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Govee vs Home Assistant

Govee logo

Govee

Software

Colorful smart home and lighting solutions

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Home Assistant logo

Home Assistant

Software

Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Home Assistant has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Govee products are sold individually at hardware prices, e.g. the Uplighter Floor Lamp lists at 179.99 USD and the TV Backlight 3 Lite at 69.99 USD, rather than bundled into a subscription; Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
  • They diverge on capability: Govee covers RGBIC technology, Home Assistant covers Local Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Govee and Home Assistant actually diverge.

Attributes where Govee and Home Assistant differ
AttributeGoveeHome Assistant
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidLinux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows
Founded20172013

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 Govee

  • RGBIC technology
  • Music sync
  • DreamView
  • DIY scenes
  • Timer
  • Voice control
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Assistant

Only in Home Assistant

  • Local Control
  • Privacy First
  • Automation Engine
  • Custom Integrations
  • 150+ integrations
  • Voice Control
  • Mobile App
  • REST API

What people use each for

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

Govee

  • Gaming setupnot Home Assistant
  • TV ambient lightingnot Home Assistant
  • Room decornot Home Assistant
  • Outdoor lightingnot Home Assistant

Home Assistant

  • Home automationnot Govee
  • Energy monitoringnot Govee
  • Security systemsnot Govee
  • Device integrationnot Govee

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Govee

  • Products are sold individually at hardware prices, e.g. the Uplighter Floor Lamp lists at 179.99 USD and the TV Backlight 3 Lite at 69.99 USD, rather than bundled into a subscription

Home Assistant

  • Add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
  • Thread and Z-Wave are controlled by add-ons, so a Container install has no out-of-the-box support for either
  • A Container installation means bringing your own Linux host with Docker and handling updates by hand
  • The recommended install path expects dedicated hardware such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB of RAM, an Odroid, or an x86-64 machine
  • Every documented hardware option requires a wired Ethernet connection

Pricing, plan by plan

Govee

On request
  • LED Strip Lights$20/month
    • Music sync
    • App control
    • Voice control
  • TV Backlights$70/month
    • Camera-based sync
    • RGBIC
    • Scene modes
  • Outdoor Lights$100/month
    • Weather resistant
    • RGBIC
    • Smart control

Home Assistant

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited devices
    • Full automation
    • Local control

Which should you pick?

Choose Govee if

  • You need rgbic technology.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want music sync.
Govee review

Choose Home Assistant if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want privacy first.
Home Assistant review

Questions people ask

Is Govee or Home Assistant better?
Neither clearly leads. Govee starts at On request and Home Assistant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Govee or Home Assistant?
Home Assistant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Govee and Free for Home Assistant.
Does Govee or Home Assistant run on more platforms?
Govee runs on IOS, Android. Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Home Assistant for free?
Yes. Home Assistant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Govee starts at On request.
What is Govee best used for?
Govee is most often used for gaming setup, tv ambient lighting, room decor, outdoor lighting. Of those, gaming setup and tv ambient lighting are not what Home Assistant is typically brought in for.
What can Govee do that Home Assistant cannot?
Govee covers RGBIC technology, Music sync, DreamView, DIY scenes. Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations.
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