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Home Assistant vs Mirror

Home Assistant logo

Home Assistant

Software

Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mirror logo

Mirror

Software

The nearly invisible home gym

From
$39/month
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: Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them; Mirror no built-in resistance equipment like Tonal's electromagnetic arms
  • They diverge on capability: Home Assistant covers Local Control, Mirror covers Live classes.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Home Assistant and Mirror differ
AttributeHome AssistantMirror
Starting priceFree$39/month
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, WindowsStandalone hardware, iOS app
Founded20132016

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 Home Assistant

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

Only in Mirror

  • Live classes
  • On-demand library
  • Real-time form check
  • Personal training option
  • Heart rate display
  • Apple Watch
  • Bluetooth heart rate monitors
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Home Assistant

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

Mirror

  • Workout trackingnot Home Assistant
  • Nutrition managementnot Home Assistant
  • Health monitoringnot Home Assistant
  • Fitness coachingnot Home Assistant
  • Wellness improvementnot Home Assistant

Where each one falls short

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

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

Mirror

  • No built-in resistance equipment like Tonal's electromagnetic arms
  • Strength training classes are circuit-based rather than traditional weightlifting programs
  • Lululemon discontinued hardware sales, affecting new customer acquisition

Pricing, plan by plan

Home Assistant

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

Mirror

$39/month
  • Hardware$1495/one-time
    • Mirror screen
    • Installation option available
  • Subscription$39/month
    • 10,000+ classes
    • Live and on-demand
    • All class types
  • Personal Training$40/half-hour session
    • 1-on-1 coaching
    • Form correction

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Mirror if

  • You need live classes.
  • You work on Standalone hardware, iOS app.
  • You also want on-demand library.
Mirror review

Questions people ask

Is Home Assistant or Mirror better?
Neither clearly leads. Home Assistant starts at Free and Mirror at $39/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Home Assistant or Mirror?
Home Assistant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Home Assistant and $39/month for Mirror.
Does Home Assistant or Mirror run on more platforms?
Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows. Mirror runs on Standalone hardware, iOS app.
Can I use Home Assistant for free?
Yes. Home Assistant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mirror starts at $39/month.
What is Home Assistant best used for?
Home Assistant is most often used for home automation, energy monitoring, security systems, device integration. Of those, home automation and energy monitoring are not what Mirror is typically brought in for.
What can Home Assistant do that Mirror cannot?
Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations. Mirror covers Live classes, On-demand library, Real-time form check, Personal training option.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mirror: What does the Mirror hardware cost?

The Mirror costs $1,495, with optional white-glove delivery and installation for an additional $250. Financing options available at $32/month for 48 months.

Source
Mirror: Is there a subscription fee beyond hardware?

Yes, Mirror requires a $39/month subscription for access to live and on-demand workout classes. Personal training sessions are available for an additional $40 per half-hour.

Source
Mirror: What types of workouts does Mirror offer?

Mirror offers over 10,000 live and on-demand workout classes across 60 different categories including strength, cardio, dance, boxing, and yoga.

Source
Mirror: Who owns Mirror now?

Lululemon acquired Mirror in June 2020 for $500 million and currently operates it as part of their fitness offerings, though hardware sales have been discontinued.

Source
Mirror: Does Mirror provide strength training with weights?

Mirror offers strength training classes but does not include built-in weights or resistance arms like Tonal. Users can filter for classes based on their available equipment.

Source
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