Apple Home vs Google Home
Apple Home
apple.comGoogle Home
home.google.comSide by side
| Figure | Apple Home | Google Home |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Spec score · Smart Home Apps | 8.3 (#11) | 9.2 (#2) |
| Spec score · Home Automation & Smart Home Software | 8.3 (#6) | 9.1 (#1) |
| Spec score · Home automation platforms | 8.2 (#11) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Spec score · Home Automation | 8.3 (#12) | 9.1 (#2) |
| Automations | Examples include turning on lights at a set time, closing blinds when leaving, and adjusting a fan when the temperature rises. | The app lets users schedule and customize automations, such as turning on cameras at night or starting a vacuum in the morning. |
| Camera integration | Yes | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Matter support | Yes | Google Home supports Matter devices, allowing compatible products from different ecosystems to work together through a Matter hub. |
| Purpose | The Home app lets people control smart home accessories across Apple devices. | Google Home brings compatible smart devices together in one app to set them up, control them, and automate the home. |
| Support | Apple provides instructions for adding accessories and links to troubleshooting and organization help. | The Google Play listing provides app support by email at [email protected]. |
| Voice assistant support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Google Home
- Free Google Home appFree
- Google Home Premium Standard$10 a month
- Google Home Premium Standard$10 a month
- Google Home Premium Advanced$20 a month
- Google Home Premium Advanced$20 a month
In their own words
Apple Home
Apple Home is a free app for controlling smart home accessories across Apple devices. Its Home tab groups accessories into categories such as Lights, Security, and Climate and displays their status. It supports compatible accessories for lighting, security, comfort, and entry, along with Matter, cameras, energy monitoring, and voice assistants. The app can show up to four cameras at once, while guest access can grant time-limited permissions for door locks, garage doors, and alarm systems. Accessories can be added by scanning a code or bringing an iPhone or iPad near them; Apple says they cannot be added to Home on Mac. A HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV can serve as a hub for remote access and automation. Examples include turning on lights at a set time, closing blinds when leaving, or adjusting a fan as temperature rises. Siri can also control accessories. Apple says Home data is stored so it cannot read it, accessories are controlled by Apple devices rather than the cloud, and communications are end-to-end encrypted. The app requires Apple devices and compatible accessories.
Google Home
Google Home brings compatible smart devices into one app for setup, control, and home automation. The dashboard can pin favorite devices and show camera feeds, alerts, and activity from connected first- and third-party products. Compatibility includes Google and Nest devices, Matter devices, and thousands of partner products carrying the Works with Google Home badge. Automations can come from suggestions, be drafted with Gemini from text, or be built in an editor with starters, conditions, and actions. Gemini for Home supports natural spoken requests, including multiple requests in one go. On the web, users can monitor cameras and doorbells, adjust devices, run automations, and create them with a script editor. The app is available on Android and iOS, and the service has a free plan. A Matter hub is needed to manage Matter devices while away from home. Many features also require the app, Wi-Fi, and internet access; availability can vary by country and language. Premium Standard is $10/month or $100/year, and Premium Advanced is $20/month or $200/year.