Apple Home vs HomeGenie
Apple Home
apple.comHomeGenie
homegenie.itSide by side
| Figure | Apple Home | HomeGenie |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · Home Automation & Smart Home Software | 8.3 (#6) | 7.7 (#13) |
| Spec score · Home automation platforms | 8.2 (#11) | 7.3 (#25) |
| Spec score · Home Automation | 8.3 (#12) | 7.8 (#19) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | The Home app lets people control smart home accessories across Apple devices. | HomeGenie describes itself as an open-source ecosystem for controlling smart homes and connected devices, built around local-first software and hardware. |
| Support | Apple provides instructions for adding accessories and links to troubleshooting and organization help. | The About page links to a Q&A discussion forum and says user and developer involvement is welcome. |
Plans
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.