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Amazon Alexa vs LIFX

Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Amazon Alexa has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Alexa amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music; LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, LIFX covers No Hub Required.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Alexa and LIFX actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Alexa and LIFX differ
AttributeAmazon AlexaLIFX
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOSIOS, Android, Windows, MacOS
Founded19942012

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Alexa

  • Voice Control
  • Skills Library
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 100,000+ skills
  • Ring
  • Blink
  • Fire TV

Only in LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

Both cover

  • Android support
  • IOS support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Alexa

  • Voice-controlled homenot LIFX
  • Smart shoppingnot LIFX
  • Entertainmentnot LIFX
  • Home securitynot LIFX

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot Amazon Alexa
  • Gaming setupnot Amazon Alexa
  • Photography lightingnot Amazon Alexa
  • Smart homenot Amazon Alexa

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Alexa

  • Amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Alexa

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Voice control
    • Skills
    • Smart home control
  • Alexa Guard Plus$4.99/month
    • Emergency response
    • Hands-free calling
    • Enhanced alerts

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Alexa if

  • You need voice control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
  • You also want skills library.
Amazon Alexa review

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Alexa or LIFX better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Alexa starts at Free and LIFX at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Alexa or LIFX?
Amazon Alexa has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Amazon Alexa and On request for LIFX.
Does Amazon Alexa or LIFX run on more platforms?
Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS. LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
Can I use Amazon Alexa for free?
Yes. Amazon Alexa has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
What is Amazon Alexa best used for?
Amazon Alexa is most often used for voice-controlled home, smart shopping, entertainment, home security. Of those, voice-controlled home and smart shopping are not what LIFX is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Alexa do that LIFX cannot?
Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Both handle Android support, IOS support.
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