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Amazon Alexa

Amazon's voice assistant app for smart home control

80.5
Score in best home automation platforms
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Ranked 10 of 11 in best home automation platforms

The Alexa app is free, Echo Hub is a built-in hub for Matter and Zigbee devices, and Alexa+ is free with Prime. Control depends on Amazon's cloud and account, so it ranks below the local platforms.

Best for Voice-first control for Echo owners

About Amazon Alexa

The Alexa app pairs Echo speakers and displays with smart home devices, and Echo Hub is a wall-mounted control panel that works as a built-in smart home hub for WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Sidewalk and Thread devices. Alexa can control lights, locks and thermostats by voice, and the newer Alexa+ assistant is also available on the web at alexa.com.

The app is free with in-app purchases, and Prime members get Alexa+ at no extra cost, while some content and services need separate subscriptions. Device control depends on an Amazon account and Amazon's cloud services, which makes it less suited to fully local automation than the hub platforms in this ranking.

Key features

  • Echo Hub control panel
  • Matter over Echo Hub
  • Alexa+ on the web
  • Voice control of lights, locks and thermostats

Strengths

  • Matter, Zigbee and Thread support through Echo Hub
  • Free app with broad device support
  • Alexa+ included with Prime

Limits

  • Depends on Amazon's cloud services and account
  • Less suited to local-only automation than hub platforms

Where Amazon Alexa ranks

How Amazon Alexa compares

ProductScorePricePlatformsWhere automations runHub hardwareMatter support
#7Domoticz84.5Free and open sourceSelf-hostedLinuxWindowsWebYour own Linux, Windows or Pi serverNone, you add a radio such as Z-WaveNot stated on vendor site
#8Samsung SmartThings83.0FreeiOSAndroidSmartThings app with a hubBuilt into select Samsung TVs, or a dedicated hubYes, Matter and Thread supported
#9Google Home81.5Free plan, paid upgradesiOSAndroidWebGoogle Home app on phone or webSome Nest speakers and displays with ThreadYes, Matter locks and devices supported
#10Amazon Alexa80.5Free plan, paid upgradesiOSAndroidWebAlexa app and Amazon cloud servicesEcho Hub control panelYes, through Echo Hub
#11Homebridge77.0Free and open sourceSelf-hostedLinuxmacOSWindowsWebRaspberry Pi, Linux, macOS, Windows or DockerNone, a Pi or spare computerNot stated on vendor site

The full comparison table for best home automation platforms has all 11 products.

Alternatives to Amazon Alexa

All 10 alternatives

Questions about Amazon Alexa

Is Amazon Alexa free?
Amazon Alexa can be used without paying: App is free with in-app purchases; Alexa+ is free with Prime. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
Is Amazon Alexa open source?
No. Amazon Alexa is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
Which platforms does Amazon Alexa support?
Amazon Alexa is available on: iOS, Android, Web.
What is Amazon Alexa best for?
Voice-first control for Echo owners. In our ranking of home automation platforms it is number 10 of 11 with a score of 80.5.
What are the best alternatives to Amazon Alexa?
The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Home Assistant, Homey, Hubitat Elevation, openHAB.

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Ranked #10 of 11 home automation platforms on listme.name
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