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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Google Home vs Arlo

Google Home logo

Google Home

IoT & Smart Home

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arlo logo

Arlo

IoT & Smart Home

Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence

From
On request
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: Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app; Arlo without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, Arlo covers Wire-Free.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Home and Arlo differ
AttributeGoogle HomeArlo
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSIOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays
Founded20162018

Identical on both: 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 Google Home

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

Only in Arlo

  • Wire-Free
  • 4K Video
  • AI Detection
  • Color Night Vision
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • HomeKit
  • SmartThings

Both cover

  • Android support
  • IOS support
  • Web support
  • Smart Displays support

What people use each for

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

Google Home

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

Arlo

  • Wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight camerasnot Google Home
  • Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot Google Home
  • Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot Google Home

Where each one falls short

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

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

Arlo

  • Without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • Video history, Activity Zones and Advanced Detection require the paid Arlo Plus plan
  • 24/7 Professional Monitoring and 24/7 Emergency Response are only on the Premium plan
  • 24/7 continuous recording is an add-on to Premium and covers up to three cameras only
  • Unlimited camera plans apply only to Arlo cameras at a single residential location on the same account
  • Cameras must be bought as hardware before any plan applies, and the included plan is a trial that ends

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Arlo

On request
  • Arlo Secure$2.99/month
    • 30-day cloud
    • AI detection
    • 1 camera
  • Arlo Secure Plus$14.99/month
    • Unlimited cameras
    • 24/7 recording
    • E911

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Home if

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

Choose Arlo if

  • You need wire-free.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
  • You also want 4k video.
Arlo review

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or Arlo better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and Arlo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or Arlo?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Home and On request for Arlo.
Does Google Home or Arlo run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Yes. Google Home has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arlo starts at On request.
What is Google Home best used for?
Google Home is most often used for controlling and automating smart home devices, viewing nest camera feeds, creating automation routines, managing household device settings. Of those, controlling and automating smart home devices and viewing nest camera feeds are not what Arlo is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that Arlo cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision. Both handle Android support, IOS support, Web support, Smart Displays support.
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