Comparison · Home automation platforms
Apple Home vs Homey: which is better in 2026?
Homey ranks higher in our list of home automation platforms (#2 against #6, score 92.5 against 86.5).
- 86.5Editorial score92.5
- 3Platforms4
- YesFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose Apple Home if you want
Smart home control for Apple households.
Built into iPhone, iPad and Mac, with Matter support, camera views and guest access for locks. Automations away from home need an Apple TV or HomePod, and the app only runs on Apple devices.
Choose Homey if you want
Local hub with a free cloud option.
Homey Pro runs locally with no subscription, and Homey Cloud starts free without a hub. Its support for more than 70,000 devices and its Matter, Thread and Zigbee support are broad, but community apps vary in quality.
The main differences
- Only Apple Home runs on macOS.
- Only Homey runs on Android.
- Only Homey runs on Web.
- Apple Home is free; Homey is free plan, paid upgrades.
Side by side
 Apple Home |  Homey | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 86.5 | 92.5 |
| Rank in list | #6 of 11 | #2 of 11 |
| Price | FreeIncluded with Apple devices; needs a home hub for automations | Free plan, paid upgradesCloud free up to 5 devices; Homey Pro is a one-time purchase |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, iPadOSmacOSiOS, iPadOS, macOS | iOSAndroidWebSelf-hostediOS, Android, Web, Self-hosted |
| Made by | Apple | Athom B.V. |
| Where automations run | Apple devices, with a home hub for automations | Homey Pro, a self-hosted server or Homey Cloud |
| Hub hardware | HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV | Homey Pro or Pro mini, none for Cloud |
| Matter support | Yes, Matter accessories supported | Yes, listed under connectivity |
| Best for | Smart home control for Apple households | Local hub with a free cloud option |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Apple Home vs Homey
- Is Homey better than Apple Home?
- Homey ranks higher in our list of home automation platforms (#2 against #6, score 92.5 against 86.5). Apple Home is best for: smart home control for Apple households. Homey is best for: local hub with a free cloud option.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Home or Homey?
- Apple Home: Included with Apple devices; needs a home hub for automations. Homey: Cloud free up to 5 devices; Homey Pro is a one-time purchase.
- Do Apple Home and Homey run on the same platforms?
- Apple Home supports iOS, iPadOS, macOS. Homey supports iOS, Android, Web, Self-hosted.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
