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Homey vs Aqara

Homey logo

Homey

Software

Connect all your smart home devices in one app

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aqara logo

Aqara

Software

Smart home sensors and automation ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Homey homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices; Aqara a hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first
  • They diverge on capability: Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Aqara covers Zigbee protocol.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Homey and Aqara actually diverge.

Attributes where Homey and Aqara differ
AttributeHomeyAqara
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebIOS, Android
Founded20142016

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), 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 Homey

  • Multi-protocol support
  • Advanced flows
  • Voice control
  • Energy insights
  • Timeline
  • Zones
  • 1000+ apps
  • Web support

Only in Aqara

  • Zigbee protocol
  • Sensor ecosystem
  • Automation scenes
  • Long battery life
  • Local processing
  • Home Assistant

Both cover

  • Google Assistant
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit
  • IFTTT
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Homey

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

Aqara

  • Smart home sensors, switches and cameras on Zigbeenot Homey
  • Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Homey
  • Matter-based smart home setupsnot Homey
  • Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Homey

Where each one falls short

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

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

Aqara

  • A hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first
  • Primarily a hardware company, so the app exists to run devices you have bought
  • Zigbee devices depend on the hub remaining supported

Pricing, plan by plan

Homey

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

Aqara

On request
  • Door Sensor$15/month
    • Zigbee
    • Long battery
    • Instant alerts
  • Motion Sensor$20/month
    • Light sensor
    • Adjustable sensitivity
    • Pet immune
  • Hub M2$60/month
    • Zigbee hub
    • IR control
    • HomeKit support

Which should you pick?

Choose Homey if

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

Choose Aqara if

  • You need zigbee protocol.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want sensor ecosystem.
Aqara review

Questions people ask

Is Homey or Aqara better?
Neither clearly leads. Homey starts at On request and Aqara at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Homey or Aqara?
Homey starts at On request and Aqara at On request.
Does Homey or Aqara run on more platforms?
Homey runs on IOS, Android, Web. Aqara runs on IOS, Android.
What is Homey best used for?
Homey is most often used for bringing zigbee, z-wave, wi-fi and bluetooth devices from different brands into one app, building home automations visually with flow, charting device and sensor history through insights. Of those, bringing zigbee, z-wave, wi-fi and bluetooth devices from different brands into one app and building home automations visually with flow are not what Aqara is typically brought in for.
What can Homey do that Aqara cannot?
Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Advanced flows, Voice control, Energy insights. Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Both handle Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT.
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