Apple HomeKit and Google Home are two of the best smart home platforms available. HomeKit is tightly regulated by Apple, ensuring a streamlined experience with all products in its catalog. On the other hand, Google Home offers more freedom with a larger catalog and developers can use the software as they see fit. Recently, Google Home has undergone a major overhaul, making the app easier to use than ever before. So, which is the better smart home platform? Let's compare HomeKit and Google Home to help you decide which is best for your setup.

Smart home platforms are the backbone of your smart home gadgets, allowing you to issue commands remotely, sync performance with other devices, or check in without leaving the couch. While all smart home platforms function similarly, not all products support all platforms. Hub devices used to be necessary for smart home platforms but are no longer required. Google Home devices can be controlled remotely using the Google Home smartphone app, while HomeKit devices can be controlled using the HomeKit app. Adding a hub, like the Apple HomePod or Google Nest Hub Max, is recommended for easier communication with your system. Google Home supports a wide range of hub devices, while HomeKit is limited to a smaller group of hubs, like the HomePod or Apple TV 4K.

In terms of compatible devices, Google Home has a longer list of devices that sync with it compared to HomeKit. While HomeKit products seamlessly integrate with each other, the limited catalog may restrict choices. For ease of use, both Google Home and HomeKit are intuitive and easy to use but the HomeKit app is not available on Android devices.

Overall, Google Home is the better smart home platform for most homeowners due to its availability on iOS and Android, a wide variety of compatible products, and unique hubs. However, Apple loyalists may prefer HomeKit for its high-quality devices and security regulations. Ultimately, the choice between HomeKit and Google Home depends on personal preference.