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Hubitat Elevation vs Nest

Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

Software

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nest logo

Nest

Software

Google's smart home hardware and software ecosystem

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hubitat Elevation limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms; Nest pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly
  • They diverge on capability: Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Nest covers Learning Thermostat.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hubitat Elevation and Nest actually diverge.

Attributes where Hubitat Elevation and Nest differ
AttributeHubitat ElevationNest
Starting price$189.95/one-timeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
PlatformsLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)Hardware, Mobile, Web
Founded20162010

Identical on both: 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 Hubitat Elevation

  • Local Processing
  • Rule Machine
  • Z-Wave Plus
  • Zigbee 3.0
  • Dashboard
  • Voice assistants
  • Custom apps
  • MQTT

Only in Nest

  • Learning Thermostat
  • HD Cameras
  • Smart Alerts
  • Energy Savings
  • Google Home
  • Google Assistant
  • Third-party apps
  • Works with Nest

What people use each for

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

Hubitat Elevation

  • Advanced automationnot Nest
  • Local controlnot Nest
  • Complex rulesnot Nest
  • Multi-protocol integrationnot Nest

Nest

  • Households already invested in Google Home ecosystem seeking integrated smart thermostat, camera, and door locknot Hubitat Elevation
  • Users wanting unified control of temperature, security, and entertainment across multiple devicesnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Organisations deploying Google-based smart building solutions with Nest hardwarenot Hubitat Elevation

Where each one falls short

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

Hubitat Elevation

  • Limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms
  • Requires purchase of hub hardware; no free tier

Nest

  • Pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly
  • All Nest products require Google Home ecosystem integration for full functionality
  • Smart home devices operate only within the Google Nest ecosystem; limited third-party interoperability
  • Support and product documentation dispersed across Google support rather than centralised Nest site

Pricing, plan by plan

Hubitat Elevation

$189.95/one-time
  • Hub Hardware$189.95/one-time
    • Z-Wave Plus 800 and Zigbee 3.0
    • Matter 1.5 support
    • Local automation engine
  • Cloud Backup (optional)$30/year
    • Cloud backup of automations
    • Automatic backups
  • Remote Admin (optional)$36/year
    • Remote access via cloud
    • Mobile app remote control

Nest

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nest review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Hubitat Elevation if

  • You need local processing.
  • You work on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android).
  • You also want rule machine.
Hubitat Elevation review

Choose Nest if

  • You need learning thermostat.
  • You work on Hardware, Mobile, Web.
  • You also want hd cameras.
Nest review

Questions people ask

Is Hubitat Elevation or Nest better?
Neither clearly leads. Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time and Nest at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hubitat Elevation or Nest?
Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time and Nest at On request.
Does Hubitat Elevation or Nest run on more platforms?
Hubitat Elevation runs on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android). Nest runs on Hardware, Mobile, Web.
What is Hubitat Elevation best used for?
Hubitat Elevation is most often used for advanced automation, local control, complex rules, multi-protocol integration. Of those, advanced automation and local control are not what Nest is typically brought in for.
What can Hubitat Elevation do that Nest cannot?
Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Rule Machine, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee 3.0. Nest covers Learning Thermostat, HD Cameras, Smart Alerts, Energy Savings.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat require a cloud connection or subscription?

No. All automations and device control run locally without cloud dependency. Hubitat does not require subscriptions for core features; optional cloud backup ($30/year) and remote admin ($36/year) are available.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: How many devices can Hubitat control?

The Hubitat Elevation Model C-8 supports 1,000+ devices across 100+ brands through Zigbee, Z-Wave 800 Long Range, Matter 1.5, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi protocols.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Does Hubitat work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit?

Yes. Hubitat integrates with Alexa and Google Home for voice control, and also supports Apple HomeKit via direct integration for HomeKit devices.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: What is the difference between the C-7 and C-8 models?

The C-8 ($189.95) features Z-Wave Plus 800, Zigbee 3.0, and expanded memory for handling complex automation. The C-7 is an older model with fewer protocol options and lower performance.

Source
Hubitat Elevation: Can I access my hub remotely?

Yes. Local area network (LAN) access is always available. Remote access via the Hubitat mobile app and cloud services requires an optional subscription ($36/year for remote admin).

Source
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