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Google Home vs Homey

Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Homey logo

Homey

Software

Connect all your smart home devices in one app

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; Homey homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Voice Control, Homey covers Multi-protocol support.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Home and Homey differ
AttributeGoogle HomeHomey
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSIOS, Android, Web
Founded20162014

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 Google Home

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

Only in Homey

  • Multi-protocol support
  • Advanced flows
  • Voice control
  • Energy insights
  • Timeline
  • Zones
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit

Both cover

  • Google Assistant
  • Android support
  • IOS support
  • Web 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 Homey
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Homey
  • Creating automation routinesnot Homey
  • Managing household device settingsnot Homey
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot Homey

Homey

  • Bringing Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices from different brands into one appnot Google Home
  • Building home automations visually with Flownot Google Home
  • Charting device and sensor history through Insightsnot 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

Homey

  • Homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • Unlimited devices require the Homey Premium subscription at $2.99 per month
  • Advanced Flow, Insights, and Logic and Variables are locked behind Homey Premium
  • The free month of Premium is only offered to new subscribers signing up through iOS or Android

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Homey

On request
  • Homey Pro$399/month
    • Local processing
    • 1000+ apps
    • Advanced flows
  • Homey Bridge$69/month
    • Cloud processing
    • 500+ apps
    • Basic flows

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Homey if

  • You need multi-protocol support.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want advanced flows.
Homey review

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or Homey better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and Homey at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or Homey?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Home and On request for Homey.
Does Google Home or Homey run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Homey runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Yes. Google Home has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Homey 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 Homey is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that Homey cannot?
Google Home covers Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio, 10,000+ devices. Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Advanced flows, Voice control, Energy insights. Both handle Google Assistant, Android support, IOS support, Web support.
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