Softwr

Software · head to head

Hubitat Elevation vs Z-Wave Alliance

Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

Software

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Software

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Z-Wave Alliance 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; Z-Wave Alliance manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • They diverge on capability: Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hubitat Elevation and Z-Wave Alliance actually diverge.

Attributes where Hubitat Elevation and Z-Wave Alliance differ
AttributeHubitat ElevationZ-Wave Alliance
Starting price$189.95/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh
Founded20162001

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 Z-Wave Alliance

  • Mesh Networking
  • AES-128 Security
  • Low Power
  • Interoperable
  • Smart home hubs
  • Home automation
  • Device integration
  • Standards compliant

What people use each for

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

Hubitat Elevation

  • Advanced automationnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Local controlnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Complex rulesnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Multi-protocol integrationnot Z-Wave Alliance

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Sub-GHz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lightingnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot 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

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • The MID fee is waived only in year 3 for Accelerator members and applies in full from year 4
  • Certifying products and using the Z-Wave certification requires Z-Wave Alliance membership
  • Participation in specific working groups and committees depends on membership level
  • At most two Contributor Member representatives may sit on the Board, for one-year terms voted by the existing Board

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

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

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 Z-Wave Alliance if

  • You need mesh networking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
  • You also want aes-128 security.
Z-Wave Alliance review

Questions people ask

Is Hubitat Elevation or Z-Wave Alliance better?
Neither clearly leads. Hubitat Elevation starts at $189.95/one-time and Z-Wave Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hubitat Elevation or Z-Wave Alliance?
Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $189.95/one-time for Hubitat Elevation and Free for Z-Wave Alliance.
Does Hubitat Elevation or Z-Wave Alliance run on more platforms?
Hubitat Elevation runs on Local hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android). Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
Can I use Z-Wave Alliance for free?
Yes. Z-Wave Alliance 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 Z-Wave Alliance is typically brought in for.
What can Hubitat Elevation do that Z-Wave Alliance cannot?
Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Rule Machine, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee 3.0. Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable.

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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Hubitat Elevation

More on Z-Wave Alliance

Keep looking

Other head to heads