There are only a few practical possibilities for smart home platforms, and Apple HomeKit and Google Home are frequently mentioned. Apple has strict regulations for the former, whereas Google Home gives independent developers more latitude to interface with the software. But is one approach superior to the other? What’s more, which one is superior for your smart home?
Here’s a closer look at HomeKit and Google Home to help you choose the best platform, covering everything from compatible smart home devices to necessary hubs.
What is a smart home platform?
You’re not the only one who is unsure of what a smart home platform is. They’re a relatively new innovation in the digital industry, but they give you a surprising amount of adaptability. The rest of your smart home devices link to a smart home platform, which enables you to control them remotely, coordinate their performance with other devices, or simply check in on them while seated on the sofa.
Although all platforms for the smart home operate in a similar manner, not all items (such as smart thermostats or lights) support all platforms. Though Matter hopes to address that problem in the future, choosing a smart home platform right now is still a significant choice.
Hub devices
The majority of smart home solutions previously needed a Hub device to manage everything. These act as the system’s “brains,” taking voice commands and sending your commands to the appropriate devices. They frequently take the form of a smart speaker or display, and while you’ll certainly want to buy one for the Google Home or HomeKit, they’re no longer necessary.
The Google Home smartphone app allows for remote control of all Google Home devices, and the HomeKit smartphone app allows for remote control of all HomeKit devices. Of course, adding a hub to your smart home (like the Apple HomePod or Google Nest Hub Max) is strongly advised since these allow you a simpler way to communicate with your system.
Since Google Home supports a broad variety of Hub devices made by different manufacturers, Google has the upper hand in this situation. HomeKit, on the other hand, is limited to using a restricted selection of Hub gadgets, like the HomePod or Apple TV 4K.
Compatible devices
Similar to Hub devices, Google Home syncs with a much wider range of devices than HomeKit, including smart speakers, light bulbs, thermostats, and locks. Apple has closely controlled the HomeKit ecosystem, which results in smooth integration between all of the currently offered HomeKit products but also leaves you with a considerably restricted selection of goods to choose from.
Check out our roundups of the top Google Home devices and best HomeKit devices for a better idea of which smart home gadgets are compatible with each platform.
Ease of use
Because they come with smartphone apps and are simple to use with voice commands, Google Home and HomeKit are both simple to use and intuitive. On Android, the HomeKit app is not easily accessible. Anyone using a Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel mobile may want to explore elsewhere for their smart home needs, even though it works fine with iOS products.
Verdict
For the majority of households, Google Home is the superior smart home platform since it is available on both iOS and Android, has a large selection of compatible items, and has a ton of unique Hubs to power the action. The ability to choose the devices that best suit your needs (and budget) comes with setting up a Google Home-powered smart home, and the company’s first-party product range frequently competes with Apple’s.
On the other hand, if you’re an Apple fan and already have an iPhone, HomeKit might be the better choice. Although it doesn’t have quite as many products as Google Home, those that are offered are usually of the highest caliber. And because HomeKit is so closely monitored by Apple, it might provide better security than Google Home, which permits the use of the platform by dozens of unreliable manufacturers.
The decision between HomeKit and Google Home ultimately comes down to personal preference. Google Home with its enormous selection would be the greatest option for the majority of households, but Apple fans will adore HomeKit and its exclusivity.
