Want a Roku alternative? These are my 4 other favorite TV OS options, and I've tried them all

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• There are several options if you're looking to leave Roku.
• Google TV is my next favorite smart TV OS. 
• LG and Samsung have their own proprietary platforms.

Roku is in the news as of late because of its potential acquisition by Fox, and while I think it will ultimately be a good thing, a lot of people have concerns. Roku is the most popular smart TV platform, but it's not the only one. If you're worried that Roku might become a huge billboard for Fox content or you just want to avoid the new megacompany (it'll be the third-largest player in US television by share of viewing), there are some great alternatives for smart TV platforms.

I've tried all the major smart TV operating systems, and while I have all Roku in my home right now, there are things to like about every other option. If you've decided to ditch Roku, here's a look at the other top smart TV operating systems.

Google TV 

Out of all the different smart TV operating systems I've tried, Google TV is my favorite behind Roku (and there are several things I like about it more than Roku). You'll find Google TV on Sony, TCL, and Hisense sets. Its global search works very well, meaning you can find what you're looking for across multiple apps with ease. I also like that you can add a show to your watchlist from your phone or computer, and it shows up on your TV.

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Compared to Roku, which acts as a container for your different apps, Google TV treats all of your available content as a library where it's easy to pick something regardless of what service it's on. The app store for Google TV is the most expansive from any platform, so you can download content you wouldn't usually think to put on a smart TV (you can even sideload if there are niche apps you like). This is also the easiest platform for casting from your phone or browser.

Tizen 

Tizen is Samsung's proprietary smart TV OS, so you're locked in to one manufacturer if you want it. In the times I tried it, I was impressed with how clean it looked and how fast it ran. Your apps sit in a row at the bottom of the TV, and you can customize the order so the ones you use most show up first (you can even pull up the app hub without leaving the content you're watching). 

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One of the most underrated benefits of Tizen is that if you have Samsung smart appliances, you can do things like set up notifications when your laundry is done or see who is at the front door through your SmartThings-compatible camera.

LG webOS

Like Samsung, LG has its own platform -- LG webOS. It was the most complex setup I used (especially settings), but once I got over the learning curve, it was pretty good. The home page is busy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing if you like having a lot of options right from the start. Once I got my bearings, this was the fastest OS to use. 

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One of the big selling points is the Nintendo Wii-style "Magic Remote" that lets you point your remote at your screen like a wireless mouse to select content. I didn't love the feature when I tried it, though, but it was handy for entering passwords a little more quickly.

Amazon Fire 

You'll find this OS on Amazon's house brand of TVs, plus options from partners like TCL, Hisense, and Panasonic. One of the biggest advantages of Fire TV is that it's built into many very affordable sets (notably the Insignia brand), so if you're looking for a budget-friendly option, this might be it.

This is also a good pick if you want to use Echo devices to control your TV. It had some of the most responsive voice controls of all the sets I tried, and you can even use your Echo speakers as a quasi-surround sound system. 

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If you want to leave Roku because of the potential Fox integration, this probably isn't the choice for you, as the Fire OS is rife with Amazon promos. And while it's easy to use, the home screen is usually pretty cluttered.

Roku is still my favorite, but there are options that might be better for you depending on how you watch TV. Whether you want a simple system, one that integrates with your smart home, or one that's about value and ease of use, there are compelling alternatives.