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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs Google Home

Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Home logo

Google Home

IoT & Smart Home

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Home has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Aqara a hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Google Home covers Voice Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Google Home actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Google Home differ
AttributeAqaraGoogle Home
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home), founded (2016).

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 Aqara

  • Zigbee protocol
  • Sensor ecosystem
  • Automation scenes
  • Long battery life
  • Local processing
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Amazon Alexa

Only in Google Home

  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Google Assistant
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Aqara

  • Smart home sensors, switches and cameras on Zigbeenot Google Home
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Google Home
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Google Home
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Google Home

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot Aqara
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Aqara
  • Creating automation routinesnot Aqara
  • Managing household device settingsnot Aqara
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot Aqara

Where each one falls short

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

Aqara

  • A hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first
  • Primarily a hardware company, so the app exists to run devices you have bought
  • Zigbee devices depend on the hub remaining supported

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

Pricing, plan by plan

Aqara

On request
  • Door Sensor$15/month
    • Zigbee
    • Long battery
    • Instant alerts
  • Motion Sensor$20/month
    • Light sensor
    • Adjustable sensitivity
    • Pet immune
  • Hub M2$60/month
    • Zigbee hub
    • IR control
    • HomeKit support

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

  • You need zigbee protocol.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want sensor ecosystem.
Aqara review

Choose Google Home if

  • You need voice control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want routines.
Google Home review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Google Home?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aqara and Free for Google Home.
Does Aqara or Google Home run on more platforms?
Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Yes. Google Home has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aqara starts at On request.
What is Aqara best used for?
Aqara is most often used for smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee, automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings, matter-based smart home setups, door locks and curtain controllers tied to routines. Of those, smart home sensors, switches and cameras on zigbee and automations across homekit, google home, alexa and smartthings are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Google Home cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Google Home covers Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio, 10,000+ devices. Both handle Google Assistant, IOS support, Android support.
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