IoT & Smart Home · head to head
Google Home vs Zigbee Alliance
Google Home
IoT & Smart Home
Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Zigbee Alliance
IoT & Smart Home
Low-power wireless standard for IoT and smart home
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app; Zigbee Alliance the Internet Archive's capture of the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Zigbee page on 4 January 2024 confirmed Zigbee is a protocol standard rather than a purchased product, with the Alliance's revenue coming from member dues and per-device certification fees rather than a software price list.
- They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, Zigbee Alliance covers Low Power.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Home and Zigbee Alliance actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Home | Zigbee Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | open-source |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS | Zigbee devices, Mesh networks, Smart home hubs, IoT platforms |
| Founded | 2016 | 2002 |
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 Zigbee Alliance
- Low Power
- Mesh Networking
- Self-Healing
- Scalable
- Smart home devices
- Hubs
- Controllers
- Integration platforms
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Google Home
- Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot Zigbee Alliance
- Viewing Nest camera feedsnot Zigbee Alliance
- Creating automation routinesnot Zigbee Alliance
- Managing household device settingsnot Zigbee Alliance
- Voice control via Google Assistantnot Zigbee Alliance
Zigbee Alliance
- Smart lightingnot Google Home
- Sensor networksnot Google Home
- Home automationnot Google Home
- Industrial 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
Zigbee Alliance
- The Internet Archive's capture of the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Zigbee page on 4 January 2024 confirmed Zigbee is a protocol standard rather than a purchased product, with the Alliance's revenue coming from member dues and per-device certification fees rather than a software price list.
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Home
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.
Zigbee Alliance
Free- Open SpecificationFree
- Low power mesh
- Self-healing
- Interoperable
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.
Choose Zigbee Alliance if
- You need low power.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Zigbee devices, Mesh networks, Smart home hubs, IoT platforms.
- You also want mesh networking.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Home or Zigbee Alliance better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and Zigbee Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Home or Zigbee Alliance?
- Google Home starts at Free and Zigbee Alliance at Free.
- Does Google Home or Zigbee Alliance run on more platforms?
- Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. Zigbee Alliance runs on Zigbee devices, Mesh networks, Smart home hubs, IoT platforms.
- 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 Zigbee Alliance is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Home do that Zigbee Alliance cannot?
- Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Zigbee Alliance covers Low Power, Mesh Networking, Self-Healing, Scalable.