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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

Particle vs Google Home

Particle logo

Particle

IoT & Smart Home

Edge-to-cloud IoT platform for connected devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Home logo

Google Home

IoT & Smart Home

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Particle paid capacity is sold in blocks of 100 devices rather than per device, so 101 devices costs the same as 200; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: Particle covers Device OS, Google Home covers Google Assistant.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Particle and Google Home differ
AttributeParticleGoogle Home
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsParticle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile appsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS
Founded20132016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & 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 Particle

  • Device OS
  • Cloud Platform
  • Device Management
  • OTA Updates
  • REST API
  • WebHooks
  • Integration marketplace
  • 3rd party services

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.

Particle

  • Connecting cellular and wifi IoT devices to a managed cloud platformnot Google Home
  • Deploying firmware updates and collecting device telemetry at fleet scalenot Google Home

Google Home

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

Where each one falls short

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

Particle

  • Paid capacity is sold in blocks of 100 devices rather than per device, so 101 devices costs the same as 200
  • The Basic block is $299 a month and the Plus block $599 a month
  • The free tier allows 100 devices and 100,000 data operations a month
  • Data operations are the billing unit, so chatty firmware costs more than the device count suggests
  • No overage rates are published at any tier, so exceeding an allowance has no stated cost

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

Particle

Free
  • MakerFree
    • 5 free devices
    • Cloud access
    • Basic features
  • Production$100/month
    • Unlimited devices
    • Advanced analytics
    • Enterprise support

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Particle if

  • You need device os.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Particle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps.
  • You also want cloud platform.
Particle 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 Particle or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. Particle 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, Particle or Google Home?
Particle starts at Free and Google Home at Free.
Does Particle or Google Home run on more platforms?
Particle runs on Particle devices, Custom hardware, Cloud, Mobile apps. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use Particle for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Particle best used for?
Particle is most often used for connecting cellular and wifi iot devices to a managed cloud platform, deploying firmware updates and collecting device telemetry at fleet scale. Of those, connecting cellular and wifi iot devices to a managed cloud platform and deploying firmware updates and collecting device telemetry at fleet scale are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can Particle do that Google Home cannot?
Particle covers Device OS, Cloud Platform, Device Management, OTA Updates. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
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