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TP-Link Kasa vs Z-Wave Alliance

TP-Link Kasa logo

TP-Link Kasa

Software

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Software

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: TP-Link Kasa devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD; Z-Wave Alliance manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • They diverge on capability: TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which TP-Link Kasa and Z-Wave Alliance actually diverge.

Attributes where TP-Link Kasa and Z-Wave Alliance differ
AttributeTP-Link KasaZ-Wave Alliance
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, WebZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh
Founded19962001

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 TP-Link Kasa

  • Affordable
  • No Hub Required
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Scheduling
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IFTTT

Only in Z-Wave Alliance

  • Mesh Networking
  • AES-128 Security
  • Low Power
  • Interoperable
  • Smart home hubs
  • Home automation
  • Device integration
  • Standards compliant

What people use each for

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

TP-Link Kasa

  • Energy monitoringnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Automationnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Voice controlnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Budget smart homenot Z-Wave Alliance

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Sub-GHz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lightingnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot TP-Link Kasa

Where each one falls short

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

TP-Link Kasa

  • Devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD

Z-Wave Alliance

  • Manufacturers must hold a Manufacturer ID, which costs $7,500 per year for two MIDs and a further $7,500 per year for each additional MID
  • The MID fee is waived only in year 3 for Accelerator members and applies in full from year 4
  • Certifying products and using the Z-Wave certification requires Z-Wave Alliance membership
  • Participation in specific working groups and committees depends on membership level
  • At most two Contributor Member representatives may sit on the Board, for one-year terms voted by the existing Board

Pricing, plan by plan

TP-Link Kasa

On request
  • Smart Plug$10/month
    • WiFi
    • Voice control
    • Scheduling
  • Smart Switch$20/month
    • In-wall installation
    • Dimming
    • 3-way support

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

Which should you pick?

Choose TP-Link Kasa if

  • You need affordable.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want no hub required.
TP-Link Kasa review

Choose Z-Wave Alliance if

  • You need mesh networking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
  • You also want aes-128 security.
Z-Wave Alliance review

Questions people ask

Is TP-Link Kasa or Z-Wave Alliance better?
Neither clearly leads. TP-Link Kasa starts at On request and Z-Wave Alliance at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, TP-Link Kasa or Z-Wave Alliance?
Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for TP-Link Kasa and Free for Z-Wave Alliance.
Does TP-Link Kasa or Z-Wave Alliance run on more platforms?
TP-Link Kasa runs on IOS, Android, Web. Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh.
Can I use Z-Wave Alliance for free?
Yes. Z-Wave Alliance has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TP-Link Kasa starts at On request.
What is TP-Link Kasa best used for?
TP-Link Kasa is most often used for energy monitoring, automation, voice control, budget smart home. Of those, energy monitoring and automation are not what Z-Wave Alliance is typically brought in for.
What can TP-Link Kasa do that Z-Wave Alliance cannot?
TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, No Hub Required, Energy Monitoring, Scheduling. Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable.
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