Softwr

IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Aqara vs Govee

Aqara logo

Aqara

IoT & Smart Home

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Govee logo

Govee

IoT & Smart Home

Colorful smart home and lighting solutions

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Govee products are sold individually at hardware prices, e.g. the Uplighter Floor Lamp lists at 179.99 USD and the TV Backlight 3 Lite at 69.99 USD, rather than bundled into a subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Govee covers RGBIC technology.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and Govee actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and Govee differ
AttributeAqaraGovee
Founded20162017

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), platforms (IOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

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
  • Home Assistant

Only in Govee

  • RGBIC technology
  • Music sync
  • DreamView
  • DIY scenes
  • Timer
  • Voice control

Both cover

  • Apple HomeKit
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa
  • IFTTT
  • 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 Govee
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Govee
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Govee
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Govee

Govee

  • Gaming setupnot Aqara
  • TV ambient lightingnot Aqara
  • Room decornot Aqara
  • Outdoor lightingnot 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

Govee

  • Products are sold individually at hardware prices, e.g. the Uplighter Floor Lamp lists at 179.99 USD and the TV Backlight 3 Lite at 69.99 USD, rather than bundled into a subscription

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

Govee

On request
  • LED Strip Lights$20/month
    • Music sync
    • App control
    • Voice control
  • TV Backlights$70/month
    • Camera-based sync
    • RGBIC
    • Scene modes
  • Outdoor Lights$100/month
    • Weather resistant
    • RGBIC
    • Smart control

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

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

Choose Govee if

  • You need rgbic technology.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want music sync.
Govee review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or Govee better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Govee at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or Govee?
Aqara starts at On request and Govee at On request.
Does Aqara or Govee run on more platforms?
Both run on IOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Govee is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that Govee cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Govee covers RGBIC technology, Music sync, DreamView, DIY scenes. Both handle Apple HomeKit, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Aqara

More on Govee

Keep looking

Other head to heads