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Energy & Utilities · head to head

HOMER Energy vs Homey

HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Energy & Utilities

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Homey logo

Homey

IoT & Smart Home

Connect all your smart home devices in one app

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent; Homey homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • They diverge on capability: HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Homey covers Multi-protocol support.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HOMER Energy and Homey actually diverge.

Attributes where HOMER Energy and Homey differ
AttributeHOMER EnergyHomey
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, WebIOS, Android, Web
CategoryEnergy & UtilitiesIoT & Smart Home
Founded20092014

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Financial modeling

Only in Homey

  • Multi-protocol support
  • Advanced flows
  • Voice control
  • Energy insights
  • Timeline
  • Zones
  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot Homey
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot Homey
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot Homey
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot Homey
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot Homey

Homey

  • Bringing Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices from different brands into one appnot HOMER Energy
  • Building home automations visually with Flownot HOMER Energy
  • Charting device and sensor history through Insightsnot HOMER Energy

Where each one falls short

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

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

Homey

  • Homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
  • Unlimited devices require the Homey Premium subscription at $2.99 per month
  • Advanced Flow, Insights, and Logic and Variables are locked behind Homey Premium
  • The free month of Premium is only offered to new subscribers signing up through iOS or Android

Pricing, plan by plan

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

Homey

On request
  • Homey Pro$399/month
    • Local processing
    • 1000+ apps
    • Advanced flows
  • Homey Bridge$69/month
    • Cloud processing
    • 500+ apps
    • Basic flows

Which should you pick?

Choose HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Choose Homey if

  • You need multi-protocol support.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want advanced flows.
Homey review

Questions people ask

Is HOMER Energy or Homey better?
Neither clearly leads. HOMER Energy starts at Free and Homey at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HOMER Energy or Homey?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HOMER Energy and On request for Homey.
Does HOMER Energy or Homey run on more platforms?
HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web. Homey runs on IOS, Android, Web.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Homey starts at On request.
What is HOMER Energy best used for?
HOMER Energy is most often used for sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems, modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations, electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and ev charging, utility-scale storage investment analysis. Of those, sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems and modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations are not what Homey is typically brought in for.
What can HOMER Energy do that Homey cannot?
HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Advanced flows, Voice control, Energy insights. Both handle Web support.
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