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Chromecast Audio Alternative: The Best In 2025

chromecast audio alternatives
You probably loved how easy it was to stream music to your speakers with a Chromecast Audio. It was easy to use, cheap, and surprisingly powerful. It turned any old stereo into a smart one. But since Google stopped making Chromecast Audio, a lot of music fans have been wondering what the best Chromecast Audio alternative is these days.

The good news is that there are a lot of great choices in 2025. There are more options than ever on the market now. You can get better sound quality, stream music to multiple rooms, or make sure your device works with apps like Spotify, AirPlay 2, and DLNA. We'll go over what to look for in this guide and advise you the best options to think about.
google chromecast audio

What is Chromecast Audio?

In 2015, Google came out with a small, round device called Chromecast Audio. It was a simple but brilliant idea: plug it into the AUX or optical input of any regular speaker, connect it to Wi-Fi, and suddenly your old stereo could stream music directly from your phone. No need for Bluetooth dropouts or a fancy receiver—, just clear, wireless sound at a price you can afford.

That's why it quickly became a favorite among music fans who wanted to improve their sound without having to buy new speakers.

Chromecast Audio vs. Google Cast

Here’s where many people get confused. Chromecast Audio is the hardware device — the little round dongle that you could buy. Google Cast, on the other hand, is the streaming protocol (or technology) that makes the magic happen.
  • Google Cast works with a wide range of products, including smart TVs, smart displays, speakers, and apps like Spotify and YouTube.
  • Chromecast Audio was one of the products that used Google Cast, but it was only for streaming audio.
The Google Cast technology didn't go away when Google stopped selling Chromecast Audio.
Many products today — from speakers to streamers — still support Google Cast. The challenge is finding a dedicated Chromecast Audio alternative if you want that same “plug-in and stream” experience.

What Happened to Chromecast Audio?

But here’s the catch — Google quietly discontinued Chromecast Audio a few years ago. That means no new units are being made, and the second-hand ones are getting harder to find. Even if you manage to grab one, it won’t give you the extra features people expect today, like high-resolution audio, AirPlay 2, or more flexible app support.

That's why so many people are looking for a Chromecast Audio alternative that is just as easy to use but has more modern featurgoogle home

Why Look for a Chromecast Audio Alternative?

People loved Chromecast Audio because it was easy to use and cheap, but Google no longer sells it. That puts music lovers in a bit of a bind: how do you stream music wirelessly and easily today?

Here are a few main reasons why people look for a Chromecast Audio replacement:
  • Modern Audio Expectations: People who listen to music today want more than just basic streaming. Support for protocols like AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect, high-resolution audio, and multi-room sync have all become standard. Chromecast Audio is good, but it doesn't have all of these features.
  • Smart home ecosystems that are always changing: You might want a speaker system that works well with voice assistants, other smart devices, or even a multi-room setup if you're building a modern smart home. Chromecast Audio isn't as flexible as a lot of newer options.
  • More ways to connect: Chromecast Audio only worked with a 3.5mm jack or an optical input. Newer streamers come with Wi-Fi stability, Bluetooth, USB support, and even built-in amplifiers to make your setup more flexible.
In short, Chromecast Audio was the first wireless audio streaming device, but today's alternatives have more features, better sound quality, and more ways to listen to your music.

What to Look for in a Chromecast Audio Alternative

It's not enough to just choose a device that streams music when looking for the best Chromecast Audio alternative. You want something that fits your life, sounds great, and works well with the apps and speakers you already use. Here are the most important things to think about

Sound Quality

If you care about music, audio quality is key. Look for products that support Hi-Res Audio or lossless streaming. A good alternative should make your old stereo or modern speaker sound noticeably better.

Streaming Protocols & Compatibility

Make sure your device supports the apps and services you already use. Most Chromecast Audio alternatives now work with Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, DLNA, or even Google Cast. The broader the compatibility, the easier it is to integrate into your current setup.

Multi-Room Audio

One of Chromecast Audio’s most loved features was multi-room sync. Check to see if the device can reliably stream the same song throughout your house if you like to do that.

Connectivity Options

Wi-Fi is better for streaming because it is more reliable, but Bluetooth can help you set things up quickly. Some other options are analog, optical, USB inputs and outputs, or even a built-in amplifier. This gives you more options for different speakers.

Simple To Use

A simple setup and an app that is easy to use make a big difference. Look for products that get regular firmware updates and have an intuitive mobile interface.

Price vs. Value

Lastly, think about how much money you have.  The other options range from less than $100 to several hundred dollars.  Choose the features that are most important to you and then compare them to the price.

You can find a Chromecast Audio alternative that is just as easy to use and has more features and flexibility that fit today's music streaming needs if you keep these things in mind.

The Best Chromecast Audio Alternative Under $100 in 2025

Arylic LP10 Google Cast Music Streamer

The Arylic LP10 is a great modern alternative to Chromecast Audio if you liked how easy it was to use. Chromecast Audio made it easy to stream music wirelessly to any speaker, but the LP10 goes even further by offering better sound quality, more options, and more compatibility.

Chromecast Audio vs Arylic LP10

Product Chromecast Audio Arylic LP10
MSRP Stop selling $99
Audio Output 3.5mm AUX / Optical Optical, Line Out
Audio Input None Line In, USB
Audio Quality Hi-Res Audio 24-bit / 96kHz Hi-Res Audio 24-bit / 192kHz
Hi-Res Audio 24-bit / 96kHz (Google Cast)
Streaming Protocols Google Cast only Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, DLNA, UPnP
Ethernet None Yes
Multi-Room / Grouping Yes, via Google Home Yes, via Google Home, Apple Home.
Works with Google Full integration: Google Home, Assistant, Nest devices Supports Google Cast fully; works with Google Home, Assistant, Nest, plus extra protocols
Voice Control by Google Yes Yes
App Control Google Home app GO CONTROL App (iOS & Android) with EQ, playlists, scheduling, firmware updates
Google Home app
Apple Home app
Remote No Yes
Firmware & Updates Managed by Google, now limited Regular updates and new features via GO CONTROL App
Ease of Setup Very simple: plug-in, connect Wi-Fi, cast Plug-in and connect Wi-Fi; app setup slightly more advanced but more flexible
Additional Features Basic cast control EQ adjustments, playlist scheduling, future-proof support

 

Key Takeaways for Google Ecosystem Users:

  • Fully works with Google devices: If you’re already using Google Home or Nest devices, LP10 fully supports Google Cast, so you can stream from your existing apps just like Chromecast Audio.
  • Superior sound quality: Google Cast offers 24-bit / 96kHz Hi-resolution audio, enjoy seamless high quality audio across all apps and platforms.
  • Stream across all platforms: get seamless streaming experience with Android, Google, Windows, Chrome device. Apple users or other users are also available to enjoy high quality content by using the Google Cast–enabled app on your iPhone, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, or Deezer.

How to Setup and use Google Cast On LP10

Setting up Google Cast on Arylic LP10 is simple:
  1. Connect LP10 to Wi-Fi
      - Turn on the LP10 and plug it into your speaker. Then, follow the instructions in the GO CONTROL app to connect it to your Wi-Fi network and turn on Google Cast.
  2. Open a Cast-Enabled App
      - Open apps like Pandora, Spotify, or YouTube Music and tap the Cast button.
  3. Select LP10
      - Pick your LP10 device from the list.  Audio will stream directly over Wi-Fi, so you won't have to worry about your phone's battery running out.

Final Thoughts: The Best Chromecast Audio Alternative

Chromecast Audio may be gone, but the idea behind it—making any speaker smart—lives on. Music lovers today have more advanced, flexible, and high-quality choices than ever before.

The Arylic LP10 is a real Chromecast Audio alternative among them. It not only keeps the seamless Google Cast integration that users loved, but also adds Hi-Res audio, multi-protocol streaming, and smarter control through the Arylic app. For Google ecosystem users, that means you won’t lose the convenience you’re used to — you’ll simply gain better sound and more possibilities.

If you’ve been holding on to an old Chromecast Audio or searching for a replacement, the Arylic LP10 is a modern upgrade that will make your speakers sing again.
👉 Ready to experience better sound and smarter streaming? "Discover Arylic LP10 here".

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