Software · head to head
Meross vs Aqara
Meross
Software
Affordable smart home devices with HomeKit support
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Meross covers No hub required, Aqara covers Zigbee protocol.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Meross and Aqara actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), platforms (IOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2016).
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 Meross
- No hub required
- Energy monitoring
- Schedules
- Voice control
- Scene automation
- SmartThings
Only in Aqara
- Zigbee protocol
- Sensor ecosystem
- Automation scenes
- Long battery life
- Local processing
- IFTTT
Both cover
- Apple HomeKit
- Apple HomeKit
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Assistant
- Home Assistant
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Meross
- Smart plugsnot Aqara
- Lighting controlnot Aqara
- Garage automationnot Aqara
- Energy monitoringnot Aqara
Aqara
- Smart home sensors, switches and cameras on Zigbeenot Meross
- Automations across HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThingsnot Meross
- Matter-based smart home setupsnot Meross
- Door locks and curtain controllers tied to routinesnot Meross
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Meross
Nothing recorded yet. See the Meross review.
Aqara
- A hub is required for full functionality, and Matter accessories need a Matter controller such as the Hub M3 configured in Aqara Home first
- Primarily a hardware company, so the app exists to run devices you have bought
- Zigbee devices depend on the hub remaining supported
Pricing, plan by plan
Meross
On request- Smart Plug$15/month
- WiFi
- Energy monitoring
- Voice control
- Smart Switch$25/month
- In-wall
- No neutral required option
- HomeKit
- Garage Opener$40/month
- Remote control
- Status alerts
- HomeKit
Aqara
On request- Door Sensor$15/month
- Zigbee
- Long battery
- Instant alerts
- Motion Sensor$20/month
- Light sensor
- Adjustable sensitivity
- Pet immune
- Hub M2$60/month
- Zigbee hub
- IR control
- HomeKit support
Which should you pick?
Choose Meross if
- You need no hub required.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want energy monitoring.
Choose Aqara if
- You need zigbee protocol.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want sensor ecosystem.
Questions people ask
- Is Meross or Aqara better?
- Neither clearly leads. Meross starts at On request and Aqara at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Meross or Aqara?
- Meross starts at On request and Aqara at On request.
- Does Meross or Aqara run on more platforms?
- Both run on IOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Meross best used for?
- Meross is most often used for smart plugs, lighting control, garage automation, energy monitoring. Of those, smart plugs and lighting control are not what Aqara is typically brought in for.
- What can Meross do that Aqara cannot?
- Meross covers No hub required, Energy monitoring, Schedules, Voice control. Aqara covers Zigbee protocol, Sensor ecosystem, Automation scenes, Long battery life. Both handle Apple HomeKit, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant.