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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Google Home vs Particle

Google Home logo

Google Home

IoT & Smart Home

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Particle logo

Particle

IoT & Smart Home

Edge-to-cloud IoT platform for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app; Particle paid capacity is sold in blocks of 100 devices rather than per device, so 101 devices costs the same as 200
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, Particle covers Device OS.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Home and Particle differ
AttributeGoogle HomeParticle
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSParticle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps
Founded20162013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Particle

  • Device OS
  • Cloud Platform
  • Device Management
  • OTA Updates
  • REST API
  • WebHooks
  • Integration marketplace
  • 3rd party services

What people use each for

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

Google Home

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

Particle

  • Connecting cellular and wifi IoT devices to a managed cloud platformnot Google Home
  • Deploying firmware updates and collecting device telemetry at fleet scalenot 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

Particle

  • Paid capacity is sold in blocks of 100 devices rather than per device, so 101 devices costs the same as 200
  • The Basic block is $299 a month and the Plus block $599 a month
  • The free tier allows 100 devices and 100,000 data operations a month
  • Data operations are the billing unit, so chatty firmware costs more than the device count suggests
  • No overage rates are published at any tier, so exceeding an allowance has no stated cost

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Particle

Free
  • MakerFree
    • 5 free devices
    • Cloud access
    • Basic features
  • Production$100/month
    • Unlimited devices
    • Advanced analytics
    • Enterprise support

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 Particle if

  • You need device os.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Particle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps.
  • You also want cloud platform.
Particle review

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or Particle better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and Particle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or Particle?
Google Home starts at Free and Particle at Free.
Does Google Home or Particle run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Particle runs on Particle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Particle is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that Particle cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Particle covers Device OS, Cloud Platform, Device Management, OTA Updates.
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