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Z-Wave Alliance vs Home Assistant

Z-Wave Alliance logo

Z-Wave Alliance

Software

Wireless communication protocol for smart home devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Home Assistant logo

Home Assistant

Software

Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first

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; Home Assistant add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
  • They diverge on capability: Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, Home Assistant covers Local Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Z-Wave Alliance and Home Assistant actually diverge.

Attributes where Z-Wave Alliance and Home Assistant differ
AttributeZ-Wave AllianceHome Assistant
PlatformsZ-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless meshLinux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows
Founded20012013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (open-source), 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 Home Assistant

  • Local Control
  • Privacy First
  • Automation Engine
  • Custom Integrations
  • 150+ integrations
  • Voice Control
  • Mobile App
  • REST API

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 Home Assistant
  • Long range low power device control in residential and commercial buildingsnot Home Assistant
  • Building interoperable certified smart home productsnot Home Assistant

Home Assistant

  • Home automationnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Energy monitoringnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Security systemsnot Z-Wave Alliance
  • Device integrationnot 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

Home Assistant

  • Add-ons run only on Home Assistant Operating System installations, and Container installations have no access to them
  • Thread and Z-Wave are controlled by add-ons, so a Container install has no out-of-the-box support for either
  • A Container installation means bringing your own Linux host with Docker and handling updates by hand
  • The recommended install path expects dedicated hardware such as a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB of RAM, an Odroid, or an x86-64 machine
  • Every documented hardware option requires a wired Ethernet connection

Pricing, plan by plan

Z-Wave Alliance

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Mesh networking
    • Security
    • Interoperability

Home Assistant

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Unlimited devices
    • Full automation
    • Local control

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 Home Assistant if

  • You need local control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want privacy first.
Home Assistant review

Questions people ask

Is Z-Wave Alliance or Home Assistant better?
Neither clearly leads. Z-Wave Alliance starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Z-Wave Alliance or Home Assistant?
Z-Wave Alliance starts at Free and Home Assistant at Free.
Does Z-Wave Alliance or Home Assistant run on more platforms?
Z-Wave Alliance runs on Z-Wave devices, Hubs, Controllers, Wireless mesh. Home Assistant runs on Linux, Docker, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Windows.
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 Home Assistant is typically brought in for.
What can Z-Wave Alliance do that Home Assistant cannot?
Z-Wave Alliance covers Mesh Networking, AES-128 Security, Low Power, Interoperable. Home Assistant covers Local Control, Privacy First, Automation Engine, Custom Integrations.
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