Softwr

Software · head to head

Tasmota vs Google Home

T

Tasmota

Software

Open-source firmware for ESP8266/ESP32 based 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: Tasmota tasmota only runs on Espressif ESP8266, ESP8285, ESP32, ESP32-S and ESP32-C3 chipsets, so devices built on other silicon cannot use it; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: Tasmota covers Local Control, Google Home covers Google Assistant.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Tasmota and Google Home differ
AttributeTasmotaGoogle Home
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsESP8266, ESP32, Compatible devicesiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS
Founded20172016

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 Tasmota

  • Local Control
  • MQTT Support
  • Web Interface
  • OTA Updates
  • Home Assistant
  • Domoticz
  • OpenHAB
  • Node-RED

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.

Tasmota

  • Replacing vendor cloud firmware on ESP based smart plugs and switchesnot Google Home
  • Controlling smart home devices locally over MQTT or HTTPnot Google Home
  • Integrating off the shelf Wi-Fi devices with Home Assistant without a cloud accountnot Google Home

Google Home

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

Where each one falls short

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

Tasmota

  • Tasmota only runs on Espressif ESP8266, ESP8285, ESP32, ESP32-S and ESP32-C3 chipsets, so devices built on other silicon cannot use it
  • Initial installation requires opening the device, bridging GPIO0 to ground during boot and using a 3.3V serial programmer; a 5V programmer damages the chip
  • The ESP chip needs at least 150mA at 3.3V, so an underpowered supply causes flashing and stability failures
  • The Wi-Fi setup access point stays active for only 3 minutes, after which the device must be power cycled to try again
  • The Power Cycle Recovery feature can reset a device to firmware defaults where mains power fluctuates, and the docs advise disabling it in that case

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

Tasmota

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full firmware
    • MQTT
    • Web UI

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Tasmota if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on ESP8266, ESP32, Compatible devices.
  • You also want mqtt support.
Tasmota 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 Tasmota or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. Tasmota 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, Tasmota or Google Home?
Tasmota starts at Free and Google Home at Free.
Does Tasmota or Google Home run on more platforms?
Tasmota runs on ESP8266, ESP32, Compatible devices. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use Tasmota for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Tasmota best used for?
Tasmota is most often used for replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based smart plugs and switches, controlling smart home devices locally over mqtt or http, integrating off the shelf wi-fi devices with home assistant without a cloud account. Of those, replacing vendor cloud firmware on esp based smart plugs and switches and controlling smart home devices locally over mqtt or http are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can Tasmota do that Google Home cannot?
Tasmota covers Local Control, MQTT Support, Web Interface, OTA Updates. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Tasmota

More on Google Home

Keep looking

Other head to heads