How hard is it to setup a smart home using the different platforms from Apple, Google and Amazon? In a nutshell, Apple Home is going to be the easiest to setup, followed by Alexa and then Google Home. I’ve mapped out the steps and it will usually take you 1 step to setup a new gadget in Apple Home, 7 Steps in Amazon Alexa and 6 steps in Google Home. I’ve come to these numbers and conclusion after spending $1000’s of dollars on smart home gadgets over the last few months.

Now if Apple Home is out of the question for you, I would go with Amazon Alexa right now. Google Home still needs a bit of work since it might not work with an iPhone? That’s what Google told me. This is Part 1 out of 4 of my ultimate comparison. Check out the other parts below:

Part 2 - Apps & Automation -    • The BEST Smart Home App & Automations...  
Part 3 - Data Privacy & Security -    • SHHHHH! - Data Privacy/Security - Par...  
Part 4 - Remote Monitoring & Voice Control -
   • Remote Monitoring & Voice Control - P...  

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Part 2 - Apps & Automations:    • The BEST Smart Home App & Automations...  

As I said earlier, it takes 7 steps to install a device in Amazon Alexa, 6 steps in Google Home and 1 in Apple Home. For me, it was mind-blowing to see how much simpler the Apple Home approach was. All you have to do is install the accessory is plug-in/install the accessory, goto the Home App and line up the HomeKit code. You don’t even need to install the manufacturers app to use the device. Everything is done in the Home App. One-step installation process, one app.

With Amazon Alexa compatible gadgets, you need to first download the manufacturers app, link to the gadgets own wifi, install the unit, sign-up for the manufacturers web service, goto your Alexa app, find the corresponding manufacturers Alexa skill and link your account. And the worst part is that it doesn’t work all the time.

From my perspective, there are too many pieces that can go wrong. You have code to install the device, different code to connect the device to a web-service and even more code to connect the web-service to Alexa. There’s a higher chance for something to go wrong.

Compared to Alexa, Google Home eliminates the last step of finding the right skill to install. Google Home just lists out all the compatible products which is nice but seeing the brand doesn’t necessarily mean all the products are compatible.

I said that Google Home needs a bit more work before anybody can seriously consider it. Why? At the time of this comparison, I am unable to install any of my smart home devices using an iPhone. I contacted Google Home support and they suggested I use an Android device to do so. How is cross-platform compatibility not a priority? What are we in? 2001?

So I used my Galaxy S7 to install everything but here’s another kicker, the list of compatible devices is much shorter on the Android app than the iOS app. Again, Google’s product in a new industry is again, underwhelming.

If you’re finding this video series useful, consider getting your stuff through my links. I got a small commission through those links which helps me with future videos. I’m not sponsored by any of these companies and everything you see in these videos, I’ve paid for with my own money.

Another concern that I have for Amazon Alexa and Google Home regarding hardware is the possibility of a manufacturer going out of business. What happens if Belkin decides to stop making their WeMo devices? There’s a good chance that my plugs are going to be useless since the support isn’t going to be there anymore. With Apple Home, because manufacturers have to meet Apple’s HomeKit requirements, there is a much higher chance that my devices will work for a while, even if the manufacturer goes out of business.

On the flip side of that equation, as of right now, there are way more compatible gadgets for Amazon Alexa but that’s probably going to change in the future as Apple changed the HomeKit standard a bit in 2017.

Again, I’m very surprised at home different the setup processes are between the different platforms. It is hard to argue against the unified approach that Apple has implemented as it makes everything so easy.

So the next part of my ultimate smart home comparison between Apple, Amazon and Google deals with the Apps as well as Automations. If you have questions or comment, leave them down below.