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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Google Home vs Shelly

Google Home logo

Google Home

IoT & Smart Home

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shelly logo

Shelly

IoT & Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

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; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, Shelly covers Local Control.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Home and Shelly differ
AttributeGoogle HomeShelly
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSWeb, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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

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

Only in Shelly

  • Local Control
  • Open API
  • MQTT Support
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Home Assistant
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

Both cover

  • 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 Shelly
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Shelly
  • Creating automation routinesnot Shelly
  • Managing household device settingsnot Shelly
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot Shelly

Shelly

  • Smart home automation and controlnot Google Home
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot Google Home
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot 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

Shelly

  • Premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • Device-specific capabilities vary; not all features available across entire product range

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

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 Shelly if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
  • You also want open api.
Shelly review

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or Shelly better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and Shelly at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or Shelly?
Google Home starts at Free and Shelly at Free.
Does Google Home or Shelly run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Shelly runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
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 Shelly is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that Shelly cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Shelly covers Local Control, Open API, MQTT Support, Energy Monitoring. Both handle Android support, IOS support, Web support.
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