Chromecast vs EZCast, which one is right for you?

Let’s face it, everyone has a smart phone now.

Content is no longer viewed only on HDTVs through cable subscriptions.

But also through mobile apps, like Netflix and YouTube.

If you are reading this article, it’s likely you already consume media on your Android phone.

And you hope to cut back on the USD 100+ per month cable fees.

After digging around,

You have narrowed down to two devices, Chromecast vs EZCast, to bring mobile content to the big screen.

In this article,

We’ll describe the differences between Chromecast and its alternative, EZCast.

So you can find the best wireless display receiver without buying an expensive smart TV.

EZCast supports many ways to screen mirror from Android phones, while Chromecast only supports casting from Google Home app

EZCast dongles support the following ways to screen mirror from Android phones:

1. Casting from Google Home app

2. Screen mirroring using Miracast/SmartView

The native support for Miracast makes the screen mirroring process as easy as a button press.

Chromecast works best when using casting the phone screen using the Google Home app.

Which means, you have to install the Google Home app before you start screen mirroring to Chromecast.

EZCast supports iOS’s native AirPlay Screen Mirroring while Chromecast can’t receive mirrored content from an iPhone

Screen mirroring from iPhones to EZCast is also as easy as a button press.

Just access the Screen Mirroring feature from the Control Center, to share your iPhone screen to EZCast wirelessly.

EZCast supports Miracast protocol and Chrome browser casting on Windows laptops while Chromecast can only share the content of a Chrome browser tab from Windows

Simply use the Miracast protocol on Windows to turn the EZCast dongle into a wireless display.

This way, you can mirror screen to EZCast or use it as a second screen for multi-tasking.

The casting feature of Chrome browser is both supported by EZCast and Chromecast, so you can share the content of a single browser tab to your HDTV.

EZCast supports AirPlay and Chrome browser casting on MacBooks while Chromecast can only share the content of a Chrome browser tab from macOS

Since EZCast supports iPhone’s native AirPlay Screen Mirroring, it also fully supports MacBook’s AirPlay.

Simply access AirPlay to wirelessly cast screen on TV, with also the option of making the TV as second monitor.

Chromecast doesn’t support AirPlay, so you can only screen mirror content from Chrome browser tab on Mac.

Chromecast supports more online streaming apps, while EZCast supports YouTube and DLNA

Chromecast supports more streaming apps, so you can use your phone as a remote to play videos.

While EZCast works well to stream YouTube and DLNA streaming apps, there are instances, such as Netflix, where it works better to screen mirror content instead of streaming.

The EZChannel feature within EZCast app is a great way to curate videos from across different online platforms to watch in one place.

EZCast supports both Google Home and Alexa Echo smart speakers, but Chromecast supports Google Home only

Not only is EZCast a cross platform receiver for laptops and mobile phones, it also works with both Google Home and Alexa Echo smart speakers.

No matter which speaker you use at home, you can voice search online videos to play on EZCast.

Chromecast only works with Google Home smart speakers, but not Alexa Echo, so if you own both Alexa Echo and Chromecast, there’s no way for you to enjoy the voice search and play features.

Both EZCast and Chromecast have dynamic standby screens for HDTV during idle, but EZCast lets you use a keyword to control the pictures you want

While your HDTV isn’t receiving wireless content from your smartphones or laptops, both EZCast and Chromecast provide users with beautiful standby screens.

EZCast users can enter a search phrase within EZCast app settings to only see photos that match the search phrase.

This way, you can exclusively see the best photos from your favorite cities or celebrities.

Chromecast works best within a local Wi-Fi network, while EZCast also supports direct Wi-Fi connectivity

While Chromecast and EZCast both display content to the big screen via Wi-Fi.

Chromecast works best when connected to a local Wi-Fi network.

This means you want to be in the presence of a strong local Wi-Fi signal, to stream and share content to Chromecast.

EZCast supports both local Wi-Fi connectivity as well as direct linking to your phone or laptop.

So you get the option to connect the EZCast ad hoc network when you only want to share content locally.

Or use mobile data to stream content from the web.

Chromecast’s version of direct wireless display, comes in the form of “Guest Mode”.

It lets devices not connected to the same local network to cast by entering a 4-digit pin shown on TV.

Both Chromecast and EZCast offer the full range of features to cast Android devices

Both devices can screen mirror content from Android mobile devices to HDTVs.

Both devices can stream content with supported apps, such as YouTube, EZChannel, when connected to a local Wi-Fi network.

Streaming with YouTube.

In streaming mode,

The phone screen will change to a remote-like interface, to reduce battery consumption.

Chromecast excels in this area from the greater pool of supporting apps than EZCast.

EZCast makes up for the shortage of apps with screen mirroring function, albeit with less battery efficiency, and also support Miracast for Android and Windows.

So, what about EZCast vs Chromecast on the other popular mobile platform?

Chromecast support is limited with iPhones and iPads, and EZCast uses iOS’s native AirPlay

Chromecast doesn't support AirPlay,

So iPhones and iPads users can't screen cast to Chromecast easily.

Thus, iOS users can only stream to Chromecast using supported apps, such as YouTube and Netflix, with the Cast function inside the app.

What happens if the app does not support Chromecast or you just want to share your phone screen?

Then you are out of luck, as there’s no other way for you to stream or mirror it to Chromecast.

In this situation, EZCast has the upper hand by supporting AirPlay, so you can mirror your iPhone screen to EZCast flawlessly.

Another way is to use the EZCast app to stream photos and videos to an EZCast dongle from your iOS devices.

Windows and Mac laptops screen mirror to Chromecast via Chrome browser, while EZCast supports both Miracast and AirPlay

The best way to use Chromecast with laptops, whether Windows or Mac, is to use the Chrome browser.

By installing Chrome, you can execute the “Cast…” function from the options menu and share any browser tab or the desktop to Chromecast.

EZCast’s versatility across OS means it receives content from Windows and Mac via Mircast and AirPlay, respectively.

So mirroring to EZCast is intuitive no matter which laptop you use.

Chromecast for Android mobile only, EZCast for cross platform compatibility

In the argument of Chromecast vs EZCast, each has different strengths.

By now, you will see both Chromecast and EZCast work well to screen cast Android devices.

While Chromecast supports more streaming options for better battery efficiency.

EZCast is a better choice if you intend to work across many devices, and want to involve friends to join the screen casting fun, and it remains the best way to Android cast screen to TV without Chromecast.

Either way,

You can cut the cable fees, pass on the latest smart TVs, and use your mobile phone to run a premium home entertainment experience.

All without breaking the bank.

Here is a more comprehensive comparison between Chromecast and EZCast.