Whenever in doubt to choose What’s best for you and your smart home devices. It is better to look up a guide that shows you Both the Pros and Cons of the Smart Softwares. Comparing Homebridge vs Home Assistant is a way out. When you get into it, you can find out which is better and best for you. So, Let us get started.
HOMEBRIDGE VS HOME ASSISTANT
Creating a Smart Home via Homekit and Unable to directly integrate any devices – These Software are your rescue. Homebridge vs Home Assistant is still a talk and to choose one among them is a task of comparing its integration, configuration, setup, and accessibility to automate smart homes much easier.
If you simply want to expose and add your devices to Homekit, Homebridge can be your option. But if you want to make the most of smart automation, Home Assistant is what you are looking for. Home Assistant allows you to run automation and explore much more than Homebridge does.
People also search for:Apple Homekit Vs Alexa
What is Homebridge?
Homebridge is a Node.js server, which is an Open Source Software that is designed and dedicated to Apple Homekit. It emulates the iOS Homekit API and has Plugins that bridge the gap between Homekit-compatible devices. Using Homebridge, you can connect the Non-Homekit devices to Homekit and Control your devices on the Apple Home App.
What is Home Assistant?
Home Assistant is an Open Source Software used for Smart Home automation. It is an integration platform that also acts as a Smart Home Hub letting users control their devices. Via Home Assistant, you can create a Single Control system for your multiple smart devices.You can use Home Assistant to expose and run Homekit devices via Homekit Integrations and enable various customization.
Compare Homebridge VS Home Assistant
Compare the Pros and Cons of Homebridge VS Home Assistant through its features, Integration methods, User Interface, Compatibility, Etc. Read down to know Which is a better alternative to connect and control your devices to Apple Homekit.
Home Assistant Features
- Provides Smart Support to over a thousand branded devices and Services.
- More than 2900 Integrations are available.
- Excellent Functionality and Integration not only for Homekit.
- Allows you to Customize your Integrations and Automations.
Homebridge Features
- Acts as a bridge for Non-homekit devices.
- More than 2000 Plugins are available.
- Fully customizable Widget-based dashboard.
- View, Control, and Operate your Homebridge devices conveniently.
Setup – Homebridge VS Home Assistant
In terms of Setup, The Homebridge VS Home Assistant do have some similarities. Both Open Source Platforms are compatible and work on various operating systems. Such as; Raspberry Pi, Windows, Linux, MacOS, and on a local server. You can easily and effortlessly Install Homebridge or Home Assistant on your existing system.
Once Setting up and installing Homebridge or Home Assistant, you can add your smart home devices to these Platforms. For Homebridge- Install Plugins and configure devices – It’s done Whereas For HA, Add Integrations and Customize the Config, and Automations accordingly.
In my opinion, The Setup and Installation of Homebridge are easy compared to Home Assistant. HA requires you to have technical expertise in order to make the most of its features and customize the integrations.
Here are our Quick guides to Set up: Homebridge | Home Assistant |
Interface (UI) of Home Assistant
Home Assistant uses Lovelace as its primary user interface and a Graphical User Interface Frontend, which allows you to browse, add, and control your home, and create automation on a single platform. Although it comes with a default dashboard, it does allow you to create, customize, and change your dashboard panels to create your own personalized dashboards.
Interface (UI) of Homebridge
The Homebridge UI Interface is designed as easy to use and seamlessly manage your installed plugins, configuration, and smart devices. It is a web-based management tool that allows you to manage the Homebridge setup and its aspects. As it is entirely designed to control and connect with Homekit, The User Interface will be available on the Apple Home app on any iOS device.
Homebridge VS Home Assistant Compatibility
Excellent Compatibility, With over 2000 Plugins on Homebridge, you can connect any Non-Homekit compatible device to Homekit. It supports numerous smart home accessories. Once the Homebridge Plugin is installed, you can start controlling your devices via your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Homebridge does support the Voice Assistant feature Siri, which allows you to automate devices hands-free. Set up a Home Hub and Automate your connected home devices remotely on the Apple Home App.
More than 2900 Integrations are available on Home Assistant, A Count more than Homebridge- which does make the Homebridge vs Home Assistant a bit more serious. However, Where Home Assistant also focuses on integrating with Smart Home Platforms other than Homekit. Homebridge has over 2000 plugins only for Apple Homekit.
Moreover, Both the Smart Home Platforms support and are compatible with a variety of Smart Home devices. Such as Lights, Fans, Robot Vacuums, Bulbs, Cameras, Speakers, Smart TVs, Garage Door Openers and the list goes on.
Integration – Homebridge VS Home Assistant
Homebridge as its name suggests – is entirely a bridge that gaps the incompatibility and thereby connects to Homekit to provide integration and automation. Whereas the Home Assistant Integration removes the need for an Apple Homekit and can run your devices without an Apple Ecosystem. Home Assistant can definitely act as a bridge but also has a wider integration system, supports many platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Homekit, SmartThings, Matter, etc, and does not just work for a single ecosystem. So, In terms of Integration, HA does offer amazing Local control on different platforms, faster automation, and customizable authority.
However, The Homebridge vs Home Assistant Integration have something in common both support Z-Wave / Zigbee.
- Also, If you are a Tech geek, You can create your own Integrations, Plugins, and Configurations and upload them on the respective Software to help other users.
Cost Difference Homebridge VS Home Assistant
One of the major factors that helps you decide the winner is the Cost of the Software. Both Homebridge and Home Assistant are Open Source – Free Software, But include Paid Cloud Services and Add-ons that enhance your experience.
How much does Homebridge cost?
With a 7 day Free trial, Homebridge Alexa Cloud Services offers two subscription plans ;
- $2.00 USD Per Month.
- $22.00 USD Per Year.
How much does Home Assistant Cost?
- Home Assistant Cloud Plan (Nabu Casa) which costs around $6.50 per month and $65 per year with a 31-day free trial.
- Home Assistant Green Plan costs $99 with 32 GB of eMMC Storage.
- Also, If you want a Voice remote, It will cost you $13.
Similarities between Homebridge VS Home Assistant
- Privacy – Prioritizing the User Privacy, These two platforms store data on the User’s Home Network with no way for explicition.
- Cost – A Free and Open-Source Platform with a Subscription that provides add-on features.
- Local Connectivity – Both Software provide Local connection to Smart Home devices without Internet connectivity.
- Community support -Active Community Support with Tutorials, Guides, Questions, Solutions, Updates and much more.
- Voice Control -Supports Voice Assistant Feature to control your devices Hands-free using your Natural Voice.
Also, Check HomeKit Vs Google Home
What to Choose between Homebridge VS Home Assistant?
There is a simple thought that will help you decide which to choose between the two open-source platforms – And that is YOUR REQUIREMENT. Choose one that fits your requirements. If you want something that helps you connect all your devices to Homekit only, Homebridge is the Best Choice. With Homebridge, you can connect and create your Homekit Smart Home. But if you want something that not only connects to Homekit but also lets you integrate into other Smart Home Ecosystems- Pick Home Assistant. It does have advanced features, creates your smart home, and does not necessarily need the Apple Home app for automations.
Closing off
After all the comparisons above, I conclude the article on Homebridge vs Home Assistant, hoping you would have chosen what’s best for you. However, It is possible that you can use Both the Software for Homekit or Other platforms, as Some Plugins are better on One and Some on the Other. Also, Some users find Homebridge easier to set up and Some choose HA. So, Ending up choosing one entirely depends on your need and how effectively it can run your Smart Home. Do Let me know in the comments- What you choose.