward choice here. Ethernet and Thread for $99 — the best-value smart-home streaming hub.
The Google TV Streamer (4K) and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are both closely matched streaming Device models, and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is $40 cheaper than the Google TV Streamer (4K) ($59.99 vs $99.99). On Smart Home, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (9.0 vs 5.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. On Audio Support, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (8.5 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. On Remote, the Google TV Streamer (4K) leads (7.5 vs 5.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. Overall, the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.1/10 for the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Google TV Streamer (4K) | Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $59.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Max Resolution | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps | 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Dolby Vision | Yes | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8696 — quad-core Cortex-A55 up to 2.0GHz | ARM Cortex-A55 |
| RAM (GB) | 4✓ | 1 |
| Storage (GB) | 32 | Not published by Roku |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Dual-band; Roku does not publish the 802.11 standard for this model |
| Ethernet | Gigabit (built in) | None |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | Yes — supports headphone mode |
| Operating System | Google TV on Android 14 for TV | Roku OS 15 |
| Remote | Voice remote with Gemini, AAA batteries, customizable shortcut button, Find My Remote chime | Roku Voice Remote, AAA batteries, TV power and volume; no backlight; no remote finder |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Porcelain, Hazel | Black |
Category Scores
Speed & Performance
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on processor, RAM, and how quickly menus and apps respond. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Video Quality
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Audio Support
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.5 — a 3.0-point margin on dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Platform & Apps
The Google TV Streamer (4K) and Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. operating system, app catalogue, and how advertising-led the interface is is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Connectivity
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Remote
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.0 — a 2.5-point margin on voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 5.0 — a 4.0-point margin on matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Google TV Streamer (4K) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Google TV Streamer (4K) if…
- • Smart Home matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 9.0/10 here (matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability).
- • Audio Support matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.5/10 here (dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through).
- • Remote matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 7.5/10 here (voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features).
- • Video Quality matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 8.5/10 here (maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Google TV Streamer (4K) scores 7.5/10 here (Wi-Fi standard, ethernet, Bluetooth, and expansion ports).
Choose the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $40 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is travel or budget.
Pros & Cons
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Pros
- +Gigabit ethernet and Thread border router built in, at a quarter of the price Apple charges for the same
- +4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage is generous at this price
- +Google Home panel makes it a genuine smart-home hub, not just a streamer
- +Find My Remote solves a problem every other remote here ignores
- +Full Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
Cons
- −Wi-Fi 5 only — no Wi-Fi 6, which is hard to defend on a device launched in 2024
- −The Cortex-A55 chip is modest next to Apple's A15
- −Remote takes disposable AAA batteries rather than charging over USB-C
- −Google TV's home screen is advertising-led, like Fire TV's
- −Capped at 4K60
Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)
Pros
- +4K HDR from a stick that needs no wall outlet — unusual and genuinely useful for travel
- +Roku OS remains the cleanest major streaming platform
- +Bluetooth headphone mode direct from the device
- +Same 0.9oz body as the HD stick
Cons
- −No Dolby Vision — HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG only
- −No Dolby Atmos
- −No ethernet option
- −Basic AAA remote with no backlight or finder
- −List price rose from $39.99 to $59.99 in July 2026
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) or Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Google TV Streamer (4K) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Smart Home, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Smart Home (9.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — matter, Thread, and built-in voice assistant capability.
Which is better for Audio Support, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Audio Support (8.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos and DTS handling, and whether audio is decoded or only passed through.
Which is better for Remote, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Remote (7.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — voice control, backlighting, rechargeability, and remote-finder features.
Which is better for Video Quality, the Google TV Streamer (4K) or the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) scores higher on Video Quality (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — maximum resolution and which HDR formats are supported.
Is the Google TV Streamer (4K) worth the price difference over the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is the cheaper option at $59.99 versus $99.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Smart Home.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) is the better fit if you mainly care about smart-home or home-theater. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) is the better fit for travel or budget.
What's the warranty on the Google TV Streamer (4K) vs the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025)?+
The Google TV Streamer (4K) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (2025) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $49.99
Premium Option
Roku Ultra (2024) — $149.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.