Apple Home vs HomeSeer HS4
Apple Home
apple.comHomeSeer HS4
homeseer.comSide by side
| Figure | Apple Home | HomeSeer HS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Smart Home Apps | 8.3 (#11) | 8.9 (#4) |
| Spec score · Home automation platforms | 8.2 (#11) | 8.9 (#5) |
| Spec score · Home Automation | 8.3 (#12) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Camera integration | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Matter support | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | The Home app lets people control smart home accessories across Apple devices. | HS4 is smart home automation software for building a Windows or Linux controller to remotely and automatically control home devices. |
| Support | Apple provides instructions for adding accessories and links to troubleshooting and organization help. | HomeSeer offers product documentation, contact support, user forums and developer help for creating plugins. |
| Voice assistant support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
HomeSeer HS4
- HS4 Smart Home Software$149.95 a month
- MyHS LiteFree
- MyHS Plus$39.95 a year
- MyHS PRO$59.95 a year
- MyHS Business$99.95 a year
- HS4 Smart Home Software$149.95, paid once
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.
HomeSeer HS4
HomeSeer HS4 is smart home automation software for building a Windows or Linux controller that manages devices remotely and runs automations locally. HomeSeer says local processing lets home control continue through internet or MyHS web service outages, and that sensitive information is stored at home rather than in the cloud. HS4 supports Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave. Its product page lists free integrations such as Philips Hue, Harmony Hub, Ecobee, Tuya, Wemo, Rachio, LIFX, and Chromecast. The responsive web interface includes live camera viewing, camera recording, automatic local backup, and device categories; alerts can be spoken or sent by customizable email and text. The software is downloadable for Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi, though HomeSeer says only Ubuntu Linux and Raspberry Pi have been tested. The software license is listed at $149.95 a month. MyHS Lite is free for one system and one user with remote access; Alexa, Google smart speaker, and IFTTT support require a MyHS subscription. HomeSeer offers a 30-day trial and a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.