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Z-Wave Alliance vs Amazon Alexa

Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Software

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Amazon Alexa amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music
  • They diverge on capability: Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Z-Wave Alliance and Amazon Alexa actually diverge.

Attributes where Z-Wave Alliance and Amazon Alexa differ
AttributeZ-Wave AllianceAmazon Alexa
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless meshEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS
Founded20011994

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 Z-Wave Alliance

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

Only in Amazon Alexa

  • Voice Control
  • Skills Library
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 100,000+ skills
  • Ring
  • Blink
  • Fire TV

What people use each for

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

Z-Wave Alliance

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

Amazon Alexa

  • Voice-controlled homenot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Smart shoppingnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Entertainmentnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Home securitynot Z-Wave Alliance

Where each one falls short

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

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

Amazon Alexa

  • Amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music

Pricing, plan by plan

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

Amazon Alexa

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Voice control
    • Skills
    • Smart home control
  • Alexa Guard Plus$4.99/month
    • Emergency response
    • Hands-free calling
    • Enhanced alerts

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Amazon Alexa if

  • You need voice control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
  • You also want skills library.
Amazon Alexa review

Questions people ask

Is Z-Wave Alliance or Amazon Alexa better?
Neither clearly leads. Z-Wave Alliance starts at Free and Amazon Alexa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Z-Wave Alliance or Amazon Alexa?
Z-Wave Alliance starts at Free and Amazon Alexa at Free.
Does Z-Wave Alliance or Amazon Alexa run on more platforms?
Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh. Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
Can I use Z-Wave Alliance for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Z-Wave Alliance best used for?
Z-Wave Alliance is most often used for sub-ghz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lighting, long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildings, building interoperable certified smart home products. Of those, sub-ghz mesh networking for smart home locks, sensors and lighting and long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildings are not what Amazon Alexa is typically brought in for.
What can Z-Wave Alliance do that Amazon Alexa cannot?
Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable. Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
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