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Amazon Alexa vs TP-Link Kasa

Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TP-Link Kasa logo

TP-Link Kasa

Software

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

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; TP-Link Kasa devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Alexa and TP-Link Kasa actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Alexa and TP-Link Kasa differ
AttributeAmazon AlexaTP-Link Kasa
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOSIOS, Android, Web
Founded19941996

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 TP-Link Kasa

  • Affordable
  • No Hub Required
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Scheduling
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

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 TP-Link Kasa
  • Smart shoppingnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Entertainmentnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Home securitynot TP-Link Kasa

TP-Link Kasa

  • Energy monitoringnot Amazon Alexa
  • Automationnot Amazon Alexa
  • Voice controlnot Amazon Alexa
  • Budget 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

TP-Link Kasa

  • Devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD

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

TP-Link Kasa

On request
  • Smart Plug$10/month
    • WiFi
    • Voice control
    • Scheduling
  • Smart Switch$20/month
    • In-wall installation
    • Dimming
    • 3-way support

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 TP-Link Kasa if

  • You need affordable.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want no hub required.
TP-Link Kasa review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Alexa or TP-Link Kasa better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Alexa starts at Free and TP-Link Kasa at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Alexa or TP-Link Kasa?
Amazon Alexa has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Amazon Alexa and On request for TP-Link Kasa.
Does Amazon Alexa or TP-Link Kasa run on more platforms?
Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS. TP-Link Kasa runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Amazon Alexa for free?
Yes. Amazon Alexa has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TP-Link Kasa 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 TP-Link Kasa is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Alexa do that TP-Link Kasa cannot?
Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, No Hub Required, Energy Monitoring, Scheduling. Both handle Android support, IOS support.
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