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MQTT vs Google Home

MQTT logo

MQTT

Software

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MQTT mQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Google Home covers Google Assistant.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MQTT and Google Home actually diverge.

Attributes where MQTT and Google Home differ
AttributeMQTTGoogle Home
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computingiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS
Founded19992016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 MQTT

  • Publish-Subscribe
  • Lightweight
  • QoS Levels
  • Retained Messages
  • IoT platforms
  • Home automation
  • Cloud services
  • Edge devices

Only in Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

What people use each for

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

MQTT

  • IoT messagingnot Google Home
  • Sensor datanot Google Home
  • Real-time updatesnot Google Home
  • Device telemetrynot Google Home

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot MQTT
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot MQTT
  • Creating automation routinesnot MQTT
  • Managing household device settingsnot MQTT
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot MQTT

Where each one falls short

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

MQTT

  • MQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

Pricing, plan by plan

MQTT

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Publish-subscribe
    • Lightweight
    • QoS levels

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MQTT if

  • You need publish-subscribe.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
  • You also want lightweight.
MQTT review

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home review

Questions people ask

Is MQTT or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. MQTT starts at Free and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MQTT or Google Home?
MQTT starts at Free and Google Home at Free.
Does MQTT or Google Home run on more platforms?
MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use MQTT for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MQTT best used for?
MQTT is most often used for iot messaging, sensor data, real-time updates, device telemetry. Of those, iot messaging and sensor data are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can MQTT do that Google Home cannot?
MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
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