Software · head to head
Thread vs Homey
The short version
- Only Thread has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Thread thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier; Homey homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
- They diverge on capability: Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Homey covers Multi-protocol support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Thread and Homey actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2014).
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 Thread
- IPv6 Mesh
- Self-Healing
- Secure
- Low Power
- HomeKit
- Matter
- Smart devices
- Smart home hubs
Only in Homey
- Multi-protocol support
- Advanced flows
- Voice control
- Energy insights
- Timeline
- Zones
- Google Assistant
- Amazon Alexa
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Thread
- Low power IPv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devicesnot Homey
- Interoperable device networking underneath Matternot Homey
- Certifying wireless products for network interoperabilitynot Homey
Homey
- Bringing Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices from different brands into one appnot Thread
- Building home automations visually with Flownot Thread
- Charting device and sensor history through Insightsnot Thread
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Thread
- Thread Group publishes six membership levels with annual fees of $750, $7,500, $15,000 and $65,000, and a one-time initiation fee of $35,000 for the top tier
- Certifying a product and using the Thread certification logo requires Thread Group membership
- Free access to the Thread Test Harness is restricted to higher membership levels; lower levels only get the option to purchase it
- Voting in work groups, chairing committees and a board seat are reserved for the paid upper membership levels
- The Implementer level is described as being for white-label or rebranded certified products only
- Academic membership is open only to organizations with fewer than 50 employees
Homey
- Homey Cloud without a subscription connects at most 5 devices
- Unlimited devices require the Homey Premium subscription at $2.99 per month
- Advanced Flow, Insights, and Logic and Variables are locked behind Homey Premium
- The free month of Premium is only offered to new subscribers signing up through iOS or Android
Pricing, plan by plan
Thread
Free- Open ProtocolFree
- IPv6 mesh
- Secure
- Self-healing
Homey
On request- Homey Pro$399/month
- Local processing
- 1000+ apps
- Advanced flows
- Homey Bridge$69/month
- Cloud processing
- 500+ apps
- Basic flows
Which should you pick?
Choose Thread if
- You need ipv6 mesh.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs.
- You also want self-healing.
Choose Homey if
- You need multi-protocol support.
- You work on IOS, Android, Web.
- You also want advanced flows.
Questions people ask
- Is Thread or Homey better?
- Neither clearly leads. Thread starts at Free and Homey at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Thread or Homey?
- Thread has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Thread and On request for Homey.
- Does Thread or Homey run on more platforms?
- Thread runs on Thread devices, Mesh networks, Apple Home, Smart hubs. Homey runs on IOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Thread for free?
- Yes. Thread has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Homey starts at On request.
- What is Thread best used for?
- Thread is most often used for low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices, interoperable device networking underneath matter, certifying wireless products for network interoperability. Of those, low power ipv6 mesh networking for smart home and smart building devices and interoperable device networking underneath matter are not what Homey is typically brought in for.
- What can Thread do that Homey cannot?
- Thread covers IPv6 Mesh, Self-Healing, Secure, Low Power. Homey covers Multi-protocol support, Advanced flows, Voice control, Energy insights.