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Software · head to head

Aqara vs SwitchBot

Aqara logo

Aqara

Software

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SwitchBot logo

SwitchBot

Software

Simple automation for any device

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; SwitchBot switchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo
  • They diverge on capability: Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, SwitchBot covers Button automation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aqara and SwitchBot actually diverge.

Attributes where Aqara and SwitchBot differ
AttributeAqaraSwitchBot
Founded20162015

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), platforms (IOS, Android), 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
  • Home Assistant

Only in SwitchBot

  • Button automation
  • IR control
  • Schedules
  • Sensors
  • Scene automation
  • Voice control
  • SmartThings

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 SwitchBot
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot SwitchBot
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot SwitchBot
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot SwitchBot

SwitchBot

  • Retrofit automationnot Aqara
  • Curtain controlnot Aqara
  • AC controlnot Aqara
  • Simple automationnot 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

SwitchBot

  • SwitchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo

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

SwitchBot

On request
  • Bot$29/month
    • Button pusher
    • Schedule
    • Voice control
  • Curtain$89/month
    • Solar powered option
    • Light sensor
    • Schedule
  • Hub Mini$39/month
    • IR control
    • Cloud access
    • Voice assistants

Which should you pick?

Choose Aqara if

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

Choose SwitchBot if

  • You need button automation.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want ir control.
SwitchBot review

Questions people ask

Is Aqara or SwitchBot better?
Neither clearly leads. Aqara starts at On request and SwitchBot at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aqara or SwitchBot?
Aqara starts at On request and SwitchBot at On request.
Does Aqara or SwitchBot 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 SwitchBot is typically brought in for.
What can Aqara do that SwitchBot cannot?
Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. SwitchBot covers Button automation, IR control, Schedules, Sensors. Both handle Apple HomeKit, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa.
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