Software · head to head
Aqara vs Home Assistant
Home Assistant
Software
Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Home Assistant 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; Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
- They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Home Assistant covers Local Control.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Aqara and Home Assistant actually diverge.
| Attribute | Aqara | Home Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | one-time | open-source |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | IOS, Android | Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows |
| Founded | 2016 | 2013 |
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 Aqara
- Zigbee protocol
- Sensor ecosystem
- Automation scenes
- Long battery life
- Local processing
- Apple HomeKit
- Apple HomeKit
- Google Assistant
Only in Home Assistant
- Local Control
- Privacy First
- Automation Engine
- Custom Integrations
- 150+ integrations
- Voice Control
- Mobile App
- REST API
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 Home Assistant
- Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Home Assistant
- Matter-based smart home setupsnot Home Assistant
- Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Home Assistant
Home Assistant
- Home automationnot Aqara
- Energy monitoringnot Aqara
- Security systemsnot Aqara
- Device integrationnot 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
Home Assistant
- Add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
- Thread and Z-Wave are controlled by add-ons, so a Container install has no out-of-the-box support for either
- A Container installation means bringing your own Linux host with Docker and handling updates by hand
- The recommended install path expects dedicated hardware such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB of RAM, an Odroid, or an x86-64 machine
- Every documented hardware option requires a wired Ethernet connection
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
Home Assistant
Free- Community EditionFree
- Unlimited devices
- Full automation
- Local control
Which should you pick?
Choose Aqara if
- You need zigbee protocol.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want sensor ecosystem.
Choose Home Assistant if
- You need local control.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
- You also want privacy first.
Questions people ask
- Is Aqara or Home Assistant better?
- Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and Home Assistant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Aqara or Home Assistant?
- Home Assistant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Aqara and Free for Home Assistant.
- Does Aqara or Home Assistant run on more platforms?
- Aqara runs on IOS, Android. Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
- Can I use Home Assistant for free?
- Yes. Home Assistant 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 Home Assistant is typically brought in for.
- What can Aqara do that Home Assistant cannot?
- Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations.
Related pages
More on Home Assistant
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