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Smart Home · head to head

Hubitat Elevation vs Shelly

Hubitat Elevation logo

Hubitat Elevation

Smart Home

Local home automation hub for advanced users

From
$189.95/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shelly logo

Shelly

Smart Home

Powerful WiFi smart home devices with local control

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Shelly 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; Shelly premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • They diverge on capability: Hubitat Elevation covers Local Processing, Shelly covers Local Control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hubitat Elevation and Shelly actually diverge.

Attributes where Hubitat Elevation and Shelly differ
AttributeHubitat ElevationShelly
Starting price$189.95/one-timeFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsLocal hub (Model C-8), Local hub (Model C-7), Mobile app (iOS and Android)Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Smart Home), 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 Hubitat Elevation

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

Only in Shelly

  • Local Control
  • Open API
  • MQTT Support
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Home Assistant
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

What people use each for

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

Hubitat Elevation

  • Advanced automationnot Shelly
  • Local controlnot Shelly
  • Complex rulesnot Shelly
  • Multi-protocol integrationnot Shelly

Shelly

  • Smart home automation and controlnot Hubitat Elevation
  • Energy monitoring and managementnot Hubitat Elevation
  • WiFi/Bluetooth/Matter device integrationnot 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

Shelly

  • Premium features limited to cloud-based functionality; local control requires separate setup
  • Device-specific capabilities vary; not all features available across entire product range

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

Shelly

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Shelly review.

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 Shelly if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud, Local network.
  • You also want open api.
Shelly review

Questions people ask

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

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
Shelly: Does Shelly offer a free tier or paid premium service?

Shelly offers a free service with an option to upgrade. The site mentions Go Premium in the Shelly app, which provides more automation and control capabilities. A Shelly Cloud Premium Voucher is available for purchase.

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
Shelly: What is the difference between free Shelly and Shelly Cloud Premium?

The free version provides basic functionality, while Premium unlocks more automation options and additional control features. Specific pricing for Premium is not disclosed on the homepage.

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
Shelly: Can I purchase Shelly Cloud Premium directly?

Yes. Shelly Cloud Premium Vouchers are available for purchase through the Shelly shop. Pricing details are available on the product shop page.

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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