IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Google Home vs Meross
Google Home
IoT & Smart Home
Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Meross
IoT & Smart Home
Affordable smart home devices with HomeKit support
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Google Home has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Voice Control, Meross covers Apple HomeKit.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Home and Meross actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Home | Meross |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS | IOS, Android |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home), founded (2016).
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
- Web support
Only in Meross
- Apple HomeKit
- No hub required
- Energy monitoring
- Schedules
- Voice control
- Scene automation
- Apple HomeKit
- Amazon Alexa
Both cover
- Google Assistant
- Android support
- IOS 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 Meross
- Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Meross
- Creating automation routinesnot Meross
- Managing household device settingsnot Meross
- Voice control via Google Assistantnot Meross
Meross
- Smart plugsnot Google Home
- Lighting controlnot Google Home
- Garage automationnot Google Home
- Energy monitoringnot 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
Meross
Nothing recorded yet. See the Meross review.
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Home
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.
Meross
On request- Smart Plug$15/month
- WiFi
- Energy monitoring
- Voice control
- Smart Switch$25/month
- In-wall
- No neutral required option
- HomeKit
- Garage Opener$40/month
- Remote control
- Status alerts
- HomeKit
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.
Choose Meross if
- You need apple homekit.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want no hub required.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Home or Meross better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and Meross at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Home or Meross?
- Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Home and On request for Meross.
- Does Google Home or Meross run on more platforms?
- Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Meross runs on IOS, Android.
- Can I use Google Home for free?
- Yes. Google Home has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Meross 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 Meross is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Home do that Meross cannot?
- Google Home covers Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio, 10,000+ devices. Meross covers Apple HomeKit, No hub required, Energy monitoring, Schedules. Both handle Google Assistant, Android support, IOS support.