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SwitchBot vs Google Home

SwitchBot logo

SwitchBot

Software

Simple automation for any device

From
On request
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

  • Only Google Home has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: SwitchBot switchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: SwitchBot covers Button automation, Google Home covers Voice Control.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where SwitchBot and Google Home differ
AttributeSwitchBotGoogle Home
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS
Founded20152016

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 SwitchBot

  • Button automation
  • IR control
  • Schedules
  • Sensors
  • Scene automation
  • Voice control
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit

Only in Google Home

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

Both cover

  • Google Assistant
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

SwitchBot

  • Retrofit automationnot Google Home
  • Curtain controlnot Google Home
  • AC controlnot Google Home
  • Simple automationnot Google Home

Google Home

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

Where each one falls short

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

SwitchBot

  • SwitchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo

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

SwitchBot

On request
  • Bot$29/month
    • Button pusher
    • Schedule
    • Voice control
  • Curtain$89/month
    • Solar powered option
    • Light sensor
    • Schedule
  • Hub Mini$39/month
    • IR control
    • Cloud access
    • Voice assistants

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

Choose SwitchBot if

  • You need button automation.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want ir control.
SwitchBot review

Choose Google Home if

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

Questions people ask

Is SwitchBot or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. SwitchBot starts at On request and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SwitchBot or Google Home?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for SwitchBot and Free for Google Home.
Does SwitchBot or Google Home run on more platforms?
SwitchBot runs on IOS, Android. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Yes. Google Home has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SwitchBot starts at On request.
What is SwitchBot best used for?
SwitchBot is most often used for retrofit automation, curtain control, ac control, simple automation. Of those, retrofit automation and curtain control are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can SwitchBot do that Google Home cannot?
SwitchBot covers Button automation, IR control, Schedules, Sensors. Google Home covers Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio, 10,000+ devices. Both handle Google Assistant, IOS support, Android support.
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Related pages

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