Home Assistant is a Python-based, open-source smart home system that supports smart home devices of multiple brands, helping you easily implement voice control and automation of devices. Google Home's voice assistant is the smartest of the trio. So to make Z-Wave work, you need to purchase a so-called Z-Wave module. The HomeKit controller integration allows you to connect accessories with the Works with HomeKit logo to Home Assistant. Home Assistant is an open-source platform mainly used for individual fanciers. Way easier to work with and just way more stable. This integration should not be confused with the HomeKit integration, which allows you to control Home Assistant devices via HomeKit. 1. So I am now looking at Apple HomeKit and I wonder how it compares to Home Assistant. One of the key differences at the moment is that both HomeKit and HomeAssistant run locally and dont require internet for most functions, The integration will automatically detect HomeKit compatible devices that are ready to pair if the zeroconf I use home assistant with the HomeKit bridge that is built in. My rationale behind this is that home assistant has 1713, integrations which is more than any other automation system that I am aware of. There are some things that are better on Homebridge than HA, such as the Adguard Home Plugin. It cannot be put into commercial use. For actual smart automations, the back ends available for Home Assistant will be more capable that what is available in HomeKit. Plus, the homebridge plugins for Roomba2 and Calendar are top notch. Essentially yes. I know talking to Siri is not local. Amazon's range of smart speakers and displays may be the most well-known, with the command 'Alexa' becoming synonymous with the smart home phenomenon overall. For instance, Nest works well in HomeBridge, but not in Home Assistant - as they accomplish the That being said, some things Home Assistant doesn't bridge to HomeKit well like remote buttons. Apple Home vs. Google Assistant: Price This is where reality sets in for those on a budget. And finally, you are not locking yourself into HomeKit only by using HomeAssistant w/HomeKit Bridge. Home Assistant if you want more granular control and don't mind tinkering. Google Assistant claims it features more than a million actions, with the caveat that they include all possible queries from both first- and third-party offerings. Googles expansive apps/actions make it easy to branch out beyond home automation functions, while Homekit is more stunted in this area. Combined with the changes to the lock screen in iOS 16, this redesign makes HomeKit a far more appealing option than it was before. If I shut off my cable modem to disable any internet traffic, my homekit hubs still connect to my iPhone and home assistant instance through the local area network, so I can control and sense every device that is not cloud-based (currently my august locks and abode sensors - all 43 of them - that are connected via Apple HomeKit leads in security and privacy. However, it also has the widest selection of devices. That gives you far more choice when it comes to buying devices. Setting devices up through HomeKit means you dont have to download secondary apps. For example, smart security cameras often require a dedicated app to view the livestream and perform tasks, but compatible HomeKit cameras are set up and integrated through the Apple Home app. While the Apple Home app is free, Apple Homekits entry point is much more expensive, and depending on how much automation you want to control with Homekit, you can expect to pay $1,000 or more to get all the devices you need. However, the Raspberry Pi on which you run Home Assistant does not have Z-Wave hardware build in. https://techtechandmoretech.com/guides/home-assistant-homekit Alexa wins in countertop dominance and compatibility with other smart home devices. I believe homekit *is* local. HA has a few better maintained plugins like TP-Link and PS4 as Apple HomeKit does not. These come in two flavors: a USB stick or a HAT. Is the following assumption correct: HomeKit is far less flexible and can only do more basic routines and automations, supports far less devices, it is a lot more expensive, but it is reliable can be a "set it and forget it" solution, which I will never need to tinker with unless I want to add/change The integrations that Home Assistant (or HomeBridge in my case) allow for a wider set of integrations than HomeKit alone is currently capable of. Its very much setup and forget. Far more brands make Google-compatible products than those for Apple HomeKit. Does it do the same thing as homekit and home assistant but just a different brand? The Home Assistant software supports Z-Wave out of the box. While the Apple Home app is free, Apple Homekits entry point is much more expensive, and depending on how much automation you want to control with Homekit, you can expect to pay $1,000 or more to get all the devices you need. That means the Google smart home assistant is baked into the Google system. Both Google Home and Alexa win the price wars, but the three smart speakers are in a very close race in terms of hardware quality. HomeKit is a smart home platform released by Apple in 2014. Update, Nov. 17: Apple has addressed one of my biggest criticisms of HomeKit since this commentary was originally written back in February. Amazon Alexa. I can say the big differnece betwen teh two projects (in relation to HomeKit) is how well their plugins work with the different eco systems. I'd recommend Homebridge for a simpler solution. Before that, though, keep reading to see which smart assistant will suit you best. Googles smart assistant also gives you more accurate responses since its connected to Googles Knowledge Graph.