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Google Home vs TP-Link Kasa

Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TP-Link Kasa logo

TP-Link Kasa

Software

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

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; TP-Link Kasa devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Home and TP-Link Kasa actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Home and TP-Link Kasa differ
AttributeGoogle HomeTP-Link Kasa
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSIOS, Android, Web
Founded20161996

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

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

Only in TP-Link Kasa

  • Affordable
  • No Hub Required
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Scheduling
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

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 TP-Link Kasa
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Creating automation routinesnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Managing household device settingsnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot TP-Link Kasa

TP-Link Kasa

  • Energy monitoringnot Google Home
  • Automationnot Google Home
  • Voice controlnot Google Home
  • Budget smart homenot 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

TP-Link Kasa

  • Devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

TP-Link Kasa

On request
  • Smart Plug$10/month
    • WiFi
    • Voice control
    • Scheduling
  • Smart Switch$20/month
    • In-wall installation
    • Dimming
    • 3-way 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 TP-Link Kasa if

  • You need affordable.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want no hub required.
TP-Link Kasa review

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or TP-Link Kasa better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and TP-Link Kasa at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or TP-Link Kasa?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Home and On request for TP-Link Kasa.
Does Google Home or TP-Link Kasa run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. TP-Link Kasa 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. TP-Link Kasa 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 TP-Link Kasa is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that TP-Link Kasa cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, No Hub Required, Energy Monitoring, Scheduling. Both handle Android support, IOS support, Web support.
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