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Smart Home · head to head

Hubitat Elevation vs Tuya Smart

Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

Smart Home

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tuya Smart logo

Tuya Smart

Smart Home

Global IoT platform powering thousands of smart devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Tuya Smart has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Hubitat Elevation limited app ecosystem compared to Amazon Alexa or Google Home platforms; Tuya Smart no pricing information available on website; users directed to contact sales directly
  • They diverge on capability: Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Tuya Smart covers Cloud Platform.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hubitat Elevation and Tuya Smart actually diverge.

Attributes where Hubitat Elevation and Tuya Smart differ
AttributeHubitat ElevationTuya Smart
Starting price$189.95/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)IOS, Android, Web, Hardware modules
Founded20162014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Hubitat Elevation

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

Only in Tuya Smart

  • Cloud Platform
  • Device SDK
  • White-Label App
  • AI Features
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Custom integrations

What people use each for

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

Hubitat Elevation

  • Advanced automationnot Tuya Smart
  • Local controlnot Tuya Smart
  • Complex rulesnot Tuya Smart
  • Multi-protocol integrationnot Tuya Smart

Tuya Smart

  • Smart product developmentnot Hubitat Elevation
  • White-label solutionsnot Hubitat Elevation
  • OEM IoTnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Connected appliancesnot 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

Tuya Smart

  • No pricing information available on website; users directed to contact sales directly
  • IoT platform pricing model not disclosed publicly

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

Tuya Smart

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Basic cloud
    • Device management
    • Standard features
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced analytics
    • White-label
    • 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.
Hubitat Elevation review

Choose Tuya Smart if

  • You need cloud platform.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Hardware modules.
  • You also want device sdk.
Tuya Smart review

Questions people ask

Is Hubitat Elevation or Tuya Smart better?
Neither clearly leads. Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time and Tuya Smart at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hubitat Elevation or Tuya Smart?
Tuya Smart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $189.95/one-time for Hubitat Elevation and Free for Tuya Smart.
Does Hubitat Elevation or Tuya Smart run on more platforms?
Hubitat Elevation runs on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android). Tuya Smart runs on IOS, Android, Web, Hardware modules.
Can I use Tuya Smart for free?
Yes. Tuya Smart 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 Tuya Smart is typically brought in for.
What can Hubitat Elevation do that Tuya Smart cannot?
Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Rule Machine, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee 3.0. Tuya Smart covers Cloud Platform, Device SDK, White-Label App, AI Features.

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
Tuya Smart: How do I get pricing for Tuya IoT platform?

Tuya pricing is not published on their website. Contact Tuya directly via phone (844-672-5646), email ([email protected]), or through their contact form to request a pricing quote and demo.

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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