Head-to-head · Home Automation

Google Home vs Apple Home

Updated Nov 2026
Both researched from official sources
6 checks side by side

Higher score Google Home #1 in Home Automation 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 7 features Visit Google Home

Apple Home #5 in Home Automation 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 7 features Visit Apple Home

Google Home leads on 0 checks, Apple Home on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreGoogle Home · 9.2/10
Free planboth

Google Home scores higher on our rubric for home automation: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Google Home is the better fit for google households wanting broad, simple smart-home control. Apple Home is the better fit for apple households using HomeKit and Matter accessories.

Google Home fits best
Google households wanting broad, simple smart-home control
Apple Home fits best
Apple households using HomeKit and Matter accessories

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Google Home 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Apple Home 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Home Automation	#5 in Home Automation
Best for	Google households wanting broad, simple smart-home control	Apple households using HomeKit and Matter accessories
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	iOS, macOS
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Google Home 5/7 · Apple Home 5/7
Local control	✓	✓
Matter support	✓	✓
Zigbee support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Z-Wave support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Voice assistant support	✓	✓
Camera integration	✓	✓
Energy monitoring	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	Organizes compatible devices by room and household Supports routines, automations, Matter and Google Assistant voice control Includes Nest camera viewing and energy features for supported devices	Controls HomeKit and Matter accessories with scenes, rooms, and automations Siri control, compatible camera feeds, and energy information are included A HomePod or Apple TV home hub enables remote access and away-from-home automations
Cons	Device compatibility affects which products can be set up and controlled Capabilities vary by country, device model and supported integrations Matter and local-control behavior depends on device and hub availability	Available on iOS and macOS, limiting platform fit Remote access and away-from-home automations require a HomePod or Apple TV hub Energy usage and rates are limited to participating U.S. providers
Our verdict	Google Home brings compatible smart-home devices together for setup, organization, control and automation. It is aimed at households that want to manage devices by room or household, create routines, and use Google Assistant voice control.… Read the review →	Apple Home gives people using Apple devices one place to add, organize, control, and automate compatible smart home accessories. It supports HomeKit and Matter devices, with rooms and categories for organizing accessories and scenes for… Read the review →

Google HomeHome Automation 9.2Free plan
A Apple HomeHome Automation 8.8Free plan

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Strengths and trade-offs

Google Home — where it wins
- Organizes compatible devices by room and household
- Supports routines, automations, Matter and Google Assistant voice control
- Includes Nest camera viewing and energy features for supported devices
Where it doesn't
- Device compatibility affects which products can be set up and controlled
- Capabilities vary by country, device model and supported integrations
- Matter and local-control behavior depends on device and hub availability
Apple Home — where it wins
- Controls HomeKit and Matter accessories with scenes, rooms, and automations
- Siri control, compatible camera feeds, and energy information are included
- A HomePod or Apple TV home hub enables remote access and away-from-home automations
Where it doesn't
- Available on iOS and macOS, limiting platform fit
- Remote access and away-from-home automations require a HomePod or Apple TV hub
- Energy usage and rates are limited to participating U.S. providers

Google Home9.2/10 · Free plan
Free smart-home control with device organization, routines, Matter and Nest viewing.
Visit Google Home Full verdict →
Apple Home8.8/10 · Free plan
A free HomeKit and Matter controller for Apple households, with remote access requiring a home hub.
Visit Apple Home Full verdict →