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Software · head to head

Hubitat Elevation vs Pop

Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

Software

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Pop logo

Pop

Software

Lightweight screen sharing and recording

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Pop has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Pop covers Screen sharing.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Hubitat Elevation and Pop differ
AttributeHubitat ElevationPop
Starting price$189.95/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)Web, Chrome extension, Desktop
Founded20162020

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 Hubitat Elevation

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

Only in Pop

  • Screen sharing
  • Recording
  • Instant links
  • Minimal interface
  • Chat
  • Slack
  • Web support
  • Chrome extension support

What people use each for

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

Hubitat Elevation

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

Pop

  • Video Conferencingnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Team Collaborationnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Project Managementnot 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

Pop

Nothing recorded yet. See the Pop review.

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

Pop

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Instant sharing
    • Recording
    • Basic features
  • Pro$9.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support

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.

Choose Pop if

  • You need screen sharing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Chrome extension, Desktop.
  • You also want recording.

Questions people ask

Is Hubitat Elevation or Pop better?
Neither clearly leads. Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time and Pop at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hubitat Elevation or Pop?
Pop has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $189.95/one-time for Hubitat Elevation and Free for Pop.
Does Hubitat Elevation or Pop run on more platforms?
Hubitat Elevation runs on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android). Pop runs on Web, Chrome extension, Desktop.
Can I use Pop for free?
Yes. Pop has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time.
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 Pop is typically brought in for.
What can Hubitat Elevation do that Pop cannot?
Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Rule Machine, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee 3.0. Pop covers Screen sharing, Recording, Instant links, Minimal interface.

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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