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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Homey vs Ring

Homey logo

Homey

IoT & Smart Home

Connect all your smart home devices in one app

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ring logo

Ring

IoT & Smart Home

Home security with video doorbells and cameras

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Homey homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices; Ring many false motion alerts triggered by sidewalks, cars, pets, and trees reducing usability
  • They diverge on capability: Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Ring covers Video Doorbell.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Homey and Ring actually diverge.

Attributes where Homey and Ring differ
AttributeHomeyRing
Starting priceOn request$4.99/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebiOS, Android, Web, Amazon Alexa
Founded20142013

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Homey

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

Only in Ring

  • Video Doorbell
  • Motion Detection
  • Two-Way Talk
  • Night Vision
  • Alexa
  • SmartThings
  • Neighbors app
  • Echo Show support

Both cover

  • IFTTT
  • IOS support
  • Android support
  • Web 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 Ring
  • Building home automations visually with Flownot Ring
  • Charting device and sensor history through Insightsnot Ring

Ring

  • Video doorbell monitoringnot Homey
  • Security camera recording and event reviewnot Homey
  • DIY alarm system with optional professional monitoringnot Homey
  • Motion alerts and package-theft deterrencenot Homey
  • Remote live view while away from homenot 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

Ring

  • Many false motion alerts triggered by sidewalks, cars, pets, and trees reducing usability
  • Night vision and HDR capabilities are weaker than premium competitors
  • Limited monitoring range covers only front or back door area
  • Requires Ring Protect subscription for cloud video history, person/vehicle detection, and advanced motion zones
  • Documented security breaches with hackers remotely accessing cameras and microphones to speak to users

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

Ring

$4.99/month
  • Basic$4.99/month
    • Video history up to 180 days
    • Snapshot capture
    • Smart alerts (people, packages, pets)
  • Plus$10/month
    • Video recording for all Ring devices
    • Single address coverage
    • All Basic features
  • Pro$null/month
    • 24/7 professional monitoring
    • Cellular backup service
    • All Plus features

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 Ring if

  • You need video doorbell.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Amazon Alexa.
  • You also want motion detection.
Ring review

Questions people ask

Is Homey or Ring better?
Neither clearly leads. Homey starts at On request and Ring at $4.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Homey or Ring?
Homey starts at On request and Ring at $4.99/month.
Does Homey or Ring run on more platforms?
Homey runs on IOS, Android, Web. Ring runs on iOS, Android, Web, Amazon Alexa.
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 Ring is typically brought in for.
What can Homey do that Ring cannot?
Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Advanced flows, Voice control, Energy insights. Ring covers Video Doorbell, Motion Detection, Two-Way Talk, Night Vision. Both handle IFTTT, IOS support, Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ring: Can I use Ring without a subscription?

Yes, Ring doorbells work without a subscription. Users can view live video, speak through the camera, and receive motion alerts for free. However, video recording storage, advanced person/package detection, and video history require a subscription.

Source
Ring: What are Ring's subscription plan options and pricing?

Ring offers Basic ($4.99/month or $49.99/year) for video history up to 180 days from one device; Plus ($10/month or $100/year) for all devices at one address; and Pro with 24/7 professional monitoring.

Source
Ring: What platforms can access Ring?

Ring is accessible via iOS and Android mobile apps, web browser at ring.com, and integrates with Amazon Alexa for voice control and display on Echo devices.

Source
Ring: What are Ring's battery life expectations?

Ring battery doorbell battery life varies by usage patterns and motion alert frequency. High-traffic areas may require recharging every few weeks.

Source
Ring: Does Ring have privacy concerns?

Ring has faced documented security breaches. In 2019, hackers remotely accessed Ring systems, watching and speaking to users. The use of cameras and microphones raises privacy concerns for some users.

Source
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